Collectibility Of Columbia Five Star?

[frankabr.]

Once in a while I'll see one come up for sale. They look like neat bicycles. Are replacement parts easily available? Any opinions as to collectibility? Someone's been trying to sell a blue one on Ebay. It looks like the rack is incorrect and I'm not sure about the rims. It looks like a nice bicycle.

Another bicycle I like is the Firestone Monark Super Cruiser. Someone is selling one of those as well. It's also been up for a while. Front light housing appears missing.
Any opinions? If you had a choice, which would you pick?

Let me know what you think?

Thanks, F.A.

 

[MrColumbia]

A lot of people collect 5 Stars so I guess that makes them collectable. Parts are easy to find with the exception of original luggage rack tail lights and the correct headlight. There is a lot of reproduction parts floating around left over from the 1986 RX-5 run to replace missing parts until correct ones can be found. The most common style 5 Stars (1950-1956) came in a wide variety of option packages and shared many of the same parts (frame, fork to name a few) with the lower priced 3 Stars. They are a good sturdy and heavy bike.

 

[eazywind]

The columbia pick that one

I am biased however............

 

[catfish]

I love 5 Stars. had about 35 at one time......

 

[Freqman1]

I have both. I like the look of the train light and 'cheese grater' rear rack on the Monark but it rides like crap. The Five Star Columbias are a much better built bike and have style as well. As stated earlier parts for the Five Stars are probably a little easier so if it were me I, too, would lean towards the Columbia. v/r Shawn