Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - My Converted Schwinn LeTour '87

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rp6884
08-13-08, 08:08 AM
Hey all,

I love the forum...get lots of information/ideas from what I see here.

I just did a little revamp on my old 87 letour SS that I use to commute to work, gave it a little clean up and wanted to see what you guys think. Its not a full conversion as I've left a lot of the original components.

I've got a 52t chain ring on it now with a 16 freewheel, powdercoated to match the original schwinn red, Mavic CXP 22 w/ formula hubs, fizik saddle, all cane creek braking (haven't decided whether or not to add in the back brake), sealed BB, and a sugino crank (original I believe, but still solid)

What do you guys think? Where should I take it from here? I need ideas/thoughts on a new chainring (maybe carbon/black), new stem (this ones just beat up a little but i like the silver quill style), maybe etirely new handlebar structure/shape and braking system (i just dont think I can let go of my main levers for grip when running hard, but right now i'm only running a front brake, so the right lever is useless). Ok ,i'm done ranting...tell me what you think.

ZiP0082
08-13-08, 08:22 AM
looks great -- though, 52/16 sounds pretty steep, hopefully you're in an ultra flat place. i wouldn't worry with a black/carbon chainring, the silver looks fine to me (though, i'd consider going to a 46t or so, but that's dependent on your area). i think it's best to run 2 brakes if you're freewheeling it.
rp6884
08-13-08, 08:31 AM
Ya, thats another reason i'll be changing the chainring is to drop a few, I'm in Chicago now so terrain is really not a problem, and ****...i F'n fly with the 52. But sometimes I get sick of working so hard to start up.

I'll probably end up going with the rear as well, just havent gotten around to it....and damned if it doesn't look cleaner without it.

anthony691
08-13-08, 08:36 AM
The lake front path rocks.
rp6884
08-13-08, 08:45 AM
it is pretty fantastic...

definitely dangerous though...walkers/rollerbladers pose some serious obstacles at high speeds.....I saw a guy faceplant last night because a walker just walked onto the path without looking.

Its really nice in the mornings...almost noone there, much more peaceful.
rp6884
08-13-08, 08:54 AM
I'm thinking about an Cinelli Oyster Stem...its got just a small black accent.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-130mm-Cinelli-Oyster-Quill-Bicycle-Bike-Road-Stem_W0QQitemZ360077889528QQihZ023QQcategoryZ42333QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohos ting

Or the 3T Synthesis Stem

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Old-Stock-3TTT-3T-or-TTT-Synthesis-Stem-130-mm_W0QQitemZ270241033022QQihZ017QQcategoryZ42333QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638 Q2em118Q2el1247
anthegreat1
08-13-08, 09:39 AM
looks great. maybe get some bullhorns if you enjoy riding the hoods, that way you could get rid of the extra brake levers
rp6884
08-13-08, 11:15 AM
i've toyed with bullhorns, I'm just not sure. Can I still run inlines with a bullhorn? I need to go test one out.
anthegreat1
08-13-08, 12:36 PM
inlines?
rp6884
08-13-08, 12:38 PM
inline brakes...like the one i have currently.
anthegreat1
08-13-08, 12:40 PM
you can or you could get TT levers

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/full/c/canhbw47.jpg
rp6884
08-13-08, 01:41 PM
those look great!
anthegreat1
08-13-08, 06:35 PM
i picked up one off ebay for $10