Bicycle Mechanics - Front derailleur broken on Schwinn Le Tour III

Some how the front derailleur broke on my Schwinn. It was probably so old it just disintegrated. However, the rest of the bike is still in great condition, and I want to fix it. I took it to my LBS and after about seriously 2 months, they say that it is impossible to fix, the part is rare and a suitable substitute does not exist.

They insist there is no way to put a different derailleur on. I find this somewhat hard to believe, but I don't know much about these things, which is why I am posting here. I'm inclined to believe them, but they act like condescending pricks every time I go in there. They act like because my bike isn't worth much to begin with, it's not worth investing time or money into it.

What is the internet's opinion? Is my LBS bull****ting me? Should I just turn it into a single speed?

There is a NOS GT-450 (which I assume is what came stock on yours) on eBay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-Le-Tour-GT-450-GT450-Front-Derailleur-NOS_W0QQitemZ250495685313QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a52b4d2c1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

IIRC, the down tube is an odd diameter that no one makes a clamp to fit. Of course, you could have someone install a braze-on.

It would be helpful to identify the FD model number, too.

I would find another bike shop. Most around here are focused on modern bikes exclusively. So if you come in with a bike over about 10 years old, they will tell you it is obsolete and impossible to find parts. Given the millions of Schwinns made, do you believe them? I wouldn't. At worst, measure the tube outside diameter and maybe you will have to shim it. FDs are pretty interchangeable, except for clamp diameter. And of course, some are braze-on, which attaches differently.

+10 :thumb: Regards finding a new bike-shop. Any halfway decent bike-mechanic could easily have outfitted your bike with a front-derailleur that would work - and work better than the old one, no doubt. This guy didn't give a fizz - unless you had $5,000 burning a hole in your pocket.

spraynard, if you'd put your location in your profile, someone might be able to suggest a shop.

that mech on ebay says its for a 1 1/8" tube. Surely thats 28.6mm Thats the most common size.

Ive got a Raleigh Mustang thats got a tube about 30mm. And I managed to fit a 28.6mm mech on there.

What diameter is the Schwinn seat tube?

I agree find another shop and tell then to look in the used bin! but then again I bet most shops don't have one anymore. we seldom threw anything out that you might be able to use a screw or srping from. you may have to shim it.

Thank everyone for the great replies. Unfortunately, the shop has my bike so I can't take measurements on it at the moment. I'm probably just going to grab it on the way home from work today.

@CACycling, thanks for the ebay heads up. I'll probably bid on that tonight and have a different shop install.

As suggested, I updated my profile location. If anyone happens to be familiar with area, I'd love a recommendation. The funny thing about the shop I'm currently going to is that it has vintage "Schwinn Cyclery" signs all over the place. Apparently that was it's old name, but they still keep all the signs around. I figured that would be a good place (plus it's conveniently located). Apparently I was wrong.

I'll probably bid on that tonight and have a different shop install.

FDs are really easy to install especially on friction-shifting bikes. All you need is a wrench and a screwdriver. One bolt clamps the FD to the seat tube, one nut clamps the cable in place and 2 screws for high & low stops.

I've successfully upgraded my Le Tour II to a 90's 105 FD, and the 28.6mm clamp is the right size. I would stick with the GT450, because it has the housing stop built-in.