Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1972 vintage Schwinn LeTour road bike

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/bik/2638328328.html

the bike above is being offered at $175. is this worth it?

I've been searching around for information on this model but i can't find anything regarding 72. only later 70's. from what i hear the bike is heavy; what are the downsides to that? also this will be a bike for commuting basically, will this serve that purpose well?

**i looked up the badge number and it seems to be from 64, not 72?
the number is f426263

$100 to $125 bike around here, add the typical CA premium, and it is close.

Yes, this will be a heavy bike.

How long of a commute? And what terrain (hills)? I rode a similar bike in college, it worked fine (til it was stolen....)

They did some weird things with LeTours, one year would be better built then the next. Unfortunately the 1972 or 73 which is what I think it is, weren't very good. Personally I think their over charging by about $100, but I'm weird especially since I know I can find better bikes for around that same figure their asking with a little patience.

$100 to $125 bike around here, add the typical CA premium, and it is close.

Yes, this will be a heavy bike.


+1

I don't live in CA, but I think you could do better. Just picked up an '88 Schwinn Tempo for my girlfriend last week for $150.

The downside to a heavy bike is that it will be slower and less fun to ride. How far do you have to commute? It will certainly work.

same bike is going for 120 on my CL...and I live in the bay area.. over priced? probably.

yeah i read more about the bike and discovered i could do a lot better for that price. still looking. thanks for le comments though :)

The Le Tour was introduced in late 1973 as a 1974 model year bike. There were no 1972 LeTours. Serial number F4xxxxx would mean the frame was manufactured in June, 1974. These early LeTours were made by National/Panasonic in Japan.

From Schwinn Bulletin 23, "Schwinn Bicycle Identification Numbers":

Bicycles from Japan have a production month letter in either the first or second position and a production year number in the other (first or second) position. Examples J677123 = September, 1976, 6J77123 = September, 1976.


Le Tour (and Super Le Tour) numbers (1978-80 and 1982 on) include the letter “S” with a production month letter followed by a series on numbers, the first one telling the year of production (8-1978, 0-1980). Example SC94653-March, 1979.

A=January, B=February, C=March, D=April, E=May, F=June, G=July, H=August, I=Not Used, J=September, K=October, L=November, M=December

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Schwinn%20Publ%20Pages/1974LeTour.jpg

The Le Tour was introduced in late 1973 as a 1974 model year bike. There were no 1972 LeTours. Serial number F4xxxxx would mean the frame was manufactured in June, 1974. These early LeTours were made by National/Panasonic in Japan.

From Schwinn Bulletin 23, "Schwinn Bicycle Identification Numbers":

Bicycles from Japan have a production month letter in either the first or second position and a production year number in the other (first or second) position. Examples J677123 = September, 1976, 6J77123 = September, 1976.


Le Tour (and Super Le Tour) numbers (1978-80 and 1982 on) include the letter “S” with a production month letter followed by a series on numbers, the first one telling the year of production (8-1978, 0-1980). Example SC94653-March, 1979.

A=January, B=February, C=March, D=April, E=May, F=June, G=July, H=August, I=Not Used, J=September, K=October, L=November, M=December

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Schwinn%20Publ%20Pages/1974LeTour.jpg

That's what I thought, I couldn't recall any LeTours in 72 either that why I thought it was a 73, thanks for confirming that.

That dude is got it going on, what with the checkered shorts, mid height stripe calf tube socks and the Kennedy Bro's hair. No wonder that babe is leaning into him, all coy like. I have a late seventies Le Tour and I love it, even though I have so called "nice" rides. Like comfort food, it's a comfort ride for me, taking me back to everything I dreamed of getting when I bought my first "real" bike. But, I wouldn't pay 2 bills for it. Maybe for that guys shorts I would.

That dude is got it going on, what with the checkered shorts, mid height stripe calf tube socks and the Kennedy Bro's hair. No wonder that babe is leaning into him, all coy like. I have a late seventies Le Tour and I love it, even though I have so called "nice" rides. Like comfort food, it's a comfort ride for me, taking me back to everything I dreamed of getting when I bought my first "real" bike. But, I wouldn't pay 2 bills for it. Maybe for that guys shorts I would.

I laughed when I saw those shorts...but then I realize the style of those shorts look a lot better then today's pants hanging down to a guys thighs and his checkered underwear showing walking bow legged and holding his crotch to keep the pants on!!! Suddenly those shorts in that ad don't look so bad.

http://www.cbsnews.com/i/tim/2010/09/28/noco_0928_SAGGY_PANTS_480x360.jpg