Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Mid 1970's Schwinn LeTour

Hello, I am relatively new to the fitness side of biking, but I would like to start, to get in shape for my final year of Varsity hockey, since I hate running. I have always been into bikes, trashpicking BMX bikes and fixing them up, however, none of the bikes I ride on are very comfortable or feasible to use for the purpose I am looking for. For the past few weeks, I have been researching road bikes, but all of the brands I like are way out of my price range, for the current and up to date models. (Cannondale, Trek, Fuji, Cervelo, etc) So I figured, why not look on Craigslist for a used one, and I found a 1970's schwinn le tour. It looks to be in great condition, and I have some money to put into it if need be. However, the seller didn't mention anything about the hubs or bearings within the BB or in the headset. I have already joined a bike club, and they ride quite a bit, so I need a good reliable bike to go to, but I am unsure if this is one is up to it. Even though it is a chromoly frame, I really don't want to have to overhaul or replace the hubs, when I could just dump the money into a new bike. Replacing the bearing cones/cups is not on my list of favorite things to do. Sorry if I was long winded, but, I really need to know if this bike is worth paying 250$, even if I need new hubs, BB and headset bearings.

Every market is different, the price depends on were you live. In most markets $250 is too much for a Schwinn Letour. At that price it should be excellent condition, completely serviced and ready to ride. I would expect new tires, tubes, cables, etc. In most parts of the country you can do better with $250 budget.


Welcome to the forum.

Way too much. Keep looking.

+1 Mid 1980s LeTours were pretty good, and much better than the 1970s versions.

Even in PERFECT condition, $250 is too much for any Le Tour. If it's actually a 70s model, $250 is way too much. Keep looking for something better.

I have a 25' Le Tour from 1986 - minus the dust caps, minus the headbadge, and with new brakes that I am selling locally for less than $100. It has been serviced. Unless it is a perfect Le Tour 12.2 from the late '70's, there is no way I would pay $250. Both the '80's bikes and the 12.2's were made with 4130 steel - which I prefer over the older steel Le Tours.

A mid 80's double butter chromoly frame Le Tour, fully serviced, new tires and in excellent condition might ask $250 on a good day(but probably won't get that much). But a 70's LeTour, no that's way too high. Servicing that bike at a LBS is going to be expensive. So if you take the $250, add $80-$100 for full service with a new chain, add another $40 for tires and you're somewhere around $400. For that kind of money you can buy one really sweet vintage ride from a flipper, fully serviced and ready to ride or maybe a late model road bike used on CL.

The Le Tour was officially introduced by Schwinn in 1974, although it hit the shop floors in 1973. It was made in Japan by Panasonic. It is a decent bike with steel rims. For the savvy shopper, $50 to $75 is a good price for one in nice shape. Best to know how to work on these bikes. I was a HS athlete, and a strong rider. What the bikes I rode back then lacked, i made up for in leg strength and edurance. Still, a lighter more modern bike would make it easier to keep pace with the stronger riders on club rides. $250 could get you a much nicer bike for your purposes. Keep looking.