Commuting - Beast or Beauty

I recently got this out of the back of the garage and made it rideable again. It's the first decent bike I ever rode. It was purchased with money from a summer job while I was in high school, and has followed me around since. I was waxing sufficiently nostalgic (my wife is quite tolerant of these episodes) that I rode it to work Friday in preference to the hybrid outfitted for the purpose. What do you think: "Beast or Beauty?" "Death Trap or Retro Grouchmobile?" The crank, pedals, shifters, front derailleur, chain, and freewheel have been replaced as things wore out or broke. The rest of the bike (except for the vintage Blackburn rack) is OEM. I bought it in '73 or '74. I think it's a Schwinn-rebadged Panasonic.

http://pweb.netcom.com/~scrantr/IMG_1154S.JPG

I have loudly professed retrogrouch tendencies. While the above isn't a super sweet Paramount or something, it looks like a decent ride in in good condition. Looks like foam bar wraps, I'd be inclined to toss those for some cork tape and get a different saddle.

Maybe swap out the pedals for either clipless or some GR-9 platforms unless you still have some old slotted cleats that fit.

If it were mine, I'd ride it.

I think it's a nice bike, I would ride it and love it. It looks like it is in pretty good shape.

I would call it a classic. Shorten the brake cables, they will feel less spongy and look a little better. Take good care of it, anyone can have a new bike in nice condition, just buy one. Not everyone can have an old bike in nice condition. Especially one that you bought new in the early 70's.

I vote beauty. If you want to get rid of it let me know.

definately a beauty... I agree on the bar tape and seat but other than that it's a nice looking bike. I ride a 1965 schwinn supersport on commutes and going around town. it's nice enough that i don't look like a delivery boy, but old enough that people won't want to steal it as much. Bought my baby at a flea market, got a great deal for it, it is near mint with all original part, so i know how you feel about yours.

Gotta love that chromed front fork! ;)

I recently got this out of the back of the garage and made it rideable again. It's the first decent bike I ever rode. It was purchased with money from a summer job while I was in high school, and has followed me around since. I was waxing sufficiently nostalgic (my wife is quite tolerant of these episodes) that I rode it to work Friday in preference to the hybrid outfitted for the purpose. What do you think: "Beast or Beauty?" "Death Trap or Retro Grouchmobile?" The crank, pedals, shifters, front derailleur, chain, and freewheel have been replaced as things wore out or broke. The rest of the bike (except for the vintage Blackburn rack) is OEM. I bought it in '73 or '74. I think it's a Schwinn-rebadged Panasonic.
I *love* the Letour. I've been stalking them on Craigslist. The frame is an awesome color and the chrome tips look is killer. I like the ride quality of all the ten-speeds I've ever ridden. And I like lugged steel much better than welded steel.

So, to summarize, you should get rid of it :D Send it to me immediately for proper disposal ;)

One question: how is that rack attached to the seatstays?

A bike cared for well, so I say Beauty!

i have to disagree on the welded steel frame...my supersport is brazed cromo frame and it feels great... i can sell it for 3 times what i bought it for but i like it so much that i'm hanging on to it...

Beauty, but...

1) Functionality... I would slap some aero brakes on that thing.

2) Aesthetics... Maybe get cooler nitto handle bars. The seat and seat post probably should be upgraded. Calipers look like centerpulls? Definately would replace with shiny old sidepulls like Galli's or something.

"I think it's a Schwinn-rebadged Panasonic."




It is. I have its “twin” (Panasonic) in the basement. It looks exactly the same except for the decals and mine has the shifters on the stem instead of the down tube. Even the same color and fork. I couldn’t afford the Schwinn, being newlyweds and all (1974). Funny, I actually went downstairs and checked it out just this week to see if I should/could resurrect mine.

Answers...

The bar tape is very old Velox cloth tape (2 or 3 layers of it). When it started looking shabby, I would
put on another layer over the old. The saddle is a very old Avocet Touring gel affair. The seat post is
a Laprade 1-bolt micro adjust. The brakes are the original diacompe centerpulls. They can still lock
up both wheels. The bars are the "randonneur" style that was popular then - shallow drops and a slight
upward curve from the center to the brake levers. It originally had the infamous "death grip" brake
lever extensions. Those were hack-sawed off 20 years ago. The crank is an old Sugino Super Mighty
with 52/42 rings, and the freewheel is a Suntour Procomp 5sp 14-24. Chain is a first generation
Sedisport. The rack is one of the original Blackburns that attaches to the brake bolt by a single steel
strap. It's been trouble free since it went on in the early 80's. The shifters were originally stem mounted
Shimanos of some kind, replaced by the Suntour downtube shifters. The front derailleur is an old Suntour
Road Vx, and the rear is the original "Le Tour" stamped "Schwinn Approved" probably made by Shimano.
It doesn't have the slant parallelogram design of Suntour derailleurs of the period, so I doubt Suntour
made it. I guess the fact the bike is still so rideable is a testament to the relatively low-tech, durable
components Schwinn/Panasonic spec'd for it.

That would be a worthy commuting bike. Just slap on some fenders. It certainly be nice to see it hammered pass mountain bikes and hybrids :)

Amusingly, I was waiting at the bus stop downtown the other day and saw someone on a nearly identical orange Schwinn LeTour... It wasn't in quite the kind of shape that yours is in, but I was still impressed. I think the old classic road bikes are nice. I'm not sure I'd commute on one, but I'm always impressed when I see someone with one still in good shape.

Answers...

The front derailleur is an old Suntour
Road Vx, and the rear is the original "Le Tour" stamped "Schwinn Approved" probably made by Shimano.
It doesn't have the slant parallelogram design of Suntour derailleurs of the period, so I doubt Suntour
made it.

Correct. The rear is a Shimano ‘500’. Mine has a Shimano ‘50’ front derailleur. I tried to make mine into a ‘hybrid’ after I bought a brand new Trek in 1988 (which is still my summer commuter).

Mine isn't so great, but here is a photo:

That bike has some seroius "yum" potential. I'm partial to fixed gear conversions myself so That's what I'd do, swap out the cranks and put a track hub in the back. But that's just me. I love the chrome ends on the fork!

I think the bike is pretty considering it's THIRTY years old....

:D Since we're admiring or condeming classics, here's my commuter and my favorite. Got my baby at a flea market for 90 bucks. 65' schwinn supersport with all original hardware. except the seat and post of course. heavy as hell, but i love the way these steel frames ride. What do u guys think? beauty? beast? gotta love that 'radiant coppertone'

:D Since we're admiring or condeming classics, here's my commuter and my favorite. Got my baby at a flea market for 90 bucks. 65' schwinn supersport with all original hardware. except the seat and post of course. heavy as hell, but i love the way these steel frames ride. What do u guys think? beauty? beast? gotta love that 'radiant coppertone'
Beauty!

man you all know those things are beauties. better than anything i got and i am jealous.

[QUOTE=moxfyre]

So, to summarize, you should get rid of it :D Send it to me immediately for proper disposal ;)

QUOTE]

HEY.....I saw it first ! :) :)

This is quickly morphing into the "My Schwinn from the 70's" thread. So I would like to contribute too.

Early 70's Continental. I have the original seat in mint condition, too. This bike was spotless when I bought it. The chrome is almost perfect.

Bike -$ 5
Schwinn Collegate with fenders matching the Continental - $10
Fenderless Collegate sold for + $15

Total $ 0

:D Since we're admiring or condeming classics, here's my commuter and my favorite. Got my baby at a flea market for 90 bucks. 65' schwinn supersport with all original hardware. except the seat and post of course. heavy as hell, but i love the way these steel frames ride. What do u guys think? beauty? beast? gotta love that 'radiant coppertone'

I think this bike is digusting and filthy and awful. So you should do what any good person would do and box it up nicely so as to not damage anything and ship it to me for proper disposal. Yes I will do you the favor of getting rid of such a beautiful...I mean such and disgusting atrocity.

God I hope this works. :D

where do you live? i'll send it right away... wait...nevermind.... it didn't work...sorry...almost had me there though...actually no...you didn't...sorry... nice try though... hey just go to flea markets... one man trash is another man's treasure.

I think this bike is digusting and filthy and awful. So you should do what any good person would do and box it up nicely so as to not damage anything and ship it to me for proper disposal. Yes I will do you the favor of getting rid of such a beautiful...I mean such and disgusting atrocity.

God I hope this works. :D
Hey man, you stole my nefarious plan, even the ":D"

:rolleyes:

Hey man, you stole my nefarious plan, even the ":D"

:rolleyes:


Now listen you guys, I beat both of you to the punch. I should get first right of refusal. :p

:roflmao: :roflmao:

Do you think we're convincing him it's valuable by arguing over it? :o

Why do we use the term "retro grouch" for those that like older bikes? The people I see riding them are not grouchy in the least!! :D They all seem to have great big smiles on their faces when they are tooling around on their older steeds. (Disclaimer- my opinion has nothing to do with living not far from Rivendell).
I concur with the poster above that said you could shorten the cables, but that is one, nice, ride.

Why do we use the term "retro grouch" for those that like older bikes? The people I see riding them are not grouchy in the least!! :D They all seem to have great big smiles on their faces when they are tooling around on their older steeds. (Disclaimer- my opinion has nothing to do with living not far from Rivendell).
I concur with the poster above that said you could shorten the cables, but that is one, nice, ride.
Ya, basically this thread is drowning in 10-speed awesomeness. I love the ride quality, I find 32 mm tires to be a perfect match of speed and comfort, I like Suntour parts, I like the name Schwinn. Aero levers and bar tape are pretty much the only improvements I'd make to those bad boys.

I think most of these bikes are woefully undervalued when they actually get sold. The value is not so much in the money but in the amount of hunting you have to do to find a specimen for sale!

EDIT: I think we are considered "retro grouches" because we drive manufacturers and LBSes nuts. Instead of going in and buying a nice $1000 road bike, we're the guys who want $5 worth of cables and loose ball bearings :)

:D Since we're admiring or condeming classics, here's my commuter and my favorite. Got my baby at a flea market for 90 bucks. 65' schwinn supersport with all original hardware. except the seat and post of course. heavy as hell, but i love the way these steel frames ride. What do u guys think? beauty? beast? gotta love that 'radiant coppertone'
I love it! I have a '72 that is not original, but I'm using it as my project bike. Aren't they sweet? The Cro-Moly is just great - rides like a dream!

I have a late seventies schwinn Letour II. It is red and the frame is a bit scratched up but from what I have read on here and in other places all the parts are original. I will post some pics later.

I believe the term retro-grouch was applied to Grant Petersen by somebody at Bicycling Magazine in a review of the B-stone XO-1 wherein the moustache bars were lambasted. I don't know if Petersen embraced it, but it stuck. Perhaps we've ironized the "grouch" part. I do get sincerely grouchy when somebody who wants to ride a bike obviously has had their heads stuffed full of misinformation about the virtues of whatever novelty the bicycle industry is pushing on people who just don't know any better.

No question the bike is a beauty. I wonder, is it possible to make a bad bike with chrome tipped fork blades? Probably not. I echo the suggestions-- trim the superfluous cable length, throw on a different saddle (preferably a Brooks) and wrap the bars with cloth or cork.

I have a late seventies schwinn Letour II. It is red and the frame is a bit scratched up but from what I have read on here and in other places all the parts are original. I will post some pics later.

Here is my Schwinn Letour II. All stock as far as I know. GT 450 RD, Avocet saddle, Dia Compe brakes, Blackburn mountain rack. I believe it is high tensile steel. If someone knows for sure I would like to know what the frame material is. The barrel adjustor on the front brake lever is broken otherwise it rides great. My brother had it sitting in his basement for about 5 years. He used to live in Banff. Some guy gave him the bike in lieu of a rent payment. My brother never rode it so I convinced him to let me have it. I fell in love with this bike the first time I saw it. I also really like the chrome fork. All in all it is a pretty sweet ride. The steel frame soaks up the bumps and the ride is silky smooth.

Keep her!

Thirty years old? Doesn't look a day over twenty! ;)

All she needs is some fenders--and a better saddle (those old Avocets deteriorate badly, and are a$$-killers besides!)--and she'd be ready for anything!

But...are you??