BearcatBengal

I noticed this ad on craigslist for a 1984 Schwinn LeTour Luxe 18 Speed (https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/1815007383.html). The guy wants $175 for it. Is that a fair price? I know the modern LeTour model of Schwinn is a higher end bicycle (or seems to be by the pricing on Schwinn's website ~$800-1000). So I figure $175 is probably at least in the ballpark. The seller has indicated to me via email that the bike is in good condition and has offered a test ride. I would very likely replace/swap/add some of the parts on the bike with higher end parts (tires, pedals, water bottle holder, a removable rack, maybe handlebar parts for additional hand positions). My main concern is that since the bike is almost 30 years old it would be hard to find modern parts that would be compatible with it and/or it would simply not be compatible any modern parts.

khatfull

1) Parts availablility shouldn't be a problem...ebay is your friend.
2) Bike looks clean and well cared for, at least cosmetically.
3) I'd want decals back...
4) You'll be surprised at the number of unique hand positions you'll get on plain old drop bars...

The $64 question is....does it fit you properly?

BearcatBengal

Isn't Schwinn notorious for cheesy/cheap looking sticker decals? What can I expect for a ballpark weight for this bike? Id really prefer it be under 30 lbs. What about changing the seat for instance? Would I have to goto ebay to get a compatible seat? Or would most LBS's have a compatible seat?

Also the guy says he's 5'11" and the bike fits him, in his own words, "very well". Im 5'10.5" with an average body type so I'm pretty sure its going to work out at least size wise.

BearcatBengal

I noticed an Ad for an attractively colored, mint looking, 2009 Schwinn Varsity for only $120, but the guy had sold it very quickly apparently and someone else beat me to the chase. There were many other similarly new Schwinn's for 100-130 so I'm not really 100% positive that asking 175 for an almost 30 year old Schwinn is fair. Is this a reasonable line of thinking?

BluesDaddy

I personally would much rather have the 1984 Schwinn over anything they're making today.

TurbineBlade

See, and I have trouble paying that much for a bike that probably cost about that much 30 years ago. It's all personal preference and whether you like schwinns a lot.

MRT2

The Letour Luxe was a high quality touring bike back in its day.

I own an '85 LeTour Luxe that I paid $65 for 3 years ago. When I bought it, it was in somewhat rougher shape, but by no means bad. I took it to a LBS that did the restoration for me, which included new tubes, tires, brake pads, chain and freewheel. Everything else, BB, derailleurs, hubs, wheels, were fine. And I also bought a new saddle, computer, and seatbag. All of that cost me $200 and change, so my total investment was about $300 to maybe $325 total.

I haven't weighed it, but it feels somewhat lighter than my mid 90s Bianchi hybrid, and much lighter than my wife's late 70s Peugeot touring bike. Not bad for a decent quality touring bike.

MRT2

The LeTour line was not like a Varsity or Continental. It was a high quality touring bike in its time.

The question is, how much would you have to spend today for a equivalent quality road bike or touring bike? You would have to spend much more than $175, or even $375 for this level of quality. But, a new bike will be lighter, have modern index shifting, and a warranty. And the ride may be somewhat different. You just need to decide whether it is worth $700 to $1,200.

And secondly, does the bike need any costly repairs. The only unexpected repair on my Letour was the freewheel. Everything else were things I would expect to wear out over time, and that cost me around $200. Someone who could do their own repairs could have gotten it up and running for considerably less, maybe $75 to $100 in parts.

BearcatBengal

Why's that?

BearcatBengal

Will the shifting/shifter be on the tubing as opposed to the handlebar with this bike? I see a metal lever/knob on the tubing, is that a shifter? This would probably be a make or break for me. Is shifting from the tubing a major pain in the ass?

MRT2

Yes. Those are the shifters. When I bought mine, I spoke to the bike mechanic about switching to bar end shifters, but he talked me out of it. It takes a little getting used to, but it isn't extremely difficult either. You could switch to bar end shifters if it really bothers you.

Edit. I see from your other thread you were also looking at a hybrid. I own an older late 90s era Bianchi hybrid and a LeTour Luxe. I like both bikes, but currently use them for different purposes. This is my take on things.

The modern hybrid is easier to use for shorter rides. Downtube friction shifting isn't as convenient as modern trigger shifters or gripshifters. And, a hybrid has a more upright riding position, so if you are riding short distances or mostly urban rides with a lot of stopping, a newer hybrid may be a better choice. On the other hand, the level of components you will get on a new $400 hybrid are pretty entry level, and not clearly better than the components on even a 25 year old LeTour Luxe. If well maintained, the Schwinn may well outlast the entry level hybrid. And, by the time you are done upgrading your $400 hybrid, you have spent $600 or more. So, by that measure, $175 for a good used touring bike doesn't seem so bad.

Also, a more upright riding position of the hybrid isn't the best for longer rides, especially if there is a headwind. The LeTour is a true touring bike, and is thus better suited for longer rides, say 25 miles or more, or if you are riding into a headwind.

BearcatBengal

I have sort of abandoned the idea of buying a hybrid. I was talked out of it by a friend. He said I would eventually wish I had a road bike. Also, there are more paved trails than unpaved trails in my area anyhow.

wrk101

Well, if you want a Walmart bike, just go to Walmart and buy a brand new Varsity. You can buy a brand new one for $229 at Walmart right now. Why bother with a used one?

Vintage Schwinns really have nothing to do with new Schwinns. Schwinn went bankrupt in the 1990s, and since then, the brand has gone in the dumper. All the lower end Schwinns are Walmart bikes. A couple of the higher end ones are still decent and sold at bike shops. But the Varsity is not one of them.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-70...d-Bike/4698938

People buy vintage bikes for a variety of reasons. But if you want something modern, go modern.

MRT2

That Wal Mart Schwinn weighs 32 lbs, which is significantly heavier than a vintage LeTour. There may be bargains out there for used modern road bikes, but the Varsity isn't one of them.

MRT2

If you start riding seriously, or want to do long group rides that might be true.

BearcatBengal

Interesting. I would have expected the vintage LeTour to way a bit more than the varsity. If I had to guess I would have put the LeTour's weight at about 35 lbs. So what do you think the LeTour weighs?

MRT2

Except that the modern Varsity is a cheaply made Wal Mart bike. You get what you pay for.

I am having a hard time finding the '84 Schwinn Catalogue online right now, but here is a copy of the '85 catalogue.
An '85 LeTour Luxe weighs 25 lbs. https://www.sunrise-cyclery.com/1985schwinn.htm If you remove the rack and switch to lighter pedals and tires, you might even shave a little weight off that number.

MRT2

FWIW, I have found that the mid 80s is a really good era for lightweight vintage road bikes. Even an '85 World Sport or Traveler is lighter in weight than that Wal Mart Varsity.

sykerocker 

Because Schwinn's (actually the company that owns the Schwinn name, there is no such thing as a Schwinn factory anymore) puts out two lines of bikes and calls them both Schwinn's. The more common line is sold at WalMart, Target, and can charitably considered BSO's. There is a line of Schwinn's sold out of bicycle shops (in Richmond, Performance Bike) that are as good as any other mass market line out there. I like the good Schwinn's a lot, other than their infuriating insistence in sizing bikes S, M, L, XL rather than in 2cm intervals. However, the desirability of the good line is badly hurt by the WalMart crap.

EjustE

One thing that has to be noted (because it is not widely known) is that the 1984 Le Tour Luxe had a Columbus Tenax frame, cantilever brakes and came standard with a Jim Blackburn rack. One of the best touring bikes in the mid 80s (and still now, if you switch the original 27inch wheels to 700c and deal with the brake adjustment)

MRT2

OK, I have a question. If the 27" wheels are still in good shape, why change to 700c?

desconhecido 

If the 27" wheels are in good shape and you are satisfied with the selection of tires available (which is not bad), keeping the 27" wheels is a valid option. Particularly with presta savers or grommets. no necessity to change, at all.