1979 Schwinn Le Tour IV Mixte
02-19-13, 11:00 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: santa barbara CA
Posts: 1,087
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
21 Posts
1979 Schwinn Le Tour IV Mixte...pic heavy
1979 19", just cleaned it up(didn't go OCD) and tuned it for a friend who's giving it to his 23yr old daughter for her birthday, just a lot of grunge on it after sitting forever in a garage. Pretty sure she'll be happy and "styling" on it. I think 1979 was one of, if not the, last years Schwinns were made in Chicago. It came with the "Carefree" tires which are solid and ride like, well, solid hard rubber. They came off pretty easily, just rolled off with my thumbs(after doing this I don't think I would ride them regardless of ride quality) and the bike looks and rides much better with $12 Kendas.
Cleaned up but with the Carefrees still on it, looks strange yes? I've never seen these in the flesh before.
And with the much more forgiving pnuematics, looking much better.
Surprised me, the solid and the Kendas weigh the same, bike is 32lbs with either! First the Carefree, then the Kendas and tube...
More pics in the next post
Cleaned up but with the Carefrees still on it, looks strange yes? I've never seen these in the flesh before.
And with the much more forgiving pnuematics, looking much better.
Surprised me, the solid and the Kendas weigh the same, bike is 32lbs with either! First the Carefree, then the Kendas and tube...
More pics in the next post
__________________
Brian
Brian
Last edited by calstar; 02-19-13 at 04:42 PM.
02-19-13, 11:00 AM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: santa barbara CA
Posts: 1,087
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
21 Posts
This was tyical of its condition before cleanup, just a lot of grunge. Very minimal rust on the chrome rims and chrome bits, lucky!
and a few close ups of the Carefree
^^interior mounting design
and lastly the badge....whats the #3049 designate?
and a few close ups of the Carefree
^^interior mounting design
and lastly the badge....whats the #3049 designate?
__________________
Brian
Brian
Last edited by calstar; 02-19-13 at 11:34 AM.
02-19-13, 12:34 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,698
Bikes: 87 Bridgestone 550 (Shocking Electric Metallic Pink)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
304th day of 1979, looks like a CLEAN ride, hopefully the new tires will ride better too. You CAN upgrade to 700s, I upgraded my rusty chrome on my old 79 LeTour IV to 700s with a 7 speed freewheel, it worked like a champ. Cut almost 2 pounds of weight too.
02-19-13, 12:40 PM
#5
MIKE is my name!
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: finland,baltimore
Posts: 2,846
Bikes: hans lutz, , puch mistral ultima,2x Austro Daimler Smoked chrome Ultima,Austro Daimler Mixte,Austro Daimler 531 mixte, flying arrow,F Moser,
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
4 Posts
nice bike.....
but that bike "needs " something..
like silver full fenders.
but that bike "needs " something..
like silver full fenders.
02-19-13, 01:34 PM
#6
Senior Member
The '79 and '80 LeTours were built in Chicago. Here's the catalog page for the '79 model: https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1979...e_Tour_IV.html
Last edited by Metacortex; 02-19-13 at 03:29 PM.
02-19-13, 01:41 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: santa barbara CA
Posts: 1,087
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
21 Posts
Chrome fenders would be sweet. If his daughter would like some I'd be happy to facilitate. Of course, have to see much she's into riding it first!
__________________
Brian
Brian
Last edited by calstar; 02-19-13 at 02:00 PM.
02-19-13, 01:42 PM
#8
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
As far as the bike in general, she's definitely a pretty one! I hope your friend's daughter likes the bike as much as you've enjoyed cleaning it up and making it road ready for her.
02-19-13, 01:47 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
me likey!
that's a twin sister to my '80 le tour, except the handlebars. i believe 1980 was the last year they were made in chicago. i understand the 79's and 80's are rare.
i would sure love to convert mine to aluminum wheels. the chome doesn't stop worth a d**n
that's a twin sister to my '80 le tour, except the handlebars. i believe 1980 was the last year they were made in chicago. i understand the 79's and 80's are rare.
i would sure love to convert mine to aluminum wheels. the chome doesn't stop worth a d**n
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bikemanbob
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
9
08-25-14 11:34 AM
