View Single Post
Old 11-24-10, 01:19 PM
  #2  
badger_biker 
Senior Member
 
badger_biker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Rural Western Wisconsin
Posts: 1,506

Bikes: 10 vintage touring machines

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 112 Post(s)
Liked 126 Times in 66 Posts
That year of LeTour Luxe is probably closest to a full bore touring bike as they came. I don't know the geometry specs but I believe it was pretty close to the Voyageur and shared the same Columbus Tenax main tube material. I had a 1984 model without the Columbus tubing and with centerpull brakes. Although I never toured with it I really loved the ride.

I'd say if the price is right and it is in good shape you can't go wrong. Depending on the types of tours you are planning and the topography, the only changes you may need would be slightly lower gearing and rear panniers that allow for enough heel clearance. Those mid 80's Schwinns were excellent bikes and are underappreciated IMHO. They have a wonderfully smooth ride.
__________________
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
badger_biker is offline