Mid 1970's Schwinn LeTour
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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.
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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.
Welcome to the forum.
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Way too much. Keep looking.
+1 Mid 1980s LeTours were pretty good, and much better than the 1970s versions.
+1 Mid 1980s LeTours were pretty good, and much better than the 1970s versions.
Last edited by wrk101; 06-01-12 at 12:40 PM.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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