What to do with my 1986 LeTour
 

I have a Schwinn LeTour that I purchased new in 1986. It served me well, but has been hanging in my garage for some time, having been replaced by newer mountain/road bikes. It could probably use a tuneup and some lube, but is generally in pretty good condition. Have been thinking about what to do with this bike for some time and thought I would get some opinions here. Here are my thoughts:

Sell it. This was the first bike I purchased new with my own $$. I have a soft spot for it so am reluctant to part with it.

Tune it up and ride. Not sure if I would actually ride it when I have a carbon-fiber/ultegra option hanging right next to it...

Fixie conversion. Not much of a mechanic so I would pay a LBS to do this. Could probably buy a langster or similar for the same $ as the conversion, but then I have yet another bike....

Upgrade. Upgrade the 12 speed drive train to modern components. Throw some 105 components on there with some new wheels. Ride.

Nothing. Leave it hanging in my "frame graveyard"...

Opinions?

Opinion: If you live on the flatter side of NJ, remove the RD & FD, pick a gear combo that you like, and shorten the chain and try it as a SS for 3-6 rides. If you like that kind of cycling, then bother with the expense of a having the rear wheel converted to FG or SS.

In this case you would only be out the cost of a chain, which after 22 years probably needs replacing anyway. Your most cost effective solution would be to tune up and ride, but if you don't think you will because of the CF wonder you have, then why waste the dollars. Try something new. FG/SS might not be for you for either personal or practical reasons.

Best of luck!

Here's my suggestion, or opinion, or meaningless meanderings of the mind on a Monday morning:

You said you have an emotional appreciation of it, so my suggestion is to give it a tune-up which might or might not go into the details of a complete overhaul with regreasing the bottom bracket and all other bearings. How deep you get into the tune up would be based on how the bike was used in the past and on where you live and on what your local humidity is like. You might even take it down to bare frame and give it a frame-saver treatment. Your option on if you freshen up the the tires and bar wrap. Then put a good relaxing 20 miles on it. Then hang it back up on the wall.

Even though at this point in time you might prefer the newer c/f wonderbike, there might come the day down the road that you find you actually prefer the ride of the older bike, or there might come the day that you just want to wax nostalgic. Don't know how old you are so maybe save the bike for the midlife crisis years when you just want to rediscover your youth. I could offer analogys (analogies? sp?), but will spare you that meander.

If it costs you nothing now, and if it isn't in your way, then saving it might make you thankfull you did in 10 to 20 years from now. Or not. Another option would be to pass it along to someone who likes the bikes of that era, that way it will be put into use as it was designed for. Ultimately it is your decision, do what works for you.

I like the SS conversion suggestion. I had a Le Tour of the same era and converted it to Fixed gear with 42-19 gearing (I have hills here). I liked it, but converted it back and set up a similar aged Traveler as the fixed gear (selling the Le Tour as it was originally set up). My reason for going with the Traveler was that it was a 4130 frame also with almost identical geometry, and without the shift lever braze-ons.

Put a post out asking if any fellow Minneapolis C&V'ers would be willing to pick it up for you and ship it.

-Kurt

Sage advice. Truly and elegantly written.

This is why I cannot WAIT to move to MN in February. I'm so stoked to get a Schwinn (read: a vintage bike that I can easily find parts for)!

I vote for keeping it--and if you take it to a shop to convert it, make sure you get the original parts. I recently acquired an '86 LeTour for a refurb, and am very impressed with it. Nicely-lugged True Temper 4130 frame (made in Mississippi) with a fine component mix. I especially like the Stronglight crankset. I know the LeTours varied in quality from year to year, but in my opinion, '86 seems to have been a good one. What color is yours? Mine is white but I know they came in red as well.

Thanks for the replies. I think I am going to go with converting it to fixed. Can't bring myself to sell it and this gives me a different option in addition to my road/mountain bikes. Mine is red. Will post up in the before and after thread when its complete...