beng1

This is my first single-speed or coaster-braked bike to ride since the mid-1970s. Built up from a 1979 Schwinn LeTour frame/rims, a coaster hub from a Schwinn Breeze, a stem and seat-post from a World-Sport, and drop-bars, tires and tubes from a Schwinn Sprint. The cranks are off a Motobecane I used to race in the 1990s. Bike works great running 52/20 gearing. This is a video of it's first big ride; https://www.*****ute.com/video/EWbCvir8L56T/

beng1

Switched to a 1/8" single-speed specific 50t front sprocket a few weeks ago, replacing the 52T ten-speed style chain-wheel. I noticed no difference in riding the bike, but thought with it's longer teeth the chain may have less chance of coming off;




Bendix 70 after I took it apart and cleaned it, looks like zero wear inside;

Gresp15C

Looks nice. I also ride a single speed on an old Schwinn lug frame with Bendix coaster hub, for knocking around town, recreational rides, etc. What fun!

I strongly advise getting a front hand brake for a number of reasons. First of all, those Bendix hubs don't really brake all that well, and require more pedal force as you increase your gear ratio. Second, coaster-only has quite a few subtle failure modes that are not worth learning about the hard way, such as if your feet are not securely on the pedals when you need to stop, and having to stop on a steep down slope.

I'm sure that having raced, you can handle a bike better than I can, but it also means that you'll be going a lot faster than me, on a bike that's practically brake-less.

rustystrings61 

I rode a similar lugged steel Asian-built Schwinn as my college commuter bike. I'll add my voice to the call for a front brake, mine certainly saved my bacon a time or two.

beng1

I lowered the gear ratio with the 50t front, so have more braking power now. I weigh well over 200 pounds so have lots of weight to throw on the rear brake, and I have already torture-tested it down some really steep grades from 5% to 8% in the wet and rain even, and had no problems. I do not plan on any more torture tests, just easy riding. I am a baby-boomer, and we grew up riding coaster brake bikes, maybe younger generations that did not are less comfortable with them?

joesch

Nice to see you try a SS using that 1979 Schwinn LeTour
Perhaps try centering the seat more over the post.
I could not see the link you provided, did not resolve.

I recently revived a Schwinn Steel 1020 lugged tubing called X-tra light which is probably about a decade later.
My SS has Sugino Super Maxi crankset and Weinmann 605 brakes.
I also did a spray job.