Touring bicycles have been around long before the Schwinn Le Tour. The name "Le Tour" is a dead giveaway that this bike was inspired by it's predecessors from across the pond. This bike however, was the first mass produced touring bicycle to enter the U.S market by a U.S owned company.
According to history, the mid 1970's oil crisis and a national interest in all things European at the time brought about the bike boom and most notably, the "touring" bicycle or ten speed as it was once called. Before then bicycles in the United States mainly consisted of cruiser-style single speed bikes with balloon tires, also known as paper boy bikes. These more common bicycles featured tanks, horns, fenders and many of them weighed in excess of fifty pounds. The concept of lightweight racing bicycles was a foreign one to most people at the time. This perception changed during the 70's, when a fuel shortage, a new environmentally conscious generation and an unpopular war paved the way for a bicycle revolution. Belgium and the Netherlands rolled with the movement and are now the most bicycle friendly countries in the world. The momentum in the U.S ended abruptly around the late 80's when the economy improved and technology rapidly advanced. From the 80's onward, bicycles have turned from a practical means of transportation to a form of exercise and recreation. Out of that bike boom era there arose a people's champion, a working man's fare, the Model T of touring bikes and a well made product forged in a Chicago factory. The humble but reliable Schwinn Le Tour.
According to history, the mid 1970's oil crisis and a national interest in all things European at the time brought about the bike boom and most notably, the "touring" bicycle or ten speed as it was once called. Before then bicycles in the United States mainly consisted of cruiser-style single speed bikes with balloon tires, also known as paper boy bikes. These more common bicycles featured tanks, horns, fenders and many of them weighed in excess of fifty pounds. The concept of lightweight racing bicycles was a foreign one to most people at the time. This perception changed during the 70's, when a fuel shortage, a new environmentally conscious generation and an unpopular war paved the way for a bicycle revolution. Belgium and the Netherlands rolled with the movement and are now the most bicycle friendly countries in the world. The momentum in the U.S ended abruptly around the late 80's when the economy improved and technology rapidly advanced. From the 80's onward, bicycles have turned from a practical means of transportation to a form of exercise and recreation. Out of that bike boom era there arose a people's champion, a working man's fare, the Model T of touring bikes and a well made product forged in a Chicago factory. The humble but reliable Schwinn Le Tour.
Over the years I have owned several Schwinn Le Tours. The yellow Schwinn featured in the title heading of this bike blog was my first restoration. It has now left my possession as I have given it to my mom, who rides it regularly. Unlike their French counterparts at the time, these bicycles were all steel with metal shifters and derailleurs, making them reliable and durable. The strong metal used for the frames could take a sustained load without making the bicycle ride slower. The early Le Tours had almost all factory made components with all parts stamped "Schwinn Approved". Finding the date on an early Schwinn is as easy as looking at the head badge and hubs of the wheels.
The following two bikes are examples of an early Schwinn Le Tour model and one of the last Schwinn Le Tours that came out of the Chicago factory. Both have features of what was popular for bicycles at the time of their production. With a stronger focus on touring, comfort and practicality, the 1980 Schwinn Le Tour on the right was equipped with stem mounted shifters, steel rims, ergonomic handlebars with shallow drops and center pull brakes. The late 80's Schwinn on the left was made much more sportier, reflecting the shift from practical use to recreative use. The 1988 Schwinn features downtube shifters, side pull caliper brakes and alloy rims. Like the earlier model it came with a strong steel frame and eyelets for mounting racks on, heralding back to it's original purpose of touring. Both bikes can be equipped as touring bikes and in this regard no one bike is superior than the other.
A 1980 Schwinn Le Tour with a logo design reminiscent of earlier models. |
By the late 80's lighter steel such as true temper was being used for the Schwinn Le Tour |
1020 Tubing is not light by modern day standards, however the bicycle rides like a lightweight bike due to it's road dampening qualities. |
Early Schwinns featured stem mounted shifters, steel rims, "suicide" brake levers and lots of chrome |
Although the later Schwinn model was designed to be faster than the earlier version, the early Schwinn can be a serious contender with alloy rims and some minor upgrades. As shown in this video, this bike is no wimp when it comes to speed. The video shows me whipping past carbon fiber roadies in their $3000 Wiliers and triathlon machines on my 79' yellow Schwinn.
These bikes can be found all day long on the online classifieds, at a good price too if someone is a shrewd buyer. The 1980 Schwinn cost me $40 and zero dollars in investment to get it in it's current condition. I bought the 88' Schwinn to help out a friend and it cost me twice as much. These bikes can and do usually bring anywhere from $150 to $300 at resale. I personally have a hard time letting go of Schwinn Le Tours. They are such well built bikes and such a bargain for the money that I will usually hold onto them while usually getting rid of my more expensive bicycles. Having restored one from the ground up, I know firsthand the quality of their build and what this bicycle is capable of. For some reason unknown to me, these bicycles are usually passed up by collectors while inferior models like the Varsity and Stingray get all the attention. The Stingrays, Lemon Peelers and Fastbacks which sell in the thousands of dollars can barely be ridden by grown men while a good Schwinn Le Tour that is capable of beating the socks off of a modern day road bike doesn't even get an offer over $100 most of the time.
One day when the Puerto Rican Schwinn club switches from vintage cruisers to vintage road bikes (I'm Puerto Rican, I can say that...) or when hipsters start to covet Schwinn bikes for their fixed gear fallacies, the collector's value on a Schwinn Le Tour will probably rise. When it does, just remember that I was riding Schwinn Le Tours before it was cool, before hipsters discovered it and before having knowledge of a Puerto Rican Schwinn club, of which I am probably now regarded as an honorary member. Even though my stable of bikes boasts the best of French, Italian and British imported vintage steel, I will always remember my roots and the bike that got me into restoring bikes in the first place. I can always make room for a humble Schwinn Le Tour.
Johnny,
ReplyDeleteI think y'all did things not because they were cool, but because you really enjoyed doing them - that's perfect. I had a Schwinn, but I can't remember if it was a Le Tour. I paid $20 for it and sold it, two years later, for about $25 and a 2 Liter bottle of Mountain Dew (yes, guilty). Great bike! Your bikes are a lovely color too.
Peace :)
Bought a Le Tour in 1983 and cost me $230 then. Rode it pretty regular for a few years then it sat in the garage for years. Got it back out this summer and have been putting about 80 miles a week on it. The Huret Cyclometer that has been on since day one shows 5,400 miles. Don't see any reason to buy a new bike.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you are still enjoying yours. I'm putting mine to work riding this summer riding 13 miles to the gym each day.
ReplyDeleteHi Johnny! Thanks for writing this article. Sadly I lost my latour recently due to a hungry Audi. I am trying to find out what kind I have and what it's worth. Would you please help me with this? I can be reached at "alastdance4me2@gmail" Thank you!
DeleteI miss my old orange Schwinn Le Tour. I miss it badly. They just don't make bikes like that anymore. I think it was 1975 when I bought it new from our local bike shop, which sadly, is no more. I'm not an athlete but I do love the feeling I get when riding a bike, leisurely, coasting down hill is especially pleasant., exhilarating actually. I've never driven a car. In the seventies I used to ride my bike to work, a window factory in the town that I live in. It was very unusual at that time, to see a woman riding a bike around town. Now, today, almost 40 years later, I want another Le Tour, if it can be orange, all the better. I came upon your blog accidentally while searching on line for a new Schwinn that would be comparable to the LeTour. I couldn't find anything that appealed to me, aesthetically or economically. At that point, it occurred to me that maybe I could find an actual Le Tour from the seventies, maybe even an orange one. Your wonderful blog post here has motivated me to continue searching in that direction.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your touching story with me. I hope you find your orange Schwinn Le Tour again. I see Le Tours being posted on craigslist regularly. If you haven't checked out Craigslist, it's an online classified where people sell all sorts of things. I would search there at possibly go garage sale shopping on the weekends. It won't take long to find your bike again. I wish you the best-Johnny.
DeleteI had a LeTour hanging up on the garage rafters for the past 7 or 8 years. Prior to that I road it often. I had picked it up at a garage sale a few years earlier...and it was like new then. I had hand surgery on both hands and decided to get a mountain style bike with more comfortable handle bars because of the surgeries. Well, this year I finally decided to pull it down to give it a spin. Of course I first took it into a bike shop for a complete tune-up. At first I was going to get the tune-up, and new tires and tubes. But after taking it in, decided to get new brakes, new cables, and new, more expensive gel handle bar wrap. All in all, it ran about $250. My brother asked why I didn't just get a new bike...LOL. When I compared it to an ol' classic car, he understood. Yesterday I went on a 30 mile ride...without a struggle. On the other mountain bike, it would have been more difficult. The LeTour rides so smoothly and with such ease. I absolutely love it, however still a bit hard on my hands. Thanks for your post. Mary in Niles, IL
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Mary. I love all the positive feedback I'm getting from this article. One thing that might help with the wrist and hand pain would be changing the tires down the road. I just switched out the tires on my 88' Schwinn to Panaracer Paselas. They ride really plush and absorb a lot of the road noise. I would also recommend wearing riding gloves for a little while until your hands can get accustomed to the feel of the bike. Way to go on your 30 miles and keep up the riding!-Johnny.
DeleteAgreed, I think this has been one of the most under rated early 10-speed touring bikes. I am getting ready to get back on my mine after a tune and some minor updates. I have three LeTours; all 21 inch frames. One silver ladies frame, ex-wife's, ridden twice and has been hanging from rafters for at least 20 years. Two yellow men's frames. One I gave to my Mom and I got back when she passed away a few years ago. I will be trying to sell ladies and one yellow men's frame soon here in Denver, Colorado
ReplyDeleteI had a crazy notion that the Le Tour was named, at least in part, for Alfred LeTourner who had some unbelievable speed record on a Schwinn.
ReplyDeleteI bought one in college many years ago and still have the red beauty. A Beautiful bike.
You might be right about this. I'm too young to go that far back to know that myself. You definitely gave me something to research though.
DeleteWow. Your post and the comments bring back many recollections and emotion about my Le Tour. I grew up in Chicago, fairly near the Schwinn factory. Of course we knew the treasures that they made in there, but, sadly, we couldn't afford new bikes in a family with 5 kids. We always had second hand or discarded bikes that we would make ride worthy - at least for the Chicago streets, alleys and parks like Humboldt park or Garfield Park.
ReplyDeleteFast forward: we'd scrimped to pay for college on our own and when I graduated my wife surprised me with a new, red Schwinn Le Tour. Unbeknownst to me, she had 'saved her lunch money' to pay for the bike. I rehabbed my used Varsity for her and we were off. We rode all over ... from the west side to downtown & the lakefront beaches, to Wrigley and Comiskey, to grad school in Hyde Park ... for years. We hauled the bikes on the TR's bike rack to Lake Geneva, Louisville and Mackinac Island.
Life moves on and we did too. To MN, NY, NY. To London, Singapore, then Buenos Aires. The LeTour always made the move till it was stolen in BA. End of an era.
I have a nice new bike. But I'm nostalgic for the old red Schwinn. Time to scour CL and ebay for a Le Tour to create new memories.
Great article I'm in love with this bike that I discoverd through my pops who has one he bought AGS ago. Found my own and I hope to eventually fix up a few more!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am riding a 1974 yellow Schwinn Le Tour! It is my main bike. I got it as a frame and fork in a trade for a green Varsity. After rebuilding it with original parts I love its ride. Because of my age, (63) I have upgraded a few things on it. A longer stem with cruiser handlebars is better on my back and hands. I didn't realize the amount of miles add up quick! So, maintenance is critical for these old bikes as well as upgraded parts from time to time. My old bike needs a new paint job now! I already have the decals for it.
ReplyDeleteI have a 1988 Le Tour that is 100% original and in great and rideable condition. I'd rather not sell it but I'm a little hard up right now. Let me know if your interested.
ReplyDeleteHi there John,
DeleteThanks for the offer. I actually have a 1988 Le Tour in the red color scheme. I'm not looking for another one at this time unless it's another color and a 56cm (22.5 inch length seat tube, center of crank to top) frame. If your bike is the white and blue one with the fade away paint job, I might be able to entertain you an offer.
Just took my '86 red LeTour out for a ride. I've had this bike since I graduated college 25 years ago. Still an awesome bike.
ReplyDeleteI just "inherited" (I don't know what other word to use) a 1981 Schwinn Le Tour and find everything in this blog post from 2014 to be accurate. It's a great bike and if you need a reliable, inexpensive ride I highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for one. And now seems to be the time because I'm not finding any Le Tours on Craigslist at the $40 price this blogger paid. You can probably find one for around $100 even, but 150 and up is seeming more the norm. It seems people are catching on to their durability and quality.
ReplyDeleteI just took mine out for an extended spin of 26 miles and it was an incredible ride. Maybe I'm just being a bit sentimental, but my first bike was a Schwinn...so that might be affecting my judgment. It's the first one I've had since I was 5 and I couldn't be happier.
Thanks for your comment. The $40 bargains are usually found in garage sales or unspecific ads on craigslist like "bike for sale". I agree that as more people find out that what they have is more valuable they will raise the prices and because of that bargains are getting hard to come by. Bike swaps, garage sales and word of mouth have been where I scored my best deals.
DeleteI see one listed by a used bike dealer, 1982 model, 25" frame like I have. He is asking $175, looks to be in good shape. I bought a 1982 Le Tour Tourist model for my wife last summer, got it for $80. on Craigslist. I think he got it cheap at a garage sale and made a few bucks. Can't complain too much, not a bad bike for $80.
ReplyDeleteI loved my 1983 Schwiin Le Tour. It was such an awesome bike. When all of my friends were transitioning from their banged up, abused Huffy bikes to nice Diamondback chrome-molly bmx style bikes, I was the first to switch to a 10 speed.
ReplyDeleteMy Le Tour was my first personal bike purchase with my own money. I was lucky to have a great local bike shop experience. They guided me towards the Le Tour...and at first I was highly resistant. I wanted to ride a bmx style bike like my friends. I'm so glad I went with the Le Tour. I've been on many different types of bikes since then, but nothing rode as smooth as that Le Tour.
I wish I hadn't sold it because I've come full circle back to a steel framed touring bike as my main ride. I had a carbon frame Specialized Tarmac that rode like a rocket, but I missed that smooth, comfortable steel framed ride.
Thanks for your comment. It reminds me of the BMX craze going around when I was growing up in the late 90's. A lot of kids bought "trick bikes" and most of them never got into cycling later in life as adults. I was riding an adult size mountain bike at the height of BMX popularity back then. Till this day I still ride because I got into it in a sensible way instead of doing it because it was cool.
DeleteI bought a Schwinn Traveler back in 82 because it was a little cheaper than the Le Tour, but I did look @ the Le Tour with envy. My bike was a lightweight one, I had an odometer and a little flip type fender on the back to prevent the mud from hitting my rear. I loved that bike. If I am able to find a Lightweight Le Tour that is in great shape, I will be in heaven.
ReplyDeleteI have a 1974 LT5 (25" frame) Le Tour, yellow, look much like your with a bit of 41 year old patina. Been a great bike but now retired and not sure whether to keep for my grandson or sell and get something that rides a bit smoother since my wife now wants to start riding again. I remember making the comparison between a Peugot and the Le Tour when I bought this one (lot of money, still in college) I still made the best choice.
ReplyDeleteBought mine from a buddy my senior year in H.S, 1977. I used it a bit in college and then it went to the garage because I'm more of a runner than a rider. Marriage, 4 kids later, and a new job it Texas it was still there. In 2010 I decided that if I was ever going to try a triathlon now was the time. So out came the Le Tour, it's performed well in about 30 triathlons since then.
ReplyDeleteSure I could upgrade and buy a $3000 bike, but I paid $60 in 1977 so it's a bit hard to justify the upgrade!
Right on! As long as it works for you that is all that matters. I'm glad that it is still seeing some use.
DeleteGreat article. I saw a Le Tour on the street today and thought about how cool it would be to restore one. One question: do you have any idea where to get paint that looks like the semi-metallic blue or green that Schwinn used in the 60s-80s? I don't see those colors anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi Ron, some powdercoating shops will carry the metallic red and blue finish, although it may not be an exact match to the original paint job. I use a guy that has a near identical cherry red metallic finish and I have restored a few bikes using his services. Powdercoating is the way to go if you are in the market for repainting your bicycle.
Deletei have a 2007 Schwinn Le Tour and i AGREE with most This is a GREAT bike to ride !!
ReplyDeleteI still ride my red womans Schwinn LeTour I got in junior high in 1975. I've tried newer lighter bikes and they don't fit and are harder to ride. Just rode my LeTour biking and camping through the Florida keys. Key largo to key west and back. Next trip will be an organized tour in downeast Maine.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog- great stuff. So, my Dad has a yellow one just like the one in the photos. I don't live near him, but would guess it is a '75 or '76. I think I'm going to restore it when I go home to visit this summer.
ReplyDeleteFor those who have dissected one recently, did you have difficulty finding a bottom bracket/head set to fit these old frames?
I had a blue Le Tour in middle school- loved it!
The bottom bracket is a standard 68mm English threaded that can fit any modern threaded bottom bracket. The headset will have to be replaced to accommodate a standard 22.mm quill stem, as Schwinn used their own proprietary headset and stem.
DeleteJust ran across this blog; I've had an old yellow LeTour (1975-76) sitting in my garage for many years. I got it as a birthday gift when I was a teen and had several people tell me to hang onto it. Now, it needs some serious TLC--I've had the urge to ride again lately. I'm not sure how much I would cost to have it fixed up, but this article has been encouraging!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this article. I just (an hour ago) picked up an all original, silver, 1976 Le Tour for $20. It's a little rusty in spots, but everything works perfectly. I'm gonna love riding it.
ReplyDeleteI feel so justified... finally!!! I've been riding my LeTour since I was in high school in the last 70's. Its the only bike I've ever owned! I've done three week road trips with panniers. I'm still riding that bike hundreds of miles a week. I love it and I refuse to give it up. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has told me I should get a new bike since I ride so much. There have been times when I've wondered if they're right so I've demo'ed other bikes that cost thousands of dollars. I'm not even tempted anymore. They just convince me that I am riding the best already. Why would I ever switch!! Thanks for the confirmation!
ReplyDeletei just found a June 1974 tossed in the garbage - i bought 2 new tires and handle bar grips - cleaned - greased and waxed it and it now rides as smooth as a new Rolls Royce ... what a SWEET bike !
ReplyDeleteMy 1972 steel Le Tour was made in Japan as was a generation of lighter alloy frame Le Tours made shortly after that. All bear the "Schwinn Approved" badge.
ReplyDeleteBought my blue Le Tour at a garage sale in Buffalo in 1995 for $100 - still a daily rider 21 years later. Yes, it's nothing like a carbon Cervelo, but it runs strong!
ReplyDeleteDue to increasing and formidable lumbar pain, I stopped riding my '88-89 Le Tour several years ago in my mid-50's. I was finally ordered to a pain clinic to face my pain this spring and after multiple risotomies my spine is pain free and I am back on the bike. I spent a few dollars on lockin pedals and 1" kevlar reinforced tires to save a little more weight and rolling resistance. I ride twice a week (yes, on my venerable Le Tour) and am aiming to be able to ride my age (now +60) before it gets cold here in November or so.
ReplyDeleteJust picked up a 1977 LeTour II in orange with the original generator talight and headlight. It looks to completely original and is in excellent shape. I will be selling it on CL here in Phoenix shortly
ReplyDeletei have never driven a car.been riding..mostly schwinns since i was 5 years old in 1967.49 years of bike riding.my current bike is a schwinn letour made in japan probably early 70s.schwinn approved on the head..but this monster is heavy.i ran into a mailbox 9 years ago in the darkness between alpha and aledo il. on my way from peoria to iowa..the mailbox was out too far on the roadside.i couldnt tell too dark ..but the bike just mowed it and the post down.it must of been dilapidated cause i should of got hurt..but didnt..dogs started barking it was 2 am..and i got back on the bike and peddeled away lol..the rear wheel was way too heavy and i was glad the axle cracked i switched out the entire drivetrain ,chain wheel cranksprocket with a later schwinn that was too small for me framesize wise. i love this bike..though i have ill maintained it. i have a trek in iowa that i got for 60 bucks that is great..but i dont think as durable as the schwinn even though it has a mangaloy frame...i also have a raliegh..and had a brand new schwinn that was stolen 15 years ago....sob anyway to all the bike lovers ride on..
ReplyDeleteI am looking to restart riding my Le Tour. I purchased it in high school before 1975. Still in great shape and a lovely Yellow and lots of chrome, water bottle, mounted tire pump, and the matching yellow Schwinn saddle bag. I have found new tires and now need to get new tubes and give it a ride. When I purchased it, I got the largest frame Schwinn made thinking I would continue growing like my brother and Dad (e.g. over 6 foot) but I stopped growing. The bike is a little tall for me but the ride has always been so smooth. Looking to have fun with an old friend. Any buddy have recommendations where to get new tubes, brakes, etc.?
ReplyDeleteThe upgrade from 1982 to 1983 Le Tour was significant. That's the year they went with 4130 tubing, fluted alloy seat post, alloy wheels, Chrome rear dropouts, and nice Suntour components. Thank you for your documentation of this workhorse bike.
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased an absolutely MINT 1981 LeTour in Frost Silver. It literally looks like it just came off the showroom floor. I bought it because of it's condition, unknowing of it's ride qualities. It's a pretty smooth bike, indeed. The worst part about riding it is the weird handlebars. They are too narrow for me and the funny curve in them is annoying. I I put Fizik bar tape on it in red to complement the red logos. It weighs in at about 30 lbs.. I hope you are correct about the values going up. I gave $200 for this one, but it's condition is extremely rare.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your webpage! I agree that Le Tours are incredible bikes and (thankfully) normally don't get enough credit.
ReplyDeleteMy parents got me a used Yellow LeTour when I got my first big kid bike, upgrading from my 3 speed sting ray I'd had since graduating from my tricycle. I didn't bring it to college, but when I got my first apartment in Chicago, I brought it from Wisconsin and biked everywhere I could. Early in 2017, my beloved Yellow LeTour, that didn't seem to be currently in fashion, got stolen from my garage. I miss it and still can't believe that someone took the time to break into my garage, left my car alone and just took my bike. I miss it every day and haven't biked since. I'm 5'8" and so many frames are small when you look online. Looks like Le Tours were going for about $150 this spring, so I guess it was worth it to someone. I'll always remember my 20 years with my beloved Schwinn...it was sturdy and withstood many mishaps, just like me :)
I purchased my yellow Le Tour new in 1974, the courts had just taken my driver's license away, so for six months I got around on my Le Tour. It's been in my parents attic, I'll restore it now, still looks like new!!!
ReplyDeleteGOT MINE TONIGHT SITTING NEXT TO A DUMSTER NEEDS TIRES AND A SADDLE ORIGANAL RED LIGHT AS A FEATHER LOOKS ALMOST NEW IT WILL BE ON THE ROAD TOMARROW
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about selling my womens black Schwinn Super Le Tour. It was one on the last ones made in Chicago (1983?). I am going to have to have ankle surgery and I am not a young pup anymore - not sure how long a long recovery will be. I keep holding on to it hoping that someday, I will be able to ride it regularly again. Reading the stories in this blog are making me want to keep holding on to it....
ReplyDeleteI have one like your 'Xtra Lite / 1020'. I believe this and all early 'Schwinn Approved' Le Tours were made by Matsushita ('National') / Panasonic. Yes, a very nice riding bike despite or maybe because of the stiff 1020 tubing and the steel wheels. I took mine apart years ago & replaced all the hardened grease, had the steel wheels professionally trued and tightened. Replacing the original 5-speed cluster and Shimano derailleur (pre expiry of the Sun Tour patent) with a 6 speed and Shimano Light Action derailleur helped a great deal. A great bike despite that vintage bike afficianados would not look at it twice.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - I had to file the stop on the stem shifters to allow enough travel to shift through all six gears with the Shimano Light Action. Only use low infrequently, which is good, because the lever position now interferes with right turns!
ReplyDeleteHow great to learn that so many people love their Le Tours. I still have my red one that I got for Christmas in 1975. I put it on a jet to Luxembourg in the summer of 1976 and rode all the way to Vienna and back in about six weeks. I took the bike out of the travel box and rode off from the airport with panniers full of what I could carry for a six week trip. There were no helmets, I wore a little bike cap backwards, which was very "cool". Bike shorts were made of wool and had chamois leather crotch. The Le Tour performed like a champ while others I in my small group of classmates struggled with French bikes. I have not ridden my Le Tour since the 70's but have kept it for sentimental reasons.
ReplyDeleteLove my 1977 Le Tour II. Rebuilt from the ground up. It was in horrible shape, but not anymore. Rides like butter!
ReplyDeleteGreat story. I restore bikes...Le Tour bikes highly respected
ReplyDeleteCheck the '74 Schwinn catalog. Le Tours were made in Japan not Chicago. A lot of people make this mistake because the head badge says Chicago. The company would be in Chicago for several more years but any lugged frame Schwinn from this era came from Japan unless it is a Paramount. I've never owned a Le Tour but I've owned dozens of other Schwinns both old school and imports. Always a great bike for the boom era. Take care of it and your grand kids can enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI have a 77 letour II -
ReplyDeleteI upgraded to bontrager bladed spoke wheels -
And gear cartridge-
The reason I chose to comment ... is you are right -
These bikes are fast , thing rides like the wind ..
Guys with the new 3000 dollar bikes laugh when they see it ... till I blow there doors off with ease -
I have no idea why - and a suprise to others as well ..
As to why things bikes are so fast
About 2 years ago I bought a blue '81 Le Tour for $15 at a garage sale. It was missing the rear derailleur. I bought a modern-day Shimano Altus rear derailleur for another $15 and installed it myself. Then I took it to my LBS (south side of Chicago) for a $60 tune up and haven't looked back since. You are dead-on Johnny, this is a beautiful, smooth carbon steel ride, reminiscent of the Peugeot PX10 I used to enjoy. And it can go toe-to-toe with modern day road bikes. I then found your excellent blog. It's a keeper
ReplyDeleteStill have my favorite Peril essence orange 79 Le tour II still looks brand new and rides like new one. I have 28 old schwinns . Continetals ,varsity,and collegiate. Two sting rays ,orange crate 69 and a67 fastback. Best durable riding bikes ever. Started collecting over 20 years ago. ASs a little boy i would walk past a schwinn shop and would admire them back in Ohio. We never could afford them . I said to my self one day i will.
ReplyDeleteI bought a LeTour III in 1975 for two reasons: 1) it was all this teenager could afford at the time, and 2) it was the only one bicycle fit my 6'6" height (I bought the 26" frame). I didn't care for the pearl orange color at first -- it was the only 26" frame the bicycle shop at the time, but the color "grew" on me over the years. I have put 1000's of miles on the bike over the years, including bike-packing camping trips, 90+ mile road trips, and commuting to work in the city. I was even hit by an automobile in Oklahoma City (no injuries, but the front chain guard has never been the same). For many years into my 20's, that bike was my only form of personal transportation. I have had it overhauled twice over the decades. I am in my 60's, now, but I still ride it occasionally.
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing a lot of these lately. I volunteer at a charity bike shop in Phoenix rebuilding vintage bikes.
ReplyDeleteThe first one I saw, I thought somebody had stuck a Schwinn head badge on an 1980s Japanese or Taiwanese frame. I didn't realize Schwinn made these lugged frames in Chicago for several years. Every one I've worked on has been fun, even the ones that are nothing but a battered frame.
Today I saw a young lady at the farmers' market with the red letour frame that I originally thought was not a real Schwinn. It's an urban single speed now and doing just fine.
I am originally from Chicago, and when visiting there last year I saw the exact same Schwinn Le Tour that I own riding past me. I yelled out "great bike!" and the person riding it gave me the weirdest look :)
ReplyDeleteI bought my Le Tour in Oakland, CA in 2014 maybe? I love Schwinn bikes, mostly my Chicago pride, but also really liked the way this bike looked and rode. I believe it is a '76 model, looks exactly like the yellow one in the video above. I rode it exclusively until 2017 when I started to acquire lighter bikes for all the climbing I was doing. Now the Le Tour is our touring bike, fully equipped with bike trailer and dog running bar. We still ride it every day, and it is still an amazing bicycle, love that Le Tour!!!
This is such a well written blog. I hope you keep going as you can feel the passion in every paragraph.
ReplyDeleteI just bought a super letour, not sure what year but I'm all the way here in Guatemala.
I may do a series on traveling with my new amazing bike. Wherever I look people keep praising this bikes so I can't wait for mine to come here (next couple of days) .
Let me know if you want to make a collaboration to write something about the experience of driving in different countries.
Wish you the best!
I'm about to purchase a Schwinn LeTour from a bike shop, I was in a bad motorcycle wreck and was told by my Dr that the best thing I could do is start on a Bicycle, I have chosen a LeTour, haven't rode it yet but it appears to be a nice bike to help me build myself back up...I really looked hard to find a Contintal but I found this LeTour... I put money down and it's almost paid for, I'll have it home within a couple of weeks, and at my age surprisingly I'm looking forward to getting it. I'm 62 at this time
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