1980 Schwiin LeTour
Posted by rockcat on December 1, 2007
So for my last birthday I decided to try a road bike. Of course, $800+ for a new bike was not going to happen. Besides, I wanted something different. I remember my parents’ old 10 speeds, which seemed big and flimsy to me (at the ripe old age of 7). I tried the local good will and some thrift stores, craigslist and the newspaper. I didn’t find anything that might fit me. So I bought a 1980ish woman’s Schwinn LeTour on eBay. It was missing the front wheel and saddle, which I found replacements for (hence the mis-matched tires). I also removed the ugly kickstand.
I later added a Brooks B-17, the seat I originally tried on it was not comfortable. I put a good computer on it with cadence and clipless pedals. I really enjoyed riding it, it’s actually fairly light and quick. I think my top speed last summer was 29 mph.
This winter I plan to ask the local bike shop to switch it to 700c tires and buy a micro-adjust seat post. If I feel rich I’ll have the handlebars re-wrapped to match the Brooks saddle. I also plan buy some silver fingernail polish and touch up the frame.
