Are old school road bikes any good?

[deftron]

Found a road bike at the thrift store today for $10

link


It's a Schwinn Super Le Tour

I think it's from the 70's

Decent at all? Or worse than the lowest end models you can get today?

Everything works OK.
Components are Suntour (Shifters, Crank, Derailleur) and
Dia-Compe (Brakes)

I need to get clips/straps for the pedals

And I'd like to get a more comfortable seat.


Maybe some better wheels and new tires.


I'm thinking eventually making it a fixed gear/single speed...


Is it worth fixing up?

 

[laurenlex]

Put on some new tires, and a $40 tune up, you have a winner there. That is 100 times better than a WalMart bike.

 

[deftron]

What's the common size of road tires these dayS?


These are 27" but I know that's obsolete.

I've got about and 1/2 inch of play (1 inch wheel diameter) with the brakes/frame ...
so if it's 28" .. im OK

 

[0roo0roo]

i prefer mountain bikes. far more agile and resistant to road hazards like pot holes or whatever. keep u from going splat u know. less efficient on pedal power yea but its worth it.

 

[deftron]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
i prefer mountain bikes. far more agile and resistant to road hazards like pot holes or whatever. keep u from going splat u know. less efficient on pedal power yea but its worth it.

My previous thread

 

[Bozono]

Originally posted by: deftron
What's the common size of road tires these dayS?


These are 27" but I know that's obsolete.

I've got about and 1/2 inch of play (1 inch wheel diameter) with the brakes/frame ...
so if it's 28" .. im OK

27" is still common; stick to that size. Just get el-cheapo nylon tyres for like $7 each, adjust cables and such and bask in the warmth of the knowledge that you will care less if it gets stolen.w00t.

 

[deftron]

Yeah.. not too much of a loss if it gets jacked

 

[The Stigenator]

dude i would so like one like that..

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
i prefer mountain bikes. far more agile and resistant to road hazards like pot holes or whatever. keep u from going splat u know. less efficient on pedal power yea but its worth it.

Mountain bikes are not more agile than road bikes. You've obviously never ridden a road bike before.

 

[DaWhim]

i would buy it.

 

[Brutuskend]

Depends on the type of old school road bike.

That Schwinn is so so I'm sorry to say.

Now if it where a Paramount, THAT would be a whole other story.

But for what you gave for it, it was a good deal.

 

[JulesMaximus]

To the OP, what do you mean by fixing up? You are going to have a difficult time finding components to fit that bike if you're thinking of upgrading. How heavy is it? From the sounds of it it's not a bad bike. I'd have it tuned up/checked out by a good mechanic at your local bike shop and just ride it as is. Maybe replace the saddle if it's not comfortable but that's about it. Oh, and replace that handlebar tape with some thick black padded cork tape.

 

[IronWing]

I just had my 1979 Fuji road bike overhauled at a cost of $100 including new chain, rear gear set, and one new tire and tube. Another $40 for a new seat and it rides like new.

 

[deftron]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
To the OP, what do you mean by fixing up? You are going to have a difficult time finding components to fit that bike if you're thinking of upgrading. How heavy is it? From the sounds of it it's not a bad bike. I'd have it tuned up/checked out by a good mechanic at your local bike shop and just ride it as is. Maybe replace the saddle if it's not comfortable but that's about it. Oh, and replace that handlebar tape with some thick black padded cork tape.

Well, I don't mean fixing up... but stripping down.

Is this a suitable bike for a fixed gear conversion:?

I need to flip the handlebars and cut them... Probably leave the front brake on.

It's not super light for a road bike .. like 21lbs.
But I think that;s mostly the rear casette and deralleir whick would be
taken off if converted.

The rear drops are horizontal btw

 

[deftron]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Depends on the type of old school road bike.

That Schwinn is so so I'm sorry to say.

Now if it where a Paramount, THAT would be a whole other story.

But for what you gave for it, it was a good deal.

Hey... what do you expect for 10 bucks ?

 

[Brutuskend]

BTW: Here is a picture of my old school road bike. It was hand made here in Eugene back in the 70's from Columbus SL/SLR/SLX tubing and it's mostly 70's era Dura Ace components.


It's my baby

Well maybe I shouldn't say that too loud or my OTHER baby might get pissed!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: deftron

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
To the OP, what do you mean by fixing up? You are going to have a difficult time finding components to fit that bike if you're thinking of upgrading. How heavy is it? From the sounds of it it's not a bad bike. I'd have it tuned up/checked out by a good mechanic at your local bike shop and just ride it as is. Maybe replace the saddle if it's not comfortable but that's about it. Oh, and replace that handlebar tape with some thick black padded cork tape.

Well, I don't mean fixing up... but stripping down.

Is this a suitable bike for a fixed gear conversion:?

I need to flip the handlebars and cut them... Probably leave the front brake on.

It's not super light for a road bike .. like 21lbs.
But I think that;s mostly the rear casette and deralleir whick would be
taken off if converted.

The rear drops are horizontal btw

You'd lose a bit of weight in converting it to a fixed gear but I wouldn't bother with the front brake though. Are you planning on racing with it? It looks more like a touring bike.

Edit-I've only ridden a fixed gear bike once and it was a racing bike. This one was very light and had drop bars and no brakes. This was back in the early 80s though. Very cool bike.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
BTW: Here is a picture of my old school road bike. It was hand made here in Eugene back in the 70's from Columbus SL/SLR/SLX tubing and it's mostly 70's era Dura Ace components.


It's my baby

Well maybe I shouldn't say that too loud or my OTHER baby might get pissed!

I sold my old school road bike after I bought my new road bike. I kind of miss my old roadie though. Just nostalgia though. I really miss my 1970s Motobecane Le Champion though...

 

[myjaja]

You can put 20'' rims, a supercharger and 3'' exhaust on that bad boy.

 

[Martin]

For $10, that's pretty good. I have an old Peugeot that I like, since I think its a good compromise. Its cheap and I have no problem abusing it and using it as a daily commuter. At the same time, its still good for a decent 2hr ride about once a week...

In related news, I just broke 900km on my trip meter and got a new personal top speed (65.9km/h - went down a crazy hill...)

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: teh meow
You can put 20'' rims, a supercharger and 3'' exhaust on that bad boy.

20" rims are for pussies. 24" are the minimum anyone but a dork would use.



Or was that for monitors?

 

[AntMan530]

convert it to single speed...its so much more fun!!!

 

[Brutuskend]

You want OLD school?

I'm fixing up one of THESE right now!

I'll post some pics when it's all done!