The story of my Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2. From it's purchase which included ripping my pants, to pedaling 80 miles in two days, to storage, to revitalization. If you want to skip the whole backstory and get to the build, just click here.
where it started (and ended, for my shorts)
The year was 2012. I was about to start my junior year in college. I was moving into a duplex with my friends off-campus. I needed a way to get to class that was a little quicker than walking. My previous bike was small, rusted, and at the time didn’t even have a bike seat (thanks, you thieving bastards!).
I always wanted one of those old steel road bikes. I have no idea why; they just looked like a fun way to get around. Like, I didn’t really care how I got around (or rather, I wanted you to THINK I was too cool to care about how I got around). In reality, I spent months browsing Craigslist for the perfect old steel road bike.
I found a listing in the county over. The price was right. I could tell this seller fixes up old bikes and sells them because there were like 30 listings for bikes all pictured in the same apartment. I felt confident I would get a good bike and not get murdered.
I met the seller after a long, hot day working landscaping. I was dirty, stinky, and unknowingly wearing a pair of shorts that would soon explode. We got the bike out and gave it a test ride. All seemed good. He mentioned how it was well taken care of and had some new parts installed. I could vividly remember him talking up the new bike seat he put on it. The bike seat that would somehow RIP A MASSIVE HOLE IN MY SHORTS AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE BIKE. Here I was, on the bike, trying to hide the fact that my ass was hanging out of my shorts. I conducted the transfer of money on the saddle, being sure to face him and wait for him to turn around before riding the bike back to my car. RIP to those shorts.
turning it into something it’s not
That summer I got really into biking, and was even more fascinated with touring and bikepacking. I’ve been camping my whole life, and when I found out people load up their bikes with gear and head out of town for days, weeks, months, I was enamored. I wanted to do that. But my tiny college job paychecks would not be enough to purchase these touring bikes. Wait, I’m an idiot, my bike is literally called Le Tour. I have a touring bike!
I somehow convinced a buddy to load up our old steel road bikes and bike out to the nearest state park for an overnighter. 40ish miles there, 40ish back. This post isn’t about that trip, though I could write a whole post about it. It was one of the hardest, stupidest, and most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. But it was also a big realization that my bike just wasn’t the right fit for me. It would continue to serve me well getting from point A to B all over Milwaukee. For that reason, it will always be special to me, even though the bike was kind of shit.
growing dissapointment
I mean where do I begin? It was a 40-year-old bike. Almost all original parts. It also just didn’t fit. Slightly too small. My back did not enjoy the position the bike forces you in; head over handlebars. It was not comfortable for long periods.
Other qualms: the 10-speed gear ratio was not ideal for Wisconsin hills, parts (especially tires) were a pain to find new, and nothing modern fit this bike.
new build 1.0
During the pandemic, I tried to modernize this bike. That involved new handlebars, new brake levers, new brake calipers, a quill stem adapter, a new stem, and a new saddle. None of this changed the fact that the bike was not comfortable or fun to ride. I learned a lot about bike maintenance though, and acquired a fair amount of bike tools. Now I had a slightly more expensive, shitty bike. I gave up, essentially putting the bike in storage. I purchased a new Giant Escape 3 hybrid bike. Finally, something modern, with modern parts I can actually upgrade and shop for, plus all the granny gears to get me around Milwaukee. Plus, plenty of braze-ons to mount racks to comfortably haul gear if the occasion arises again.
reminiscing
My new bike, the Giant Escape, is…fine. I think I cheaped out on the drivetrain a little too much. It also lacks any kind of character. I know that sounds weird. But I can’t really explain. It’s a great bike, it fits the bill. But it has no personality. I don’t really feel attached to it. It also still hurts my back after long rides. I also moved to Chicago, and the extra gears are just not necessary anymore with how flat this city is.
the game changer
I swapped my Giant’s straight handlebars with swept-back bars, and it’s a night and day difference. I’m more in an upright position, and riding is substantially more enjoyable. So what if I do the same to the Schwinn? This is where we are today…
cafe racer
Can I turn my old Schwinn into an upright cafe racer? Something quick, minimal, easy to lock up. Swap the handlebars for swept-back bars. The gear ratio is perfect for Chicago, the city is flat as hell. Most importantly, I want to maximize comfort over speed. It’s not like I’m winning any races anyways.
the challenge(s)
My challenge for myself is to use parts I have on hand as much as possible.
- Use all those stupid cheap Amazon bike parts I purchased years ago.
- If I have to buy parts, buy as little as possible or buy used.
- These parts should also be able to be used on a future bike build (as in, these parts should not ONLY fit an old steel road bike).
issue #1: the tires
Finding tires for my 27-inch wheels is not easy. At least, there’s not a lot of choices for quality tires. And their availability is spotty. I’m also having tire clearance issues with the new brake calipers. I couldn’t use nice tires like the Continental tires without tire rub. I had to opt for the small, thin, cheap tires from my local shop.
The front tire was interestingly the only one I was having clearance issues with. I could purchase a 700c front wheel and that would open up the tire possibilities substantially, but that’s the kind of added costs I didn’t want.
Also, my tires are mismatched. One is all black, the other tan side walls. A bummer I couldn’t get a matching pair, but so far it only makes sense for this bike.
The cheap thin tires will have to do.
issue #2: the front derailleur
I’m like 75% sure my front derailleur doesn’t work. It might be bent. I opted to just remove it for the time being. The adjustment screws were pretty rusted anyways. I purchased a new one on eBay but I don’t have immediate plans to install it. Like I said, Chicago is flat, I don’t see the need for more gears currently.
issue #3: the handlebars + brake levers
The original drop bars have to go. They do not put me in a comfortable position. I want to be more upright when I ride. I found a cheap handlebar at my local shop that is actually almost identical to the one I put on my Giant Escape. The reason I jumped on it so quickly without hesitation is because it’s chrome, which matches a lot of the metal on my Schwinn.
Because I got new handlebars, I need new brake levers. The only ones I have on me are meant for drop bars. I ended up finding some pretty cheap mountain bike levers on eBay from the 80s. These will work perfectly, and they didn’t cost me much at all. They can also be used on a future build, as they are more standard sized.
Issue #4: Stem I’m opting to keep the cheap Amazon stem I got from my first attempt at rebuilding this bike. It’s not pretty, it’s cheap, and I’m ignoring any safety issues. I wanted something that gives me a little more lift, but it’s honestly not bad. I also wish it matched the chrome on my handlebars.
I’m also using a stem adapter to make it threadless. Also not ideal, also doesn’t match, but nothing on this bike does. The original quill stem is missing its locking wedge, and it’s also not a great angle (again, it’s meant for drop bars).
issue #4: the stem
I’m opting to keep the cheap Amazon stem I got from my first attempt at rebuilding this bike. It’s not pretty, it’s cheap, and I’m ignoring any safety issues. I wanted something that gives me a little more lift, but it’s honestly not bad. I also wish it matched the chrome on my handlebars.
I’m also using a stem adapter to make it threadless. Also not ideal, also doesn’t match, but nothing on this bike does. The original quill stem is missing its locking wedge, and it’s also not a great angle (again, it’s meant for drop bars).
new build 2.0
With the new parts put together, all I needed to do was run some new brake cables to the front and back. Easy stuff. It all came together quite well actually.
The only issue I’m seeing is the tire clearance in the front again. I think it’s a combo of the brake caliper and the wheel being out of true. It may need to get the wheels trued at my local shop.
conclusion
This bike is stupid as hell. And I love it for that. Nothing on this bike makes sense. Everything is slightly wrong, but I accept it. It’s a great bike to carve some pavement on. It rides great, with some superb rolling distance. Being upright with the new handlebars is honestly such a game changer. I don’t know what the future holds for this bike, but for now I’m having fun with it.
