Anyone know if the Schwinn LeTour's namesake was Alfred LeTourney?
09-15-16, 07:12 PM
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Anyone know if the Schwinn LeTour's namesake was Alfred LeTourney?
I thought I read somewhere, or possibly was told at some time, that Alfred LeTourney was the inspiration for the Schwinn LeTour model... does anyone else recollect this? I believe it may have been attributed in a newsletter sent from the Schwinn corporate headquarters to the Schwinn bicycle shops. Or, maybe I dreamed it...
09-15-16, 07:36 PM
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I think it was simply an attempt by Schwinn to bring up images of French touring bikes.
09-15-16, 07:53 PM
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I suspect the name was just what it was, a version of names like Grand Prix, etc.. An attempt to conjure images of touring or probably THE tour, a namely the TdF.
I suspect the coincidence of AT's surname was just that a coincidence
I doubt that marketing would have tried to link to a name which virtually in known except to a small crowd, who in all likelihood wouldn't be swayed by a name.
I suspect the coincidence of AT's surname was just that a coincidence
I doubt that marketing would have tried to link to a name which virtually in known except to a small crowd, who in all likelihood wouldn't be swayed by a name.
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09-15-16, 08:17 PM
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Yeah... dangit.. I messed up the name.
Everything Bicycles - : 1941 Schwinn Bicycle Shatters World Record - Alfred Letourneur rides 108.92mph, Original: Posters
Everything Bicycles - : 1941 Schwinn Bicycle Shatters World Record - Alfred Letourneur rides 108.92mph, Original: Posters
09-15-16, 08:35 PM
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I have all of the Reporter, News Flash and Service bulletins from that time and have never heard any mention of that name. While I have never seen or read anything official about the inspiration I believe that the name was inspired by "Le Tour de France."
Especially when you consider that even though the bike was built in Japan the first catalog photos showing the bike were taken in the "Little Europe" section of Universal Studios Hollywood:
Especially when you consider that even though the bike was built in Japan the first catalog photos showing the bike were taken in the "Little Europe" section of Universal Studios Hollywood:
09-15-16, 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Metacortex;19058877
Especially when you consider that even though the bike was built in Japan the first catalog photos showing the bike were taken in [url=https://www.thestudiotour.com/wp/studios/universal-studios-hollywood/backlot/current-backlot-sets/little-europe/
Especially when you consider that even though the bike was built in Japan the first catalog photos showing the bike were taken in [url=https://www.thestudiotour.com/wp/studios/universal-studios-hollywood/backlot/current-backlot-sets/little-europe/
the "Little Europe" section of Universal Studios Hollywood[/url]:
09-16-16, 06:43 AM
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I thought I read somewhere, or possibly was told at some time, that Alfred LeTourney was the inspiration for the Schwinn LeTour model... does anyone else recollect this? I believe it may have been attributed in a newsletter sent from the Schwinn corporate headquarters to the Schwinn bicycle shops. Or, maybe I dreamed it...
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
09-16-16, 06:47 AM
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Interesting frame construction:
"butted top and bottom [sic] tubes, except bottom [down?] tube on 25" frame"
My usual "check the seatpost diameter" advice would miss the butted top tubes.
The large frame's plain gauge downtube was probably a trick to reduce resonance. Nishiki did something similar with the 25" 1974 Competition seat tubes.
"butted top and bottom [sic] tubes, except bottom [down?] tube on 25" frame"
My usual "check the seatpost diameter" advice would miss the butted top tubes.
The large frame's plain gauge downtube was probably a trick to reduce resonance. Nishiki did something similar with the 25" 1974 Competition seat tubes.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
09-16-16, 07:38 AM
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Ummm..... That's pretty much how I dress...
Minus the 1972 haircut.
Minus the 1972 haircut.
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09-16-16, 09:21 AM
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But obviously the shorts are the star of that outfit.
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09-16-16, 11:15 AM
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I was always impressed how they got Ted Kennedy to pose for the catalog there.
And I quote "... and it weighs only 30-32 pounds, depending on the kickstand..." Though we are all in agreement on how important an addition a kickstand is, dang man, that would be one boat anchor of kickstand. Oh, never mind, it has the "and frame size" bailout clause... never mind.
And I quote "... and it weighs only 30-32 pounds, depending on the kickstand..." Though we are all in agreement on how important an addition a kickstand is, dang man, that would be one boat anchor of kickstand. Oh, never mind, it has the "and frame size" bailout clause... never mind.
09-16-16, 01:21 PM
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Ted Kennedy is nothing. They got Phil Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D. for the 1980 catalog.
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09-16-16, 08:00 PM
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I always thought that was Soviet agent Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) from the Man from U.N.C.L.E. show, cleverly disguised with a nifty dew dye job. By the way, another outfit winner... Team Schwinn tee, neat and discrete pleated khakis, stealthy Mr. Rogers tenny runners, and the piece de resistance, the crochet gloves. I've tried to sport this exact same look at the local hipster coffee hut, and have been met with snickers each and every time... but I will prevail. That outfit is that strong.
09-16-16, 08:34 PM
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Yeah... dangit.. I messed up the name.
Everything Bicycles - : 1941 Schwinn Bicycle Shatters World Record - Alfred Letourneur rides 108.92mph, Original: Posters
Everything Bicycles - : 1941 Schwinn Bicycle Shatters World Record - Alfred Letourneur rides 108.92mph, Original: Posters
Wow. How have I never stumbled on that site before! Thanks for the link.
09-16-16, 09:52 PM
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Last edited by Metacortex; 09-17-16 at 08:49 AM.
09-17-16, 07:04 AM
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09-17-16, 01:00 PM
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You guys do know that is Jean Claude Killy, right? He was a Schwinn spokesman for several years:
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