Need New Chain for late '80s Schwinn Le Tour
05-05-20, 08:29 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Greater Chicago Area
Posts: 250
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Mirada, 1989 Trek 420, 1995 GT Timberline, 1979 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Co-Op DRT 1.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
49 Posts
Need New Chain for late '80s Schwinn Le Tour
Hey folks
Just acquired a very nice but chainless Schwinn Le Tour. I've never replaced a chain before so I'm not entirely sure how to go about choosing the right one. The Q&A section for this Schwinn replacement chain on Amazon seems to indicate it would work.
https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-SW752...ZDK?th=1&psc=1
Can anybody confirm and/or point me in the right direction if need be? Bike is a 12-speed 52/40 up front and 14/28 in back. Also, a recommendation for a low-budget chain breaking tool would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!
Just acquired a very nice but chainless Schwinn Le Tour. I've never replaced a chain before so I'm not entirely sure how to go about choosing the right one. The Q&A section for this Schwinn replacement chain on Amazon seems to indicate it would work.
https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-SW752...ZDK?th=1&psc=1
Can anybody confirm and/or point me in the right direction if need be? Bike is a 12-speed 52/40 up front and 14/28 in back. Also, a recommendation for a low-budget chain breaking tool would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!
05-05-20, 08:45 PM
#2
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
Based on description, the chain you linked will work fine. Basic 3/32" chain. (Even though the pic shows a 1/8" chain with master link.) lol
Likes For AlmostTrick:
05-05-20, 11:36 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,191
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
92 Posts
The chain you buy will probably be too long, so you will have to cut to length with the chain breaker.
Here's a good video on how to size a chain. https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...-length-sizing
Here's a good video on how to size a chain. https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...-length-sizing
Likes For MudPie:
05-06-20, 05:01 AM
#4
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Posts: 2,182
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 889 Post(s)
Liked 906 Times
in
534 Posts
The KMC Z-51 chain is my go-to for 70’s-80’s bikes. It’s especially good at making the mix-&-match drivetrains you tend to find on old used bikes play nicely.
It might be the right size for the bike already; wide-range freewheel, full-size 52/42 cranks, and if it’s got long chain stays, it’ll need a lot of chain.
The KMC should come with a (reusable) quick link, so the chain tool won’t get a whole lot of use. Don’t get the cheapest one, but you don’t need professional grade, either.
It might be the right size for the bike already; wide-range freewheel, full-size 52/42 cranks, and if it’s got long chain stays, it’ll need a lot of chain.
The KMC should come with a (reusable) quick link, so the chain tool won’t get a whole lot of use. Don’t get the cheapest one, but you don’t need professional grade, either.
Likes For Ironfish653:
05-06-20, 07:33 AM
#5
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Greater Chicago Area
Posts: 250
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Mirada, 1989 Trek 420, 1995 GT Timberline, 1979 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Co-Op DRT 1.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
49 Posts
The KMC Z-51 chain is my go-to for 70’s-80’s bikes. It’s especially good at making the mix-&-match drivetrains you tend to find on old used bikes play nicely.
It might be the right size for the bike already; wide-range freewheel, full-size 52/42 cranks, and if it’s got long chain stays, it’ll need a lot of chain.
The KMC should come with a (reusable) quick link, so the chain tool won’t get a whole lot of use. Don’t get the cheapest one, but you don’t need professional grade, either.
It might be the right size for the bike already; wide-range freewheel, full-size 52/42 cranks, and if it’s got long chain stays, it’ll need a lot of chain.
The KMC should come with a (reusable) quick link, so the chain tool won’t get a whole lot of use. Don’t get the cheapest one, but you don’t need professional grade, either.
https://www.amazon.com/KMC-Bicycle-C.../dp/B000AOA3PS
05-06-20, 07:37 AM
#6
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,511
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times
in
2,053 Posts
ANY 6-7-8 speed chain will be fine
Likes For dedhed:
05-06-20, 08:47 AM
#7
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Posts: 2,182
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 889 Post(s)
Liked 906 Times
in
534 Posts
Is this the chain?
https://www.amazon.com/KMC-Bicycle-C.../dp/B000AOA3PS
https://www.amazon.com/KMC-Bicycle-C.../dp/B000AOA3PS
Likes For Ironfish653:
05-06-20, 10:27 AM
#8
Senior Member
I like the Sram PC830 chain, which is for 6-8 speeds. Cheap, yes, but quiet and smooth. I get 5000 miles approximately with regular cleaning. You may want to check out YouTube if you haven't replaced a chain before. I would go to Park Tool as recommended. There are a lot of good and fun channels out there.
Likes For FlMTNdude:
05-06-20, 11:44 AM
#9
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Greater Chicago Area
Posts: 250
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Mirada, 1989 Trek 420, 1995 GT Timberline, 1979 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Co-Op DRT 1.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
49 Posts
Thanks all for the tips. Been browsing the chain breaker tools on Amazon and seems like all the low to mid price ones have reviews saying they broke on first use, etc. Even though I might not need one to replace this chain, still wanted to get one so I can remove the old chains from a couple other old bikes and replace them. Anybody have any personal experience with a lower-end tool? Park Tools all seemed rather pricey...
05-08-20, 10:28 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,191
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
92 Posts
I have this Park chain tool: https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-CT-...8997791&sr=8-5
and I use it in my home shop. I've had this tool for at least 15 years, and and maybe used it 25 times.
Yes, Park Tools are on the pricey side, especially their professional line. One thing good about Park (in addition to their website and instructional videos) is they sell parts for their tools and accessories, in case a part wears out or breaks. For example, I have one of their lower cost floor pumps (PFP-3, I believe) and have had it for 15 years. The valve head sometimes sticks (won't automatically change between Presta and Shrader)and doesn't seal well at higher pressures. But, for $2.99, I can get a new pump head unit and the pump will be good as new!
and I use it in my home shop. I've had this tool for at least 15 years, and and maybe used it 25 times.
Yes, Park Tools are on the pricey side, especially their professional line. One thing good about Park (in addition to their website and instructional videos) is they sell parts for their tools and accessories, in case a part wears out or breaks. For example, I have one of their lower cost floor pumps (PFP-3, I believe) and have had it for 15 years. The valve head sometimes sticks (won't automatically change between Presta and Shrader)and doesn't seal well at higher pressures. But, for $2.99, I can get a new pump head unit and the pump will be good as new!
05-09-20, 02:37 PM
#11
Newbie
Another vote on the Park CT-5. Ive had mine for 5 years, breaks or connect chains about 5-10 times a year. Never had a failure.
Before I got a Crankbrothers M17 multitool with chaintool, I even brought the CT-5 on tours. Good investment.
Before I got a Crankbrothers M17 multitool with chaintool, I even brought the CT-5 on tours. Good investment.
