merziac

You can also put out a call here for help, many members will help others when needed and get you working in the right direction.

ciclista_pazza

Thanks! I've definitely done that before. Everyone here is amazing!

52telecaster

Actually the other bike might be cool to buy and gradually work on now. Of course this is the thought process of the addicted!

ciclista_pazza

Haha - you're not alone in thinking that! I heard back from the ebay seller today on my question so I'm now debating still getting the Traveler as well. It's a vicious cycle.

52telecaster

You'd have so little in it that if you don't like it, donation wouldn't hurt too bad. I often buy bikes and get them running just to see if I would like them. If I don't I give them to someone who needs a ride. It feels good and you sometimes make a friend.

ciclista_pazza

I agree. It would be so cheap to buy and use as a bike I could practice working on, and donation is a great idea if I could bear to part with it! It might also be a good bike to give to my sister since she has a garage and her daughter will be riding larger bikes soon.

52telecaster

We are here to enable!

ciclista_pazza

Thanks!

merziac

Get to it, perfect storm, get the efbay one too, ride the LeTour and sort out the blue one as you can without the specter of getting jammed up trying to get it going to ride.

I cannot recommend this course of action more highly, have employed it many times with great success and it can also help alternative options present themselves, often with better results from more time and consideration.

52telecaster

Preach it brother!

merziac

Amen!

ciclista_pazza

Great point and I can see the wisdom in that. I can take my time with it and not stress out. And it's priced so cheap, I don't see the downside. Now I'm just waiting for the ebay seller to get back to me again. The ball is in their court, but I think that bike is a good buy too and will probably take the plunge once they get back to me.

52telecaster

ciclista_pazza next time you move there are going to be several bikes to deal with!

Jeff Neese

FYI - they've moved the Ann Arbor Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet, to the Monroe County Fairgrounds (in Monroe) now. I've gone to them every year in Ann Arbor, but I'm not driving to Monroe. I wonder why the change.

ciclista_pazza

Definitely! I was able to bring my Fuji Absolute hybrid with me as it just barely fit in the SUV I drove across the country, but no way would the Le Tour fit. Thinking back, I should have just had the bike shop ship it to me in the first place. Thankfully, I don't anticipate any future cross country moves. But in general, I'm used to having too many bikes so that's ok with me.

ciclista_pazza

I heard that too. I agree it's a shame it moved. I don't have a vehicle so am not sure if I'll make the trek to the bike show since it would mean renting a vehicle or talking my sister into taking me.

madpogue 

So you've heard, right?.....

To the OP - I think this was a wise move. It's a bike you're familiar with, it's ride-ready, and your outlay is really not bad. Those sorta-mixte Le Tours were quite nice; if it's a Japan-made bike, I believe it was made by Bridgestone. I sold one last year for $240, so the shop's asking price is quite reasonable. And your story explains why you were drawn to the subject Traveler; I would join the chorus of suggestions that you pull the trigger on that bike as well, whether it be as a wrench trainer, back-up bike, pub crawler, warm-fuzzy-feeling donation bike, whatever its fate.

52telecaster

My gf and I go once in a great while to those gatherings and there are plenty of deals to be had but mostly I just find it interesting to see the huge variety in vintage bike crap. Good, bad or indifferent it inspires me to know the industry isn't going away.

52telecaster

It's a rumor. I enjoy rubbing elbows with bicycle junkies but l can quite anytime I want ...

ciclista_pazza

Thanks! I think my Le Tour was made in Japan. I did some research on it awhile back and from what I gathered, it seemed like it's a pretty desirable bike (and in amazing condition for its age). I also agree that the price isn't too much for that bike. I was so shocked the Le Tour hadn't been sold yet (since I sold it to the bike shop in November), but I guess not everyone sees a classic bike the same way we do, which always surprises me. I also agree about the Traveler. I think it would be a great practice bike and the result would be well worth it!

Pompiere

My wife and I try go to the Bowling Green and Monroe swaps because they are fairly close. We are retired, so it's a nice way to spend a spring day outside, even though she isn't as interested in the bikes as I am. We have found some petite items for her that aren't always available in the local shops.

madpogue 

And you're a shade over 3 hours from Madison, BTW. Just be mindful of the shady characters at some of the tables....

52telecaster

Havnt hit that one for a couple years but it's always fun.

Pompiere

ciclista_pazza I hadn't looked at the original ad for the Traveler until now. It looks like it has a lot of potential and it's down to $30. If it is your size, it is worth checking out. Even if it's not the right size, it would be worth buying to have the components to swap to another frame. The tubing decal says "Built in America" which means the Greenville, Mississippi plant. When Schwinn opened that plant, they were finally starting to build bikes that could compete with the Japanese and European imports. Unfortunately, it was too little and too late to save the company.

madpogue 

$30? Run, don't walk......