A tale of two tourers: Trek 520 vs Schwinn Le Tour
08-22-21, 10:49 AM
#26
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times
in
935 Posts
Seems to me Trek was pretty much "in power" by the mid 80s, long before anyone knew Lance Armstrong's name.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
08-22-21, 10:57 AM
#27
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
> but I just don't think they're much of an "apples to apples" comparison- not even really an "oranges to tangerines"
You may think that, but liking at them side by side and measuring them, they’re not so far apart. That’s not to say the Trek isn’t better built (it is) or that the Trek doesn’t have much better gearing ( it does). But I’m struck by how comparable the two really seem to be. If you’re disinterested in the comparison, that’s fine.
You may think that, but liking at them side by side and measuring them, they’re not so far apart. That’s not to say the Trek isn’t better built (it is) or that the Trek doesn’t have much better gearing ( it does). But I’m struck by how comparable the two really seem to be. If you’re disinterested in the comparison, that’s fine.
08-22-21, 11:04 AM
#28
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
While the Le Tour is in the “paint booth” I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 520's tires still held air. So I wiped off some grime and took it for a little test ride today.
It’s unfair to make judgements on a bike so in need of tune up and adjustments but it wasn’t bad at all.
It’s unfair to make judgements on a bike so in need of tune up and adjustments but it wasn’t bad at all.
Last edited by denaffen; 08-23-21 at 08:29 AM.
08-22-21, 11:13 AM
#29
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
I have an '84 Letour Luxe, that I use for touring simply because it has couplers. And it has couplers simply because it was the last bike I still had in the US when I ran out of storage options there. The Suntour Summetric shifters are very nice to use, IMO, especially when they don't snap off as a unit. Mine are coupled with a first gen Cyclone rd. This is a match made in heaven. And an unknown(at the monment)fd. I'd like to put a Suntour Spirt on it, but I don't know if they shift three rings. I guess there is one way to find out.
08-22-21, 11:21 AM
#30
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
Poorly staged pic but here it is.
this is an 89 I think. Trutemper and quite light. I dimpled the chain stays a little for 650b clearance and am still working on what rack to use but I must say for an entry level frameset it's excellent.
Last edited by 52telecaster; 08-22-21 at 02:48 PM.
08-22-21, 02:41 PM
#31
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
I generally don't like fade paint jobs, but I like that one.
Likes For seedsbelize:
08-22-21, 02:46 PM
#32
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
I have three or four. Next time I'm coming north I'll be in touch.
Likes For seedsbelize:
08-22-21, 02:48 PM
#33
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
08-22-21, 04:57 PM
#34
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...21300029847330
Likes For thumpism:
08-23-21, 11:54 AM
#35
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
I also measured the wheelbase and came up with ~410 on the Le Tour, and ~415 on the Trek.
08-23-21, 03:15 PM
#36
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3588 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
I also measured the wheelbase and came up with ~410 on the Le Tour, and ~415 on the Trek.
08-23-21, 07:57 PM
#37
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
That sounds about right. 5mm is not a huge difference, but in general a lower bottom bracket feels more stable and tracks better, while a higher bottom bracket gives better pedal clearance in cornering.
Is that chainstay length in millimeters? Wheelbase should be a little over 1m. Longer chainstays give better heel clearance when using panniers.
Is that chainstay length in millimeters? Wheelbase should be a little over 1m. Longer chainstays give better heel clearance when using panniers.
08-23-21, 09:07 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 512
Bikes: 1970s Coppi/Fiorelli beater, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1972 Bob Jackson, 1970 Cilo Sprint-X, 1985 Fuji Touring Series IV, 1969 Legnano Roma
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 217 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
129 Posts
...i dimly recall the Spirt's mechanics are inverted - the spring 'relaxes' the cage onto the big ring.
if that's correct, surely the Symmetric shifter auto-trim function will send the FD in the wrong direction?
if that's correct, surely the Symmetric shifter auto-trim function will send the FD in the wrong direction?
I have an '84 Letour Luxe, that I use for touring simply because it has couplers. And it has couplers simply because it was the last bike I still had in the US when I ran out of storage options there. The Suntour Summetric shifters are very nice to use, IMO, especially when they don't snap off as a unit. Mine are coupled with a first gen Cyclone rd. This is a match made in heaven. And an unknown(at the monment)fd. I'd like to put a Suntour Spirt on it, but I don't know if they shift three rings. I guess there is one way to find out.
Likes For niliraga:
08-23-21, 11:06 PM
#39
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
I didn't realize there was an auto trim function on the shifters but since I use bar ends it's not an issue. The reverse action is what I find so appealing about spirts and some other suntours.
08-24-21, 06:49 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,022 Times
in
665 Posts
I have an older than yours Mississippi built Schwinn Le Tour Luxe that I thought would just be ok. After riding it, I like it a lot. The biggest knock I have with the Mississippi built Schwinn's is the paint and decals. They are not anywhere near as good as Chicago built Schwinn's and not as durable as some other comparable frames. It looks like you are taking care of that issue and therefore evening the playing field again.
Your can measure them, weigh them, analyze them, but the proof is in the puddin', as they say. Find out which one you prefer when you ride them. You may even want to swap the wheel set so that you have better comparison.
I'm with you on the comparison of Canti's to sidepull brakes. I don't really favor one over the other.
You have a good dilemma there denaffen ..
I have a similar one I have my Le Tour Luxe and a similar Traveler. Both from Mississippi.. One of the reasons that I may favor the LeTour is that the Traveler has a fade paint job. And the Traveler has double butted True Temper tubing and the Le Tours is straight gauge. It is older than yours, At this point, I am keeping both. I set them up differently. The Le Tour Luxe has bar end shifters with drop bars and a triple chainring (now).
Your can measure them, weigh them, analyze them, but the proof is in the puddin', as they say. Find out which one you prefer when you ride them. You may even want to swap the wheel set so that you have better comparison.
I'm with you on the comparison of Canti's to sidepull brakes. I don't really favor one over the other.
You have a good dilemma there denaffen ..
I have a similar one I have my Le Tour Luxe and a similar Traveler. Both from Mississippi.. One of the reasons that I may favor the LeTour is that the Traveler has a fade paint job. And the Traveler has double butted True Temper tubing and the Le Tours is straight gauge. It is older than yours, At this point, I am keeping both. I set them up differently. The Le Tour Luxe has bar end shifters with drop bars and a triple chainring (now).
08-24-21, 07:09 AM
#41
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,624
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 6,482 Times
in
3,206 Posts
08-24-21, 08:33 AM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
Schwinns, while generally very good value, were never as good quality as Treks, with few exceptions. Schwinn also made the mistake of helping develop Giant into the behemoth they are today in order to cut their own costs, while Trek continued investment in their USA manufacturing capabilities until the mid 90s, when the bulk of their frame production started being done overseas.
Likes For ClydeClydeson:
08-24-21, 08:37 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,252
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,395 Times
in
694 Posts
Trek was certainly an up and comer before Lance, sure - and Schwinn did themselves no favors with poor marketing choices. But when talking the difference between two mid-grade bikes, the relative fortunes of the manufacturing firms has zippidee doo dah day to do with the relative merits of the bikes themselves, which was my initial main point.
Likes For rustystrings61:
08-24-21, 08:45 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 467 Post(s)
Liked 532 Times
in
267 Posts
denaffen Great job on the LeTour repaint. Really like the color. Thank you for posting your overhaul of these 2 C&V bikes, looking forward to the finished products. As often happens on BF, much information on the LeTour series and Trek tourers has accumulated. Good to have it in one place. I agree with rustystrings61 that a Marque going out of business doesn't necessarily speak poorly of the bikes they built. For example Motobecane, Bridgestone, Stella and many others still have quite a following. Adding a link to the 1985 Schwinn catalog: https://bikehistory.org/catalogs/1985.html Don
Likes For ollo_ollo:
08-24-21, 11:12 AM
#45
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
Just ordered stickers, which cost me more than 2x what the Schwinn did. But on the plus side, Velocals did reproduce the "made in America" sticker that wasn't in their normal inventory. They do nice work.
08-24-21, 03:20 PM
#46
Newbie
hi all, been lurking a while, thought i'd try coming out of my shell...
,doesn't the "le tour" name refer (rather walter mitty-ish-ly) to 'le tour' de france, rather than to it being a 'touring' bike? just a thought.
cheers,
rob
,doesn't the "le tour" name refer (rather walter mitty-ish-ly) to 'le tour' de france, rather than to it being a 'touring' bike? just a thought.
cheers,
rob
08-24-21, 06:33 PM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Upper Left, USA
Posts: 1,915
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 634 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
298 Posts
For apples to apples comparison, here are some published wheelbases.
23" Le Tour: 40.75"/1035.05mm
22.5" 520: 1056mm
I took a guess that the 23" Letour is about the same as a 22.5" 520, but if it's more like a 24" 520 then the difference is even larger. 36mm or almost 1.5"! Admit it, the Le Tour isn't a touring bike!
23" Le Tour: 40.75"/1035.05mm
24" 520: 1071mm
Geo charts below.
85 Schwinn Catalog (edited to move the columns close together)
88 Trek Catalog
08-24-21, 06:46 PM
#48
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
there is absolutely no way there is 35mm difference in these two frames wheelbase
08-25-21, 09:54 AM
#49
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288
Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
100 Posts
The Le Tour has its (hopefully) last coat of paint and is ready for polishing.
Meanwhile, I just keep riding the 520 more and more. 5 miles one day, 6 the next, 8 this morning. It seems to always want to go more than I have time for. And I still haven’t done much except a light cleaning, throw some air in the ancient tires and swap out the worn out seat.
Meanwhile, I just keep riding the 520 more and more. 5 miles one day, 6 the next, 8 this morning. It seems to always want to go more than I have time for. And I still haven’t done much except a light cleaning, throw some air in the ancient tires and swap out the worn out seat.
Likes For denaffen:
08-25-21, 10:50 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Humboldt County, CA
Posts: 832
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 430 Times
in
286 Posts
The Le Tour has its (hopefully) last coat of paint and is ready for polishing.
Meanwhile, I just keep riding the 520 more and more. 5 miles one day, 6 the next, 8 this morning. It seems to always want to go more than I have time for. And I still haven’t done much except a light cleaning, throw some air in the ancient tires and swap out the worn out seat.
Meanwhile, I just keep riding the 520 more and more. 5 miles one day, 6 the next, 8 this morning. It seems to always want to go more than I have time for. And I still haven’t done much except a light cleaning, throw some air in the ancient tires and swap out the worn out seat.
Are you going to decal it?
--Shannon