Yesterday was the last WABA swap meet of the year, with the usual cast of characters including list-members Ken Sanford, Larry Osborn, and Yr. Obdt. Svt. Someone wheeled in a Schwinn LeTour and just donated it to WABA. The Master of Ceremonies (Neal Elliott) priced it, and then Tom Witkop offered $25 for the Campy pedals. The ?? on a LeTour? This thing didn't seem to be your grandmother's ordinary LeTour. So I bought it, figuring that it was an easy way to get what seemed to be a reasonable half-step+granny TA crankset, and the rest would be gravy.
It turns out that I can't afford to just replace the cranks and flip it, because it also needs rear derailleur, etc. It's also seamed tubing. But someone had put some thought into upgrades that made sense if it was to be used for serious touring. Not just the cranks, but a very nice Stronglight Competition BB, with cartridge bearings. Matthauser brake pads, the TA cranks, etc.
It also has hubs I have not seen before: Sunshine Gyromaster, sort of medium flange, with small holes in the flanges in front. To play by the rules, I'll price these at $100 for the pair, postage paid in the US... Trades, etc. considered. No, they don't come with the apparently original Super Champion rims, either.
harvey sachs
mcLean va