Fresh Build

Today's "Fresh Build" is a vintage Schwinn Le Tour. This bike caught my eye at a second-hand store some weeks ago, but I didn't immediately jump on it. After thinking about the potential this bicycle had, I ran back in hoping it was still available...which it was.

When a bike is sitting in a store, tires falling apart, all the gears and chain rusted out, it's probably going to sit there for a while. Not too many people are going to buy something that doesn't work...but I guess if you're looking for an old road bike to convert to single speed, this was the perfect find! 

My main man Corey out in Seattle had been inquiring about getting a simple single speed built up on the cheap. With the Le Tour in hand, this bike had his name written all over it. 

The entire project was relatively easy with no major hang ups. The first move was stripping the bike down to frame and fork and replacing the head set and bottom bracket. After that it was adding a drive train, wheel set, handlebars and hand brake. Once completed, a test ride was in order to work out any kinks, make final adjustments and enjoy the ride. Blotto

All photos © Dean Blotto Gray / Blotto Photto 2010