From the turnover of the Schwinn company, to the sale of the Waterford plant, to the use of the Paramount name on mass produced bikes, it seems the name Paramount only has meaning in a historical context.

Given that performance racing bikes have moved away from metal and custom sizing in favor of molded carbon frames offered in 3-5 stock sizes, it seems fitting that Schwinn retire the Paramount name, if for no other reason than to preserve the heritage. If custom bikes make a comeback in the future and Schwinn enters that space, than maybe revive the brand, but at this point I don’t see that happening. We will just have to remember Paramounts in blogs and enjoy the occasional sight and stories of older riders on the remaining road worthy bikes.

Very cool. How did the restoration turn out? Are you enjoying the bike? Would be cool to see a picture.

@Andrew

I didn’t think of selling it. Retorting my frame would take a lot. The downtube is ripped and needs to be replaced. There are also significant dents in the top tube and right chainstay. With 1-3 tubes to replace plus paint and out of print decals, it’s safe to say that it would cost more to repair than it would to replace with a new frame. Given this, if it’s still something you want, and can pick up in Folsom, CA (where it’s currently in storage), you can have it for free.

Stacy

All is not lost, if you still have your broken frame. RRB CYcles, in Kenilworth, Illinois, fixes bikes. The owner is Ron Boi. Many years ago Ron used to repair Paramount frames for the factory.

After I crashed a bike, Ron replaced the top tube and down tube (it was a frame he had built), and I picked out a new Imron color, too.

-Will

Пртзнавайтесь прролкахники и владдельцы сайта brianmcnitt.com ))))

ЧТО вы буддете делатиь этми летт?!

Congrats on the acquisition. You should have no problem upgrading the bike to STI or a more modern shifting system. The main question is rear dropout width. Do you know if your Paramount has 126mm or 130mm rear dropout spacing? (If you’re not sure, you can measure it yourself, have your shop measure it, or call Waterford Precision Cycles with the serial number — they should be able to tell you the vintage.)

If it’s 126mm (originally designed for 7-speed like my Paramount, pictured) then you will have to stretch (cold set) the rear dropout a bit to fit a wider 130mm 8, 9, or 10-speed hub. Sheldon Brown wrote an excellent article on the subject at: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html.

If you already have 130mm spacing, then you’re set. It’s simply a matter of swapping out the shifters and drive train components.

Hope this helps!

Brian

Thanks a lot,

Charles

Tough to let go of an old friend. I have a 1970 P-13 that I did some racing on in the late 70’s. I am the second owner, but when it came time to move to Aluminum(a la Cannondale), I could not part with my Paramount. In fact the opposite happened, I got nostalgic and starting collecting Paramounts from different era’s in Paramount history. My oldest is a single speed tourer circa somewhere between ‘38 and ‘41. The next is a 3 speed sport bike with full fenders and chaingard. Next is a 1961 P-12, and a 1966 P-14 track bike that I purchased just recently from a friend who was the original owner. Then the one that got me into this, the 1970 P-13. I also have a 50th Anniversary model I built up with Campagnolo 50th Anniversary components, and lastly a 1999 60th Anniversary Paramount built with Campagnolo Record 9-spped. This is last of the Schwinn Paramount legacy. Even if Pacific Bike were to bring it back, which I really hope that they do not, it would not likely be a steel bike.

I could go on and on about each of these machines, the differences and why, in my view, they are unique and meaningful to Schwinn Paramount history, and U.S. Cycling history in general, but it would probably bore most people to death.

So saying goodbye is tough, but it sounds like the memories of the Paramount will live long.

“Steel is Real”

Tim