Classic & Vintage - Schwinn Paramount Frame Sizing

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thalluga
06-29-07, 09:38 AM
Greetings,

I finally got around to measuring the frame of the ‘72 Paramount I pulled from a neighbor’s junk pile last week and much to my surprise, this frame looks like it could be my size. I guess the small diameter steel tubes had me thinking the bike is a 53cm frame.

The top tube is roughly 23” and the down tube is a 22”, would you say this frame is a 56cm frame? When I compare it to my other two road bikes the Paramount frame is very close. I was thinking I would strip the frame and hang it in my office at home but now I’m thinking I could ride the bike.

Since most of the components are not stock right now, I might look into putting modern campy components on the bike instead of vintage. Has anyone else done that to their 70’s Paramount?

Thanks,

Tracy

Scooper
06-29-07, 11:53 AM
Tracy,

I put a new Campy Record long cage rear derailleur on my '72 P15 Paramount, but otherwise it's stock. I can see no reason, though, not to put modern components on them. The biggest problem would be cold setting the rear triangle to get the wider dropout spacing needed to accommodate a 9-speed or 10-speed cassette, but if you carefully follow Sheldon Brown's instructions that shouldn't be a big deal.

You mentioned the downtube length was 22". Do you mean the seat tube? A 22" seat tube (measured from the center of the crank to the top of the seat tube would be 55.88cm, or roughly 56cm. Eyeballing the attachment to your post, I'd guess it's probably about that size.
John E
06-29-07, 12:45 PM
Yes, that looks like about a 56cm = 22" C-T frame to me. Allowing just under 3 cm for the top tube outer diameter makes that about 54.5cm C-C. Nice bike!

thalluga
06-30-07, 06:13 AM
Yes, I meant the seat tube and you are both right on the money, it measures exactly 55.88cm. Too cool, it’s my size. Now I’m thinking I will get this frame road ready, maybe even painted. Thanks for the info, I’ll check out Sheldon’s website.

As soon as I figure out what the plan is on components and get to work, I’ll post a picture of the finished product when it’s complete. Of course my next project is making my wife see the logic of why I need a fourth bike.

Do you guys ride your Paramount’s and vintage bikes in group rides?

Thanks much,

Tracy