Classic & Vintage - Wtf?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Schwinn-Paramount-bike-bicycle-Campagnolo-53-cm_W0QQitemZ370121182968QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item370121182968&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

When I saw the name I thought it was just search tagging... but... upon inspection, it's a womens road bike frame, paramount at that, with barcons and Campy, as well as 531 tubing. Nothing about any of that makes any sense to me. I hate to sound sexist, but, that seems counterproductive to put those parts and that tubing on a bike like that. That's a mashing, pushing, speeding bike by specs, but... not.
Was it just a "I want a womens frame with kick ass parts" thing? Or was this just one of those weird things Schwinn did back in the day?
-Gene-

It's legit. There's someone local who's wife has one. They showed up to my vintage ride this spring. Hers is certainly in better shape than that.

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/320187-1/tn_IMG_1135.JPG

The step through is good for ladies who are not all that limber and have a hard time swinging their leg over the seat or bars. Or just think it isn't lady like to do so. ;)

Women aren't allowed a nice bike? If they do, they have to have a double-triangle geometry?

:wtf:

Not to "BURST " this thread into bits , but this is one of the finest examples of a bicycle
http://velospace.org/node/10343

Cheers
T

The only nit I have with those ladies' Paramounts is the fact that they are not mixtes. You'd think, with Schwinn's obsession with the stiffness of the Paramounts that they would have added the extra set of stays at the back (not to mention the occasional sagging frame if the seat tube kinks backwards).

-Kurt

I think they also used to have a paramount tandem with a womens configuration for the stoker. I agree with the OP, this was silly. Although I'm pretty sure I knew one or two women that owned one. A mixte would have been a lot better. But you couldn't get an all Reynolds mixte tube set.

Women aren't allowed a nice bike? If they do, they have to have a double-triangle geometry?

:wtf:

I'm not saying that at all. But, as Kurt said, with Schwinn's such concern for stiffness in their Paramount line, it just just doesn't make too much sense. I mean... the Paramount line IS/WAS a racing bike line, and traditional womens frames just aren't as stiff as a double-triangle frame, or even a Mixte.
-Gene-

But you couldn't get an all Reynolds mixte tube set.

It would be possible, if the single top/down tube was retained, with another set of 531 seat stays installed parallel to the top tube (not possible in the Paramount's configuration though unless the angle of the top tube is made shallower). Same as the setup on the Paramount tandems made with ladies' stoker position.

-Kurt

You guys are missing it here. The reason this bike exists is to make it easier for the husband to purchase his Paramount. :)

Not to "BURST " this thread into bits , but this is one of the finest examples of a bicycle
http://velospace.org/node/10343

Cheers
T

So sad. Personaly, I cant stand bikes that have upright bars with drop bar levers.

So sad. Personaly, I cant stand bikes that have upright bars with drop bar levers.

Why, looks? They work quite nicely if the bar has a good bend to em:

http://velospace.org/files/JeunetTownie.jpg

Isn't that the touring model paramount.(girls)Didn't paramount always make this type frame for their Touring Bikes? Claud Butler was building 531 frames like this in the 40s.

Isn't that the touring model paramount.(girls)Didn't paramount always make this type frame for their Touring Bikes?

http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer/1973/73ccpg18.html

I'm not saying that at all. But, as Kurt said, with Schwinn's such concern for stiffness in their Paramount line, it just just doesn't make too much sense. I mean... the Paramount line IS/WAS a racing bike line, and traditional womens frames just aren't as stiff as a double-triangle frame, or even a Mixte.
-Gene-

Makes perfect sense... its a touring bike. Schwinn offered the Paramount in several configurations and build specifications... touring being one of them. And why not have light weight, quality components, and nice build quality for a nice weekend ride and not the tour de france.

Totally legit bike. Must be around 69 or 70 with the Prugnat lugs, or later if they used up left overs. Not sure what year Opaque Blue first appeared.

In Opaque Blue! Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Why, looks? They work quite nicely if the bar has a good bend to em:

Looks. They're aestheticly goofy. They make a bike look like the builder was in a hurry to finsih and grabbed the only levers left in the parts box.

To each their own i guess.



On topic: pretty Paramount, I'd love for my wifey to have one of those beauts.

http://velospace.org/files/JeunetTownie.jpg

Wow... I REALLY like that chaingaurd.

Ehh!!! Not so much the cotters...

Assuming the 531 step-through frame is lighter and stiffer than your garden variety step-through frame, the lady's Paramount makes sense for the rider who does not want to ride a usual diamond frame. That said, the "lady's" frame style is an anachronism, invented over a century ago in a day when a "lady" would not be seen in public wearing man's clothing. The step-through frame --complete with skirt guards, of course-- allowed a lady to ride a bicycle without cross-dressing.

We "modern" people don't too worked up about this whole cross-dressing thing, but once upon a time it was a big deal. A century ago it was un-ladylike; in earlier centuries it had been illegal and, in some cases, punishable by death. For example, the legal reason for burning Joan of Arc at the stake was... yes, cross dressing.:eek:


Wow... I REALLY like that chaingaurd.+1


Ehh!!! Not so much the cotters...
-1. That bike wouldn't look good with anything else.

Wow... I REALLY like that chaingaurd.

Ehh!!! Not so much the cotters...

Chainguard: I know, it's awesome eh? The whole bike is a bit rough, but has lots of super french features that make it really nice.

She's in the "project" category right now and I miss riding her quite a bit.

I guess I need to stop mountain biking so much, it's just so hard to stop when there's so much trail!