Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 197? Schwinn Paramount

I bought this today and I'm not sure on the year of this bike. I would also be interested in an appraisals as to its worth

Model: 197? Schwinn Paramount
Decals: over clear-coat
Headset: EDCO competition, gold
Crankset: Campy Nuovo Record
Bottom bracket: Campy nuovo record
Front derailleur: Campy Nuovo record
R. Derailleur: Campy Nuovo Record
Seatpost: Campy Nuovo Record
Brake calipers: Dura-Ace
Brake levers: Dura-Ace
Rims: Super Chamption
Hubs: Shimano high-flange
Stem: Cinelli 1A
Hanldebars: Cinelli
Saddle: San Marco?
Freewheel: Suntour 5-spd
Tires: Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX

Pictures:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-20G_5MXQzx4/TpJjXUpvDpI/AAAAAAAACYE/IVyCkWEFG78/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.00.40_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BAL20bThpaU/TpJjX7M60GI/AAAAAAAACYM/FXr8nZVNLcc/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.00.54_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KGY3g2hW1Js/TpJjYXUGXVI/AAAAAAAACYQ/HQfnPsyNqAc/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.01.06_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e0xm64FkvVg/TpJjY1OhbPI/AAAAAAAACYU/4Ix42NUYWjM/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.01.21_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ApNj1lOaCDI/TpJjZ13P6NI/AAAAAAAACYc/bFlIb-92oAw/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.01.32_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-piV6ugAPRgo/TpJjZpu0rhI/AAAAAAAACYY/cBN4H-SVSdM/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.02.22_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mEywC4jdZtg/TpJjXPPkaVI/AAAAAAAACYA/XIP8TsoR1EA/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.00.28_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-thoLu9syhqQ/TpJjXoj6JlI/AAAAAAAACYI/c3KbyWQ9umo/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.00.15_Oakland_California_US.jpg

What is the serial number? It's not legible in the photos. The serial number indicates the date the frame was manufactured and should start with a letter (A=January, M=December; I is not used), then the following two digits are the year.

The decals are late seventies, but it's apparently a repaint since the Nervex Professional head lugs, fork crown, fork tips and rear triangle near the dropouts should all be chrome plated.

PDG wasn't established in Waterford until 1980, so the PDG sticker on the seat tube is an anachronism.

the serial number is 20209. It's on the rear drop-out.

That's strange because there is no letter at all. Does this suggest it's not a Paramount!?!

the serial number is 20209. It's on the rear drop-out.

That's strange because there is no letter at all. Does this suggest it's not a Paramount!?!


I don't have your answer but I hope someone does, and stat. You may have a Huffy Ladies' Savannah on your hands :)

the serial number is 20209. It's on the rear drop-out.

That's strange because there is no letter at all. Does this suggest it's not a Paramount!?!

my understanding is that all schwinn paramounts had atleast one letter to distinguish its month code. ive never come across one with only a numbered serial

as mentioned before, Paramount Design Group was established in 1980-81 as the name of the waterford, WI factory that produced paramounts. So there's absolutely no way that bike is from the 1970's

That bike is either altered or you have it placed in the wrong decade

My best guess is that's not a paramount at all

Scroll down to the Superior Registry here (http://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_paramountregistry.html) (need some anchor tags Kurt): 20609, 20620, 21057

Scroll down to the Superior Registry here (http://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_paramountregistry.html) (need some anchor tags Kurt): 20609, 20620, 21057

hmmmmm.

upon research youre right

looks like OPs bike was made in the 1980's at waterford. that solves the PDG badge controversy

Bummer! So it's a Schwinn Superior.

Boo.

Bummer! So it's a Schwinn Superior.

Boo.

if you dont mind me asking, did you get worked over or did you still get a good deal?

I don't think I got a good deal. But the seller was honest and I think if I talked to him I could explain the situation so that either I return the bike for a refund or he sends me a bit of a refund check.

How much is this thing worth though?

The 1981 Superiors are very nice bikes, and were built using Nervex Professional lugs and Reynolds 531 tubing left over from Chicago Paramount production which ceased in 1979 when Ed Schwinn decided to modernize the Paramount line and move manufacturing to Waterford, Wisconsin. I believe the 1981 Superior frames were all brazed by Don Mainland in Racine, and he was among the best. Components on the Superior were Campy Gran Sport.

To the right buyer, your bike is worth around $500. It's too bad somebody misrepresented it as a Paramount because the Superior is a great bike in its own right.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1981_06.JPG

For more insight, see THIS THREAD (http://www.schwinnbikes.com/schwinn-life/forums/showthread.php?87326-1981-SCHWINN-Superior-%93Baby-Paramount%94-road-bike-64cm-800) on the Schwinn Forums and THIS ENTRY (http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Schwinn/schwinn_main.htm) on the Classic Rendezvous website (scroll to bottom of page).

I had a 1973 Paramount frame that had the PDG sticker. I think that just indicates a factory repaint.

thanks for all the information!

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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-piV6ugAPRgo/TpJjZpu0rhI/AAAAAAAACYY/cBN4H-SVSdM/s800/2011-10-09%25252020.02.22_Oakland_California_US.jpg



Another gold and black Cellini... let's talk about that one, not the repainted Paramount.

There's two other threads for talking about that one:

This one about restoration: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/774033-Super-interesting-find.-Cellini-with-Campy-Golden-black-group?highlight=

And this one about value: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/774035-Cellini-with-Campy-Golden-Black-group?highlight=