eBay 1976 tall Paramount - $?
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eBay 1976 tall Paramount - $?
I'm considering a 69cm 1976 Schwinn Paramount. I'm not a bike collector, so I don't know what the market value for the bike is. It has a starting bid of $699 + $122 shipping. There haven't been any bids, so I'm guessing the price is high.
I'm interested in the bike mainly because of it's size (I'm 6'9", 260lbs) and nice condition. I currently use a 1985 66cm Cannondale SR900 for commuting and group rides. I ride a 1981 66cm Univega Sportour (converted to a hybrid) when pulling the kids on their trail-a-bike. How will the ride compare between the Paramount and the Cannondale? I'm sure the extra few cm will feel good.
Do Paramount owners ride their bikes hard - or do the bikes just live in basement museums?
thanks,
Glen
I'm interested in the bike mainly because of it's size (I'm 6'9", 260lbs) and nice condition. I currently use a 1985 66cm Cannondale SR900 for commuting and group rides. I ride a 1981 66cm Univega Sportour (converted to a hybrid) when pulling the kids on their trail-a-bike. How will the ride compare between the Paramount and the Cannondale? I'm sure the extra few cm will feel good.
Do Paramount owners ride their bikes hard - or do the bikes just live in basement museums?
thanks,
Glen
#2
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I don't know that you can generalize about Paramount owners, but that particular example doesn't show much wear. The handlebar tape is intact, the seat shows no patina, the pedals aren't visibly scraped, and the toe clip straps look to be in good shape, without any "polish transfer" to the crank (I don't know the technical term, but I mean wear and polish on the crank arm where the toe clip strap rubs against it).
As to the price, as someone else pointed out to me, the tall and the short bikes have much smaller markets, hence they tend to be where the bargains are. So one might expect a lower price. OTOH, I have to believe it's pretty hard to find too many Reynolds 531 frames that big, under ANY manufacturer's label, so if you need it, I wouldn't pass it up. FWIW, if it were a normally-sized Paramount, the price does not strike me as being unreasonable, based on my (limited) understanding of the market.
As to the price, as someone else pointed out to me, the tall and the short bikes have much smaller markets, hence they tend to be where the bargains are. So one might expect a lower price. OTOH, I have to believe it's pretty hard to find too many Reynolds 531 frames that big, under ANY manufacturer's label, so if you need it, I wouldn't pass it up. FWIW, if it were a normally-sized Paramount, the price does not strike me as being unreasonable, based on my (limited) understanding of the market.
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If not for the huge size, that bike would be a real bargain at that price. Since you need one that large, I would be all over it. You are not going to see another one for a long time.
1970s Paramounts commonly go for more than that price.
Yes, all Paramount owners never ride their bikes, store them very carefully, keep them polished and ready to ride, and store them in basement museums. Well, I should say almost all Paramount owners, as the three I bought in the last two years were all exceptions to this rule.
Figure that bike is 35 years old, it appears to be in really good condition.
1970s Paramounts commonly go for more than that price.
Yes, all Paramount owners never ride their bikes, store them very carefully, keep them polished and ready to ride, and store them in basement museums. Well, I should say almost all Paramount owners, as the three I bought in the last two years were all exceptions to this rule.
Figure that bike is 35 years old, it appears to be in really good condition.
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Thanks for the responses. I'm can feel my wallet opening up...
One more question: any guesses as to which P-model this is? I don't have the serial number.
Glen
One more question: any guesses as to which P-model this is? I don't have the serial number.
Glen
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I agree that is dreamy and if you need a big one go for it.
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A lot of people bought lightweight racing bikes during the 70's bike boom and fitness craze who had never ridden before. If those folks walked into a Schwinn shop in those days, because they knew the Schwinn name (and probably owned a balloon-tired Schwinn as a kid), had large wallets and good intentions, and said, "What's the best racing bike in the shop," they likely left with a Paramount. Having good intentions and all, they rode it once or twice, maybe until they realized it was hard work going up hill, or until they had some minor mechanical they couldn't cope with, and then it sat ... and sat ... and sat. That bike's a bit past the boom, but it was a very common pattern.
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As to the price, as someone else pointed out to me, the tall and the short bikes have much smaller markets, hence they tend to be where the bargains are. So one might expect a lower price. OTOH, I have to believe it's pretty hard to find too many Reynolds 531 frames that big, under ANY manufacturer's label, so if you need it, I wouldn't pass it up. FWIW, if it were a normally-sized Paramount, the price does not strike me as being unreasonable, based on my (limited) understanding of the market.
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Tall steel (welded) Schwinns and lugged Fujis show up on the local Craigslist every month and only fetch $100-$300, but this seems like a rare steed worth the premium price.
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I wouldn't even be surprised to find someone who doesn't fit the bike sniping it at the last instant; even if it didn't fit, they could strip the components and resell the frame bare. Hmmm... sounds like a plan...
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#11
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+1 If you have your heart set on a 1970s era Paramount, I would put in a pretty serious bid. It is not unusual to see Paramounts from that era go over $1000. Hopefully you will have little/no competition, and get it for quite a bit less.
+1 Someone of smaller stature might buy it to part out. 50/50 chance if someone other than you buys it, it will get the part out treatment.
+1 Someone of smaller stature might buy it to part out. 50/50 chance if someone other than you buys it, it will get the part out treatment.
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I could buy it, set a saddle off the seat tube inside the main triangle, mount bars off the fork crown and it would be a safety cycle for my kid, with a roll bar.
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Well, with three days left, this bike has four bids, three different bidders. We could see this one zoom up quite a bit.
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Sniped it! $860 + shipping. Here are a few full resolution photos from the seller:
https://www.darmodyshop.com/ebay2011/...t/IMG_5712.jpg
https://www.darmodyshop.com/ebay2011/...t/IMG_5728.jpg
https://www.darmodyshop.com/ebay2011/...t/IMG_5718.jpg
As I intend to ride this bike 75-100 miles weekly, what is going to need immediate attention? Is there any maintenance I should avoid?
thanks!
Glen
https://www.darmodyshop.com/ebay2011/...t/IMG_5712.jpg
https://www.darmodyshop.com/ebay2011/...t/IMG_5728.jpg
https://www.darmodyshop.com/ebay2011/...t/IMG_5718.jpg
As I intend to ride this bike 75-100 miles weekly, what is going to need immediate attention? Is there any maintenance I should avoid?
thanks!
Glen
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Service all the bearings before even coasting down the driveway on it.
Other than that just look at what needs attention.
Other than that just look at what needs attention.
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I had this on my watch list, you are so lucky I was away for the weekend.
Oh well, live by the snipe, die by the snipe. Nice catch, and good luck with it. It is a beautiful Paramount.
Oh well, live by the snipe, die by the snipe. Nice catch, and good luck with it. It is a beautiful Paramount.
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Good job snagging that bike! Well done! Paramounts from that era, in that size, are extremely hard to come by. Got to grab it when you see it. Make sure the seller packs them well! Or if you are anywhere close, pick it up in person.
That price is about what an entry level bike costs at a bike shop. Instead, you got yourself a top of the line, very collectible bike!
That price is about what an entry level bike costs at a bike shop. Instead, you got yourself a top of the line, very collectible bike!
Last edited by wrk101; 06-13-11 at 12:06 PM.
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I didn't get an answer on my earlier question: is this a P-10 or something else?
thanks,
Glen
#19
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With the top tube rear brake cable braze-ons, the dropout eyelets and the double chainring crank, it's almost certainly a P10-9.
Last edited by Scooper; 06-13-11 at 05:27 PM.
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Watch that whole insurance on shipping. I would get it for sure. But if the bike gets damaged, pretty much all the shipping companies blame the packing job and deny the claim. The coverage is not worth much. But I would still get it.
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Just a follow-up: The Paramount has proven to be a great purchase. I had a tuneup done at the LBS - new Panaracer tires, tubes, brake cables, cable housing. The shop opened up the BB, hubs, and headtube, but those needed nothing. The fit and responsiveness of the bike puts a smile on my face with each ride. Looking forward to putting some serious miles on it this season.
-Glen
-Glen
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Excellent! Glad it found a good home and is appreciated.
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