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eBay 1976 tall Paramount - $?

Old 06-10-11, 09:57 AM
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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
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Old 06-10-11, 10:48 AM
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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.
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Old 06-10-11, 11:16 AM
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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.
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Old 06-10-11, 01:05 PM
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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
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Old 06-10-11, 01:28 PM
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I agree that is dreamy and if you need a big one go for it.

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Old 06-10-11, 03:43 PM
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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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Old 06-10-11, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Zumkopf
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.
Just because nobody's bidding doesn't mean nobody plans on bidding. That's how ebay works - smart bidders bid late - as late as possible.
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Old 06-10-11, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Picchio Special
Just because nobody's bidding doesn't mean nobody plans on bidding. That's how ebay works - smart bidders bid late - as late as possible.
True - which is why I wanted to get this community's collective opinion on that starting bid before I sniped it. I don't want to bid way beyond market value.

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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Old 06-10-11, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Picchio Special
Just because nobody's bidding doesn't mean nobody plans on bidding. That's how ebay works - smart bidders bid late - as late as possible.
I don't think I ventured an opinion about either bidding strategy or the presence/absence of other bidders. I just observed that there would be fewer potential buyers, which could drive the price either way: it's harder for sellers to find buyers for a giraffe bike, but it's also harder for tall guys needing giraffe bikes to find them.

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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Old 06-10-11, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Zumkopf
Iit's harder for sellers to find buyers for a giraffe bike, but it's also harder for tall guys needing giraffe bikes to find them.
It's not a giraffe bike - you guys all ride dachshund bikes.
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Old 06-10-11, 08:15 PM
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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.
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Old 06-11-11, 11:52 AM
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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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Old 06-12-11, 04:34 PM
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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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Old 06-12-11, 10:18 PM
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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!
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Old 06-13-11, 05:26 AM
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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.
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Old 06-13-11, 07:47 AM
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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.
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Old 06-13-11, 12:02 PM
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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!

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Old 06-13-11, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by wrk101
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.
Funny how I've come full circle - having spent my early teens riding a tall green 70's Schwinn Varisty and then a taller baby blue 70's Schwinn Continental.

Originally Posted by wrk101
Make sure the seller packs them well! Or if you are anywhere close, pick it up in person.
Good tip - I've asked the seller to pack the bike well (and buy insurance). Shipping is the only option. Indianapolis to Minneapolis isn't as close as the names suggest.

I didn't get an answer on my earlier question: is this a P-10 or something else?

thanks,
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Old 06-13-11, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by RaisingMN
I didn't get an answer on my earlier question: is this a P-10 or something else?

thanks,
Glen
With the top tube rear brake cable braze-ons, the dropout eyelets and the double chainring crank, it's almost certainly a P10-9.
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Old 06-13-11, 05:21 PM
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Congratulations, RaisingMN, that's a very nice looking Paramount.
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Old 06-13-11, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by RaisingMN
Funny how I've come full circle - having spent my early teens riding a tall green 70's Schwinn Varisty and then a taller baby blue 70's Schwinn Continental.
Me too. I grew up riding a 1970 Schwinn Continental. It got me to hate Schwinn. I couldn't wait to move to another brand. Now here I am forty one years later, and what is my favorite bike in my fleet? A 1987 Schwinn Prologue. Of course, it was built by Panasonic. I also have a 1973 World Voyageur (another Panasonic built bike), a 1991 Paramount Series V (I think Panasonic built that one also, I see a pattern here), and a 1986 Paramount (Waterford built).... I wouldn't mind picking up a 1970s Paramount, but I don't see it happening. And I always keep an eye out for a nice Circuit or Peloton.

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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Old 03-22-12, 07:37 AM
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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
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Old 03-22-12, 12:46 PM
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Excellent! Glad it found a good home and is appreciated.
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