Schwinn Paramount Series 7 information
12-12-07, 08:05 PM
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Schwinn Paramount Series 7 information
I have the chance to buy one of these Schwinn Paramount Series 7 bikes for $250 and I'm wondering if that's a good price.
The components are in decent shape but a little beat up. The brifters and RD are scuffed and the frame has what looks like rust where the paint has chipped. The seller says that the wheels are in good condition and the cassette and chainrings don't look too worn. I was wondering if I could do anything to fix up the rust other than sandblasting the frame and repainting it.
I have an 85 peugeot ph-501 that I've been riding lately but it's way too big for me and getting on and off on uneven ground is a little problematic and sometimes painful. I ride a 54 cm cannondale and the schwinn is a 56 which should be much more comfortable.
Input is very appreciated, let me know what you think! Here are the pictures!
The components are in decent shape but a little beat up. The brifters and RD are scuffed and the frame has what looks like rust where the paint has chipped. The seller says that the wheels are in good condition and the cassette and chainrings don't look too worn. I was wondering if I could do anything to fix up the rust other than sandblasting the frame and repainting it.
I have an 85 peugeot ph-501 that I've been riding lately but it's way too big for me and getting on and off on uneven ground is a little problematic and sometimes painful. I ride a 54 cm cannondale and the schwinn is a 56 which should be much more comfortable.
Input is very appreciated, let me know what you think! Here are the pictures!
12-12-07, 09:15 PM
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Photos are not as helpful as having the bike up close and personal, but that rust seems unusual. I am on the salt and chemical drenched Gulf coast, and I've never seen a Japanese made frame with that much rust.
If you sandblast off the paint, you will know how deep the rust goes, but first you'd have to buy the bike. The fact the rust is focused on the lugs makes me wonde if something was messed up when the bike was built (a very rare event with Japanese-made bikes).
I've seen very clean Japanese made Schwinns with Ultegra or 105 groups for $200...even $50 at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store...if it was me, I'd save my money for a cleaner bike.
If the price was $75, you'd be getting shifters and wheels that are probably worth that much...that's the philosophy that caused me to have about twenty old wheels I will never used tucked away in a storage closet.
If you sandblast off the paint, you will know how deep the rust goes, but first you'd have to buy the bike. The fact the rust is focused on the lugs makes me wonde if something was messed up when the bike was built (a very rare event with Japanese-made bikes).
I've seen very clean Japanese made Schwinns with Ultegra or 105 groups for $200...even $50 at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store...if it was me, I'd save my money for a cleaner bike.
If the price was $75, you'd be getting shifters and wheels that are probably worth that much...that's the philosophy that caused me to have about twenty old wheels I will never used tucked away in a storage closet.
12-12-07, 10:01 PM
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Photos are not as helpful as having the bike up close and personal, but that rust seems unusual. I am on the salt and chemical drenched Gulf coast, and I've never seen a Japanese made frame with that much rust.
If you sandblast off the paint, you will know how deep the rust goes, but first you'd have to buy the bike. The fact the rust is focused on the lugs makes me wonde if something was messed up when the bike was built (a very rare event with Japanese-made bikes).
I've seen very clean Japanese made Schwinns with Ultegra or 105 groups for $200...even $50 at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store...if it was me, I'd save my money for a cleaner bike.
If the price was $75, you'd be getting shifters and wheels that are probably worth that much...that's the philosophy that caused me to have about twenty old wheels I will never used tucked away in a storage closet.
If you sandblast off the paint, you will know how deep the rust goes, but first you'd have to buy the bike. The fact the rust is focused on the lugs makes me wonde if something was messed up when the bike was built (a very rare event with Japanese-made bikes).
I've seen very clean Japanese made Schwinns with Ultegra or 105 groups for $200...even $50 at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store...if it was me, I'd save my money for a cleaner bike.
If the price was $75, you'd be getting shifters and wheels that are probably worth that much...that's the philosophy that caused me to have about twenty old wheels I will never used tucked away in a storage closet.
Is this something I should completely stay away from because of where the rust is and everything?
Thanks.
12-13-07, 01:25 AM
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Rust like that usually has concurrent areas under the toptube, at head and seat, as well as, should it be far gone, under the bottom bracket. All signs of being ridden hard on a trainer. Not good for the frame but not the end. At $250, the things worth a refinish IMO. I'd buy it.
Danny
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12-13-07, 01:32 AM
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Rust like that usually has concurrent areas under the toptube, at head and seat, as well as, should it be far gone, under the bottom bracket. All signs of being ridden hard on a trainer. Not good for the frame but not the end. At $250, the things worth a refinish IMO. I'd buy it.
Danny
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I'm going to be using this thing as a 'bad weather'/training and possibly travelling bike so the aesthetics are a second to functionality.
Thanks for all the info.
The frame is 1501 tange cro-mo. How is this different from the other steel grades such as 501, 520, 753 and 853?
12-13-07, 01:55 AM
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I would sand the rusted area down to bare metal and then spray them with primer. the get as close as you can with with rattle cans. If its really function over form.
12-13-07, 08:24 AM
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Better check to see if the wheels are 650c or 700c
I owned a series 7 that had 650c wheels....and although it was a larger frame, it still didn't fit me right.....I sold it on ebay for around $500.00, I think....
They are nice bikes! If you don't have to put too much into it, that price is right...
I owned a series 7 that had 650c wheels....and although it was a larger frame, it still didn't fit me right.....I sold it on ebay for around $500.00, I think....
They are nice bikes! If you don't have to put too much into it, that price is right...
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...and also a 2006 R-14 66cm Waterford road bike, my former dream bike :)
12-13-07, 08:29 AM
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The question is not really is THIS bike worth $250, plus your time, effort and money to restore, but, is there a BETTER $250 bike out there to invest in?
Based on my experience, you can find "like new" Japanese bikes from that era for $250, or for much less, if you look around for a while. Restoring an abused bike requires more work and more money than restoring a pampered bike, and there are lots of pampered bikes available if you look long enough and hard enough.
Based on my experience, you can find "like new" Japanese bikes from that era for $250, or for much less, if you look around for a while. Restoring an abused bike requires more work and more money than restoring a pampered bike, and there are lots of pampered bikes available if you look long enough and hard enough.
12-13-07, 08:44 AM
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The question is not really is THIS bike worth $250, plus your time, effort and money to restore, but, is there a BETTER $250 bike out there to invest in?
Based on my experience, you can find "like new" Japanese bikes from that era for $250, or for much less, if you look around for a while. Restoring an abused bike requires more work and more money than restoring a pampered bike, and there are lots of pampered bikes available if you look long enough and hard enough.
Based on my experience, you can find "like new" Japanese bikes from that era for $250, or for much less, if you look around for a while. Restoring an abused bike requires more work and more money than restoring a pampered bike, and there are lots of pampered bikes available if you look long enough and hard enough.
Tim
12-13-07, 10:52 AM
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The question is not really is THIS bike worth $250, plus your time, effort and money to restore, but, is there a BETTER $250 bike out there to invest in?
Based on my experience, you can find "like new" Japanese bikes from that era for $250, or for much less, if you look around for a while. Restoring an abused bike requires more work and more money than restoring a pampered bike, and there are lots of pampered bikes available if you look long enough and hard enough.
Based on my experience, you can find "like new" Japanese bikes from that era for $250, or for much less, if you look around for a while. Restoring an abused bike requires more work and more money than restoring a pampered bike, and there are lots of pampered bikes available if you look long enough and hard enough.
This bike would replace my peugeot which is currently my campus bike and I honestly wouldn't mind spending a little time and effort on it if I got it for 250.
However, I do agree with what you said though.
How would something like this compare? https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/507738433.html
12-14-07, 12:03 AM
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Anyone else know a quick fix for what seems to be rust?
Anyone know if it's worth it or any other comments?
Thanks again!
Anyone know if it's worth it or any other comments?
Thanks again!
12-14-07, 08:24 AM
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That is the way I look at it too. I got a high end panasonic (probably made in the same factory if that Schwinn is Japan made) that didn't have any rust, was in good mechanical condition and was less (including shipping) than the $250. Unless you have your heart set on a schwinn, I would look for an easier project that doesn't require rust removal and painting. You'll throw a lot of money into it.
12-14-07, 08:39 AM
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That is the way I look at it too. I got a high end panasonic (probably made in the same factory if that Schwinn is Japan made) that didn't have any rust, was in good mechanical condition and was less (including shipping) than the $250. Unless you have your heart set on a schwinn, I would look for an easier project that doesn't require rust removal and painting. You'll throw a lot of money into it.
