1990 schwinn paramount question
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,315
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
1990 schwinn paramount question
Hi...question...no pics...sorry....saw nice all dura ace 7 speed paramount...not sure if waterford or not...that is what i need the help on...on the seat tube there is the big P and underneath that is a USA and then beneath that is Chicago....wondering where it was made? Thanks much!!! ps...I have looked at some pics of water ford paramounts and I dont see that decal on the seat tube....just the big P decal
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,315
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Hold it..just thought how dumb that sounds...says usa chicago..where is it made*******orry...Im wondering..how does this compare with the japan paramounts or the waterford paramounts as far as craftsmanship...ride ability and desirability? Thanks much
#3
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
I'm sure the experts will chime in, but to my knowledge, the 1990 Paramounts were built either in Waterford or Japan. The Japanese ones have a unicrown fork. The purists among us say Waterford is preferred, but I think that's just jingoism speaking. I have a '92 Panasonic built Paramount, and have never ridden anything even close to that heavenly ride.
That said, I'm aware that you are a collector of fine bicycles, and so might be included in the purist camp.
That said, I'm aware that you are a collector of fine bicycles, and so might be included in the purist camp.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,275
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Schwinn had their Chicago plant closed by the early 80's. From then on they produced higher end bikes out of Mississipi, Wisconsin, i think Michigan too..... and the rest from China . So just because it says Schwinn Chicago, doesn't mean it was USA built. In fact, i think most weren't.
I honestly can't tell the difference between Waterford and Asia made paramounts. Other people probably will need pictures to help you.
Edit- also, youre numerous (...) is annoying as hell. please stop.
I honestly can't tell the difference between Waterford and Asia made paramounts. Other people probably will need pictures to help you.
Edit- also, youre numerous (...) is annoying as hell. please stop.
Last edited by zazenzach; 03-23-14 at 06:52 PM.
#5
Decrepit Member
Joe, if it really is a 1990 model year the odds are good that it's a Waterford, Wisconsin built bike. The Asian PDG Paramounts weren't imported in quantity until 1991.
The 1990 Waterford built Paramounts were available in standard O.D. Columbus tubing (SLX in smaller frame sizes, blend of SL and SP in larger frame sizes) or in O.S. diameter True Temper tubing.
Photos and serial number are needed to determine what you've got.
The 1990 Waterford built Paramounts were available in standard O.D. Columbus tubing (SLX in smaller frame sizes, blend of SL and SP in larger frame sizes) or in O.S. diameter True Temper tubing.
Photos and serial number are needed to determine what you've got.
#6
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,193
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1565 Post(s)
Liked 1,295 Times
in
865 Posts
I've noticed quite a few Craigslisters claiming Japanese Schwinns are made in USA, usually showing a cell-phone photo of the Schwinn Chicago head badge.
I guess those same sellers got tired of trying to sell their UO8's as PX10's, LOL, wish they would get a job or at least move out of their mom's basement.
I guess those same sellers got tired of trying to sell their UO8's as PX10's, LOL, wish they would get a job or at least move out of their mom's basement.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 13,954
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 109 Times
in
78 Posts
There're a lot of differences between the Waterford/Mississippi and Japanese/Panasonic made Schwinn's. The single most significant difference is the headset, Japanese/Panasonic Schwinn's use the goofy JIS headset spec, US made Schwinn's do not. The list goes on....
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 13,954
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 109 Times
in
78 Posts
Joe, it says 'PDG' its not a Waterford. If there's any tig welding anywhere, including the fork, it's not a Waterford. If the serial number is on the head lug, it's not Waterford.
#9
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
You caught me on a bad night, I guess. I also can't tell the difference between a digital recording and an analog one.
#11
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26402 Post(s)
Liked 10,374 Times
in
7,203 Posts
...for Joe and ddd, the local bike co-op is selling a PDG Paramount, early 90's I think, in either a 55 or 56 frame size.
Definitely Japanese, made of an OS Tange tubeset. It's up on CL, but these don't really command much attention for some reason.
I have a different year in my size, and I, too, find it to be a pretty nice riding bike.
Definitely Japanese, made of an OS Tange tubeset. It's up on CL, but these don't really command much attention for some reason.
I have a different year in my size, and I, too, find it to be a pretty nice riding bike.
__________________
#13
Decrepit Member
Joe, from the CL photos it appears to be a Waterford built Paramount with True Temper OS tubing. Try to get the serial number (on the bottom of the BB shell) from the seller.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RiddleOfSteel
Classic & Vintage
53
12-10-17 01:10 AM
BlackPowder
Classic & Vintage
22
07-24-12 06:58 AM
Firemanoch
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
5
03-29-10 08:52 AM