Originally Posted by Alex Moll
Love the Paramounts, but find the Superiors interesting because I don't see many around. Those were post bike-boom, correct? Must've built fewer of them?
It's interesting, there were at least 4 generations of Schwinn Superiors. The Classic Tourest model from the late 1930s through 1959.
First modern 15 speed version which morphed into the Super Sport in in the early 60s. This version culminated in the late '70s Superior which was constructed with leftover tubes and fittings for Sports Tourers.
Finally, the early '80s variety which were made from left over '70s Paramount gear. In all instances, the Superior model is one of Schwinn's rarest road bikes.
This is my assessment of rarity, from most rare to more abundant, but still hard to find:
1930s-1950s Superiors (3 speed Tourist models)
Early 1960s Superiors (15 speed drop bar models)
Early 1980s Superiors (10 speed made with Reynolds 531 & Campy gear)
Late 1970s Superiors (10 speed nicely equipped)
Just my 2 cents.