Originally Posted by
Paramount1973
It's interesting to see that Paramounts have attained the status they now have. Back in '74 when I bought my '73 P13-9 frame, they were considered a bit below European and English bikes. I guess because of the Schwinn name being associated with Varsities and Continentals. I got a good deal on my frame because none of the local Velominati were interested in a custom Paramount, they wanted French or English and the color was 'robins egg' blue (opaque blue). I just wanted a Reynolds 531 double-butted frame in my size for a good deal. Now we're arguing about the propriety of customizing a Paramount. I re-spaced the rear on mine to 126mm and put a 7-speed freewheel in there. Strangely, I feel no guilt.
I, too, am a little surprised by the status and price of Paramounts.
I have much nicer bicycles that cost me much less.
The discussion, at least on my part, has not been about propriety,
although many people here insist on framing it that way.
The original posting was pretty simple and straightforward.
Why would you make the modifications pictured, at the phenomenal
costs involved, to this particular icon of the higher quality American
production bicycle ?
A few of the answers have been on the mark, I think. Particularly that
of uncle uncle. an interesting one that might have come up, but did not
might be that the guy who owns this is old enough and has lost enough
flexibility that this is simply the only way he can ride it any more..even
for 25 miles.
Instead, I have received endless variations on "It's his to do with as he
wants..he's got the money," and "these are functional improvements due
to the more modern high dollar components." #1 misses the point entirely.
#2 is demonstrably false.
For my trouble in stating that in this instance, Grant Petersen has no clothes,
I am told to "make my arguments in a civil manner". I have.
I'm done now......feel free to now either continue to toss this around or not.
Or to admonish the rude guy, who's not all about
If you feel any guilt, it ought to be about yet again arguing that this
has somehow been about propriety, rather than function and practicality.