The weights of mid-priced bikes came down substantially between 1970 and 1988. In 1970, a medium size Schwinn Paramount weighed 23 pounds to 25 pounds. The Paramount was one of the most expensive "factory" bikes sold. Mid-priced bikes weighed 26 pounds to 32 pounds.

By 1988, mass produced bikes from Taiwan selling in the mid-priced range weighed from 21 pounds to 23 pounds. Many of these "factory" assembly-line bikes were very competitive in weight and quality with the "hand-made" Paramounts, but sold for a far lower price.