Originally Posted by
UKFan4Sure
The new paramount and the old one are both sweet rides but different as night and day to ride; neither being a "bad" thing. The new series 8 is fast. Very fast. It only weighs 17lbs. This one only has a 23 cassette, so you'd better be ready to get out of the seat on the hills. Therefore, for me, it's a challenge. And the short head tube puts me in a position where it's hard to monitor traffic behind me (hard to look over my shoulder; I'm 53 and a Clydesdale).
The older bike is simply amazing with the 7400 group. And honestly, it's my pick due to a more relaxed riding position. Now I know for another person, that comment might not hold true. This one is a 58cm and after several people telling me it's too big for me, I'll ride it all day long. So much for that. It just has this feel of quality and control. It's quiet and firm and confidence inspiring. I'm getting reacquainted with down tube shifting, but it's only a problem if I'm in the wrong gear when I start a climb and I have to push my pedal strokes. That's not a time you should be taking your hands off the bar.
So, in essence. The Series 8 is fast. Is it a Schwinn? I don't know. You'll have to answer that one. It has the name, anyhow. I've heard it's actually a Cannondale frame.
The 87 I could stare at all day. The beauty of the componentry, the quality and workmanship in the frame the quietness during a ride. Unless you've ridden one, you wouldn't understand. It makes my Trek Madone 2.1 seem like a rattletrap. The changes from the front derailleur are almost silent when the 105's on my Trek complain. It reminds me of an old classic Packard or a Rolls-Royce. It just does what it's supposed to beautifully; like a symphony.
Thanks for the added reflections.
I own a '71 Chicago built P-13 and a '83 Waterford built Standard, so I'm familiar with how your '87 rides. I agree with your assessment in the last sentence, except, when I think about those two classic cars, I think "Big" and "Heavy!"
While that describes me fairly well,
my Paramounts, while not lightweights by modern standards, remain "sleek" and "nimble" in a very classic manor, more similar to a Datsun 240Z.
(although some would disagree since I have the '71 set up for participating in mountain climbing races).
I took the '83 out yesterday for a 32 mile spin through the NH mountains. Could have gone another 20+ if I had had the time. Since I'm a big guy in my late 50s and I live in the mountains, all my bikes wear some nice low gears for when I need them.
Have you thought about adding a wider range cassette and possibly a compact double crankset?
Yesterday I only needed "granny" on one hill.
