Originally Posted by
WizardOfBoz
I explained myself poorly. I'm selling the unmolested version of the frame, in good order, just as Rudy Schwinn sent it to me. This is more a "what if I came into money and could buy a vintage paramount - would I be able to make it more pleasantly rideable with a wider range rear cog?".
I don't think that materially change the answers you've gotten. I've got a '78 Raleigh Competition G.S. that I pulled off and saved most of the original components and put newer crank set, freewheel, brake levers. If I think original equipped is the better way to sell it, I can put it back easily.
Of course being able to do my own modifications, maintenance and service makes that feasible money wise.
So yes you can give an older bike better characteristics, and you may not have to alter the rear dropout at all depending on what you get.
Besides, the old steel always has ridden better than the new carbon.....IMO of course.