[MENTION=203117]jamesdak[/MENTION] yeah, Schwinn has done that a lot where it's difficult to tell if it's a metallic or pearl effect in their paint. Regardless, it always looks nice, and adds to the desirability of the bike. Many companies will just have a gloss color, which looks fine, but it's not that extra level of effect. On my grey/black Prologue, the grey is more or less without metallic/pearl, but the black is very metallic.
[MENTION=371771]PilotFishBob[/MENTION] I agree. As athletic as a '70s Paramount can be (my modernized P-15 touring included), a decade newer and a tighter wheelbase and lighter wheels and steeper geometry will certainly let the rider know of differences. And it's not that yours or my Paramounts are slouches--far from it! It's just that an '85 Peloton is a bit of a road race weapon with it's steeper geometry and lower trail. It's happy to putt about, and comfortable and trustworthy enough....but it has razor-sharp reflexes and thrives when your really accelerating or turning. I've been blessed to sample (and upgrade) various high-end models from a number of manufacturers, and I like the bikes for various reasons. Pretty much all of my nice/fun bikes have an obvious character trait that I appreciate, so it's hard to say "best" or similar. "Best All Around" is most likely my '74 Paramount P-15 (3x9 indexed downtube Dura-Ace with BLR650 calipers and Kool Stops) as it is quite fast, very comfortable with the longer wheelbase and B17 saddle, and geared for low end (28-32T combo) and top speed (53-11T combo). Fender mounts, too. "Best Fast Bike" goes to my Guerciotti with 2x10 Dura-Ace downtube shifting etc. I've had my '85 Peloton the longest of all my bikes, and though she isn't the most capable (compared to my other modern-component-equipped bikes) with her older (but nice!) 7400 pieces, she is very much at home with them and kicks butt.