Originally Posted by mr. peugeot
I've been reading everything i can find on Schwinn Paramounts. While they were well made bikes, it seems they were quite heavy for a road/racing bike at 26lbs. The Paramount is frequently touted as the top American racing bike of its time, but does that really say much? Bike racing in America during the 60s and 70s was not exactly world class. I even read somewhere that in 1979, the new head of Schwinn ordered the paramount program shut down because the bike was so antiquated. any thoughts?
having owned a 1964 paramount i would say that they are difinently over rated! but you have to understand that the usa did not have a racing bike mentality in the 60's& early 70's. this was the best bike the usa had to offer. think about huffy's and columbia's. i give schwinn credit for their noble effort. i am sure this was done by their love of bikes and not by a bottom line mentality. i think it is tradgic that the auto workers union destoryed schwinn. this was an old line company that contributed a lasting legesity to america bicyling history. at least we can be thankful that waterford survived. but it just isn't the same!!!!! schwinn was a great company. shame on america!!!