IfWeChoose

1986 Schwinn Paramount

Specifications:
Hubs: Suntour Superbe Pro
Pedals: Suntour Sprint
Crankset: Superbe Pro
Rims: Mavic MA40
Front and Rear Derailleurs: Suntour Sprint
Handlebars/Stem: Cinelli
Brake Calipers: Suntour Sprint

All of the components are in great shape

https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/bikehd.jpg/

wrk101

Need a lot better picture, and more of them. I have a 1986 Paramount myself. Would be interested in hearing others opinions.

+1 to below, condition does not look great, but the picture makes it hard to tell. Flat tires and bottomed out saddle are not good for selling, but can make for a nice discount if you are buying (I love to see flat tires when I am the buyer).

FastJake

Picture is tiny and grainy, but from it I can tell the tire(s) is/are flat, and that saddle looks pretty awful. Great shape? Post some decent pictures and we'll be able to decide for ourselves.

Are you looking for an appraisal?

IfWeChoose

FastJake...you're too kind. Valve open on back tire, front is fully inflated....notice the surface the wheels are on? ok good. Saddle has a cover on it...

I'm posting better pictures after I fully unpack from this move and find my camera. This is the best I have right now.

What range would these normally fall under in decent shape?

I see. Thanks for being kind about it I mean I barely fit the thing that's why the saddle is bottomed out. My uncle is about 5 inches taller than me - it was his bike. I'll have to raise that bad boy back up when I sell it. I would love to keep it but it just doesn't fit me. At least I know that much about bikes

wrk101

Well, I see you are thinking as a seller. Preparation and presentation are everything! The variance on a similar condition Paramount, between mediocre presentation, average presentation, and fantastic presentation is huge! And luck enters into it as well, for sure.

If you want a range, look to completed auctions on ebay. 1980s Paramounts sell there frequently.

Be sure to look at completed auctions, not current auctions. There are several out there currently, with really high prices, but no bids. I was surprised to see one that was a mess, serious ding in top tube, mismatched wheels, on the dirty side, go for $650. That seller scored. And be sure to ignore the sales of series Paramounts, these were made off shore, and tend to sell for quite a bit less (I have two of them).

Era is important. Paramounts from the 1970s and earlier bring quite a bit more than the 1980s.

Here's a nice 1980s frameset, went for $500 (one bid).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/80s-SCHWINN-...item5891189770

Here's the 1987, with serious issues IMHO (buyer may have remorse on this one):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/87-SCHWINN-P...item19cbb6c7ca

IfWeChoose

Gotcha. Checking it now with different keywords. $650, sounds like he got away with a crime!

I was just looking at that one. Is a campagnolo frame special or something? Do all 80's have that branded on them?

TimmyT 

I'd say $300 in a good market. More in summer. I don't see it moving fast in the condition its in.

+1 to Bill's presentation comments. It's everything and most sellers don't get it. If you're going to photograph it for sale, put it on a black background, well lit. Make it pop. Even if you or the bike can't win a race, you want the buyer to think he's buying a racehorse.

EDIT: I missed the Columbus tubing. That is a plus.

wrk101

Its a Columbus SLX frame. That's normal for 1986. Mine is SLX. Catalogs are all on line, you can look it up for more detail.

While yours has some nice parts, they are a mix: Superbe Pro and Sprint. Buyers are more attracted to bikes where the parts match. The good news is if you are patient and handy, you could remove all the parts and sell it as a frameset (bike parts take special tools, or you risk damaging parts). Superbe Pro and Sprint components bring good money. The bike above, that sold for $650, while seriously damaged (and overpriced), was all one group pretty much, Dura Ace.

Correction, as Stan points out, larger frames are an SL/SP mix. Mine is a small frame, so its SLX.

IfWeChoose

Thanks for all the input guys!

Scooper

Bill, since it's a 62cm frame, it's almost sure to be SL with an SP down tube. Schwinn used SLX on smaller frames, but it was too flexy for the big ones.

My 62cm '87 is the SL/SP mix. I paid $500 for it four years ago, and had it stripped and repainted. It's got 7-s Dura-Ace 7400 components.



Here's the '86 Paramount catalog page. Note the use of "Columbus SLX tubing (SL/SP used in 60cm and larger frames)."

FastJake

Sorry if I came off as harsh, but I've grown tired of wasting time on craigslist ads with no description, terrible photos, and an item that is in no way represented accurately. Selling your bike for anywhere near what it's worth will require good presentation (as described above.)

You want your ad to look something like this: https://madison.craigslist.org/bik/2731459514.html

NOT like this: https://dubuque.craigslist.org/bik/2753054669.html

3alarmer 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/2764230117.html
$550

a PDG Paramount, which for some reason usually go for lower prices.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/2742491130.html
$1100

'84 Waterford Paramount, which has been for sale on CL for
well over a year at this price.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/2754546620.html
$1400

Also a tad high, I think, even for the Bay Area market.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/2763946900.html
$2500

Kinda crazy pricing for this bike on CL, even for NorCal.

roccobike

FYI, the OP's bike showed up on Raleigh CL.

wrk101

Well, I see he didn't take any of the advice on better pictures, cleaning, or airing up the tire. $385. Someone should take a look. I think it should sell.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/2766173111.html

3alarmer 

Ah, if only it were closer.........

IfWeChoose

That was my trial run I got a few emails at that price and am now motivated to make it better BUT I'm taking it down for now...my dad didn't know I bought it from my uncle and rode it around the block...he loves it. Christmas present???

I did clean it up though and took care of that tire!

I really do appreciate all the advice, sorry if it seems I jumped the gun...I kinda did But if it turns out I'm not gifting the bike then I swear I'll have my things unpacked and finally find my camera!!! That model post is perfect btw, thanks. I was just kinda anxious - I speed ahead when I'm anxious

You know what? even if I keep it i'll make a mock post so you can see how you all have influenced me!

TimmyT 

That'd be great. Or just post some nice photos on one of the other threads and link it back to here.

Thrifty Bill is generous with his time in helping people, but there's little feedback.

Casey Jones

I am bumping this thread because I bought the bike and it just arrived today. Thanks for packing it so well Carlos. It is in great condition, and I hope to get some good photos of it tomorrow to put up here.

IfWeChoose