I received my 1973 Paramount P-15 the other day. It was being auctioned on Ebay by Bargainland, a mass marketer that claimed to be the third largest seller on Ebay. They had a dismal feedback percentage, just a bit above 90% positive. This was a risk, a big risk! The bid went pretty cheap, I won with a bid of $660. I paid by credit card just in case of a problem, crossed my fingers and waited.

It arrived in a reasonably nice carton, not at all well packed inside. There was some damage not likely caused by shipping such as a bent rear rim and bent Cinelli bars.

The before pictures can be viewed here:

https://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...amount%20P-15/

I spent yesterday cleaning it up. I put a set of Phil hubs with Super Champion rims on it that I got at a swap meet a couple of weeks ago. Everything was repacked and adjusted. The paint cleaned up pretty nice but has some scratches. I need a good touch up paint that matches Opaque Blue. I rode it up and down the block a few times last night and it feels pretty good. The brake clearance is SO large that none of my Campys will fit it, so I cleaned up the Weinmann brakes, put Kool Stop Continentals on it and some newer hoods. I installed another nice set of Cinell bars as a replacement for the bent ones. I also put a set of Schwinn Approved SunTour barcons on it, replacing standard SunTour barcons. Some black cloth tape and it was ready to ride!

Man, she's a beaut and that was a great price. I think you are officially a paramount collector now.

Very nice! Congratulations!

I was watching that on just for the fun of it. It's good to see that a fellow C&Ver was able to snag it at such a good price!

Nice triple crank!

Thanks to all for the nice comments. I am probably going to eventually sell or part out my 72 P-13 as it is not an original paint job and has had braze ons added. It looks great with genuine Velographic decals, though. elieve it or not, I am going for some diversity here in my fleet. Having a P-15 will help quite a bit, as San Diego has no shortage of hills. This one will hopefully get me up Mt. Soledad, albeit slowly!

I didn't realize that there was so much difference in the frame geometry between models. Since I sold my Raleigh International when I got the chrome Paramount, I haven't really had a true touring frame. I like the riding position on the Paramount a bit better.

One other weird thing is the rear skewer had a Tipo nut on it. I didn't realize why, but now I know it is to fit better with the LeTour derailleur. I thought someone had changed it, but now I don't think so.

I didn't know there was a difference in the early days between record and tipo nuts, I thought it was just other side. Can you post a pic?

EDIT: Nevermind.

I was watching that as well! I was shocked to see it go so low. I was set to bid but I was unsure on the frame size. It looked a bit to big for me and having purchased a chrome P-15 and having to sell it because it was too big, I did not want to go through it again. I am very glad to see someone here got it!
Great bike! No risk, no reward!

I'll make you feel better.....it's a 25" frame, a bit bigger than my others but still very comfortable for me. I can't ride any smaller than a 24 without neck pain, due to a deformed vertebrae. Bars below the seat would cause intense misery.

Very nice catch! I've always had a soft spot for Opaque Blue as my '72 Super Sport was that color.

If you've got hills, you'll learn to love the small chain ring on that triple.

Ahhhhhh....Mt Soledad. I commuted up that puppy for two years in 1983-84. The ride down the backside into LJ was smoking fast. Of course back in the day - no helmet.

Sweet purchase.

I was lucky to grow up on the P.B. side of Mt. Soledad. I always rode south, never north! It is worth pedaling up there to enjoy the view, though!

Since my mother-in-law lived atop Mt. Soledad for more than 30 years, I got to know all three roads up (Hidden Valley/Via Capri, Nautilus, and Soledad Mtn. Rd) pretty well.

I grew up in Navy Housing off of Mt. Soledad road. I can remember commuting around PB and not seeing other road cyclists in the late 70's early 80's. I worked at Sluggo's in La Jolla right by Wind -n- Sea. Used to ride to work, get off of work and go body-womping, then ride home.

Got t-boned in front of the Mr. Frosty Shop on Garnet Ave riding a 79 Bianchi with all Campi parts. I miss that bike.

Sounds like you had the right attitude going into it. That seller looks super sketchy. Glad you got it. Looks pretty sweet.

I grew up a couple of blocks north of the intersection of Turquoise Street and La Jolla Mesa Drive just across the P.B./La Jolla border. Later near Reed and Jewell St. in Crown Point. Then a condo in Mission Valley, a small house in Mira Mesa and for the last decade in Rancho Penasquitos. I hope to get nearer the beach again someday. At least I can still ride there.

I was crushed when Sluggo's closed. That was in 1994, at least the one in UTC. I used to go to Mr. Frosty as a kid. I think they were about 20 cents. They still exist and look the same. Garnet Avenue is now home to mostly bars and tattoo parlors, to me that is sad. In the 60's and 70's it was still a pretty self sufficient community. Now you have to leave to get most anything other than drinks and tats.

Update time.....

I have been out a few times on the new Paramount. First trip out, I used the original Regina chain and freewheel. That chain was so wide I had to trim the front derailleur every time I shifted the rear. I'm not used to riding a triple but that was no fun. I changed to a SRAM 8 speed chain which did wonders for the trim problem, but was too narrow for the Regina, as it would slip between shifts on the larger cogs. I switched the Regina out for a SunTour freewheel and it now rides and shifts like a dream.

This morning I rode it to the top of Mt. Soledad. I have tried that with a double and had to stop and rest. With the triple I rode straight up. The Kool Stops gave me confidence to go downhill, too. I would prefer Campy, but I think the reach necessary would be too long. At least the Kool Stops allow me to stop.

I was worried that the 25" frame would be too large, but it is VERY comfortable. If I were taking a long ride, this would be the bike.

All I have to do now is get the original wheels back in shape.

Very nice. Congratulations.


I would love to see that bike with red handle bar tape and a white seat.!

We must be about the same height or have the same inseam. That's about the same height on my 25" Paramount. It looks great!

Pastor Bob, I am about 6' 1" tall. My inseam is about 34, I can straddle this frame without, uh, hurting anything. By the "fist full of seatpost" rule it is too big, but my messed up neck and 49 year old body tell me otherwise.

My chrome Paramount is a 24" frame and I am comfortable on it as well. Both other bikes are at least 24" frames, too.

If you ever find yourself in San Diego, I'll have a choice of bikes that will fit you......

We are about the same height. Next trip west we'll come to San Diego! But I call the P-15! My 49 year old body REQUIRE all those gears!

You got it!

Very nice job and pictures!

Fantastic! It's raining here today so those pictures are just what I needed!

There's just something about the proportions of those 25-inch frames that looks 'right' to me. Gives it a stately appearance, like a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.