No longer a paramount virgin
 

I just picked up a 1983 Paramount, black, sew ups, all campy record except Suntour M-II front/rear derailleurs. The original owner worked in a Schwinn shop, and he built up the frame himself. I asked him why the Suntour derailleurs, and he replied 'At that time, they were the best shifting gear out there--much better than Campy'.

Six speed closely spaced freewheel, Columbus tubing, Campy GS calipers, Campy seat post, Campy record hubs, Campy crankset, Campy pedals w/toe clips, Campy dropouts, sew ups, Cinelli stem, bars, and bottom bracket. Beautifully light frame. The calipers are mechanisms of beauty...now I understand the Campy thing

Unfortunately, its a 60 cm center to top frame, too small for me. So I guess I'll sell / trade it and put the difference into the paramount fund in the hopes that one day a 25" tourer will come my way.

Here's a pic from the CL ad:

+1 to that. Campy may look cool, but Cyclones just work so well...

That sucks, I found the 60cm bike too small also. Good luck finding a bigger frame.

As the previous newest Paramount owner - welcome! I anticipate my 60cm will fit fine.
May I ask how much you had to part with to own your Parmount?

Oh, you don't want to know ... ;)

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/bik/348405666.html

All right Bob--as the resident expert (along with Scooper)--how SMALL did Paramounts go? You have all got me hankering after my own now...

East Hill

MRMW,
You might find a Paramount frame here:
http://www.schwinnparamountfactory.com/bikes.htm

....or an entire bike here:
Search the "used bikes and frames" section:
http://www.bike123.com/

Depending on the year, they ranged from 19" to 26" for the men's models (20", 22" for ladies) in stock sizes, but you could get them custom built.

Bob

I'm waiting to stumble across a 25" in chrome at a garage sale or thrift shop, may be awhile....(or on CL for $250!!!)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=307510

This BF member has one for sale, maybe you guys can work out a trade? It was also posted in the "Catch of the Day" thread, he got a great deal on his too.

"you don't want to know...
 

$250. And I owe it all to the 'Catch Of The Day' thread here.

It was listed early Sat afternoon on CL.

But Saturday I was out of town at a 94th birthday party, away from the computer until Sunday morning when I saw it here on Catch of the Day. I explained to my wife that I didn't have much of a chance, because among people who advertise on CL:
--Many don't take down their ad after their item sells
--Many call/write to one buyer at a time, and that I was way late into the fray
--Many answer all buyers at once, with the advice that first one with the green gets it, and Saturday had already passed.

Luckily for me, it was the latter. And, the seller only checked his email once a day. it literally was only ten minutes from my house.

When the seller called, I was cooling down from a sweat drenched short morning ride. I was in the car and at his house in twelve minutes.

So far after fifteen minutes, the Campy seat post is free. The derailleurs (I have the same ones on another bike, so I know them well) work like new. The six speed close ratio freewheel/Campy dt shifter setup shifts unbelievably. The caliper adjusting bolts/nuts came around quickly with a little lubrication, and the caliper operation is a thing of beauty. The Cinelli stem bolt won't budge. Hopefully some penetrating oil will free it up from the steel wedge and the stem itself isn't froze. Fingers crossed. I won't know for awhile, as I won't have time to get back to it until early next week. The hubs need rebuilding. It could use new tires (sew ups), which I'll probably delegate to the LBS as I have no experience with glue.

The seller also has a 19" v. 1984/5 Schwinn Sierra (tig welded chrome moly frame) in beautiful shape for sale . But the one he's not selling and still rides with his racer hobbled gimpy knees is a honey of a baby blue Bianchi 23" mountain bike with matching baby blue cable casing, stem and bars.

Ah, then a 19" men's model would possibly fit me as that would equal 48.3 cm.

Something for me to ponder...

East Hill