Wee! I own a Paramount!
 

I never thought I'd get the chance to own a bike this nice but I somehow managed to scoop this up. (I have also obliterated my bike budget for 2008.) Forgive me for boring you with this story, but I am SUPER EXCITED.

This bike originally popped up on the local Craigslist nearly two months ago, I had just purchased (practically stole) an OCLV Lemond a few weeks earlier and I was looking to flip it. I tried to e-mail the guy and asked if he was up for a trade, unfortunately my genius self had inadvertently set my e-mail spam filter to block ALL incoming messages and I never heard back. I eventually figured out why I wasn't getting any e-mails and finally got an answer...no. So I posted on CL/eBay finds here for another BF member to pick up. I kept seeing the bike pop on various regional Craigslists and soon enough, the author had deleted all the posts. (Heartbreak!) Then...two weeks ago I drove down to Westminster, MD for the annual Stop/Swap/Save and from afar I see a blue 25" bike standing on a table. I instantly recognized it and made a dazed, zombie-like trek over to the table. I introduced myself and told him that if I sold the Lemond I brought with me I would immediately be there with the cash to buy it. The Lemond didn't sell so I spent most of the day just staring at the wonderful blue bike. Anyways...the Paramount didn't sell either! I was thrilled and asked the guy what he was going to do with it. It was to end up on eBay but he said he would wait a little while. (Seller is an awesome guy.) I immediately went home and put the Lemond on eBay and sold it last week.

I'm the third owner of this Paramount. It started its life as a warranty replacement for an older Paramount and was not built up until a few years ago. It is in awesome shape and fits me perfectly. It's nearly all Super Record, save for the seatpost which is Nuovo. (Brake hoods are Modolo.) It will be receiving NR pedals, because they are prettier than SR. Stem and bars are Nitto.

The only number I can find on it anywhere is "635" on the Cinelli BB shell. Did Waterford have their fancy coding system in 1983? (Where would the serial be?) And I'm not sure what I want to do with the saddle!

http://www.poopftw.com/Brian/paramount/para01.jpg

http://www.poopftw.com/Brian/paramount/para02.jpg

http://www.poopftw.com/Brian/paramount/para03.jpg

nice bike! you know a brooks team pro would look great on that bike...

Wow, that's by far my favorite Paramount logo I've ever seen. And that's an absolutely gorgeous bike.

pretty bike

Wow. Someday I'll get one of those....an early 70s with nervex lugs.....someday.

i agree, coolest logo

Oh YEAH its a keeper. Nice score

Stunning.........I second the vote for a Brooks Team Pro. That current saddle has got to go!

Hey that rhymes......
Kelly D

Yogurt,

Make that three votes for a Brooks Professional. The blue is great and you made perfect choice! Are those tubular tires and rims?

501breeze, this is a Waterford Standard Paramount from '83. The lugs are rather plain, but were expensive Henry James investment cast lugs, actually. But what the lugs lack in flare, the decals make up for. :)

Yeah, a honey Team Pro; have one on my blue Vanilla and it looks awesome. Thanks for posting the great shots of her, that is one fine bike. Ride her in good health!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1317/...eb92338c_b.jpg

You didn't bore me with the story at all. I love stories like this!

Congratulations, it looks like it is brand new. Oh, and put my vote down for a Brooks saddle, too.

I am so glad you scored that Paramount, Brian! You two are a perfect match! :)

I too, lusted after that one....if it were only a 26" ;^)

.....hang on to those water bottle cages!

:)

Congrats! That bike is stunning. :)

Bob

Phew!

I can see why you had eyes only for that bike. What a beauty! AND in your size :D .

Congratulations!

East Hill

Or a Brooks Swallow would look even better!

Gorgeous bike, congratulations. Definitely needs a Brooks saddle.
Maureen

Gorgeous ride! Congrats. I was supposed to look at a chrome paramount today, but the owner didn't hit the flea market this weekend. Maybe next weekend:D,,,,BD

And I will buy the Avocet O2 from you!! I have one on my PGN10 and love it!!!

Add another vote for a Brooks. Beautiful bike.

Hmmm...I'm trying to read between the lines here, but I think what everyone is trying to tell me is that I need to put a Brooks on it. Thanks for all the comments!

Terrific bike. Lp

That is a great-looking bike, but it does indeed need a Brooks Pro or Team Pro saddle. A pair of pedals may make it easier to ride. :)

saddle
 

No Yogurt, no. I'm going to be the lone voice of dissent here.

That ABA-styled logo is begging for a white Regal. Begging.

Terrific find - Congrats.

But I have a different take on the saddle. I'm from the group that can't tell a Brooks from other medieval torture devices, but I think the Avocet O2 Air 40R is the most comfortable saddle ever. Unlike Brooks, they're no longer being made. From the prices they're recently fetching on ebay (see example here), I infer that my favorable opinion is shared by at least a few others. If it's in good shape and photographed well, you may be able auction if off for enough, or almost enough, to cover the cost of a B-17.

Man what a beauty... also, best use of a nitto stem I have seen to date. The perfect extension to length ratio makes it look normal. I may have to reconsider one for the gazelle.