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Paramount and this classic/vintage forum
There's not a week went by that I don't see at least a thread on something about a Paramount. :thumb:
Oh, my local LBS showed me Schwinn's latest catalog with pictures of a new Paramount made with carbon and has top notch components. He mentioned that Schwinn also has a new steel version but not pictured in the catalog :backpedal: Hmmmm. Perhaps a Waterford bike! |
Schwinn seems to be really trying to make some good bikes again. Their Peloton bike has been well reviewed, for instance.
Shame about those Xmart Schwinns, though. |
Source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?...008/news/07-23
Schwinn revives Paramount badge (again!) Schwinn will revive the Paramount nameplate yet again (Click for larger image) Schwinn will bring back its heralded Paramount nameplate once again with three range-topping models for 2009. The Paramount Series 8 and Series 9 bikes both feature so-called 'N'Litened Black Label' carbon frames and forks and some of the latest must-have technologies. The front end will incorporate a tapered-and-oversized 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerer tube for better steering and braking precision while press-fit bottom bracket cups shed some grams and allow for a wider and stiffer down tube. The Series 9 will also include an integrated seat mast. Both bikes will be SRAM-equipped with the Series 9 sporting the top-end Red group along with Mavic R-SYS wheels, FSA carbon bar and stem, and San Marco Zoncolan saddle. The Series 8 will be more of a workhorse rig with its SRAM Rival group Mavic Aksium hoops. Pricing is yet to be announced for either one but is expected to be decidedly high-value based on previous model years. Perhaps the most intriguing Paramount frame, though, is the new steel model. We don't have much information just yet other than that it uses Reynolds' latest 953 tubing and lugged joints and will be fully hand-built in Waterford, Wisconsin. Sorry, we don't have any images to show you just yet, either, but we're guessing its classic aesthetics and modern materials will likely appeal to more than a handful of riders. |
Too cool! The steel frame should be equipped with the new Super Record gruppo!
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Originally Posted by cuteo100
(Post 7115858)
Perhaps the most intriguing Paramount frame, though, is the new steel model. We don't have much information just yet other than that it uses Reynolds' latest 953 tubing and lugged joints and will be fully hand-built in Waterford, Wisconsin. Sorry, we don't have any images to show you just yet, either, but we're guessing its classic aesthetics and modern materials will likely appeal to more than a handful of riders.
Since it will be lugged, I wonder if they're planning to use new investment cast lugs with angles for sloped top tube geometry, or stick with the traditional horizontal top tube. They mention it will be built using 953 in Waterford, WI. That implies they'll be contracting with Waterford Precision Cycles to build them, since Waterford has been building lugged 953 frames for a couple of years now. Waterford has also recently delivered bikes with SRAM Red group, too. Hmmm... http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...G4080medcr.jpg Lugged Waterford SR-22 with 5.2° sloping top tube. http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...sslopingTT.jpg |
I have been reading No Hands: The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, an American Institution. Perhaps the story will end happily, after all, thanks to Waterford.
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Huh, this is very very interesting. I like carbon fibre bikes as much as the next guy but perhaps this could be a renaissance for steel. I know that Vanilla and Sachs have waiting lists that go on for years but they are very pricey and who wants to wait years for a bike? I am sure the new 953 Paramount will be pricey as well but other companies may follow suit if it becomes a trend. A steel option for a Madone or a Roubaix would be pretty cool to see.
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WOW!! I can't wait if the 953 comes out, I hope newvex lugs is going to be on them:love:--if so I will be one of the first at my local lbs to order one. Maybe order a stock frame???? and build it up myself on the parts you want to hang on it!!!!:thumb: Sadly to say I will have to sell one of my bikes to get one of these beauty's. because I don't think my wife will approve another bicycle.:(
____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2007 Davidson:thumb: 1985 3rensho:thumb: 1983 Mercian kom:D 1973 Grand touring motobecane:love: |
Originally Posted by Scooper
(Post 7116034)
This is interesting. There are lots of questions I'd like to see answers to. I guess we'll have to wait.
I've always considered Stan's Waterford as a 2007 Schwinn Paramount after all, sans only the original Paramount decals (or for that matter, the Waterford lettering mimics the '76 Schwinn D/T lettering quite well - all it needs is "PARAMOUNT" on the top tube). Take care, -Kurt |
Here's something to think about. I know some of the retail stores carry the low end schwinns, would it be something if some of these 953 paramounts got sent to some of the retail stores such as Target or wall-marts. ha ha!!! :p Also I would think some of the frame builders are probably fuming right now knowing these bikes are going to be mass produce!!!!!!:cry:
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I have the answer!!!!! They will only build 50 Paramounts this year,and if it goes well maybe more next year.
Your local Schwinn dealer will only build to order custom built to your size, meaning it will take awhile for your Paramount to be cuddled by you.:( Waterford will build the frame!!!! They will be lugged but it won't be Newvex or Italian style, somewhere in between, I have no clue how it would look like. Schwinn will build the bike with components you would like, but I assume it will only be high end items such as Campy super record, Sram red, Shimano dura ace etc.....I'm not certain if you can buy the frame only!!!!!::rolleyes:It will not be cheap:(Depending what color and design or chrome finish, frame alone will be more than 3grand. How do I know this, well I just called up Waterford and I talked to believe it or not to Richard Schwinn!!!:eek: So go to your Schwinn dealer and find out when you can order these beauty's if you can stand the wait. I had to wait 10 months for my custom built 2007 Davidson--you can see that at the framebuilders forum--thx jim |
Originally Posted by jimc
(Post 7119779)
How do I know this, well I just called up Waterford and I talked to believe it or not to Richard Schwinn!!!
Nothing that you mention there is particularly a news-flash - you're pretty much in the same boat if you buy a brand new Waterford. For that matter, I'm surprised that he mentioned much of anything, for I would have expected Schwinn to have made him sign some form of N.D.A. before official annoucement of this machine. Don't hype it or spread exclamatory rumors until we see prototypes. -Kurt |
NOt spreading rumers!!!!!!!!!!!I heard it from the horses mouth:mad:
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Jim, thanks for the additional info. I e-mailed Dave Hellekson at Waterford this morning with a link to the Cycling News article and asked if he cared to comment, but haven't received a reply yet.
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Originally Posted by jimc
(Post 7119944)
NOt spreading rumers!!!!!!!!!!!I heard it from the horses mouth:mad:
-Kurt |
I've been waiting for something like this to come along a la the new Mustangs, Beetles, and soon to be released Camaros in the automotive field. It's just been a matter of time until the major bike companies realized they could do the same thing even easier.
I have no concerns about the quality of the work at Waterford. I hope they get the aesthetics right. Maybe they could submit prototypes to this forum. Why not, Brooks did. |
Originally Posted by Kommisar89
(Post 7120382)
I hope they get the aesthetics right. Maybe they could submit prototypes to this forum. Why not, Brooks did.
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No excitement here over the carbon fiber one, but the STEEL one has my interest!
Probably a smart move by Schwinn, I hope they are successful. |
Sorry i hurt your feelings, but i did not make this up---just because your in this forum alot does not mean you own it:love:
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Just think, if Waterford copied Stan's bike as its new Paramount, he could just get JR to make him a set of magnetic "Paramount" decals to throw over the "Waterford." Sort of like a plumbing truck changing company names depending on which job they go to. :roflmao2:
Oh! That's right. Magnets won't stick to stainless! Opps! :innocent: |
Originally Posted by pastorbobnlnh
(Post 7121310)
Just think, if Waterford copied Stan's bike as its new Paramount, he could just get JR to make him a set of magnetic "Paramount" decals to throw over the "Waterford." Sort of like a plumbing truck changing company names depending on which job they go to. :roflmao2:
http://www.jaysmarine.com/stan_paramount.jpg ;) -Kurt |
Hey, that's purdy, Kurt.
Bob, if the Paramounts wind up looking like my bike, I'll think of mine as a pre-production prototype. :D |
Originally Posted by Scooper
(Post 7121704)
Hey, that's purdy, Kurt.
Bob, if the Paramounts wind up looking like my bike, I'll think of mine as a pre-production prototype. :D |
I'm just glad I got my '89 waterford paramount while the gettin' was good. 3k for a new frameset is out of my leaque...
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