Waterford built Paramounts
08-28-08 | 02:05 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,176
Likes: 56
From: Clev Oh
Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn
Waterford built Paramounts
How similar were Waterford built Paramounts to the early Waterfords? When I was searching for one, I just couldn't find my size. So, I settled on a nice 1995 Waterford 1200. Is the Waterford really any different than the Paramount other than the tubing. In my case Reynolds 753.
08-28-08 | 02:23 PM
#2
Decrepit Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
Likes: 92
From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
A similar question posed on the Waterford forums was answered by Dave Hellekson HERE.
"U.S. built Paramounts (Paramount Design Group) were built in the Waterford, WI plant from 1981 until 1994. Waterford Precision Cycles was formed by Marc Muller and Richard Schwinn after the 1992 bankruptcy of Schwinn Bicycle Co. Marc ran PDG and developed the OS lug design from the 1988 Paramounts and we continued to build Paramounts for two years. Marc carried over the OS concept to the Waterford models as well.
As for the difference between your 1995 1200 and, I guess, a 1994 Paramount - they will be quite similar in feel. The Schwinn's bottom bracket was slightly higher, the tubeset almost the same, the lugs belonged to Schwinn (we designed our own) and we use stainless dropouts. Schwinn did not. The Waterford is overall the better bike but, you are unlikely to have any sort of revelation with the minor differences at that time.
So, enjoy your 1200, it's a fantastic bike and the current version (2200) has significantly improved in the last 12 years. If you find an old Paramount for a great deal-they are nice bikes too."
Also, some of the last Waterford-built Paramounts (from summer, 1993) used the Reynolds 753 OS tube set as described HERE in the Paramount history section of the Waterford website.
"U.S. built Paramounts (Paramount Design Group) were built in the Waterford, WI plant from 1981 until 1994. Waterford Precision Cycles was formed by Marc Muller and Richard Schwinn after the 1992 bankruptcy of Schwinn Bicycle Co. Marc ran PDG and developed the OS lug design from the 1988 Paramounts and we continued to build Paramounts for two years. Marc carried over the OS concept to the Waterford models as well.
As for the difference between your 1995 1200 and, I guess, a 1994 Paramount - they will be quite similar in feel. The Schwinn's bottom bracket was slightly higher, the tubeset almost the same, the lugs belonged to Schwinn (we designed our own) and we use stainless dropouts. Schwinn did not. The Waterford is overall the better bike but, you are unlikely to have any sort of revelation with the minor differences at that time.
So, enjoy your 1200, it's a fantastic bike and the current version (2200) has significantly improved in the last 12 years. If you find an old Paramount for a great deal-they are nice bikes too."
Also, some of the last Waterford-built Paramounts (from summer, 1993) used the Reynolds 753 OS tube set as described HERE in the Paramount history section of the Waterford website.
Last edited by Scooper; 08-28-08 at 02:33 PM.
08-28-08 | 03:13 PM
#3
pan y agua
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
Likes: 1,234
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
I had an 1989 Paramount OS. It would be very similar to your 1995 Waterford 1200, except the 89 Paramount OS was true temper tubing.
The 95 1200, would be virtually he same bike, as a 93 Paramount OS.
The OS lugs and tubing were a huge step forward. So IMHO, you got a nicer bike in the Waterford, than you would have gotten with a regular Paramount.
And unless you got a 93 Paramount OS, you got a better tubeset than you would have gotten witht he first True Temper Paramount OS's.
The 95 1200, would be virtually he same bike, as a 93 Paramount OS.
The OS lugs and tubing were a huge step forward. So IMHO, you got a nicer bike in the Waterford, than you would have gotten with a regular Paramount.
And unless you got a 93 Paramount OS, you got a better tubeset than you would have gotten witht he first True Temper Paramount OS's.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
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