2009 Schwinn Paramount Classic
 

The Schwinn rep was here today displaying his wares for us to consider. The only one we were really concerned with was the Schwinn Paramount Classic. It's GORGEOUS! Nervex lugs, Reynolds tubing, hand-built in Waterford, and ...... $7000 for frame and fork. WHAT????

Our cost on the frame is the same as buying 2.5 Colnago Master X-Lights. It's gorgeous and all, but....$7000? Really?

How many did you order? ;)

Jokes aside, I dare say far fewer then 70 examples will ultimately be built. Schwinn's extreme price jacking - in comparison to a virtually identical Waterford frame - will backfire in their face.

-Kurt

Was it my size (61cm plus or minus)? ;)

Of course, according to the info, there will only be 70 made. This follows quite a few "limited" editions" where the actual number depended on how many could be marketed and sold. It really boils down to the marketing and how many folks get reeled in who don't know better - there are so many custom frames with as good or better workmanship you could buy for 7K or less it's not even funny. Still, they do get credit for the effort.

Kurt, in the January/February timeframe I heard they had sold nearly sixty. I've forgotten where I heard that, but at the time I thought the source was reliable. It wouldn't surprise me if they've hit seventy by now.

Sixty people that need their heads examined.

-Kurt

Heard they've sold two so far.
W-a-y overpriced!

:roflmao:

That figure makes more sense.

-Kurt

were these the stainless steel model?
TP

Back in the 1970s I recall that Maserati (the auto manufacturer) had marketed some racing bicycles under their Marque. I'm sure they were decently built Italian racing bikes (who knows who actually built them),* but the target market was definitely not the dedicated cyclist but rather the collector of shiny objects with a classy name who had far too much disposable income and was in need of another trinket to hang on his garage wall next to his Maserati Bora.

I'm sure there are plenty of paunchy old lawyers and politicians in California who remember drooling over Paramounts during their college years decades ago. I'm sure the bikes will sell. But, will they ever be ridden outside of an occasional charity event photo op? I think not.

BRaIN says "3" have been sold. The rep says that he personally has sold 4. So, who knows. BRaIN also says that there won't be a Paramount next year, and that all Cannondale production is going to Asia by 2010 (model year - ie: soon). The CT headquarters of Cannondale is also now being prepared to be Dorel's headquarters. The GT guys are being hauled in from California (where they've been since back when GT was a real company) and everyone will be on one campus now. Except the manufacturing of course, which will be in China.

I'd go to a smaller framebuilder and get something custom for less, and probably have a better bike.

On the other hand, it doesn't sound so bad compared to this, which is going for 80,000 english pounds!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N...old%2Bbike.pnghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N.../gold+bike.png

http://aurumania.com/#/gold_bike_crystal_edition

You'd think they could do better than a B-17 and basic joytech hubs.

Yes. Reynolds 953 stainless steel with carbon fiber forks. Cycling News has a nice review with lots of photos HERE.

What the heck is that ugly thing? With a lugged steel fork it would look pretty good but that plastic object doesn't belong on the bike. It should also feature a lugged stem ornate lugs.

I mean 7,000$? For a cookie cutter production looking bike. GMAFB.

If I recall right, Stan did some checking early on, and found that you could conceivably twist their arm into producing one with a lugged steel fork and traditional geometry.

-Kurt

If it costs more it must be better.

Can I interest you in some imported Lucas electrical equipment?

-Kurt

As the former owner of a Rover 3500S, the answer is NO!

+1
Assuming my acronymical skills are working today.

The PRINCE OF DARKNESS! :eek:

The name that single-handedly taught England how to drink their beer.

Warm.

-Kurt