Schwinn Paramountain info needed
 

I picked up a Schwinn Paramountain mountian bike and need info about it. Its a made of Tange Prestige and is lugged with tange rigid forks. All XT M730 componets with rear XT U-brake, 6 speed XT thumbshifters. Has Ned Overand signature sticker on chainstay. Decal on top tube says Paramountain with world championship stripes on either side. Front forks have XT U-brake instead of cantilevers ! Only number I could find on frame was a #2 under bottom bracket. Frame is a light yellow color. I read somewhere that these Paramountain bikes were made at the Paramount factory and were silver brazed. Is that what is used for lugged frames? Any info would be appreciated

PDG (Parmaount Deign Group), based in Waterford WI did indeed design and build ATB frames. I don't know if they were silver brazed. It's hard to believe there is no serial number.Check out this site: http://www.waterfordbikes.com/2004/d...ount/index.php It gives lots of Parmount history, shows how to decode the serial number (if you find it) and shows the decals for the various years, which will allow you to narrow down the model year.

However, you can determine the model year by using the date codes on the Shimano parts. There should be two letter codes on the back of the Shimano parts. The first letter represent s the year, where K = 1986, L= 1987, M = 1988, etc. The second letter is the month of manufacture, where A = Jan, B = Feb, etc. Check as many parts as possible for date codes, as the previous owner may have replaced some. If the parts are coded for very late in the year, the bicycles model year is probably the following year. An excellent resource for verifting component date codes is the Vintage-Trek website.

Offhand, based on the components it sounds, late 1980s, around 1987 or 1988. I seem to recall having a magazine road test for a PDG ATB from that period. If you are interested, let me know and I will try to dig it up.

From the date codes this is a 1987 bike. Checked again and I can only see a #2 stamped under bottom bracket. Is there another place I should look? I've sent Richard Schwinn at Waterfordbikes and email requesting info about this bike. I'll post his responce

The vintage Paramount road frames had the serial number stamped on the left rear dropout, if I recall correctly. Also, I believe that the vintage road Paramounts had the fork's steering column stamped, to match it to the frame.

According to First Flight Bikes,

http://www.firstflightbikes.com/schwinn_specs.htm

the Paramountain was made in 1987 only. For 1988, it was replaced by the Project KOM-10 Team Issue, which was made in Greenville MI. My KOM-10 uses the original Schwinn serial numbering system, such that F8xxxxx denotes June 1988 frame fabrication.

My KOM-10 has a U-brake under the chainstays and a SunTour RollerCam in front.

that sounds like an AWESOME find. i am truly envious, i LOVE early unique MTBs. if its a 17 or 18" frame and you ever want to get rid of it, i would love to pay you good money for it!

Here are some pics. Still cant find any sort of serial numbers anywhere. Only a #2 stamped under the bottom bracket, Any thonghts??

http://216.131.84.111/PARA10.JPG
http://216.131.84.111/PARA11.JPG
http://216.131.84.111/PARA3.JPG

wow, that is super beautiful. i wouldnt change a thing about it. all it needs is a tune-up!

If you look close above the 2 that is stamped in the center of the BB you should see a number. Mine is (S) F654604.

It can be hard to read under the paint.

geez. what's the story with that headbadge? I haven't seen anything like that on any other schwinn, ever...

I recently picked up the '87 Schwinn ATB catalog. Here is the page with the Paramountain:

http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer/1987/87atb03.html

The format of the serial # seems to indicate a Greenville, MS build (same as the KOM-10). The earliest frame build I've seen is June of '86, but they may not have painted or assembled them until later. There was a discussion recently on MTBR that brought out some of these details.

I also would like to hear an explanation of the headtube decal!

Bob Hufford
Springfield, MO