So now we know why Brooks England has dropped the traditional B-15 Standard from it's line up.

A trademarked, copyrighted, review, from So. FL, has blown it for all of us who love this traditional beast.

The extra thick leather makes it the Ultimate Arse Insulator™ during NH winters.



Mine even loves its pogo stick.*

*Disclaimer: In actuality my B-15 is currently in cold storage awaiting the next economic boom to hit eastern Europe, at which time it will go on ebay and fetch 100s of frantic bidders driving up the value beyond $1000.

Great collection! One for each day of the week?

I'm not surprised - it's nothing more than the B.17 with a thicker, non-chamfered leather top. At least, mine fits that description.

Mind you, I believe the origins of the saddle are rooted in a Schwinn Super Sport. Given Schwinn's penchant for having suppliers make special, over-built variants of existing products, I wouldn't be surprised if this particular B.15 differs from the rest.

-Kurt

You could be right about that. The current Brooks on my Pogo Stick, a B-17.

Show off. Lovely collection. Hey, how 'bout a group shot of those Lincolns? Nice !

Very nice, Kurt. Thanks for making the effort to share the pics.

Love the Paramounts, but find the Superiors interesting because I don't see many around. Those were post bike-boom, correct? Must've built fewer of them?

Guess I find the earlier Paramounts interesting for the same reason. Curious to know if your '61 rides differently from the 70s era?

Also, I have a B15 on my '63 Jack Taylor and find it very comfortable. I believe I read somewhere that many Brit tourists preferred the 15 to the 17 because it was quicker to break in - something about a slightly lower grade of leather? I suppose those specs could've changed through the years. My 15 is very supple, and seems a bit thinner than most of my 17s.

Thanks again!
Alex

Beautiful bikes!

I've often wanted to compose a group shot of my collection . . . but I just cant part with the funds for the matching stands . . .

It's interesting, there were at least 4 generations of Schwinn Superiors. The Classic Tourest model from the late 1930s through 1959.

First modern 15 speed version which morphed into the Super Sport in in the early 60s. This version culminated in the late '70s Superior which was constructed with leftover tubes and fittings for Sports Tourers.

Finally, the early '80s variety which were made from left over '70s Paramount gear. In all instances, the Superior model is one of Schwinn's rarest road bikes.

This is my assessment of rarity, from most rare to more abundant, but still hard to find:

1930s-1950s Superiors (3 speed Tourist models)
Early 1960s Superiors (15 speed drop bar models)
Early 1980s Superiors (10 speed made with Reynolds 531 & Campy gear)
Late 1970s Superiors (10 speed nicely equipped)

Just my 2 cents.

Very nice collection. I love the look of the chrome ones. Actually, I love them all. How much reconditioning work do you end up doing on these? At least for the ones that come to you in bad to awful shape. I'm just admiring how nice they look with showing wear and tear yet still gleaming proud.

Beautiful, of course I'm envious. You really want to know want I want that you have Kurt?

Your weather. Our season is so short, we've got snow and ice already. When I look at your photos I don't see beautiful Paramounts, I see green stuff, leaves, bare ground.

A long winter indeed.

Scott

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Kurt, I can't afford to open any of your postings anymore... Damn, they are sweet... The drool is going to short out my keyboard.

Some old shots:





Some changes have been made since these photos were taken in the interest of comfort, nothing that can't be changed back to stock in short order.