I can recognize a Waterford Paramount but I’m at a loss when it comes to knowing the difference between the various vintage P model Paramount bikes. I hope I'm using the correct nomenclature in describing these bikes. Is there an easy way to identify a P13 or P15? Do you have to physically see one to be able to recognize the differences?

Is there a resource (book) that explains which componets along with detailed information for restoring one of these bikes?

Thanks in advance.

The P10-9 and P15-9 were the men's touring models (10 and 15 spd., respectively).

The P60-9 and P65-9 were the women's touring models (10 and 15 spds.)

The P13-9 was the Road Racing model.

The P14 was the Track model.

The T19 was the men's tandem.

According to the January, 1976 Bicycling Magazine Paramount review. Hope this helps...

That covers it, the easiest way to tell the different models.... the touring bikes had rack eyelets, the racing bikes did not,

Great summary. Now I know that I have a P-13 frame. No fender eyelets. Was there a difference in geometry between the road racing and touring frames?

How do you find out what components originally came on a 70's Paramount? Is it by year model and or serial numbers?

Scroll down to Paramount and click on the various links. The (S) indicates a specifications page.

https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/years_by_model.html

Determine the year from the serial #, then find (online) the catalog scan for that year. Not sure if the catalog covers all models, also there were customer determined options available I think.

The P13-9 changed geometry in 1971; it's original geometry was essentially the same as the P15, for it lent the geometry when the P15 was developed. The P10-9 was the carryover of the original P13-9 geometry past 1971.

Not mentioned above is the P12-9, which was the spartan model of the P13-9; available only in the early years of production. They're hard to distinguish at times.

Take care,

-Kurt

Is it reasonable to assume a Paramount with a serial # E7824 is a 1978? If so is it a Chicago bike?

I don't know all the specifics about the switch to Waterford, but I had Chicago Built Paramount Tandem from '78

Also check the headbadge, many have a 2 digit date code stamped in there, so look for a "78" or some such

+1 - they had ugrade options available...like subbing out Weinmann levers for Campagnolo and a Campagnolo rear derailleur. They have some of the upgrades listed in the catalogs.

Kurt - could you tell us more about the P-12?

The P12 was the standard road Paramount when the second-gens first came out in 1959. Nervex lugs, Stronglight crankset, Campag GS mechs, and NO chrome on the framesets of base models. Chrome lugs and fork ends or a full chrome finish were available as extra-cost options, along with a Campagnolo seatpost in place of the stock aluminum tube type, a Record crankset, and white plastic fenders - presumably Bluemels of unknown model.

The P13 came out in 1964 as the "Deluxe Paramount Road Racer." It essentially took the place of the fully-optioned P12 - chrome lugs, ends + all Campag Record & Gran Sport. It's pretty much impossible to tell whether a fully-optioned P12 is a P12 or a P13, unless one of the options is missing (e.g.: A frameset with full Campy and no chrome = P12 w/all options minus chrome). The P12 remained as the base model w/no chrome and Stronglight fittings.

Additionally, the P11 was the tourist version with North Road bars; almost forgot to mention it.

-Kurt

The non-racing models had braze on stops for the rear brake cable, the racing used Campagnolo clamps. I think the geometries were described in the literature.

They were also sold as framesets: up to some point in the later 70s you could order almost anything you wanted.

I believe the curved seat tube was also a Paramount. What was the number for that?

Also, my 70s track came without chrome headlugs. Apparently you could save 50 bucks by not ordering them.

Did any of the 70's Paramounts come with spoke protectors? Also, if a '78 Paramount is a Paramount color but not on the list of optional colors for that particular year, is it reasonable to assume it has been repainted or could it have been a special ordered color?

I purchased my P-13 as a frameset. Frame, fork and bottom bracket. I moved components over from a PX-10 that I wrecked.

Provided that "racing" means P13's, that statement applies only after 1971. Prior to that, the P13 had the same cable stops as found on the P15.

Curved seat tube models were deemed "short coupled" P10-9's. Ironically enough, this option was not available on the P13-9, where one would naturally expect to find such an option.

Chrome delete was a cataloged feature on the late '70s road frames also. Track was always optional, I believe.

-Kurt

As far as the spoke protector is concerned, it looks as if large plastic ones were original equipment along with big ugly reflectors in 1978. Here's the catalog page for the P-13. I also checked the other models and they appear to be wearing them as well.



Is this a picture of your Paramount above? If so it appears to be a very traditional Campus Green. Even if Campus Green was not on the list of available colors in 1978, I can't imagine Schwinn not having it in stock. There had to be 100s of 1000s of EF Schwinns painted this color from the late '60s through the mid '70s.

Does the component information for a road racing Paramount P13 also apply to a tour model as well? Yes! this is my '78 Paramount and I'm excited to get started putting it back to as near to original condition as possible. Being a complete newby to restoring vintage bicycles I am going to need some constructive guidance from you guys that will be very much appreciated.

Be prepared to post lots of pictures, full bike, closeup details, etc.

We will do our best to guide you in the best way possible. Look for the Tom Findley Schwinn Catologs. You can find your specific model and go from there.

Ok, will do. Thanks!

Silvercreek - let me know if you'd like to add your bike to the Paramount Registry.

-Kurt

Thanks Kurt! I will do that as soon as I get it identified.

Here are a few bikes for reference:

My wife's P65 with original reflectors. Somewhere along the way its 27" wheels were swapped out for 700's
A P13-9. When I bought it still had its original reflectors, tires and bar tape. Note the original stem shifters, brake safety levers and vinyl seat!!!!
A P14. Mostly original when I bought it.

Silvercreek,

Based on this picture I'd say up own a P-13.



1. There are no eyelets on the dropouts for fenders.
2. A full length of brake cable housing connects to the rear brake, held to the top tube by cable clips (Campagnolo, most likely).
3. The Nuovo Record crankset is a double.
4. Usually P-13s had the upgraded Campagnolo Record sidepull brake calipers.
5. And it looks as Campagnolo Low Flange hubs were an option in '78.

Does it have tubular or clincher tires? Are the back and front rims different?

The only item that seems a bit off would be the Dura Ace RD. But it certainly would be a worthy replacement if the NR RD was damaged.

1. There are no eyelets on the dropouts for fenders. Correct.
2. A full length of brake cable housing connects to the rear brake, held to the top tube by cable clips (Campagnolo, most likely).Correct.
3. The Nuovo Record crankset is a double. Correct.
4. Usually P-13s had the upgraded Campagnolo Record sidepull brake calipers. Correct.
5. And it looks as Campagnolo Low Flange hubs were an option in '78. Campagnolo High Flange hubs standard right?

Does it have tubular or clincher tires? Are the back and front rims different? Clinchers on 27" LAMBDA strada rims. Not correct right?

The only item that seems a bit off would be the Dura Ace RD. But it certainly would be a worthy replacement if the NR RD was damaged. I figure a Campy Record RD right?

What were the correct pedals, Campagnolo Superleggeri?

What were the correct rims?