Paramount or Colnago?
 

If you were to build up a "new" bike that would be your main ride for training rides, centuries, fun weekend rides.. which would you rather start with a NOS paramount or a lightly used Colnago and why?

paramount -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320827400197...ht_4893wt_1139

Colnago -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-90s-...t_19259wt_1139

Colnago. I say that not from having ridden either one, but because they're both gonna be freakin' sweet bikes and amazing to ride, but the Colnago looks a lot cooler and I've ridden enough Schwinns that I'll probably always look down on them compared to other brands. They just made so much 60lb crap that, even though I know the Paramount will be freakin' sweet, I'd pick another bike of comparable quality probably every time. Especially if it looked as much cooler as the Colnago does compared to the Paramount. Just those lugs are way cooler. Not to mention the chromed rear triangle which should hold up to wear and tear better than the painted triangle on the Paramount. The Colnago also has a 130mm rear triangle, which I would highly prefer for personal reasons. I really like 9sp in the rear. It just feels like a sweet spot to me providing a good spread of gears with minimal step between them without the noticeable increased cassette wear I've read about with 10sp.

Colnago. Seems like everytime you turn around in this place you're tripping over a Paramount......

If it's just between those two particular frames then Colnago for sure.

Between those two - neither would be my first choice (especially for the money), but I'd probably go with the Colnago. I don't think the chrome comment above is accurate...I've found chrome is just as prone to damage as paint (if not more so) and far more difficult to fix if it happens. Both of them are pricey...I think the Paramount is probably a better deal. The Colnago seems a bit high to me. The Colnago is going to have more modern spacing...I think the Paramount is a 1987...meaning it probably has 126 (maybe 128).

Honestly - I'd be looking for something different for that kind of price if I intended to ride it heavily.

Colnago. It's ugly enough that you won't care much if you scratch it up - and since you'll be riding it hard, a few nicks are inevitable.

The 50th Anniversary Paramount is a cliché and a fashion statement. You don't want it.

-Kurt

Easy call for me.

The Colnago.

You could build this into a solid performer!

Although I enjoy the Colnagos I own, there are so many other choices out there.

Do you have your heart set on a Colnago Tecnos, as there are a bazillion other choices out there for a decent performing bicycle?

Wise words from a creator of masterpieces.

Hmmmmmmm. Could always spray bomb the gold plated fork flat black and make it less fashionable!

I guess I'm another multiple Paramount owner who votes for the Colnago. It would be cool to dress it up in modern gear and have a blast riding it whatever way floats your boat at the moment.

That being said, a 1960s-1979 Paramount is a great additional bike to own for some regular and frequent C&V riding.

The Colnago is cheaper.

I'm not set on a Technos if I go the Colnago route. I've always wanted a paramount just to see how much better it really is than the super le tour 12.2 I have now. As for a Colnago someone that worked with me years ago had a C40 that I loved the look of and ever since i've wanted to find a steel Colnago with an "art deco" paint scheme. That blue one is just the first I saw on e-bay and grabbed the link.

Neither. I could find something I liked a whole lot more than either of those for less than $1,200.

Well, I looked at the Paramount first, and the following reply formed itself in my mind:

"Gold fork? Eeesh! Colnago, for sure."

And then I looked at the Colnago.... :eek:

what happened to the old days when a Univega was the training bike? OY!

I may have to pic the Paramount since I don't think you see as many as you do Colnagos. Is the paramount a Waterford bike? or oriental in nature?

but you know.. a 50 anniversary anything kind of screams 50th Campi group too!

Ditto with this.

The 50th Paramounts were built at the waterford plant

that model paramount frame minus the gold fork used to sell on ebay with some regularity from 300-500...I know prices are out of sight now but a complete paramount or colnago bike could be had in the price range of those frames...certainly a pinarello, derosa,bianchi ,ciocc,tommassini ,grandis,etc etc. any number of fine complete bikes in that range...if a modern colnago was my goal I would go for the conic slx or the early masters with the gilco multishape tubes ,something not common or garish for that kind of coin..you could no doubt get a colnago super complete of some stripe for that money as well as modern equipped master olympics if you are partial to the jazzy paint

ps that being said I regret not pulling the trigger on the paramount frame and there was a rare bianchi frame of that era with an engraved headtube that used to fly under the radar at around 3 bills because of the black or white paint scheme but really nice details

Get both, but not those two.

I picked up a rideable but scruffy 1978 Colnago Super for ~$350.00 in November '11 and a 1974 Paramount that is a Cycle Art repaint and very clean for ~$750.00 this month. So for less than either one of those frames I can choose my ride on any given day. By my choice, not necessity I will be bringing the Colnago back to full Campy spec from the current mix and match and the Paramount will get high flange wheels and the correct rear derailleur at some point.

Keep looking and you will find the right bike. Both of the above were CL finds. Not sure why the Colnago languished as it was within the price point for the market (Orange County, CA). The Paramount was over the "magic" price point for its' market (Raleigh) and was relisted after ~10 days and that's when I could no longer resist.

I would and will ride either of them on Century's, Gran Fondo's, and other such rides.

Must have been the recent Cyclart discussion on this forum that influenced prices.

It was about a week before those discussions.......

Okay, I'll be the contrarian here. Of the two, I'd take the Paramount. I don't like the look of straight blade forks, and I think the paint scheme on the Colnago is garish and way too busy. I like the black-and-gold look of the Paramount, although I would like it much better if it had the "starburst" decals of the mid-60s to the mid-70s.

Yes, appearances matter. If it doesn't look good to me (and that very much includes the graphics), I don't want it.

I also agree that I, personally, would not pay that much for either frame. But that's me. If you have the bucks and one of 'em really speaks to you, then what the hey, go for it. My guess is either one will be a fun ride.

I agree with others who say set your sights higher. Get something that IS NOT as well known. You'll discover that they are usually as good and very often better than the well known brands.

Be flexible. Wait to see what comes around.

And you're better off buying a complete bike or at least a semi-complete bike. Building a bike from the ground up is stupidly expensive.

If I had to choose between the two, it would be the Colnago, because I'll bet the Schwinn is heavier than its equivalents in other brands.

I couldn't pick between the two, knowing little about either.
I've not spent $1200 on a complete bike yet, so any opinion I'd offer would be worthless as far as a choice.

If you're going to buy a main bike for doing nearly everything, the Paramount is a little vain for that.
Still, I'd respect the heck out of a guy who shows up for everthing on his 50th Anniv and whips it good.
I know of no rule that says high end bikes shouldn't be ridden hard and often. That's what they're for.

If you're going to spend that kind of money (before a group) on a main bike, there are probably cheaper options.
They'd ride as well, if not better, and allow you to spend the savings on components, especially wheels.

Right now, for a workhorse high end bike, I'd go for a Canopus, if you can find one.
Great quality, strong build, and no frills that aren't functional.
Built where bikes lasted through many riders, because they had to.

They are both pretty ******. I kind of like the Paramount a bit better.

But I agree you could probably also do well with something like a $300-400 SLX frame (or whatever floats your boat) and have plenty to spend on nice goodies to hang on it.

Not factoring in looks, I'd definitely take the Colnago Tecnos, or look for a Master X-light, or a Super before the Paramount. I really like the look of the Paramount in question, fwiw.