1990 schwinn paramount question
 

Hi...question...no pics...sorry....saw nice all dura ace 7 speed paramount...not sure if waterford or not...that is what i need the help on...on the seat tube there is the big P and underneath that is a USA and then beneath that is Chicago....wondering where it was made? Thanks much!!! ps...I have looked at some pics of water ford paramounts and I dont see that decal on the seat tube....just the big P decal

Hold it..just thought how dumb that sounds...says usa chicago..where is it made*******orry...Im wondering..how does this compare with the japan paramounts or the waterford paramounts as far as craftsmanship...ride ability and desirability? Thanks much

I'm sure the experts will chime in, but to my knowledge, the 1990 Paramounts were built either in Waterford or Japan. The Japanese ones have a unicrown fork. The purists among us say Waterford is preferred, but I think that's just jingoism speaking. I have a '92 Panasonic built Paramount, and have never ridden anything even close to that heavenly ride.
That said, I'm aware that you are a collector of fine bicycles, and so might be included in the purist camp.

Schwinn had their Chicago plant closed by the early 80's. From then on they produced higher end bikes out of Mississipi, Wisconsin, i think Michigan too..... and the rest from China . So just because it says Schwinn Chicago, doesn't mean it was USA built. In fact, i think most weren't.

I honestly can't tell the difference between Waterford and Asia made paramounts. Other people probably will need pictures to help you.

Edit- also, youre numerous (...) is annoying as hell. please stop.

Joe, if it really is a 1990 model year the odds are good that it's a Waterford, Wisconsin built bike. The Asian PDG Paramounts weren't imported in quantity until 1991.

The 1990 Waterford built Paramounts were available in standard O.D. Columbus tubing (SLX in smaller frame sizes, blend of SL and SP in larger frame sizes) or in O.S. diameter True Temper tubing.

Photos and serial number are needed to determine what you've got.

I've noticed quite a few Craigslisters claiming Japanese Schwinns are made in USA, usually showing a cell-phone photo of the Schwinn Chicago head badge.

I guess those same sellers got tired of trying to sell their UO8's as PX10's, LOL, wish they would get a job or at least move out of their mom's basement.

There're a lot of differences between the Waterford/Mississippi and Japanese/Panasonic made Schwinn's. The single most significant difference is the headset, Japanese/Panasonic Schwinn's use the goofy JIS headset spec, US made Schwinn's do not. The list goes on....

Joe, it says 'PDG' its not a Waterford. If there's any tig welding anywhere, including the fork, it's not a Waterford. If the serial number is on the head lug, it's not Waterford.

You caught me on a bad night, I guess. I also can't tell the difference between a digital recording and an analog one.

ok...the pics are on cr sf bay area...in san jose...under...1990 paramount full dura ace...900.00

...for Joe and ddd, the local bike co-op is selling a PDG Paramount, early 90's I think, in either a 55 or 56 frame size.

Definitely Japanese, made of an OS Tange tubeset. It's up on CL, but these don't really command much attention for some reason.
I have a different year in my size, and I, too, find it to be a pretty nice riding bike.

yes..not that one...correction..the ad just says schwinn paramount dura ace road bike....sf bay area cr...san jose south

Joe, from the CL photos it appears to be a Waterford built Paramount with True Temper OS tubing. Try to get the serial number (on the bottom of the BB shell) from the seller.