1990 schwinn paramount question
#1
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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
#2
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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
#3
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From: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
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.
That said, I'm aware that you are a collector of fine bicycles, and so might be included in the purist camp.
#4
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.
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.
Last edited by zazenzach; 03-23-14 at 06:52 PM.
#5
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
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.
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.
#6
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
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.
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.
#7
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....
#9
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From: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
You caught me on a bad night, I guess. I also can't tell the difference between a digital recording and an analog one.
#11
...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.
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.
#13
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
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.
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