Upgrade from Schwinn Paramount
#26
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I'm not sure, but you are correct in thinking that it has been a while / too long. I'll put that on the short list.
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#27
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IMO, There is nothing wrong with Tri-Color.....get it tuned with new consumables and yes change the stem. Ride it in the conditions that you will most likely encounter and then access where you and the bike are and what if any "upgrades might be/are necessary.
Report back to what your impressions are.
Best, Ben
BTW, 850 for parts to upgrade would get you in the neighborhood of an earlier "P".....
Report back to what your impressions are.
Best, Ben
BTW, 850 for parts to upgrade would get you in the neighborhood of an earlier "P".....
Last edited by wrk101; 07-18-22 at 08:08 PM.
#28
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wrk101, that sounds like a plan. I must admit, I don't know what is meant by Tricolor bike....
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Tricolor is a nickname for that Shimano 600 groupset you have on your bike. The nickname refers to the three different colors in the little bar below the "Shimano 600" wording on the components. It's good stuff.
#30
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A nickname that didn’t exist when I was wrenching. I put it right up there with “Brifters” and “bents.”
#32
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Unless your budget or room tight then forget upgrade as replacement but rather upgrade (n+1) to complement your stable options. That is why nlerner suggestion makes sense
Last edited by joesch; 07-18-22 at 04:34 PM.
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#33
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I'd say that's a nice and rare enough bike to be worth keeping it clean and stock.
30 years old and Kestrel built, one year only!
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...bikes-1989-94/
but I like the old carbon.
30 years old and Kestrel built, one year only!
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...bikes-1989-94/
but I like the old carbon.
I hesitated on the Madone, and it's gone now. It would have been a pretty good find, I think. I'm just starting my search and am patient, so no big deal.
Upgrading is definitely an option. I'll keep that in mind and my eyes open.
I just weighed my bike. The front wheel with tire is 3.2#, rear w/ cassette & tire is 3.4#, and the remainder of the bike is 15#. It's flat land around here, so weight may be less of an issue here than in the mountains, other than wheels.
Upgrading is definitely an option. I'll keep that in mind and my eyes open.
I just weighed my bike. The front wheel with tire is 3.2#, rear w/ cassette & tire is 3.4#, and the remainder of the bike is 15#. It's flat land around here, so weight may be less of an issue here than in the mountains, other than wheels.
Those words and this bike are pretty hard to come by.
It was pretty cutting edge for its time but none of its benchmarks apply today.
I would encourage you to keep this as is/was/etc, ride it some if you can.
Proceed with a search that finds you a bike that can really get you to where you want to be.
I would scrub, clean, polish, shine and show this one off to anybody that would stand still for it.
And I'm not really a fan of carbon, vintage or otherwise, this has nothing to do with that.
#34
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#35
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Paramount, "one year only", Kestral made.
Those words and this bike are pretty hard to come by.
It was pretty cutting edge for its time but none of its benchmarks apply today.
I would encourage you to keep this as is/was/etc, ride it some if you can.
Proceed with a search that finds you a bike that can really get you to where you want to be.
I would scrub, clean, polish, shine and show this one off to anybody that would stand still for it.
And I'm not really a fan of carbon, vintage or otherwise, this has nothing to do with that.
Those words and this bike are pretty hard to come by.
It was pretty cutting edge for its time but none of its benchmarks apply today.
I would encourage you to keep this as is/was/etc, ride it some if you can.
Proceed with a search that finds you a bike that can really get you to where you want to be.
I would scrub, clean, polish, shine and show this one off to anybody that would stand still for it.
And I'm not really a fan of carbon, vintage or otherwise, this has nothing to do with that.
As far as original goes, the original shifters were missing when I got it, but otherwise had stock components. It was recommended to find a donor bike to upgrade earlier. I did find a Diamondback with full tri-color components that I can pick up for $275 that is also a size that my son can use. I can swap my older-upgraded 9-speed shifters and cassette out for the tri's on that bike and bring mine back to original, for the most part. It'll be back to to 8-speed, but would be original. Put the others on the DB for him, and then keep an eye open for a 2nd bike for me.
#36
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The pro's closet
you are already down plastic fantastic road, from the appearance you could use a bike ready to go.
or go Canyon
you are already down plastic fantastic road, from the appearance you could use a bike ready to go.
or go Canyon
#37
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That sounds like as good a plan as any. I can afford to keep it and get another.
As far as original goes, the original shifters were missing when I got it, but otherwise had stock components. It was recommended to find a donor bike to upgrade earlier. I did find a Diamondback with full tri-color components that I can pick up for $275 that is also a size that my son can use. I can swap my older-upgraded 9-speed shifters and cassette out for the tri's on that bike and bring mine back to original, for the most part. It'll be back to to 8-speed, but would be original. Put the others on the DB for him, and then keep an eye open for a 2nd bike for me.
As far as original goes, the original shifters were missing when I got it, but otherwise had stock components. It was recommended to find a donor bike to upgrade earlier. I did find a Diamondback with full tri-color components that I can pick up for $275 that is also a size that my son can use. I can swap my older-upgraded 9-speed shifters and cassette out for the tri's on that bike and bring mine back to original, for the most part. It'll be back to to 8-speed, but would be original. Put the others on the DB for him, and then keep an eye open for a 2nd bike for me.
Again, welcome aboard, you're gonna fit right in.
#38
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I think upgrading from my paramount is akin to first world problems. I'd love to have that problem.
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#39
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sweet bike
and rare - didn't see too many ... maybe seen one or two (?)
it's a keeper in my book
and rare - didn't see too many ... maybe seen one or two (?)
it's a keeper in my book
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#40
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I wouldn't be surprised if you are disappointed if you think a newer bike is going to ride better. That's already a pretty nice bike. You are going to get a few more sprockets in the back, but some of the new ones may not be all that useful. The biggest difference will be if you can go new enough to get more tire clearance for 28 mm or wider tires, which should plush out the ride a bit. It looks like you have 25's or 23's on there now. In spite of what you might read in reviews, any changes in the bike handling will likely have a lot more to do with arbitrary differences in geometry than in advances in carbon fiber technology. A new-to-you bike is going to feel like it rides better at first, but it's a lot like a new romance--once the novelty wears off, you are really trading one set of quirks for another. Sometimes it's better to do the maintenance and repair on what you've got.
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does not appear to be a priority -
but if you desire - with some creativity and some $ - you could drop some weight from that bike
can't recall what that frame weighs - but prob fairly light ... under 3 lbs
but if you desire - with some creativity and some $ - you could drop some weight from that bike
can't recall what that frame weighs - but prob fairly light ... under 3 lbs
#43
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Rode my Bob Jackson today that’s equipped with 8 speed Tricolor.
Thought to myself during the ride “this stuff works as well as the Dura Ace on my other bikes”.
New stuff might be new and shiny, but it’s unlikely to result on a measurable performance improvement.
Good point made above re clearance for larger tires, however. The BJ clears 25’s, wish it would take 28’s or 30’s.
Thought to myself during the ride “this stuff works as well as the Dura Ace on my other bikes”.
New stuff might be new and shiny, but it’s unlikely to result on a measurable performance improvement.
Good point made above re clearance for larger tires, however. The BJ clears 25’s, wish it would take 28’s or 30’s.
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#44
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Dura Ace isn't painted (i.e., it looks way better), it's lighter and it will last longer.
#45
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Rode my Bob Jackson today that’s equipped with 8 speed Tricolor.
Thought to myself during the ride “this stuff works as well as the Dura Ace on my other bikes”.
New stuff might be new and shiny, but it’s unlikely to result on a measurable performance improvement.
Good point made above re clearance for larger tires, however. The BJ clears 25’s, wish it would take 28’s or 30’s.
Thought to myself during the ride “this stuff works as well as the Dura Ace on my other bikes”.
New stuff might be new and shiny, but it’s unlikely to result on a measurable performance improvement.
Good point made above re clearance for larger tires, however. The BJ clears 25’s, wish it would take 28’s or 30’s.
#46
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#47
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I knew this would be a passionate discussion so many of the responses have been fun to read.
If there is an itch to scratch, go for it! Life is about both revelations and disappointments and neither of those are bad. I’m perfectly content to look back and say, “that didn’t work out”. As the kids say - YOLO
If there is an itch to scratch, go for it! Life is about both revelations and disappointments and neither of those are bad. I’m perfectly content to look back and say, “that didn’t work out”. As the kids say - YOLO
#48
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The Madone you mention is a nice riding bike, but check the geometry well before you purchase. They are pretty aggressive and with a threadless headset, which can limit how high you can raise the bars. Based on the setup of your paramount, it might be a challenge on the Trek.
#49
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I'd say that's a nice and rare enough bike to be worth keeping it clean and stock.
30 years old and Kestrel built, one year only!
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...bikes-1989-94/
but I like the old carbon.
30 years old and Kestrel built, one year only!
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...bikes-1989-94/
but I like the old carbon.
The tricolor was a result of the yen being very strong at the time. It works very well, and plays with other 8-speed stuff, including the new Claris, which offers an 11-34 cassette.
IIRC, the stem was a Paramount branded, item, too.
Whether the value is worth keeping, no idea. The Kestrels remain popular but not collector’s items. Taking that to a show with Paramounts will certainly start a conversation with that bunch. It’s not only a PDG series, it’s (gasp) carbon. That’s a 2-beer conversation right there.
An $850 Madone with DA is a lot of bike, with the new 105Di2 Madone at $8000.
Budget
Bird in the hand.
$850 Madone with DA is likely 5200-5500 series.
Decisions.
.
Last edited by bamboobike4; 07-20-22 at 04:39 AM.
#50
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Basically a Kestrel 200Sci. They ride a lot like a steel bike, very sensitive to your wheel choice. The ride can range from sluggish to amazing, depending on the build. Ivet been on some real digs, but a friend built one that rode magnificently. (so much so that I traded him for it).
IIRC, the stem was a Paramount branded, item, too.
An $850 Madone with DA is a lot of bike, with the new 105Di2 Madone at $8000.
Budget
Bird in the hand.
$850 Madone with DA is likely 5200-5500 series.
Decisions.
.
IIRC, the stem was a Paramount branded, item, too.
An $850 Madone with DA is a lot of bike, with the new 105Di2 Madone at $8000.
Budget
Bird in the hand.
$850 Madone with DA is likely 5200-5500 series.
Decisions.
.
The stem was definitely aftermarket. IIRC, the original stem was too long for me.
I'd be interested to know more about what build makes it magnificent vs sluggish. I'd assume geometry is part of it, but what else, other than crappy components?