I will be the first to admit, when it comes to bikes, I am NO expert! No, I'll keep my doctorate in American Cinema, thank you very much. But quite frankly, that may be a good thing. When you come in here you're talking with folks that like bikes, ride bikes but aren't so over burdened with technical and historical knowledge as to make the average consumer feel like they are being talked down to! I have learned what I do know over the last eight years by listening to folks who know WAY more then I do (special shout out to uncle Chippie and Bullet) and by doing research. Of course even then, when doing online research you have to be conscious of it's source. So as much as I can, I go to the manufacturers catalogs and such. But I have been taken aback over the last 24 hours with an equal amount of admiration and conversely, vitriol regarding the recent addition of the 1977 Schwinn Paramount. Apparently such a true gem inspires the expert in everyone! Of course, I respect the knowledge and opinion of Chip and our new found Schwinn enthusiast friend and collector, Linc. Then we have the other end of the spectrum. When I worked in the comic book industry I was used to contending with a certain number of "Fanboy Snobs" who were overly assured of their convictions in every case. I had no idea until now that those same traits existed in a portion of the Veloist community. It's like I tell my teenagers all the time, always allow flexibility in a debate. be willing to admit when you are not 100 percent secure in knowledge, and never remain stubbornly adamant when faced with contradictory information. Do your due diligence and research! Some of the info I have received, though, has inspired me to delve further into Paramount's history. One such comment an enthusiast asserted was my own questions regarding the authenticity of this bikes rear derailleur. I thought it odd that, while the majority of components on the bike are Campy, the rear derailleur is a La Tour. Even though his introduction was a TAD bit on the rude side, he did inspire me to research the specs for that time period and the La Tour was one of the options available. He then went on to lambaste me by stating that "unfortunately some hack brazed cantilever brake studs to the fork and rear seat stays" going on to conclude that "The value of that bike is down the toilet. It's no longer "original" it's now "highly modified".
Hmmm?
Well, with the gauntlet firmly striking my face I willingly accepted the challenge and set forth to defend my honor! It took all of about twenty minutes to confirm my suspicions. First, I took to heart that we acquired the bike from the original owner. He was forthcoming with the fact that of all the components on the bike, it was as he had originally ordered it (I'll get to that in a moment) minus the original seat. Now here's what I discovered online for further info (and it comes from the original 1977 Schwinn catalog, Sheldon Brown, Re-Cycle (another one, not us) and the Schiwnn Bike Forum) The Schwinn Paramount brand was a "custom made" bike. Primarily a money looser, it was meant to highlight Schwinn technology. A customer would sit down with a Schwinn representative and "build" the bike! You could have it built anyway you wished, within reason, with just about any feature or component Schwinn had available. The only TRUE limitation was the frame had to conform with the preset angle of the lugs. Again, thanks to Chip for that verification, as he himself had a Paramount built especially for him by Bob Jackson himself! The thing is, before Schwinn's transition to the satellite plant in '79 every paramount made was "highly modified". As an example, here are the Paramount's brakes that are in doubt...
ANYWHO!
Yesterday was Drop off day! Many a repair came in and I thank ALL for their trust! And WOW! I have to color myself in deep shades of blush over the swell of glad tidings and extremely kind compliments afforded us by so many wonderful folks! I do so thank all the referrals we have been getting in as well, lately. Always a welcome daily treat, lately they have been ten-fold! Perhaps word of our new locale is finally hitting the street!
All right, I've talked enough, now I best get to it! Check out the full splendor of the aforementioned Schwinn.
Simply breathtaking!
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| 1977 SCHWINN PARAMOUNT P-15 TOURING BIKE! $950.00 OR SERIOUS OFFER |
WHOA, NO!!!!
ReplyDeleteSteven-
I must have misspoke. Had a Ronald Reagan Moment there. My bad. Sorry. Let me clarify for the sake of clarification: Bob Jackson did NOT build my Paramounts- either one of them. As you know, Schwinn, and later Waterford, builds Paramounts. Mine, a P15 and a T22, were built by Schwinn before Waterord, in the early 1970's. In the mid-1970's Mr. Foster, one of the frame builders who worked for Bob Jackson in Leeds, England at the time, built the frame for my Bob Jackson. I met Bob Jackson his bad self at Harry Woodward's legendary bike shop in Largo, and it was then and there that he explained to me the limits of using pre-cast frame jugs when it came to exotic frame angles AT THE TIME. This limitation only applies to lugged frames. Hand-brazed chrome-moly frames don't use lugs, so you can play with those angles all you want. Well, a really good frame builder can.
As for you and I, were are both lucky: Trolls abhor sunlight. We'll never have to meet 'em. Be gentle with the delete button, They're not its fault.
Awesome pics. Those lugs are like a work of art. If the frame fits you, I'd call it a keeper until such time some respectful individual promises to give it a loving home and offers an amount you cant refuse. Of course they will also have to grant you visitation rights too. More pics first!!! =)
ReplyDeleteJohn- I'd like to think that bike has already found a loving home and respectful individual. I'm also hoping said individual takes tomorrow off to ride Le Velo Magnifique up the Pinellas Trail to Tarpon Springs for lunch at Toula's Trailside Cafe. He's certainly earned both the right and the chance to do so.
ReplyDeleteMe, I plan to haul Queen Anne's Revenge (my beloved fixie) up that same trail under full sail tomorrow, not nearly as far and far earlier in the day. Need to blow out a few cobwebs, and that should just about do it.
Yo-ho.