Road Test/Bike Review (1973) SCHWINN Paramount Professional
07-18-20, 07:51 AM
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Road Test/Bike Review (1973) SCHWINN Paramount Professional
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07-18-20, 07:59 AM
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$500 in 1973 to buy one. Yeah I'd pay $500 all day long for a '73 Schwinn paramount with a campy group, : )
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07-18-20, 08:48 AM
#3
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$500 was a months salary (before taxes) for me back then. It was a sizable commitment to spend that much on a bike in those days!
07-18-20, 09:11 AM
#4
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So Poulidor rode a 5 year old paramount in 1968, making it a 1963. I just saw it was a 54cm frame. Not quite mine but close.
Very neat that he liked this bike so much.
Very neat that he liked this bike so much.
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07-18-20, 09:28 AM
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When I got my first ABLA licence and started racing in 1964, my teammates rode Atala and Frejus pro-level bikes, which cost about $140, as I recall. Another rode a PX-10, acknowledged to be of lesser quality but a bargain at about $120. One guy had a Legnano at some point, which was around $150. The Paramount was a grail bike but, at $175 or so, was just too expensive for any of us to seriously consider buying it.
07-18-20, 11:24 AM
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07-18-20, 12:20 PM
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The Paramount came with a Campy tool kit. The only bike I know of that included that. I think you got a Peanut Butter wrench, T wrench, the offset saddle wrench, any others?
My '74 Motobecane LeChampion was $395/Full Campy with Universal centerpulls. That same year a shop got an order of Coppi bikes that were priced at $380. Same grouping as the LeChamp but they were all small frame sizes 52-55cm. I had a Moto Grand Record so the LeChamp seemed like a logical step up. And priced right. Still those Coppi's looked so nice. Pretty metallic paint. They just had a look, Italian stallions.
But the $10-20 price differences were major for a 16 year old kid. I saved every cent from my part time job where I was making $40 a week. 10 weeks I saved up and bought my LeChampion. Raced on it in the inaugural Boul Mich Bike Rally.
My '74 Motobecane LeChampion was $395/Full Campy with Universal centerpulls. That same year a shop got an order of Coppi bikes that were priced at $380. Same grouping as the LeChamp but they were all small frame sizes 52-55cm. I had a Moto Grand Record so the LeChamp seemed like a logical step up. And priced right. Still those Coppi's looked so nice. Pretty metallic paint. They just had a look, Italian stallions.
But the $10-20 price differences were major for a 16 year old kid. I saved every cent from my part time job where I was making $40 a week. 10 weeks I saved up and bought my LeChampion. Raced on it in the inaugural Boul Mich Bike Rally.
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07-18-20, 01:33 PM
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In 1973 I worked in a textile mill in upstate New York all summer to buy a bike, and yes $500 would get you a Paramount or a Raleigh Pro which is what I really wanted. I also wanted a camera, so my $300 bike savings got me a Zeus Pro. Sometimes life requires compromise.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
07-18-20, 03:00 PM
#10
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Good ol' Bike World, thanks for posting the review!
"Poulidor looked at the bike and asked if he could ride it around for a moment. An hour later he returned."
Perhaps powering a Paramount he could have prevailed in '69.
"Poulidor looked at the bike and asked if he could ride it around for a moment. An hour later he returned."
Perhaps powering a Paramount he could have prevailed in '69.
07-18-20, 04:42 PM
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I've been learning a lot from the articles and from everyone's comments, and I've taken some fun trips down nostalgia lane as well.
I'm surprised occasionally when an article receives more or less attention than I thought it would, but even that is a learning experience.
Lots more good and bad stuff to come.
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
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07-18-20, 08:01 PM
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Aww man, thanks for the love! Much appreciated, as always.
I've been learning a lot from the articles and from everyone's comments, and I've taken some fun trips down nostalgia lane as well.
I'm surprised occasionally when an article receives more or less attention than I thought it would, but even that is a learning experience.
Lots more good and bad stuff to come.
I've been learning a lot from the articles and from everyone's comments, and I've taken some fun trips down nostalgia lane as well.
I'm surprised occasionally when an article receives more or less attention than I thought it would, but even that is a learning experience.
Lots more good and bad stuff to come.
07-18-20, 08:04 PM
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07-19-20, 12:19 AM
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I can confirm that a 46 year old Paramount--P15, not P13--is a high quality bicycle that is also durable, provided one isn't a stooge and neglects/abuses their bike to the point of needing a new steerer as a stem seizure caused it to crack. Regardless of neglect, the chrome was excellent upon purchase. Hi, Europe.
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07-19-20, 06:02 AM
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I will also " chime in" to THANK YOU for posting!!!
I have a 1973 Paramount in LEMON YELLOW !!!! 22 " frame !!!
With upgrade Campy brake levers !!!!
I drove from Boston to just north of Philadelphia in October to get it!!
770 miles round trip !!!!!
WELL worth it !!!!!!!
My " grail" bike !!!!
I have a 1973 Paramount in LEMON YELLOW !!!! 22 " frame !!!
With upgrade Campy brake levers !!!!
I drove from Boston to just north of Philadelphia in October to get it!!
770 miles round trip !!!!!
WELL worth it !!!!!!!
My " grail" bike !!!!
