hiphilzy

Hi There!

I’m going after work to buy a bike and I just want to know what you guys think is the better deal…

It’s between these two 80’s and 90’s bikes with both being in great shape!

1st) 1985 Fuji Espree 12 Speed (Downtube shifters) $150

OR

2nd) 1990’s Schwinn Paramount PDG 650c repainted with brister shifters. $250

What would YOU buy??

Bianchigirll 

the Paramount is clearly the better quality and better deal however it depends which bike fits. replacement tires for the Paramount will cost a bit more, when you need them, than the fuji.

jtgotsjets

that paramount is cool as hell. what's with those weird drop bars?

Ex Pres 

The brifter's value alone on the Paramount makes it a better deal, but right now 650c on a large diamond frame is kind of a dead format, so be aware that resale may be a crapshoot.

Ex Pres 

Probably Scott drop-in bars. Also another dead technology.

roccobike

That Fuji is an upper entry level model. Nice, but not great. The Paramount is, well, it's a Paramount, usually considered an upper level bike. But those are two completely different frame sizes. What size are you? A good deal on an extremely tall bike is not a good deal if you can't ride it.

wrk101

I am probably in the minority. Even if the Paramount was the right size, I would pass on it. The repaint looks really poor to me. I guess I am kind of picky on cosmetics, but I would never be satisfied with that paint job. So my interest in the Paramount would be limited to parting it out, moving the components and parts to another bike, and moving the frame to a new owner. With the Paramount being a 650c wheel size, the parts aren't that interesting to me. So it would have to be really cheap for me to be interested, and it is not that cheap. So I would pass on the Paramount.

The 1985 Espree is a pretty nice bike, every year it was improved. The 1985 is MUCH nicer than the 1983. Be sure to verify the year as it makes a difference in the deal. $150 is a deal on the Fuji, IF IT FITS. I have had several Fujis of that era, I really like them.

So if the Fuji fits, I would go for it. If the Paramount was the better fit, I would pass on both bikes and keep looking.

I buy quite a few bikes, and the first thing I look for is the quality of the frame: rust, dents, paint and decals. I can fix just about anything else without spending a lot of $$. But once the original paint is gone (or badly deteriorated), the deals sour fast. At that point, I just make a quick mental inventory of the parts on the bike, and adjust my offer to the value of the parts. If the offer works with the seller, I bring the bike home. If not, I pass and keep looking.

RobbieTunes

I'm with wrk101 and roccobike. 1-the Paramount is work waiting to be done. 2-there's no way both bikes fit you.

I think that Paramount is a 700c bike that someone stuck 650c wheels on. Parted out, you may make $50.

I don't know a thing about Fuji's. Come to think of it, I find out today I'm dead wrong on Paramounts, too.

Better listen to wrk101 and roccobike.

cyclodan

Paramount Design Group (PDG) is not the same as an American made Paramount. Another thing to consider is that first gen Shimano STI (I hate the term "brifters") may well be on the fritz any day now.
If the Fuji is an '85 it may well be double butted Vanadium steel throughout. It looks to be in very good condition too. My vote goes to the Fuji.

wrk101

1985 main frame is quad butted Valite 1769, with a Valite fork. That's a very good frame. It also has Suntour ARX GT components, which are pretty nice. I have an ARX bike myself. The one deficit on the Fuji is that it has 27 inch wheels (ouch). But at $150, pretty good value. 1984 is triple butted main frame. 1983 is single butted, stem shifter, pretty close to entry level bike. The 1985 is rated at TWO pounds lighter than the 1983. That's a big difference for a steel bike. Since the one you are looking at has DT shifters, it is likely either a 1984 or 1985. The tubing decal will tell you which one it is.

Gthoro

I have an '83 and an '85 Espree and love them both. I'm also hesitant to buy anything without original paint. Go with the Fuji if it fits.

EjustE

I'll give you a contrarian (non) opinion:

It depends. On the components. If equal components, +3 the Fuji is the way to go. But, if the components on the franked up "Paramount" are Ultegra or better, the brifters alone will worth a well-negotiated entry price.

And I echo what robbietunes said, that is one monster bike

jtgotsjets

There's no way, right? It would have gads of clearance if that were the case; check out the rear brake bridge. Unless 650c is a larger wheel size than I thought? Am I thinking of 650b?

Ex Pres 

Gotta remember the 650c wheels make the frame appear larger.

afilado

Hilarious!

J

bumpalong

Setting aside the question of fit, at the respective prices I'd take the Fuji. For one I think those 80's butted 'Valite' frames are under rated, the ARX components are very solid and reliable, and the Fuji simply has a cooler vintage appeal to it. I recently sold an 84 DelRey (one stap above the Espree - also equipped with ARX) and agonized over it. I really liked the bike but it was only just too small for me. I did keep the 84 Team Fuji though (which fits...).

wrk101

I sold an 84 Del Rey myself last year. Thankfully it was not my size, otherwise, I would still have it.

bumpalong

I'm curious - what does an 84 DelRey go for in your neck of the woods?

miamijim

I know I'm a little late but I wouldnt buy either one.

Rammer

Even later... the question was on "value" - bang for the buck? For the right price and the right use, either could be OK, but the size must fit.

Surprised about the almost unanimous hate for the 650c yet only one negative comment regarding the 27" wheels.

Fuji has a wide spectrum of bikes (including a lot of very cheaply made entry level bikes). Japanese PDG is not Waterford, but nicer than most Fuji.

Those Lemond style bars are no longer in style. Not sure how much it affects the resell value. Someone might like those. Can't use bar end shifters or bar end mirror or lights.

Hard to tell on the paint from that photo. Re-paint on a collectible would lower the value. On a daily rider, it could do the opposite.

Btw, I don't recall seeing the Fuji, but the PDG is still listed in my locale: https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/1719146784.html

circlepit

I just bought an Espree today for $50. Needs new tires/tubes and is really dusty from sitting in a garage for years but other than that its looking pretty awesome.
Today was my day!