justcynn

a local collector has a lot of cool bikes, framesets, etc for sale.

This one caught my eye. It is a New Old Stock '88 Schwinn Paramount Special Edition, number 484 of 600. Has the velvet pouch to cover the 24 Karat Forks.

I am looking at this as a wall hanger, possible investment. NOT INVESTMENT, POOR WORD CHOICE. It fits my mid to late 80's schwinn collection but unfortunately doesn't fit me. But what is it worth? any opinions? Any upside at $1500?

Bianchigirll 

That’s pretty but I’m not sure it’s $1500 worth of pretty.

Unless it’s broken and of great sentimental value I’m not big on bikes as wall hangers. My bikes are on display in my flat but they do get used.

TugaDude

Most bikes don’t pan out as investments. At $1,500 it would be a no-go for me. Waterford has stated that as many as 650 were actually made. Doesn’t make much difference, 600 or 650, there’s still a lot of them. How many were never built up is the question and there’s no way to know. Would be interesting to have an online database where owners could register theirs and list serial number and condition.

zukahn1 

Not a rider so art frame makes value a bit tricky. The price seems a bit high nicer art frames are actually down a bit people seem to want riders so I would say try and get it for $900 or so if you really want it you should get a local pick up discount since the sale of a art frame at a good price usually takes a international sale which is near no go right now.

rccardr 

Lovely frame but generally speaking bicycles are a Terrible investment.
If you want it as a ‘thing’ you just need to have, that’s great.
Just don’t try to justify it as an appreciating asset.

Chombi1 

Velvet pouch to cover the forks??? REALLY???!
Gimme a break, Schwinn!.......

wrk101

If you want a cool bike, buy one. Don’t delude yourself in thinking of it as an investment. It’s not. Vintage bikes can go up and they can go down. Meanwhile you do not receive any income from the “investment”.

want an investment? Think Roth IRA in the US. Invest that in a good index fund.

I’ve bought a lot of collectibles over the years, none have achieved investment status..

justcynn

ok - investment was a poor choice of words, I like it - it fits my collection, I was mostly curious what people thought of the pricing and collectability. I appreciate the suggestion from the poster that suggested $900. I would probably pay that if the seller would sell it. $1500 is too steep. thanks for the input

Phil_gretz

Use an investment calculator to assess this. $1500 for 20 years at 11% (use the S&P 500 for the last 30 years, if you'd like), and with CPI at 3% (it may be much worse), you get... compounding annually...you'd have $12,800 less the effects of inflation. That's what your $1500 might do.

Is that what you'd expect to sell a frame for in 2041?

justcynn

yes! thats totally what I think it will be worth that as I am certain there is at least an ounce of two of gold in those those forks - maybe even more!

Why even waste the time? I already acknowledged investment was a poor word choice...

Gary12000 

Look if you love Paramount and you desire that item and it will make you happy, don't listen to the naysayers, as long as you can afford to keep the lights on, enjoy your hard earned hobbying.
FWIW, i used to collect antiques, No1 question people would ask, how do i know if its worth what I am paying? my answer to this question is a little long winded but here goes...
if its an item of quality, and you can afford it, and it will bring you some measure of happiness, even if you pay 50% over value at the time of purchase, in one or two years you break even..


please let me be clear that doesn't mean over pay for damaged goods that will never be worth what you pay, but even something with some chips and scratches can have value too.

anyway that just how i think.. i wonder how many people who commented on here have bought a brand new car before haha possible the worst way to spend our money and yet i keep doing it...maybe you shouldn't take my advice...

pcb 

Seems to me you could buy the same frame in a size that fits you, that's not a limited edition, has no gold and is very clean for $300-$400 tops. So the question kinda becomes is it worth it to you to pay $500 more for the limited edition one with gold, that doesn't fit you. And that's $500 extra only if you can get it for $600 less than the buyer's asking.

That's a question you have to answer for yourself.

I try not to buy any frame/bike that doesn't fit me well enough to ride comfortably. Every time I ignore this, I regret it, and find a new owner for it.

justcynn

makes sense. Thanks for the input. The fact no one has said these are sought after collectibles has made me rethink this and since can’t build to ride, definite pass unless it comes way down in price. Thanks again

wrk101

When it comes to something I want, I separate market value from value TO ME. Sometimes, stuff is worth MORE to me than the market at large. That is OK, and I will pay that price. The fact it is worth less to the general market doesn't really matter. What is it worth to me is the question.

I overpaid for my 1974 Paramount, and I overpaid for my house too! (the house involved a lot more $$ of course). In the case of the house, it was the perfect choice for us, so the value to us far exceeded the market. So we willingly overpaid. No regrets here!

So as long as it fits within the family budget, if you want it, buy it. I've wasted far more money on other stuff.

I enjoy buying stuff that doesn't fit. It is so much easier to let it go that way. Bought four bikes recently, only one my size. The other three were bought to supplement the bike fund. So I don't knowingly overpay on stuff I don't plan to keep (although I have made my share of mistakes!!!!)

James1964 

If this is your "grail" frame, then you probably won't find another in similar (new, unridden) condition and it may be worth it to you. If so, buy it and enjoy its beauty. It's kind of like oriental rugs; the value is in the eye of the owner and the re-sale market is thin.

VtwinVince

I agree with the consensus, if it's something you covet, don't worry about the price of admission (within reason, of course). I have overpaid for things that I really liked, most of which I am still sitting on, to my wife's chagrin.

repechage

Originally these came with 50th anniversary paperwork as I recall. Or at least the 50th anniv year built.
And that's the problem.
For top dollar one really really has to find THE Schwinn Enthusiast.
otherwise $600 my best guess.