anomaly

I've found a 55cm Waterford Paramount for sale locally for $250 frame/fork. It's in good condition, true, no dents, though it could use a paint job. First, will I be able to cold span the rear large enough to go with a 9spd Ultegra setup, second is that a good price, third is it blasphemous to do an STI setup on such a highly regarded bike?

rmikkelsen

I also have an '87 Waterford Paramount, which I got from a friend who was moving overseas and was willing to part with it for cheap. It came with a Joe Bell repaint and Campy C-Record and I, too, envision a conversion of some sort in the future, like Campy Chorus. I've discussed the possibility on these forums and gotten positive feedback. Weren't those bikes built up to the customer's specs anyway? I'm gonna keep the Delta brakes and Brooks saddle whatever the case.
I can't give any guidance on the $250 price, but I'd say feel free to build it up with whatever good quality components you want. Also, are you sure your rear dropouts aren't already 130mm? Mine are. Enjoy the ride.
Here's a pic:

anomaly

It turns out it's a 86 and 56cm, which fits me better than the 55. I'm going to buy it, ultimately if I spent $75 too much it won't matter after the first 100 miles.

rmikkelsen

Yahoo! Enjoy.

cuda2k

So. Very. True!

russdog63

$250 is a great price to pay for a Waterford Paramount. I would take a Waterford from the late 80s or early 90s over any other Paramounts. I am with rmikkelson that it is probably already a 130mm span. I think a Waterford Paramount from that era would be a perfect frame to do modernized buildup on. Here is a picture of my Univega Ultraleggera, a frame that period that hangs with the Waterford Paramount. It is built with 7 speed and 9 speed Dura Ace. It has friction shifters but I am thinking of changing the rear to STI and keep the front friction. Imagine your Waterford with a similar look. Nice!!!!!

barba

how much does a waterford frame run you now? i would jump all over that.

robtown

You know we require pictures of your completed build.

Scooper

Here's my '87 that I had Dr. Deltron paint for me a couple of months ago. The seller had advertised it on craigslist last year for $295, but I talked him into taking $500 for it so I could sleep at night with a clear conscience. It's mostly Dura-Ace except for the rear derailleur (Deore).

It'll be your bike, so put anything on it you think will make it better for you.

russdog63

I didn't look at your other post. If it is an 86 it could be seven speed still and be a 126mm spread. I would be interested to know.

Mariner Fan

Very nice bikes in this thread!

anomaly

It's mine =) I also picked up an 03 Bianchi Alloro with full Ultegra for $575. I will be putting all those components on the Paramount to have one awesome bike. I'm super excited.

Scooper

As well you should be.

anomaly

The former owner swore up and down it was 130mm, it will be pretty easy to figure out if it's not...

anomaly

I saw your post about that. Looks like a great bike. It's an 86 E fork 56cm.

anomaly

The black spots are rattle can to cover rust, sucks it isn't in perfect shape paint wise, but I'll take ugly over rusted out any day.

Skip Magnuson

Kind of a related topic / question: --- At the Seattle Bicycle Expo last weekend I was talking with a fellow who owns several (20 - 30 ?) vintage / classic bikes, mostly restored to surperb condition and a few in original surperb condition. He rides them all and does a lot of riding AND he stated he liked the ride of the Paramount probably the best of them all. He said he thought the ride was nicer because the bike was a little heaver the his other bikes. A couple questions: What are typical weights of Paramounts? Do Schwinn riders generally perfer the Paramount over other top level steel bikes? And does the Schwinn Super Sport rate with the Paramount?
Thanks.
Skip Magnuson

Dr.Deltron

OK, ready when you are!!

russdog63

Click here to find out more about Paramounts.

anomaly

Thanks I had found that, and fully figured out about it through the serial number.

robtown

One day I hope to have a bike worthy of Dr. Deltron's attention.

Scooper

My '87 is 126mm, so I doubt your '86 is 130mm. Cold setting the rear triangle for 130mm shouldn't be any problem, though. In fact, since that's only 2mm per side difference, you can probably get away with just slipping in a wider hub. The downside is that the dropouts won't be quite parallel, but since we're talking about a 2mm difference over the length of the chainstays, in practical terms that shouldn't be an issue.

anomaly

:shrug: the guy swore he ran 9-speed Ultegra, maybe it was already spaced when he got it.