Saturday, November 29, 2014

1983 Schwinn Paramount touring frame and fork custom made for Edward R. Schwinn!

    This is a bike I have been meaning to do a proper post on for a while now. However, I did not have all the details about it. Richard Schwinn was gracious enough to fill in the blanks for me, and I am very thankful to him for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do so.
     The  frame and fork were built at the PDG (Paramount Design Group) in Waterford, WI in April of 1983 for Edward R. Schwinn (Richard's brother). It was part of the "super custom" program, anything you wanted for $3,000.00. It is built with Columbus SLX tubing as far as I know. The seat tube measures 56CM CTC. Larger frames were built with a combination of SL/SP tubing. However, I am sure you could specify whatever you wanted at that price point!
      It has many features you do not normally see on Paramounts. Such as the double drop out eyelets, braze-ons for three water bottles, braze-ons for low rider racks on the fork blades, chromed seat lug with an extended point  at the seat post (a detail I personally really like). The Henry James fork crown is a  super nice touch, of course, chromed! There is also a larger hole on the chain stay bridge that I assume would be for mounting a generator perhaps. Cinelli BB shell with cable guides brazed on to the under side. One thing I find curious about it is the choice of caliper brakes over the tried and true cantilever type. They allowed for larger tires and fender clearance, which this bike would need given its obvious intended touring use. The decals are a rarely seen font and design. Maybe exclusive to the custom program? The pin striping is flawless and the paint color is a metallic champagne color that pictures do not do justice to. In the sun it sparkles like crazy, way nicer than the Masi champagne color ( in my opinion). Richard told me he is pretty sure this bike was never built or ridden. It is a truly unique example, I have never seen another one like it. This is another bike that I hope we will someday completely build up! Enjoy!


































Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

     Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Via Bicycle! The shop is closed today and tomorrow (Friday, 11-28-2014). We will re-open Saturday 11-29-2014 to assist with you transportation needs!



Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Super classy Drillium Colnago Pista "Hour Record"

     I came across this bike last week online and forgot to do a post about it. nice Colnago pista  frame circa 1976 and equipped with some heavy drillium, especially that chain ring. Just gorgeous! Not sure if that was something recently done, it looks laser cut to me,  I have never seen such an elaborate cut out from that era. Super classy bike all around! Check it out here! Colnago!

Displaying Colnago-Hrecord-11.jpg


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Random drawer of mostly empty campy boxes.



Thursday, November 20, 2014

For Sale: 1959' ish Schwinn Paramount road bike 62CM

     Offered for sale today is a 1959' ish Schwinn Paramount road bike. Serial number B72 according to Waterford's site puts production in the area of fall 1959. This is the second number system Schwinn used from 1959-1965. The bike is built with a mostly a later Campagnolo Nuovo Record component group. The hubs are Campagnolo HF "no record" laced to unknown tubular  (sew-up) rims, tires are bad and need to be replaced. Campagnolo NR rear derailleur pat. 73 stamp. Campagnolo NR front derailleur. Campagnolo DT clamp on shifters and cable guide. Stronglight 49D cranks with Stronglight BB as well (52-42 chain ring combo). universal mod.61 brakes and scuffed up Weinmann red dot brake levers. Ambrosio Champion road stem (95mm extension). Clamp pinch bolt is seized, hence the odd bar position. unknown alloy bars, 38 CM wide CTC. campagnolo NR seat post (27.2) with Brooks Pro saddle, dark brown, large rivets, in good condition. Lyotard touring pedals with XL steel toe clips (Christophe Special).Unknown headset, perhaps Stronglight. Campagnolo pump head without safety circle.
  •     The frame has been re-painted and has no decals. Paint color is a faded teal green. no headbadge either.  Campagnolo drop outs with eyelets.
  • 62 CM seat tube CTC 
  • 61 top tube CTC.
  • 34" stand over height (no air in tires)
     Please contact me at:  bikeville@gmail.com for pricing or with any additional questions, thanks!
                                                                      SOLD!