Awesome customer's bike: 1981 Lotus Aero Super Pro

     Sorry for the lack of posts in the past week. I was very busy boxing and shipping out larger internet sale items and also was ill. But, enough about me. This is a really unique bike one of our loyal customers / friend brought in for us to assemble / tune up. It is a 1981 Lotus Aero Super Pro frame and fork complete with the spec'd Shimano AX Dura-Ace component group that he sourced. It is a fine original example, probably the nicest I have ever seen in person. Here is an article about the model's history and specs. Lotus Aero Super Pro! Thanks so much for trusting us with its care! This design was pretty cutting edge for the time and was a bold move for such a young company. It was also featured in the July 1982 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine! My favorite detail is the aerodynamic brake caliper barrel adjusters, no detail spared in the pursuit of streamlined advantage! Not too long after this, Campagnolo famously introduced its C-Record groups in 1986 complete with the iconic Delta brakes and sculpted components. Enjoy the photos!

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!