Cool shop bike: Schwinn Paramount Track

This is one of my favorite bikes the shop owns. it is a 1959 Schwinn Paramount track model. This bike is unique for a few reasons. It is somewhat of a transition bike. it has the Nervex Professional lugs which became very popular in the coming years ahead. Up to this point, Paramounts had the more iconic keyhole style lugs. It still has the older style fork crown too. The bike also has all the proprietary Schwinn Paramount components like the large flange "telephone dial" hubs, Paramount stamped cranks, adjustable track stem, "AS" stamped bottom bracket, Paramount chain tensioners, Schwinn racing grips (repop), and "AS" binder bolts all around. It also has the older decals. So, it kind of straddles two eras of production, making it stand out.
     The paint color, radiant coppertone is my all time favorite Schwinn color, and somewhat of a rarity. It consists of an aluminum under coat and then the translucent orange on top, making it really sparkle in the sun. Pictures hardly do it justice. The two color box lining is superb and shows just how much attention was paid to detail on this bike. I may have forgot to mention that these aspects are all ORIGINAL to the bike! The chrome is in fantastic shape as well! It is my understanding that this bike was never really ridden and as such is a fantastic time capsule piece! It was sold out of Bergenfield, NJ which has a personal connection for me because I have some family in that area. Anyway, enjoy the photos. This is a classic American race bike!

Cool Shop Bike: Legnano with Campagnolo Cambio Corsa gear system

     This bike has been mentioned in another blog posting here, but i figured it was time it got the full attention it deserves. It is an early Legnano frame and fork, serial number B05289 which puts its production in the 1940's according to  the Classic Rendezvous registry. The bike is equipped with Campagnolo's Cambio Corsa gear system, one of the earlier production gear systems. Here is a link with the history of it. Here also is video demonstrating how to operate it.

     The shop got the bike several years ago in New Jersey of all places. It has original paint and decals and many of the parts are stamped Legnano. I am somewhat amazed that all the original parts have stayed with it all these years. The drive side crank is stamped Magistroni so maybe that was switched out at some point, because the non drive arm does bear the Legnano stamp. It is equipped with early Universal brakes and the unique corresponding levers with cool adjusters. Unknown bar and stem combination, Legnano stamped alloy bar plugs made by Gaslo, early dog bone skewers with the open "C" levers, and early Campagnolo hubs. Nice internal  routing for the rear brake cable and housing and overall nice frame construction. the lugs have quite a bit of "shoreline" for the time, another indication of the frames high caliber. It is rare to find these bikes in such great original shape and we are happy to be its caretaker!

Throw back Thursday: 10 year anniversary Critical Mass flyer

Here is a flashback to the Bay area in 2002 for the 10 year Anniversary Critical Mass ride. Still relevant 14 years later!

Interesting Chain Tension System & Retro-Direct

I saw this at CicloSDias in San Diego last weekend.
The bicycle is currently set up as a single speed, and to provide adequate chain tension, an additional chainring is placed in the drive train.

The owner previously had the bicycle set up as a retro-direct, using two gears on the rear wheel and two chainrings on the crank. He said the elevated chainstays made it ideal.

Here is a video of the bicycle in action as a retrodirect-