The $7,000 Schwinn (depending upon components)
 

Seems to be a bit of hype when you can get a sub $1,000 Gios (Italian) or Gunnar (American) steel frame, with mid-level Shimano or SRAM components for less than $1K more. Still this Reynolds 953 stainless steel frame with the top line SRAM group, nets $7K. A work of handmade American-built art, IMO.

http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-con...rame-front.jpg

http://www.velonews.com/files/images/Paramount.jpg

http://www.velonews.com/files/images/Paramount2.jpg

http://www.schwinnbikes.com/paramount/

It's made in the old Paramount factory that Richard Schwinn owns

About time they built something real again!! Bet we won't find that at wally world:D

I agree, but whoa! That price!

Granted, Reynolds 953 is the new uber-steel from Britain. It's made, essentially, from the same steel as fine silverware - hence "stainless." So the bike won't rust, and will last for generations.

But that price!

I know of a builder who can custom build a 953 frame for $2,500. Put a lightly-used last year's gruppo of whatever you want - Dura-Ace, Record, SRAM Red - for $1,500, and at $4K, there you have it. Perfection.

The remaining $3K can go into cute cycling outfits. :D

Scott emails his enjoyment of riding my old supercourse...sold to him for $200 + shipping. But...he can't brag about spending $7K, can he? ;)

I'm sending him this link...maybe he'll post a pic?

How does the 953 compare to Ti? I'm angling to buy a Ti bike with Ultegra parts. My wife doesn't know about this yet but that's what I want for my bday and xmas. There's a local builder that I can order from but I'm also looking at Merlin.

Still that Paramount is sweet. I was just checking out the ad in Bicycling. Out of my reach at $7k though. I think I'll enter the sweepstakes.

953 is said to be better riding than Ti. And of late, becoming less expensive. Case in point is that frame builder I mentioned. About a year ago, you couldn't touch 953 for less than $5K.

Plus it's steel. And really, you can't beat that with any other material.

Overall, his is probably a better bicycle. But that's just my opinion. I'm old school when I can be old school.

The lugs on that bike are work of art.

This is not just a nice ride, it's a stunning piece of craftsmanship.

angela

Yup, steel is real. However, that Paramount looks too nice to ride. I'd love to own one though.

WOW, that price is breathtaking...:eek:

I just bought a new pinarello F4.13 with all campie chorus carbon 11 speed which listed out for 6400.00 paid 5020.00 weight is just under 17 pounds.

I ride a Ti bike and after riding his carbon fiber bike, could not pick up any difference in road feel, it did accelerate faster due to the 2-3 pound difference in weight but hey, we are splitting hair here.

I think the last time I checked with TiCycles.com you could pick up a complete ti bike for around 4K.

Meh. No better than the old, Waterford-built Paramounts. The lugs are nice, but anyone can buy some Henry James' and put together a nice looking frame.
Schwinn still has a lot of work to do to clear their name.

Doesn't anybody remember Columbus Metax?
One of the frames I still regret passing on is the Rhygin Juke. God those were beautiful.

Are those real Nervex lugs? Didn't know anybody used anything like that anymore.

My first 'real' bike was a brand new 1975 Paramount P10 with all Campagnolo. Silver with chrome Nervex lugs. $600 brand new :cool:

Yes, IIRC.

I hope you still have that bike. I've seen them sell for nearly $3K on the secondary market.

The last time I saw a cherry old school Paramount was in Barcelona, of all places.

my LBS has a full carbon road bike for $14,000!!!! WTF?!?!?!?

So does mine. A Pinarello like the one Sastre won the Tour de France on. $15K.

Sastre gets them for free, though.

Yes, but it is still a cool bike. I kick myself for not buying the black & Glold Paramount (those who really know bikes will know what I'm talking about) and aa friend, when he retired from Bumos Porsche won one in a bet:eek: (I know all parties involved, it was a real bet) and am old school enough. BTW, DD being an old school guy to has jumped up on the scale of people I want t hang out & drink with, not that it matters to him.

Extremely cool, but at that price, it's just ridiculous. For $7k you could buy two Cervelos for cryin' out loud!

cantdrv55. check out www.sycip.com they're up in santa rosa. i believe they do ti, but they can build you a nice reynolds 853 in the 16lb. range. one of the nicest riding bikes i've had. they can also build with carbon rear stays. fillet, tig or lugged.