Schwinn Paramount P-15 "Country Bike"
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Jim Cloud
Jul 9, 2012, 6:29:59 PM7/9/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
I just added some photos to my Flickr photostream that might interest
those in this group. I converted this bike from a 27" to 700c size,
using the long-reach Tektro R556 brakes to accommodate the smaller
wheel size. This bike makes a nice classic "Country Bike", thanks to
those brakes!
The other recent changes made were to fit the bike with wider
handlebars and a suitable stem. I'd used some original Cinelli Giro
d'Italia handlebars and Cinelli 1-A stem for some time, but the narrow
width (38 cm) of the Cinelli bars just felt very constrained. I'd
guess I'd gotten use to the wider bars on my Rivendell Road Standard,
which are the Nitto B-185 type in 44 cm width (basically the same bar
as the current "Mark's Bar" sold by Riv - although the "Mark's Bar" is
a lightened type).
The bars that I chose to use are the Nitto B-176 "Dream" bars, along
with a Nitto "Pearl" stem that I had available from my stock. I also
decided to switch the derailleur controls from H/B end type to a set
of classic Campagnolo "Record" downtube control levers.
This is a really nice bike! Here's the photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37964304@N05/sets/72157630501496260/
Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ
those in this group. I converted this bike from a 27" to 700c size,
using the long-reach Tektro R556 brakes to accommodate the smaller
wheel size. This bike makes a nice classic "Country Bike", thanks to
those brakes!
The other recent changes made were to fit the bike with wider
handlebars and a suitable stem. I'd used some original Cinelli Giro
d'Italia handlebars and Cinelli 1-A stem for some time, but the narrow
width (38 cm) of the Cinelli bars just felt very constrained. I'd
guess I'd gotten use to the wider bars on my Rivendell Road Standard,
which are the Nitto B-185 type in 44 cm width (basically the same bar
as the current "Mark's Bar" sold by Riv - although the "Mark's Bar" is
a lightened type).
The bars that I chose to use are the Nitto B-176 "Dream" bars, along
with a Nitto "Pearl" stem that I had available from my stock. I also
decided to switch the derailleur controls from H/B end type to a set
of classic Campagnolo "Record" downtube control levers.
This is a really nice bike! Here's the photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37964304@N05/sets/72157630501496260/
Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ
Joe K
Jul 9, 2012, 7:22:40 PM7/9/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
It's beautiful, Jim!
One question. On such a tall bike, how do you feel about the downtube
shifters? When I went from a 58cm frame to a 62cam Riv, I found the
reach to the downtube something I wouldn't want to do routinely, so
opted for bar-ends. Perhaps your arms are longer than mine.
I have a Univega beater that has the right frame size, but the stem
and bars don't really fit...looking for longer and wider myself.
Joe
One question. On such a tall bike, how do you feel about the downtube
shifters? When I went from a 58cm frame to a 62cam Riv, I found the
reach to the downtube something I wouldn't want to do routinely, so
opted for bar-ends. Perhaps your arms are longer than mine.
I have a Univega beater that has the right frame size, but the stem
and bars don't really fit...looking for longer and wider myself.
Joe
pb
Jul 9, 2012, 7:24:37 PM7/9/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Very, very pretty bike, except the pump peg clamped across the 531 sticker gives me the heeby-jeebies. Yeah, I know -- the pump was painted to match. I wouldn't have been able to install that clip in that location, but I'm sure others will disagree. :-)
Lovely bike, nice colour.
Peter
Jim Cloud
Jul 9, 2012, 8:12:51 PM7/9/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Joe,
I had the downtube shifters mounted lower until recently on the
downtube. They really were too much of a reach! I had my mechanic
move them up recently, and I've found them to be satisfactory.
By the way, I did use downtube shifters on this bike for many years
previously. The Campy shifters were the original equipment on the
bike from Schwinn (although they also supplied SunTour Bar-cons as an
optional extra).
Jim
I had the downtube shifters mounted lower until recently on the
downtube. They really were too much of a reach! I had my mechanic
move them up recently, and I've found them to be satisfactory.
By the way, I did use downtube shifters on this bike for many years
previously. The Campy shifters were the original equipment on the
bike from Schwinn (although they also supplied SunTour Bar-cons as an
optional extra).
Jim
Jim Cloud
Jul 9, 2012, 8:15:23 PM7/9/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
I cringed a bit... but the pump is a really long Silca that fits the
size of the bike. When the bike was painted by CyclArt they put the
531 decal in the position it now occupies. I suppose it would have
better on the lower portion of the seat tube, but that's where it is!
Jim
size of the bike. When the bike was painted by CyclArt they put the
531 decal in the position it now occupies. I suppose it would have
better on the lower portion of the seat tube, but that's where it is!
Jim
robert zeidler
Jul 9, 2012, 9:35:33 PM7/9/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
have you weighed it? It's a looker!
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Jim Cloud
Jul 9, 2012, 9:50:47 PM7/9/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Robert,
Thanks for your remark! The most recent time I took the bike into my
LBS (to install the bars and stem) my favorite mechanic commented "I
love this bike"...
I haven't bothered to weigh the bike. I'm sure it's no lightweight.
Schwinn had a design philosophy, back in the day, that stressed
rigidity over lightness (Ref: "The Custom Bicycle", Michael J. Kolin
and Denise M. de la Rosa, copyright 1979). They actually spec'd a
special frametube set from Reynolds that was heavier than the standard
531DB set. The weight was concentrated in thicker butts on the tube
ends.
As some have commented, the additional weight of a filled water bottle
is equivalent to the weight that many have stressed out about!
Jim
Thanks for your remark! The most recent time I took the bike into my
LBS (to install the bars and stem) my favorite mechanic commented "I
love this bike"...
I haven't bothered to weigh the bike. I'm sure it's no lightweight.
Schwinn had a design philosophy, back in the day, that stressed
rigidity over lightness (Ref: "The Custom Bicycle", Michael J. Kolin
and Denise M. de la Rosa, copyright 1979). They actually spec'd a
special frametube set from Reynolds that was heavier than the standard
531DB set. The weight was concentrated in thicker butts on the tube
ends.
As some have commented, the additional weight of a filled water bottle
is equivalent to the weight that many have stressed out about!
Jim
Ryan Ray
Jul 9, 2012, 10:29:37 PM7/9/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
That is a pretty bike.
On Monday, July 9, 2012 3:29:59 PM UTC-7, Jim Cloud wrote:
Love the 27 to 700c conversion idea.
- Ryan
On Monday, July 9, 2012 3:29:59 PM UTC-7, Jim Cloud wrote:
Joe Bernard
Jul 9, 2012, 11:42:57 PM7/9/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
They went to OS tubing for the last years of Original-Schwinn Paramounts, too. This was in the "let's make this thing as stiff as possible" era.
Joe Bernard
Vallejo, CA.
rob markwardt
Jul 10, 2012, 1:01:47 AM7/10/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Awesome! Jim I think you've got one of the best Rivendells I've ever
seen but that Paramount is right up there. I'm also in the Paramount/
Riv club and did a similar rebuild to yours a few years ago. I
swapped a lot of the original parts in the name of ride-ability and of
course Nitto took over the steering components. I went with a TA
crank and DiaCompe/Schwinn center pulls and recently converted back to
the original Campy high flange hubs mated to 700c wheels. I ride my
Rivendells more but I LOVE my Paramount.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77502424@N00/6617514353/
Rob Markwardt
Seattle,WA
seen but that Paramount is right up there. I'm also in the Paramount/
Riv club and did a similar rebuild to yours a few years ago. I
swapped a lot of the original parts in the name of ride-ability and of
course Nitto took over the steering components. I went with a TA
crank and DiaCompe/Schwinn center pulls and recently converted back to
the original Campy high flange hubs mated to 700c wheels. I ride my
Rivendells more but I LOVE my Paramount.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77502424@N00/6617514353/
Rob Markwardt
Seattle,WA
Jim Cloud
Jul 10, 2012, 1:20:34 AM7/10/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Rob,
You have a very nice looking Paramount! I think the all chrome
Paramounts were some of the most attractive Chicago era Paramounts,
and yours is top notch!
The conversion of a 27" wheel size to 700c really increases the
versatility of a classic bike, in my opinion. There are certainly
some good 27" tires available, but they aren't as diversified as those
in the 700c size.
Like you, I do ride my Rivendell more frequently, but my Paramount is
still a great bike.
Jim
You have a very nice looking Paramount! I think the all chrome
Paramounts were some of the most attractive Chicago era Paramounts,
and yours is top notch!
The conversion of a 27" wheel size to 700c really increases the
versatility of a classic bike, in my opinion. There are certainly
some good 27" tires available, but they aren't as diversified as those
in the 700c size.
Like you, I do ride my Rivendell more frequently, but my Paramount is
still a great bike.
Jim
Robert Zeidler
Jul 10, 2012, 6:04:32 AM7/10/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
True enough. I own 4-5 26" Paramounts(black, yellow, orange, green, brown). Probably will sell them pretty soon, as it's become clear that a bicycle collection can own me rather than vice-versa. Looking for a chrome one though!!
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