A Pretty Exceptional Bicycle

Every time that I walk into the bike shop I take a visual inventory. It's not so much a purposeful inventory. But just to see if there is anything new or different that I can ogle over. And on just such a recent occasion I saw this bike hanging from the scale on display.

 This is a 1972 Schwinn Paramount.

Anyone who knows me or has read this blog for any length of time knows I'm a sucker for an old steel bike.  Paramount's in particular. And one with some lovely Campagnolo components hung on it!? Well sold and sold!

I asked Steve and Larry  where the frame came from. And Larry explained to me that it's owner use to work at the shop. His name is Kerry Montgomery (Forgive me if my spelling is wrong.) and unfortunately was very sick and could no longer use it. So he thought it would be nice to display at the shop for a while.

And I 'm so glad they did. What a truly lovely example of a Merchx era bike.

I wanted to do a photographic expose on it (Even though my camera work leaves quite a bit to be desired.)



Just under 24lbs. That was a very competitive weight for it's time.



Clement were the tubulars of choice any race bike back in the day.



A head badge that needs no introduction. Check out the beautiful chrome lugs and fork crown too.



The paint color is a wonderful compliment to the chrome and silver bits. Especially the Campy groupo.



The Silca frame pump colored to match is a lovely touch. And something you only see on fully custom frames anymore.



A very tight cluster of gears and not near as many as now a days (True 10 speed).





Every component on this bike is near mint Campagnolo Nuovo Record. Just beautiful...





Looking at this bike, can in one breath shows how far we've come technologically. But also what we've lost in care and craftsmanship. You don't see lugs like that outside a fully custom shop anymore. You don't see a lot of things outside a custom shop anymore. They're are to busy trying to figure out which mass produced carbon frame from Taiwan or China will look the best with their logos and stickers on it (Sorry, I'm getting a little to retro grouch.). It's just a sign of the times unfortunately.

But we can have things like this bike to remind us of a simpler time. A more "hands on" time.

In a way, I think of it just like modern cars. A new car is in almost every way superior to their predecessor. But if given a choice. Would you rather have a new Mustang or a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang (The model they based the new one on.)? Yeah, me too....

Thanks for reading.

Rubber side down,

Big E