Bike of the Day: Schwinn Paramount

So there’s a lot of history behind the Paramount. Legend goes (and it really has a ring of legend) that Serotta built this late 90’s Schwinn Paramount. Evidently, Serotta didn’t want the word to get out that they built something for a mainstream manufacturer so they’ve followed up every leak on the internet and tried to eliminate these leaks. As for the bike, this particular paramount frame is constructed with titanium tubing and—obviously—a heavy dose of Serotta craftsmanship.

Last year, when I was looking to upgrade my road bike I saw this bike on Craigslist. This particular version came equipped with 9-speed Ultegra componentry (my favorite). The crank was a double, even cleaner. I knew better than to let this one go. So I called the guy immediately and we ended up meeting on Mercer Island that evening. I came in the minivan with kids in tow, which actually has bearing on this story.

So the guy shows up, and I hop on the ride. The frame was low to the ground. The bike handled nimbly, just this side of twitchy. You could tell it would really rip. The seller needed money to cover rent and decided to jettison the Paramount. I hemmed and hawed and eventually decided to buy it. I knew better than to come with money (a different sad story) so I went to the bank—with the kids still in tow. At the bank, I just couldn’t bite the bullet. I kept thinking about how much kids cost and how irresponsible it would be to blow 800 bones on a bike. So I went back to the guy and said “sorry, I’m a dork. Thanks for letting me ride your bike a couple of times around the park n’ ride.” He shrugged and that was the last I ever heard of him.

Fast forward a month and a half. It’s July 11th at mile 150 of the STP. I’m lying under a tree feeling slightly nauseous. Around me are hundreds of sweaty one-day riders. And suddenly—one tree over—I see a Schwinn Paramount. I walk over to the guy and begin talking to him about the bike. Long story short, he was the guy that actually bought the bike after I walked away. I still day dream about buying the bike. But I don’t regret the decision I made . . . at least not much.