Though the Wastyns were shut out out Paramount production, they remained Schwinn dealers under favorable terms with Schwinn. Though the Wastyns no longer build Paramounts, many of their later frames were painted at Schwinn. Frank Greco, a Chicago native, spent his war years in California, and stayed out in California after the war. During that time he started the San Diego Cycle Club, bought his first Paramount and became very successful at selling them.
The most common difficulty is that the Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8 (I. S.O. 597 mm) interchanges with the British 26 x 1 1/4, not the British 26 x 1 3/8 (I. S.O. 590 mm). While the Paramount had proven itself the most successful schwinn beach cruiser American racing bike of the 20th century, it became apparent that changes needed to take place or its reputation would be lost. We offer service contracts on a monthly, bimonthly and quarterly basis.
At Paramount’s peak in the mid-70’s, 10 frames per week came from Wisconsin and 15 from Chicago. There is no obvious way to distinguish the Wisconsin-built Paramounts from those built at the Schwinn factory. P-10 – Deluxe Paramount – designed for non-competition road riding and included front and rear eyelets, 27 x 1 1/4″ clincher tires and Weinmann center pull brakes. You could order it with Campy side pulls and/or custom geometry as an option. P-11 – Paramount Tourist – designed for upright bars and recreational rides.
The West Coast had its own cast of characters, including Tom Ritchey and Eisentraut. Starting in 1971, Schwinn outsourced excess Paramount production to Pioneer Manufacturing of Racine, Wisconsin, owned by Don Mainland. Don was an accomplished bike racer as well as successful industrialist.
After racing in the midwest, he raced in Japan’s Kierin circuit in the early 50’s. He then returned to the US, where he set the coast to coast cross country record, which stood for eleven years. Don’s firm supplied the 1972 Olympic frames and Schwinn Superiors during the 1980’s. His tooling firm supplied Schwinn’s manufacturing all the way until 1990 in Mississippi. Wanda Omelian performed brazing almost from the outset, and Stanley Peters joined the group in 1960 to file.
Geometry also went through changes in the 70’s with shorter wheelbases, steeper head angles and steeper seat angles replacing the established geometries of the 60’s. These became fashionable for criteriums – the fastest growing type of race in the US. Components from Campagnolo continued to advance, but a more radical revolution was taking place in tire technology from Europe with the introduction of 700 x 18C and 700 x 20C tires.
Enjoy 1500 hours of battery life via 2 standard AA batteries. All Schwinn Authentic Cycling indoor bikes come standard with Double Link pedals with SPD and toe-clip combinations to accommodate both cycling cleats and regular athletic shoes. The AC Power bike is Schwinn Triple Link pedal compatible. Triple Link Pedals accommodate Look, Delta and SPD style cleats to simulate an outdoor riding experience. They easily convert to accept traditional athletic shoes with the snap-in locking toe clips.