Thanks for pointing this out David. I was thinking the same thing when I read this post. I've only owned 4 Paramounts, and still have three, two are the red '77 and blue '79 P15s that my wife and I have. I lusted after a Paramount tandem in the old days, but ended up with a locally built one instead. Already had a Raleigh track bike, so couldn't justify a P14. Now that I have finally scored another P13, I am happy. I don't have a lot of space, so I have to have some reason to collect a bike, and my wife doesn't agree with the excuses I am using now!
Mark me in the category of those who dearly love Paramounts, but also recognize them as not being the last work in high-end bicycles. They are wonderful riding bikes, with an earned place in history, but I think that anyone who says that they are the pinnacle (paramount?) of bicycle achievement in the '70s is looking through Flamboyant Red colored spectacles. I think the other Paramount owners I know would generally agree with me on this.
Hope you still haven't painted that Jack Taylor, David. You know, that
black P13 on eBay just might be your size... It's still sitting at $500.
http://ebay.com/
Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont
David Novoselsky wrote:
><snip>
>It would seem that there is little middle ground here, with those that
disdain Paramounts as second rate on one side and those who avidly collect
them on the other side of this debate.
>
><snip>
>
>
David,
I hope you don't mistakenly include Steve Barner in the group who "disdain" Paramounts. I suspect their lack of perfection does not prevent him from lusting after them. Steve -- how many did Paramounts have you owned over the years and how many do you have now? I seem to recall something about a matched his and hers set -- or am I confused as usual?
Best regards,
David -- I can't help myself, I drool every time I see a bike with chrome Nervex Pro lugs -- White Burlington, VT