I never saw a factory clincher-equipped P13 in the Schwinn dealership where I worked from '72 to '79, but I am not surprised to hear that they were available in that configuration. There was such a difference in the clinchers and sewups at that time that the choice was clear for performance riders. I will bet dollars to donuts that, if you can find a 1973 P13 with factory clinchers, the frame measurements will be slightly different than those of the same model with sewups. In 1977, I ordered a P15 with 27" clinchers and was amazed at the unexpectedly large amount of clearance the bike had. When I ordered my wife's P15 two years later, I made sure to spec it with sewups and Campy brakes, and it came through with much tighter clearances. The difference between 27" and 700c is not very great, but it is enough to create compatibility problems if the brake shoes are already near the end of the slots. All the '70s Paramount road bikes appeared to have enough tire clearance to accomodate 27" clinchers on a bike delivered with sewups, as long as you didn't want to squeeze fenders in as well. My P15 is a 21", while my wife's is a 20" and there is a full 2" difference in the wheelbases. I recall a rumor that smaller frame Paramounts were designed to provide toeclip clearance with the front wheel when ordered with clinchers, but not when speced with tubulars. I do not know how true this is, but there is some logic to it, and it is consistent with our two bikes.
Do the stock frame measurements for the various configurations of Chicago Paramounts still exist anywhere?
Steve Barner, wishing I had gone with 700c in '77, Bolton, Vermont
----- Original Message ----- > actually i just picked up the dealer catalog
for both 1973 and 1975
> paramounts yesterday. this is what it says. for 1973 it shows the P15-9
> came with schwinn-approves alloy rims on campagnolo record high flange
hubs.
> it staes below that tubulars are available at an extra charge and that
once
> again "schwinn-approved alloy rims" were used. the P10-9 does not specify
> wheels. the P13-9 also offers schwinn approved alloy rims, and there is a
> tubular option. clement "50" tubular are standard with a campionato del
> mondo is extra. the P14-0 track bike comes with schwinn-approved rims aqnd
> clement no 3 silk tubulars.
> for 1975 the catalog states:
> for t he P13-9 it does not specify rims just says "aluminum alloy rims"
> for the P14-0 track bike it specifies schwinn -approved 330 gram alloy
> rims. the P15-9 aluminum alloy rims. the P10-9 the same.
> that all that was listed in the catalogs i have.
> i would be glad to copy them for anyone who wants.
> thanks
> peace
> sarah g
> kcks