Hey ! Me Too !
Schwinn started offering Sturmey Archer 3-Speed rear hubs , pretty early , on Paramounts . That was long-long before there was a Campagnolo part on a Paramount .
My cheap photo-copy of a 1954 dealer catalog lists "stiff hub" ( fixed gear ) , freewheeling ( single cog ) , or 3-speed .
Schwinn also used other 3-speed hubs , somewhat , at least during the 1950's . But , I'd guess that most of the 3-speed Paramounts were equipped with Sturmey Archer 3-Speed rear hubs .
Schwinn also offered coaster brake rear hubs , I think all the way back to the beginning in 1938 ? If not , it was very soon after 1938 . Schwinn seldom pinned themselves down to one brand name of coaster brake , in writing , in the catalogs . But , I'd bet that almost any Paramount which might have come with a coaster brake rear hub , would have had a New Departure rear hub .
Quick , where's the nearest time machine ?
I need to order up a Pre-World-War-Two all out "Paramount Racer" with a fixed gear rear hub .
And , a Pre-World-War-Two all out "Paramount Racer" with a New Departure coaster brake .
And , a Pre-World-War-Two "Paramount Sports-Tourist" with a Sturmey Archer 3-Speed and with "Schwinn-Built" caliper brakes .
( the Schwinn-Built front drum brake was a Paramount option too !! and they made a few front drum brakes with aluminum flanges !! )
And , a 1950's Paramount "Tourist" with a Sturmey Archer 3-Speed .
And , one with CAMPAGNOLO parts , a 1960's Paramount "Tourist" with a Sturmey Archer 3-Speed !!!
My 1967 & 1968 Schwinn consumer catalogs clearly still list the Paramount P-11 Tourist . But they list it only as a 10-speed ( Campagnolo Record equipped , with upright handlebar & sprung saddle ( Brooks I'm sure ) .
My 1965 Schwinn consumer catalog clearly lists the Paramount P-11 Tourist , and offers it :
" Paramount Tourist. Finest quality touring bike. ( Choice of 3-speed or 10-speed ) . . . . . . . . $175.00 "
So , 1965 or 1966 was the last year that Schwinn offered 3-Speed Paramounts in the catalogs . But , I'll bet you could have custom ordered them later than that .
I wonder what was the last year they offered coaster brakes ?
And when was the very last Paramount shipped out with a custom ordered coaster brake ?
( you know some rich kid just had to have one . . . :^)
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
> I've seen a paramount women's frame on Ebay recently. But, from
> spying on the 1962 dealer catalogue :
>
> http://www.geocities.com/
>
> "Paramounts are also available with 10-speed, 3-speed and coaster
> brake ... or custom track bikes". Gosh i'd like to see an OEM
> Paramount Coaster Brake bike with Campy QR hubs !!!
>
> - Don