The comment about contrasting a mid-70s Paramount and a mid-70s Masi struck a responsive cord with me. Sitting in my home office, across from the computer where I am typing this are three 1970s bikes, a 1973 Paramount P-15, a 1976 Carlsbad Masi GC, and a 1979 Raleigh Team (531). All three of the bikes are in like new condition, well maintained by their original owners and restored by their last or by someone like Cyclart (who did a touch up on my otherwise very clean Masi earlier this year).
Now, I don't know if my all-chrome 73 Paramount is an exception to the rule or not, but the finish on the lugs and the overall workmanship on the bike is excellent. Does it match my Masi? Not that far off at all, if by much. Have I seen less than fabulous Paramounts from this era? Sure, but I would have to agree that I have seen some very sloppy Colnagos and Cinelli's as well, passing up more than a few before acquiring the ones I now own. (The Team is really interesting, the lugs on the 79 appear to be significantly different than the ones I have seen on other 531 bikes of the era, and unlike anything on a 753 frame. Fertile ground for another thread, but that is for another day.)
So, I guess I will vote with those who don't want to consign the early 70s Paramounts to the 'also-ran' catagorey (and, until my 1959 is finished, can't do a 'side-by-side' with these two or other bikes of the era or eras.) Ride? The Masi is the smoothest, most 'modern' of the three, with the Paramount clearly behind here, but then again, the Masi is rather special in that area. The Team? Fast, stiff, and a lot of fun, just not for a long ride!
Dave Novoselsky
Chicago, Illinois