What To Look For
If you are in the market for a vintage bicycle, and in particular if you wish to restore one, then you are in the market for a Schwinn Traveler. The Traveler is an out-of-production 10-speed road bike from the 1970s. If you want a new bike that only looks vintage, then you want the Paramount. The Paramount line of road bikes dates to the 1950s, and Schwinn has released a 70th anniversary edition of this classic bike.
Common Pitfalls
Just because the Schwinn Paramount is drawn from a line classic road bike and has a steel frame does not mean it is heavy. A midsized Paramount weighs in at just less than 4 lbs. The Traveler is a steel-tube 10-speed from the era of "Breaking Away." It is an old bike and it has the weight of an old bike.
Where To Buy
Unless you have a brick and mortar shop where you live that specializes in vintage bikes, your route for finding a Schwinn Traveler runs through the classifieds, eBay and Craigslist. While the Paramount is available online, part of the point of owning such a bike is its aesthetics. Accordingly, you should go shopping at a brick and mortar bike shop and see the bike firsthand.
Cost
Given that all are second-hand and many people don't know they own a classic bicycle, Travelers can be quite cheap. But while you might only spend $10 to get the bicycle, you will spend much more in restoring it. In 2010, new Schwinn Paramount Series 9 bikes were $5,500 and Series 8 bikes were $2,700.
Article Written By Edwin Thomas
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
