The Schwinn Paramount is the iconic American lightweight bicycle. Collector bias for racing machines is well known; even a Clydesdale cyclist such as myself falls under the spell of the Coppis, Bartalis, and John Howards of the world. Having said this, my tall frame 1949 Schwinn Paramount Sports-Tourist with upright bars and Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub is one of my all-time favorite bikes. The photos show the bike as I received it over thirty years ago, transfers and double box-lining intact; with a few minor changes made by the previous rider: the John Bull Club Grips and Weinmann brakes, for instance. I would like to add the original-equipment hockey-stick chain guard, but at present I can't bring myself to change a thing. A bicycle's history is not easily dismissed; once removed or altered, it is gone forever.

1949 Schwinn Paramount Sports-Tourist ©Daniel Dahlquist