"Schwinn team rider Glen Adams rode a S.A.S.S. (Schwinn Active Suspension System) frame to a bronze downhill medal at the 1991 World Mountain Bike Championship in Italy. The bike was brought back to Waterford and further work was done on the linkage. Schwinn then sold approximately 200 of these frames in 1992. The frame, fork and rear brake retailed for about $1,800.00, which means you won't see them on every street corner. The unique shock system was designed by Erik Buell, who made his name using Harley-Davidson engines in high performance motorcycles." --Mombat
(Note: It has been said that Schwinn originally planned to produce only 200 frames, but having found a few extra parts, went on to build three more; bringing the total number of Schwinn Paramount S.A.S.S. Buells to 203).
Since our mother's maiden name is Buell, my brother and I were eager to see the Buell Paramount. In the spring of 1992 I heard that the Schwinn dealer in Des Moines, Iowa had a "blue velvet gas" Buell on the display floor! My brother and I, along with our Dad, rushed to see it. We arrived at the bike shop and quickly scanned this room and that, but no Paramount was to be seen. We asked a clerk behind the counter: Where is the Buell Paramount? He had a sheepish look on his face when he told us it had been stolen (a University of Iowa student had taken it for a test ride in the parking lot; he then decided to drive off with it in his van). So it would be a few years before either my brother or I actually saw this rare Schwinn mountain bike up close. We each eventually found one. Here is mine, complete with rare Kooka components:
(Note: It has been said that Schwinn originally planned to produce only 200 frames, but having found a few extra parts, went on to build three more; bringing the total number of Schwinn Paramount S.A.S.S. Buells to 203).
Since our mother's maiden name is Buell, my brother and I were eager to see the Buell Paramount. In the spring of 1992 I heard that the Schwinn dealer in Des Moines, Iowa had a "blue velvet gas" Buell on the display floor! My brother and I, along with our Dad, rushed to see it. We arrived at the bike shop and quickly scanned this room and that, but no Paramount was to be seen. We asked a clerk behind the counter: Where is the Buell Paramount? He had a sheepish look on his face when he told us it had been stolen (a University of Iowa student had taken it for a test ride in the parking lot; he then decided to drive off with it in his van). So it would be a few years before either my brother or I actually saw this rare Schwinn mountain bike up close. We each eventually found one. Here is mine, complete with rare Kooka components:
1992 Schwinn Paramount S.A.S.S. Buell Mountain Bike ©Daniel Dahlquist