Waterford Precision Cycles Farewell Ride

In 1938, Emil Watson began building Paramount bikes for the hard men of the Six-Day races. Paramounts were the original American upstarts bumping shoulders and elbows with the European professionals. They continued to blaze trails during the Nervex lugs-silver brazing era thanks to the craftswomanship of famed builders Wanda Omelian and Lucille Redman.

Schwinn Paramounts dominated the American racing scene and the Olympics until the end of the 1970s. The world-class quality frames were second to none. In the 1980s, the Paramount Design Group was headed by Marc Mueller and Frank Brilando who introduced innovations like oversized heat-treated tubing. Frames could be made lighter but still stiff enough to withstand the torque of powerful riders like Eric Heiden of the 7-Eleven Team. 

In 1988, Schwinn celebrated Paramount’s 50th anniversary. They produced a limited run of 50th Anniversary framesets, with features like a gold-plated fork packed in a red velvet bag and an application for a certificate, signed by Tom Schwinn, documenting ownership of that frame. Many of those frames were built up with the Campagnolo 50th Anniversary groupsets and are still ridden by their proud owners on sunny days. While Paramount may not have reached its 100th Anniversary, the limited run of 75th Anniversary frames built in 2013 had modernized vintage styling that was stunning.

Waterford craftsmen have made many custom bicycle dreams come true. Legions of devoted customers still ride their rolling art, complete with pinstripes to highlight the hand-carved lugs. When Trek moved steel production overseas, Waterford hired some of their talented tig welders for the house brand Gunnar and produced bikes and components for other brands.

I had the honor to build at Waterford for a brief period. I worked on frames, forks, handlebars, and stems for Standard BMX, Kelly, Salsa, Rivendell, Heron, Shinola, and the Milwaukee Bicycle Company. I was hired with competent skills in brazing, tig welding, and operating machine tools, but my skill set was near the bottom of their roster. 

I started welding caps on the ends of Standard BMX chainstays. I would start with a big plastic tub full of hundreds of ovals and another of mitered chainstays. I welded those ovals on the ends of the chainstays one after the other. After a few days of repetitive welding I was excited to almost be done with my tub, only to be given another full tub of the little ovals. I immediately realized I needed to change my mindset from trying to empty the bin to making each weld as perfect as I was able. Focusing on perfecting the process rather than finishing the job was an important lesson in becoming a master frame builder, like Dave Wages. 

Exacting and artistic, Dave had worked at Serotta, but he moved to Paramount for the experience. The shorelines of his lugs were so sharp and free from extra brazing material that I nicknamed him “Mr Clean.” Dave still builds stunning, modern lugged and fillet-brazed Ellis Cycles frames out of his home shop in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. His ability to incorporate classic styles with modern features like thru axles, disc brakes, and electronic shifting has won him many awards at handbuilt bicycle shows. His Strada Fango has earned a place as one of the sexiest modern all-rounders in the growing gravel bike market.

While it is sad to see this factory close, Richard Schwinn has more than earned the right to spend less time helping other people enjoy their ride and instead point his handlebars in any direction he chooses. The legacy of Paramount and Waterford Precision Cycles will live long. All of us who participated in the Waterford Farewell Factory Ride and anyone lucky enough to have a bike built in that hallowed factory will continue to ride our timeless freedom machines into the future. 

This article was originally published in the 2024 Bike Fed Ride Guide. Active Bike Fed members receive a print or digital copy, according to preference, each spring. Join/renew today to support cycling in Wisconsin and receive our next copy in 2025!