This category includes road bikes, roadsters, racing bikes, etc… generally with a tire width of less than 1 3/4″. L’Eroica uses 1987 as the cutoff year and I will adjust this category to conform with their rules as far as what they constitute as vintage.

1987 Cannondale Black Lightnings

1987 was the introductory year of the Black Lightning (SR800). The frames on these bikes were made of aluminum with a Tange chrome-moly fork and are very stiff. The derailleurs were SunTour Sprint, Dia Compe brakes, a beautiful Cinelli Volare SLX saddle, and other components from Wolber, Sansin, and Nitto. The bikes were finished in black with contrasting gold decals and chain. Shown are three first year Black Lightnings in 54, 56, & 58 cm Owner: Shawn Sweeney

1938 Schwinn Paramount

Six day bicycle racing was a popular sport in America starting about 1891 up until the Second World War Initially a single rider would try to complete as many laps as possible in six days of riding on an inside track (velodrome). Within a few years the sport evolved to have two man teams so they could ride 24 hours. Although many American riders participated many rode bikes of foreign manufacture.

In the 1930s, Schwinn sponsored a bicycle racing team headed by Emil Wastyn, who designed the team bikes, and the company competed in six-day racing across the United States with riders such as Jerry Rodman and Russell Allen. The Paramount was developed in 1937 but was officially introduced in 1938 in response to rider’s requests for a high quality American bicycle. Developed from experiences gained in racing, Schwinn established Paramount as their answer to high-end, professional competition bicycles https://waterfordbikes.com/the-early-years-1938-1959/

This Schwinn Paramount (A324) was gifted to Daniel Patten by Harold Ade in the late 1950’s. Harold Ade competed in the 1932 Olympics in California. Daniel Patten went to high school with Harold Ade’s two daughters. Harold Ade and Daniel Patten were both members of the Oak Park, IL Bicycling Club. Together they fixed up bikes, mapped out rides, recruited members, etc. Harold Ade became his mentor. Daniel Patten had basically no means of transportation and Ade gave the bike (A324) to Patten in the late 1950’s for club rides and college transportation. In that time period the bike was sent back to Schwinn and refurbished so it could be an everyday rider. Daniel Patten also met his wife in the club also. Daniel likely put a gentle 10k+ miles on the bike commuting from Oak Park to Evanston, IL (17.5 miles) on rain free days for about 3-4 years before they saved enough for a car. Earlier this year the family had the bike detailed and took it to the home where their father resided to show it to him for the last time. The family regrettably was forced to sell the bike this year to help pay for his medical expenses. This information was provided to Dave Weber by (Daniel Patten Jr.) 2019.

My plans for this bike include a correct repaint/decals and possibly a change to a period Simplex derailleur along with a correct fork.