Museum of Mountain Bike Art & Technology

1992 Schwinn Paramount S.A.S.S.

Schwinn team rider rode a S.A.S.S. (Schwinn Active Suspension System) frame to a bronze downhill medal at the 1991 World Mountain Bikes Championships in Italy.  The bike was brought back to Waterford and further work 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 which means you wouldn't see them on every street corner.  The unique shock system was designed by Eric Buell who made his name using Harley Davidson engines in high performance motorcycles.  Reviews of the era commented on the overbuilt and over-damped rear shock and the as-tested weight of 31.5 pounds with a Shimano Deore XT build kit.  The bike has a claimed 4" of rear travel while most bikes of the era were lucky to have 2" of travel.

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Frame		Full cro-moly frame and swing arm
Fork		Rock Shox Mag
Rear Shock		Works Performance
Rims		Campagnolo
Hubs		Suntour XC Pro Grease Guard
Spokes		DT Stainless Steel
Tires		Schwinn KOM
Pedals		Suntour XC Pro Grease Guard
Crank		Suntour XC Pro Micro Drive
Chain		Suntour AP
Rear Cogs		Suntour XC 7 speed cassette
Bottom Bracket		Suntour Grease Guard
Front Derailleur		Suntour XC Pro
Rear Derailleur		Suntour XC Pro
Shifters		Suntour Wishbone under-bar
Handlebars		Tru Temper 6000 Series aluminum
Stem		Paramount welded aluminum
Headset		Shimano Deore XT
Brake set		Dia Compe 987 front cantilever, Magura Hydro-Stop hydraulic rear
Brake levers		Dia Compe SS-7 front, Magura Hydro-Stop rear
Saddle		Selle San Marco Bontrager
Seat Post		American Classic
Colors		Blue Velvet Gas
Size		17"
Serial #