1948 Schwinn Paramount Track Tandem
Schwinn’s Paramount division built this track bike for Jack Simes II in 1948.
Jack II is the second generation of four generations of a fantastically talented cycling family. Jack Senior, Jack II, and Jack III all together had multiple national records, championship medals, and olympic berths (there is a Jack IV, and he is making his way as a bike racer too).
Simes partnered with his protege Jack Heid and tore up the track with this bike.
It was the first “Paramount” tandem ever built (Schwinn had made tandems for casual cyclists before, but nothing from the Paramount racing branch of the company).
The fillet brazed lugs are magnificent, and the design of the bike was quite versatile, with enough clearance for large tires so that Jack and Jack could race on the occasional dirt track.
By the way, in the family photo, notice the little boy standing by the front handlebars? That’s Jack Simes III, and he makes another appearance in this museum section with our photo of the 1960 Olympic cycling team and the 1960 Paramount tandem…