1948 Schwinn Paramount Track Tandem
1948 Schwinn Paramount 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).
The Heid and Simes Families, Jack III is kid on the right
Jack Heid with Jim MacQueen, the Schwinn sales rep, and Jack Simes II
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).
Fillet brazed joints throughout the frame
Jack Heid stoked in the back…
Jack Simes II rode up here in the captain’s spot
The paint has been restored, good as new…
Schwinn Tandem Headbadge from the 1940s
A magazine article from back in the day
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…