Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Bike from a friend

Hello everyone, my friend told me i can have this Schwinn Cimarron mtb, it's a 80 era model i was told, it looks like never been riden more than once,everything looks new,the rear brake is at the front of the chain stay,and the the brake type are not as the usual ,i am new to riding bicycle,just learning the rope,any idea as to how to find out the value of this bike? Thanks in advance
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u306/smile_at_u90012/DSC_3687.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u306/smile_at_u90012/DSC_3688.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u306/smile_at_u90012/DSC_3694.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u306/smile_at_u90012/DSC_3697.jpg

It looks to be in "as new" condition. i don't know anything about this model but from your photos I'd say it appears to be a pretty basic, no-nonsense entry level bike. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, simple to use and maintain and if it gets you out riding it's doing its job! I'd use a bike like this on the road and on smooth trails - not for hard cross-country off road use. Enjoy your bike!

Very nice bike!

You'll want to read up on what Sheldon Brown has to say about monitoring brake shoe wear (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_u-v.html) on those under the seat stay u-brakes.

The Cimarron was in the upper half of Schwinn's ATB lineup. They had an entry level bike, then the Sierra and High Sierra, then the Cimarron. I think there was another bike above the Cimarron.

See comments on other mountain bike valuations. Unfortunately, values are pretty low. MTBs don't get much interest in the used market, and this is a low end one (but one that is very, very clean). Kind of looks like a 1985, but I am not sure.

Lugged steel fillet brazed frame? Thats a very nice frameset. Shimano 200GS componets suggest 1992 as well as the 'G'-force fork.

Something doesnt seem right with that bike. Perusing the catalogs I'm not seeing a Cimmaron in the early 90's and I'm clearly not seeing lugged/fillet brazed frames.

It seems as if there's a big disparity between the level of components and frame.

All of the Cimarron specs that I am finding suggest the bike should have some version of Deore on it --

All of the Cimarron specs that I am finding suggest the bike should have some version of Deore on it --

Exactly.....but those Cimmarons were mid 80's model. The OP's bike is clearly something different. Schwinn wasnt using the Team'G' forks until the early 90's, seat graphics are early 90's....

I just noticed my thread has been moved and i don't blame him, i have just found out the front 3 sprockets,yes, all three , are not round, if this is not ridiculous, i dont know what is, but i cleaned the whole bike and it looks very nice however.thanks for reading.

Sounds like your bike has Biopace chainrings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopace

Say What? i hope it's adds more value to the bike, thanks a lot.

Say What? i hope it's adds more value to the bike, thanks a lot.

It doesn't. I thought you wanted to learn more about your bike. If not, nevermind.

Like i said before, i am learning the rope,hope the crankset is popular or add more value to the bike, i just cleaned the whole bike and it looks nice, thanks.

Like i said before, i am learning the rope,hope the crankset is popular or add more value to the bike, i just cleaned the whole bike and it looks nice, thanks.

The crankset with Biopace is 'neutral'. It neither adds nor deducts from the overall value.

Best thing you can do to add value to your bike is to upgrade all the components to the latest Shimano XT group.

On the flip side, this may cost around $1,500.

-Kurt