cooperryder

It must have been at least 6 years ago I picked up a 1988 Schwinn Cimarron that was in pretty rough shape especially the faded and very scratched and chipped black paint.

1988 is the year they used on some models the 'under the chainstay' rear brakes which I really do not care for.

I kept putting the project off due in part to the rough paint and also the rear brake location.

I even used the chrome fork off this Cimarron on another bike (a 700c) wheeled bike for a time.

About 3 weeks ago I was bored and wanted a bike project so I decided to have the frame powdercoated and get it going again.

I got it back from the powdercoater guy about 10 days ago I started on the build up with lots of life interruptions delaying the finish.

Today I finished it and I rode it 7 miles for a shake down ride and it rode very nice and comfortable as was expected.

I've had a couple other 23" Cimarrons over the years which proved to be a bit too tall but this 22" frame feels just right.

I had a hard time deciding on a color and just picked yellow. Oh well, not gonna 2nd guess myself.

The only thing I didn't actually have on hand was some top tube cable clamps for the rear brake cable resolution of not using under the chainstay brakes.
They haven't arrived yet , hence zip ties for now.

I sawed the under chainstay posts off and filed fairly smooth before the powdercoating.

I tried to do the build with parts I had on hand.

Parts highlights:
-Vintage Deore Triple crankset
-Vintage Deore front and rear derailers
-Nitto B352 (Albatross) handlebar
-Dirt drop stem (knock off I found on Amazon and have on several bikes)
-Vintage Suntour ratcheting barend shifters
-Shimano brake levers I found in my parts bins.
-Front brakes original I think...I'll double check ...
Dia Compe NGC-982 cantilevers
-Rear brake, a fat Tektro beach cruiser super long reach caliper
-Mismatched anodized 26" wheelset (Specialized rim on front and Matrix rim on rear) but close enough.
- Continental Urban Contact 26x2.15 tires (Nice quality and smooth rolling and not too expensive.)
-Brass Crane bell.

Pics below:

cooperryder

Arrowana

That turned out great! The shade of yellow you picked combined with the filet-brazed headtube make me think of a Schwinn Continental.

The Golden Boy 

That's pretty lovely!!!

cooperryder

Thank you Arrowana.

That's exactly what I thought when the powder coat guy handed it to me.

A yellow Schwinn Continental was the first bike I had as an adult in my 20's. That must have been around 1978 or so.

I paid $50 for it , had a rear rack and child seat installed on it and hauled my children around on it when they were small.
It seemed indestructible.

I'm not sure what I did with it .

I probably sold it or gave it away after I bought a brand new black 1986 Schwinn Tempo.

Wow, the difference between the two bikes astounded me!

That's when I got hooked on cycling.

Thanks again.

​​​​​

TenGrainBread 

Great color choice.
I will protest that you drew'd the chainsaw u-brake bosses. Not only from a preservation perspective but also those u-brakes would have been way better stoppers than the massive sidepull you fitted.

pastorbobnlnh 

Why not add "Continental" decals--- or "Cimarronental!"

brightsideofit 

Very nicely done. How's the powder coat quality? I see it's chipped a bit around the seatpost insertion area. I'm considering getting a frame powder coated white so I'm looking for some advice.

cooperryder

Fun idea!

Or Cimanental as in sentimental of my old yellow Continental.

cooperryder

In the past I've been pretty pleased with this powdercoater but this time not so much.

It's like he didn't take the prep steps like before.

Some of the rack and fender mount bosses were not covered properly as was the seat tube.

Also when you look close a few areas are a bit thin on the covering. You have to look close but it's not as uniform as it should be on close inspection.

A fellow that bought a Trek frame I had up for sale with bad paint had it powder coated at a different place and it looks great. I'll try the other place in the future.

I have some touch up paint in a similar yellow that I can use to cover that spot.

Regarding the seatpost what is the spec'd size, 26.6 or 26.8?

In it's past life someone put a shim in and it now takes a 26.4 seatpost.

'02 nrs 

great build & must have been enjoyable to not worry 'bout period correct this & that but ride it & not hide it.only thing missing is some chainstay protection.also the rear brake may have more bite if you can space the arms a bit more from the pads.my '88(?) waiting for a redoo.

madpogue 

Do you have the U-brake? If you're not taking it off-road, the location isn't really an issue, and the U-brake design itself makes for a strong brake. That would allow you to use the existing cable stops/guides. If you go with the seatstay-mounted brake, some actual cable guide clips to replace the zip-ties would be in order. 'Course, before the powdercoating would have been a nice opportunity to braze some cable guides onto the top tube.

cooperryder

Thanks for the compliments and input everyone.

I do have some top tube cable guides on order and due to arrive soon.

I definitely don't want to keep the zip ties.
I was just anxious to ride it.

Later on I may have a local builder braze on some canti mounting posts on the seat stays and then match the yellow and touch up there.

I like your red Cimarron.
I learned from the Cimarron thread some 88 frames had the seat stay mounted posts rather than the under chain stay. It's fortunate yours has the former.

I understand some folks are ok with the under chainstay brakes but I really don't like them myself.
​​​​​
Currently, I'm finding the combination of brakes on it is working well for me.

John E

Another strong vote for U-brakes. I have the original under-the-chainstay U-brake on my 1988 Schwinn, and I am delighted with its stopping power and ease of modulation. Same with my RollerCam up front.

I have the 1988 Schwinn mountain bike catalog, in case you need a Cimarron scan. The Schwinn Sierra pictured in my catalog is very close to your yellow in color.

The Cimarron should be a good bike. In the Schwinn catalog it is second only to the Project KOM-10/-20.

Camilo

I like it! But....

cooperryder

I received the clamps for the top tube and installed them.
I'm overall pleased with this solution for rear brake cables/housing.

I also stained the rubber barend grip thingies yellowish and put them on.

I like the way this bike rides plus it fits me well and think it is pretty well dialed in for now.

madpogue 

Nice job on the grips; you wouldn't know they're not dyed-in yellow.