dweenk

Thanks. The last thing I do is put on the chain, since the brakes have no straddles yet. Not that I would ever forget and hop on a bike with non-functioning brakes

OTS 

@AdventureManCO
I just weighed an 87 that I have NOT built up yet.
Frame/Fork/headset/bottom bracket and seat post binder bolt came to 8.33LBS on my digital scale.
If you want stripped down weight I will eventually get you that, just let me know.

AdventureManCO 

I would love to know that!

For comparison's sake, I weighed a 1998 Trek 930 with their tripled-butted OX II tubing and it came out to about 5.2 lbs. That was just bare frame, no other parts.

Sounds like the Cimarron might be pretty close!

dweenk

I put the chain on today and weighed the bike on a bathroom scale, so take that into consideration. It weighed 27 pounds.

dweenk

The saddle is higher now.


Testors model paint is great for touch-ups.



Shout out to Velo Orange for silver braided lined cables.
Photos from today. I took the Cimarron out for a ride and I like it. It may be a bit too small, but I am going to try some adjustments to compensate. Worse case scenario is that I sell, my wife may want to sell her Trek 820 when she rides this, or I can get it right. I rode my High Sierra right after the Cimarron - the Cim is a better bike - lighter, faster, more responsive.

justinsdrake

Here is my 85 that I currently have built as my commuter.

r0ckh0und 

I picked this up at the flea market last Fall. I walked away from a great deal 3 different times, because honestly, I don't really need any more bikes. I believe that it's pretty much original and as found with the exception of the saddle.

wrk101

The latest iteration of my 1988 Cimarron LE. I "borrowed" the Deore XT drive train off a recent Shogun pick up. Only the FD is original, but I just picked up a matching XT FD so I will be swapping it out too.



88 Cimarron 2019 Version by wrk101, on Flickr


Changed the brake calipers too to Kona Curves, just because...



Kona Curve Brakes by wrk101, on Flickr

T Stew

Has anyone converted to a more modern cassette like a 10 speed XT 11-36? Have any issues?

I converted my '88 Tempo over to a modern wheel and 11-36XT and I think it's fantastic even with just a single 44t up front, would really like to this to the Cimarron tourer I'm building but I'd still probably want a low range option for loaded up big hills so lets say 2x10 or maybe even 3x10. I'm a little puzzled about wheels though, any advice? Seems modern MTB wheels are wider, but 130->135mm is probably not a big deal to spread the frame a little. Or are there any 130mm 26" wheels out there that will take a 10 speed cassette?

I've got a complete '87 plus two other bare frames. I could keep the original 3x7 drivetrain for the tourer, not sure yet. They're ok but I'd like something other than thumb shifters... if I go flat/trekking bar I'd prefer under the bar trigger or if I go to drops I may go brifter, but I think either option will need upgrading from 6 speed...

Classtime 

Made an offer on this today then rode it a few blocks to pick up a pound of Italian Roast. Seems to be complete except for that Ross saddle.
Size is 21" and the TT is 23". The chain is beyond 100% and I hope the cogs and chain rings are ok.
Someone should be coming next week to Buy my PDG Series 70 that is too small for me so I should be good in the "Why do you need another bike?" Department.

Classtime 

I cleaned up my 85 a bit and checked out the Specs Sheet. I will need an Avocet Touring I and a Suntour Superbe seat post. Did a Suntour XC seat post come with the Cimarron in 85 but the literature called it a Superbe? I'm glad that Schwinn spec'd a 300 mm post. With that length, I can get the saddle where I need it for serious long distance. When I do a thorough cleaning, I will need to touch up a few spots. I've gone through this thread again and didn't see it mentioned: Can anyone share their source for Schwinn's Forest Green.

BTW, This Cimarron is from Providence R.I. and was used by a professor for a 15 mile commute. It was purchased by a student who rode it to classes and around town. She brought it with her to L.A. but didn't ride it much here (too scary). And let me have it for $110 because she is moving back to the east coast for grad school and had no room in her vehicle.

dualresponse

Hello all!
I stumbled across this site today and found cimarron heaven! I have a 1985 Cimarron that I got as a frame only when working in a bike store in 1987. It has followed me for the last (I'm not doing the math) ....years and has gone many thousands of miles. Since it was a frame only, nothing is original. It has always been an outlaw bastard child of sorts, but has always been handed down relatively good components. After such faithful service, I have decided to restore it to a touring type bike. I will get some better pics up soon, but it it probably (currently) the rattiest Cimarron on this thread.

It needs new paint/decals, and I desperately wonder...

Does anyone have a lead (or a paint code) for Forest Green? Also- the gold decals. I needs some. Are there any resources for that?


I need to undo 30 years of use and abuse! I am unable to post pics at this time since I am a new member, however, will do so when I am allowed access.
Thanks again.
Ron

djkashuba 

I saw this bike last weekend. The owner tours on it. Very nice build.

-D



Schwinn Cimarron by djk762, on Flickr

dualresponse

Getting ready to paint my 85 Cimarron. I sprayed some sample paint on the frame in a light drizzle with no prep work whatsoever. I'm down to two shades, one too light, the other too dark. I will probably combine them 50/50 in the end. Need to see it in sunlight before deciding...

mnmkpedals 

Has anyone ever tried converting one of these to 650B? I know there is clearance, but not sure if the cantis would be able to adapt and line up? I did a search through this thread, but no one mentions trying that I could find.

dualresponse

I've been working hard. The Cimarron is finally coming together. The first pic is a rough copy after rebuilding her today
. The second pic is after brazing last week. I went with a 50% 50% split of two automotive paint colors, which, while not 100%, is pretty darn close. Cool part being, one of those colors was Steve Mcqueen's Bullitt Mustang's color. I added a second part to brighten it up a bit. In shade, it's a little darker than the Schwinn forest green, and in full sunlight, it's a little brighter. I will get the paint codes up in the next week or two...Still need decals (which don't even exist at this moment!) . I have faith.

Chicago Al 

I am now the proud owner of the 1987 Cimarron that wrk101 showed upthread, the 17" one. What made it work for both of us was that he had a road trip that would bring him in striking distance of Chicago, so he wouldn't have to pack, and I wouldn't have to pay, for shipping. So Mrs Al and I went for a day in the country, stopping for a walk at a restored tallgrass prairie site where our daughter has done some work.

Bonus: I got to meet 'Thrifty Bill' and Mrs Bill was along as well. Nice folks...of course! The two ladies had a lot to talk about, while Bill and I chatted about bikes over pie.

The bike is very cool; I am still settling into the mtn bike sizing and wish I had an 18" to compare this one to. I don't have the seatpost extended a whole lot though, so likely this is just right, and I do ride a 52cm road bike. Mrs Al says it feels great to her, and her legs are at least as long as mine. She says the slightly sloping top tube is just as easy as a step through frame.

I don't see doing a whole lot to this bike other than cleaning it up and finding the right tires. Also need to find another for Mrs Al...or for me if she grabs this one!

I will post pics when this one is really shiny.

Thanks Bill!

casanewt

Found a 20" 1987 Schwinn Cimarron! She is rough, but all there including a vintage Hite-Rite!

dualresponse

Went for a ride today. Took some pics of the bike in sunlight. Still need stickers and reinstall headtube badge. Not exact match, but pretty close. Included dupont? paint codes for anyone interested 50%/50% mix.

badger_biker 

I'm really liking all the recent green Cimarron postings. I have to get my 85 up here with the latest configuration. @dualresponse - thanks for the paint codes and nice job on your Cimarron. You'd never suspect a repaint with the close color match.

dualresponse

Thanks Badger...
You reminded me, I wanted to post some pics in the shade. The pics I posted were all in full sun, and if anything, overexposed. In the shade/overcast, the dark greens really come out in full force. If I were to do it again, I might experiment with a green with slightly more gold/yellow in it. But not by much. To me, in full sun, there seems to be a hint of a bluish tinge, which would be a goldish/yellow tinge on the original, but, perhaps just adding the gold decals would be enough to bring the overall color into perfection. Fortunately, I've already got my first dings in the finish, so.... now THAT is out of the way, time to go enjoy and ride!

harrysachz

Wayne and Garth: "SCHWINNNNNNNNNN(g)"

countalmaviva 

SquirrelCutter, you may have ditched your frame by now, but I thought I'd let you know that Steve Bilenky just recently agreed to repair my Fuji which had been turned down by three other framebuilders. I haven't seen the results yet, but he sounds confident.

SquirrelCutter

You know what, I turned it into a wind trainer I call the "Iron Dragon." Still being ridden!

countalmaviva 

I'm guessing that some contributors to this thread may have seen this 1986 red Cimarron on eBay. Well, I caved and bought it! It arrived today, and the condition is just as in the photos -- excellent -- so I'll just post the main auction photo here:


The Araya RM-25 rims are this cool deep bronze color I've never seen and have almost NO wear on them. Minor scuffs on the paint. The seller said he thinks it's the original grease on the chain. I paid $550 before shipping and tax, which is higher than I wanted for this project but a fair price, I thought, considering the condition. That, and I'd been searching for mountain bike frames for nearly three months, and I think there's something called buyer's fatigue..I was ready.

I plan to make it a commuter and touring bike. I have done a fair bit of touring, but I have never owned a frame that would accommodate large tires with fenders and not have toe overlap. I'm excited! I'll likely throw a new wheelset on there with an 8s cassette, so I'll spread the rear triangle to 132.5 mm-ish. Front and rear Tubus racks. I'm thinking bar-end shifters on a Nitto Bosco bar. This bar appeals to me, because I'm going to use a Yepp Mini child carrier up front, and the bar ends will wrap nicely around the kid seat. I got the frame on the large side (this is a 21") for me because I like my bars high, and the long TT (23") will give extra room for the child carrier.

I'll post pictures of the build when I get it finished, and I'm happy to post additional photos of this bike as is, if anyone feels like it would be helpful for the thread. Thanks to all who have posted on this thread. Lots of inspiring builds, and you convinced me go for this bike. She's a beaut!

mparker326 -- was this possibly your bike? My seller is in Athens, TN. Your photo is no longer viewable... There's a sticker from the original shop: Travis Cycles in Massachusetts....