Deut. 6 5

Can someone please tell me what the "LE" on my Schwinn bike stands for?

I've noticed online that there are regular Schwinn Cimmaron and then there are the Schwinn Cimmaron LE which I have. I am curious. Thank you.

no1mad 

It typically denotes its place within a model line hierarchy, much like the trim levels on automobiles.

Deut. 6 5

Thank you. I'm guessing it's an upgrade from the original Cimmaron but still, what does the letter LE stand for? It must stand for something right?

mprelaw

My wild guess would be "Limited Edition". If so, it probably means a higher component level for that particular model.

Tim_Iowa

I agree with "limited edition", but it probably means a different paint job. I doubt it had anything to do with different or better components. It probably was just a different color scheme for a new production run, or for a different vendor.

What year is the bike? You may be able to find its catalog online.

Deut. 6 5

Thanks mprelaw. That sounds about right to satisfy my curiosity. Mine is from the year 1985, the first high end mountain bike Schwinn ever made.

It's green in color. Blue for '86 and red for '87 and later. But I've seen the '85 model without the "LE" that mine has and that's what prompted my post.

BruceHankins

The.

Metacortex

The Cimarron LE was a "Limited Edition" 1988 model that came only in Forest Green. It was not listed in the Schwinn catalog at the time and I *believe* they were built up to use excess inventory of leftover '85-'86 Cimarron frames. The Cimarron frame geometry changed from 70/70 head and seat tube angles ('85-'86) to 70/72.5 for '87-'89. If you could measure the seat tube angle and also post at least the first two digits of the serial number (on the underside of the bottom bracket) as well as the 4-digit number on the headbadge it would be very helpful to confirm more about the bike.

Deut. 6 5

The number on the bottom bracket is: J744419

Metacortex

OK, well that shoots down my theory that the '88 Cimarron LE was only made to use up older 70/70 geometry frames, as your frame was built in Oct. '87, and should therefore have the later 70/72.5 geometry. What is the 4-digit badge number?

CenturionIM

"Luxury Edition" like for Corolla?

JanMM

My 2008 RANS V-Rex LE came with some lower level components than the previous year's V-Rex. It cost less; LE must mean 'Less Expensive'.

Deut. 6 5

Less expensive is funny! Lol. No I don't think that's the case because I have a better handle bar than the one on their 1985 catalog.

What is a badge number? I don't see any number on the Schwinn metal badge in the front of the bike.

Metacortex

If the original badge is present it should have a 4-digit stamped number indicating the date of assembly. Here is the badge on an '87 Cimarron indicating a build date of January 29, 1987.

Deut. 6 5

Thanks! Mine says 3297. So I'm gonna go a ahead and guess it's manufactured on 3/29/87 correct?

Metacortex

That means the bike was built on the 329th day of 1987, which was Wednesday November 25th, 1987. Bikes built that late in the year were usually next year's models.

Deut. 6 5

Thank you Metacortex. I appreciate all your help. Have a good one.

nymtber

Lower Expectations

StephenH

I thought this was just bad humor, but looking on the Schwinn website, the only LE bikes I find are the "Le Tour", so yes, "the" must be right.