Aluminum Cruiser Frames

[DaBigKahuna]

Coming up with an idea to build a lightweight commuter cruiser.

Who makes aluminum cruiser frames that are decent?
I'd prefer something that looked like a Schwinn cantilever design or some other traditional design.
Something that would be relatively cheap and easy to find.

I'm probably going to put something like a Nexus 7 hub on it as there are hills where I normally ride and I'm fat and old!

[FunkyStickman]

Only ones I know of that sell just the frame are Felt.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012/Cr ... e-Kit.aspx

[largek9]

Sounds crazy but checkout a couple year oid " Lajolla ".Walmarts sells em. You can pick one up
pretty cheap and there very light.

[Bicycle808]

Forgive me if i'm not directly answering your question, but how much weight do you think can be saved by going with an AL frame over steel? As I see it, the things that make a cruiser heavy are the design, components and typical accessories: hub brakes, fenders, OPCs, dookie fat saddles, extra frame tubes, etc.

You might do better to go with a nice steel frame with rim brakes, 3piece cranks, no fenders, etc. But, then, how much of a cruiser is it anymore?

-rob

[raggedjim]

You might like a used Schwinn Beach Point. The frame is fine, but the chrome fenders will rust away overnight! It is a 7-speed (derailler). I have one I got at auction but haven't gotten around to working on it yet.

Good luck, Rg

[dragnusa]

Sounds crazy but checkout a couple year oid " Lajolla ".Walmarts sells em. You can pick one up
pretty cheap and there very light.

These are rather tuff frames for a walmart bike the only down side about them are the seats and hub housings are made of plastic

[Peatbog]

Aluminum framed Schwinn:

[DaBigKahuna]

Thanks Guys!

The Felt would be cool but too much $$$

La Jolla might not be bad if I can get one cheap enough. Probably going to need to swap out everything.

Truly I don't know how much lighter a aluminum frame will be. It may not save me that much.

Now if I could find one of the later Schwinns like the AL-Three or the Panther at the right price, I think that would be a good start.

[Peatbog]

When I bought the Schwinn shown, the shop had several three-speeds like this one and some single speeds. They had some steel framed ones also. Just picking them up, it was very obvious which was steel and which was aluminum. I don't know what the weight difference is in pounds though. The aluminum frame tubes are a little larger in diameter, which they have to be in order to take advantage of the material, but other than that, the bikes look nearly identical to the steel framed bikes.

[wheelbender6]

Been plenty over the years: Giant Simple, KHS Brentwood, Specialized Shark. Trek Clyde and my favorite, the Mongoose Zuma (because I own one).

[KJV]

OP Roller.ride mine everyday.

[outskirtscustoms]

I have a Del Sol LXI 1.0 and I love it, light as a feather, comfortable frame geometry, and a suspension seat post make for an excellent ride.

[DaBigKahuna]

Ran across a deal on a Marin Drake's Beach.

Anyone know anything about it?
Is it any good?

[expjawa]

Like Peatbog's, I've built up two of the aluminum Schwinn Classic Al3's, one fairly well dressed for my father:


And one as more of a bobber for my own self:


There really is a definate difference in weight; I have a '61 Schwinn American that's set up similar to the green one here, and even relatively stripped down, it's heavier than the turquoise one with full fenders, racks, etc. Schwinn last made these in 2009, although I bought both of these about a year ago from http://www.americasbikecompany.com, although they may not have any more. As of about a month ago, though, Niagaga Cycle Works in Niagara Falls, NY had a green one still sitting on their shop floor.

[hewey]

I've got both aluminum and steel framed cruisers. I reckon the frame and components play equal part as the frame material. In similar specced bikes you can feel the weight difference. Having said that one of our heaviest bikes has an aluminum frame, but also has all the guards, wide rims etc which make it so hefty.

If I was building a cool regular commuter I'd try and find an aluminum frame with the traditional lines like the ones posted, but go for skinny alloy rims teamed up with whitewall tyres. Avoid fenders to keep the weight down, but if you want to ride in all weather try and find some nice looking plastic ones.

Here's some pics that I reckon are in the right vein, check the 'street skinny cruiser thread' for more viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22295&start=0