Aluminum Cruiser Frames

[DaBigKahuna]

I'd love to find one of those AL-3s. I'm gong to check an old Schwinn shop on my lunch today to see if they have one.

I'll have too look at the skinny cruiser thread as that's kinda what I have in mind.

[expjawa]

There was a Classic Al as well as the Classic Al Three. Single vs 3-speed, so you could look for both. I'd weigh mine for you, but I don't own a scale... Again, consider contacting Niagara Cycleworks if you can't find one closer, although shipping may be expensive. Here's a shop in Florida that seems to have them (though more than what I bought mine for):
http://www.lakeshorebicycles.com/produc ... ly-443.htm

[MplsCoaster]

I'm a big fan of light bikes
My 2009 Trek Classic Cruiser started out at 36 lbs with everything on it
Now it’s down to 24 lbs and I can run a smaller gear to go faster


Was also able to make a 24 lbs steel bike from a Hercules which still has the Raleigh steel components but aluminum wheels


Triangle Roadmaster at 27 lbs (aluminum wheels, steel crankset)


Was able to get my steel Spaceliner (with all aluminum components) down to 27.5 lbs


And the Typhoon no lower than 29lbs, (aluminum wheels, steel crankset)


Hope that helps
Steve

[schertztx]

I found a KHS Brentwood on CL for 200. It had a nexus 7 with roller brake rear and front canti's. Al rims front and back, it was fun to ride and probably the lightest cruiser I have ever owned.

[DaBigKahuna]

I found a KHS Brentwood on CL for 200. It had a nexus 7 with roller brake rear and front canti's. Al rims front and back, it was fun to ride and probably the lightest cruiser I have ever owned.

I actually bought one of those years ago but it was stolen after my first ride

[Peatbog]

http://www.seekpart.com/company/44601/products/20115108553328.html

[deorman]

http://www.seekpart.com/company/44601/products/20115108553328.html

How many pallets in a minimum order?

[Bigcam59]

The OP Cruiser and the Genesis Onyx 29er are both aluminum Cruisers that Walmart sells.

[DaBigKahuna]

http://www.seekpart.com/company/44601/products/20115108553328.html

How many pallets in a minimum order?

Maybe we should do a spec frame build-off!

[DaBigKahuna]

The OP Cruiser and the Genesis Onyx 29er are both aluminum Cruisers that Walmart sells.

I knew about the Onyx and thought about it but I didn't want to deal with the 29" wheels.

Now the op cruiser might be an idea.

[dos cruiser]

I had a mad wagon that was a old school looking aluminium cruiser frame from the late 80's or early 90's. It was lighter than my old cruisers and looked like a Schwinn DX more or less.

[whoinphx]

I had a mad wagon that was a old school looking aluminium cruiser frame from the late 80's or early 90's. It was lighter than my old cruisers and looked like a Schwinn DX more or less.

I just came across one of those frames a couple weeks ago... It was way cool, it did look like a DX frame and was real light, I'd never seen one before.... I'm thinking about doing a swap with the guy, but I've got so much on my plate right now... and there's no rush this guy will be holding on to it for awhile...

[rickpaulos]

I have a 1999 Schwinn black Panther. Aluminum canti frame with mostly aluminum parts. It's fast and light. Came stock with a single speed freewheel but it has bosses for brakes, a der hanger and cable guides. faux carbon fibre fender treatment too.

It fits me pretty well. The main downside is the feeble rear rim brake under the chain stays, the only brake. It is not good for emergency stops.

I always thought it could be a better bike if Schwinn would have decided what it was supposed to be. As a single speed, the extra brake mounts, der hanger and cable guides are a distraction. As a multi gear bike, they didn't include the gears. It was rather expensive originally ($550 or so) and then to drop hundreds more to add gears? That didn't make sense either.

There are USA custom titanium frame builders who sell ti canti frames. Huh, if price isn't an issue.

Rick

[DaBigKahuna]

The Panther is kinda what got me started on this...

[tiregroove]

Ok I had to join the board just for this thread. I have (lemme count this in my head, here..) 4 Schwinn aluminum cruisers, (one of them was a Walmart,) an Electra, two K2s, and my latest, a Trek Drift:



Picked up on Craigslist as a 3-speed for $100, removed everything. Added a Schwinn alloy fork, titanium ISIS bottom bracket, FSA Gossamer crankset, custom built those wheels on red rims, American Classic seatpost, Dura Ace rear derailleur, twist-shifters, Kenda Flame tires, (the rear is a 26x3.0) and custom-mounted a rear disk brake:



It weighs about 25 or 26 lbs and the first week I rode it 55 miles to New Jersey and back. (I live in Queens.) Comfortable and fast.

By the way, the Walmart cruisers? You can't beat them for the best deal on an alloy cruiser to convert:







Yes, those are 18-spoke wheels on vintage Campagnolo Tipo large-flange hubs. I also build custom wheels.



There are only three things you need to keep in mind when building up a Walmart Schwinn:
-The forks are 1-inch and 1-inch alloy forks are almost impossible to find in 26"
-You need a euro bottom bracket converter if you want to use a quality bottom bracket (like titanium)
-And if you want a front derailleur, you need to mount a cable stop using a band clamp near the bottom bracket.
Apart from that, at least the seat post is a 27.2.

Just thought I'd share that, thanks!