Earth Rat Cruiser

[Araya51]

So I was checking out my inventory of project that needed some attention and this cruiser just stood out.. Here we have my 85 Jamis Earth Cruiser aka "Earth Rat Cruiser".. Came up on this cruiser on a trade and here it sits with some parts that I had been gathering up when that time came to start on the build.. First that came to mind when I wanted to build the Earth Rat was the color and it was to do a two tone blue combo. Origenal Grabber Blue Pearl with Blue Anno parts... I went on my search on some blue anno parts and found the certain parts that I was looking for and also some origenal parts that the cruiser was missing, like the head badge and the origenal bmx stem cap badge and also the seat post clamp that I got lucky and found one in the same color as the frame.. Ok anno parts, nos ACS front wide flange hub, blue anno Tracer Super Duralumin chain ring and power disc and a pair of nos Aeromax blue anno rat trap pedals.. I also have two sets of blue anno wheel hoops to choose from but I will post pics of those later in the build.. As for the other none anno parts I perchased a Bendix hub from a member here on the board for stopping power and I also got a hold of some old 70's motorcross motorcycle bars with old Scotts grips.. Saddle was a swap meet special till I get the right one for the build.. So here is the start of my new project..

 

[Robertk]

Love Earth Cruisers!
What kind of rims are you thinking about?

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Cool build!

Luke

 

[Araya51]

Love Earth Cruisers!
What kind of rims are you thinking about?

I was thinking of using some NOS blue anno Weinmann hoops with SS spokes.. I also have another set of blue anno no namer hoops that are pretty nice looking also. I'll diig them out this weekend and post some pictures of them..

 

[Robertk]

Have you checked out the Anodized rims on Bicycle Wheel Warehouse? They are Alienation rims - legit BMX company. Might be worth a look. I bought a red pair. If you ask, they will sell them not built as a complete wheel if you prefer to build your own. I would assume the ACS front hub and Bendix coaster would look great on a blue set from them.

 

[Araya51]

Huh... I'll give them a peek and see what they look like..
Thanks for the info..

 

[Araya51]

I went and pulled out the option of wheel hoops that I plan on using on the "Earth Rat Cruiser" but I'm stuck on which ones to use..
Option #1.


Option #2.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Oh, hard choice...
#1 look a bit like 7X's as so would suit the klunker look, but option #2 appear to be double wall eyeleted rims?, which would probably be far stronger...

Luke.

 

[Robertk]

#2

 

[Nagant]

I agree with Luke. You have a tough decision on the hoops because they are both great choices. I think I like #2 just a hair more because of the eyelets but either set will look great for this build.

 

[Green Dragon]

# 1 - can't beat the classic look.

Miss my EC, going to have to find another, or build a 'clone' ...... will be watching this one.

 

[Araya51]

Man this is a hard choice to pick between the two.. But in the end it will come down to one..
Thanks guys for your input..

 

[Robertk]

going for a Klunker or Strandie theme?

 

[mikeeebikey]

I personally ride to hard for a wide 7x. For me #2
What you do is up to you, either way this is a cool bike!
Should ride good.

 

[Araya51]

going for a Klunker or Strandie theme?

Going for the Standie look..

 

[Araya51]

I personally ride to hard for a wide 7x. For me #2
What you do is up to you, either way this is a cool bike!
Should ride good.

That's my plan to have this kool look and nice ride.. I see the majority of votes are leaning to the option #2 hoops.. I was leaning to the 80's look. Does this make sense.? And I don't know if the #2 hoops have that vintage look to them.
Will see.

 

[chattymatty]

Weinmanns all the way. Canti frames need the wider wheel IMO. 1.75's aren't that much wider in actual fact, but they look it due to the shape.

 

[Araya51]

These things (hoops) are NOS .. never been laced. The majority of the votes lean to the Weinmanns.. So these are the ones that are going with on the EC.. Laced to an NOS ACS wide flange front hub and a RB Mexico Bendix rear hub..
I also just recently bought a girls 26" Earth Cruiser for the wife but all that one needs is just the wheels set.. I'm picking those up this weekend Araya's wheels with wide flange front hub and rear coaster brake for the rear wheel.. Not sure what the hubs are but I do know there cheap $$$..

 

[Bicycle808]

Definitely going to be following this thread.... this is bound to be an awesome bike, at the end. Post up some pics of your wife's step-thru Earth Cruiser.... maybe use the other rims on hers, if the color won't clash too much? FWIW, Weinmann AS7x are still in production; finding blue painted ones won't be hard, and Atomic Paul sometimes sells anodized versions thru the www.genuinebicycleproducts.com store.

 

[Bicycle808]

Oops just noticed that you've already got a line on a wheelset for the Missus's
Earth Cruiser. Oops. I've found that having a rad set of rims lying around is dangerous; I always end up using it as an excuse to build an entire bike around them.