BO15 TIERRA CRUISERA

[sdframe]

I finally found something I could work on for the buildoff. Imagine my excitement in finding a genuine three-speed Jamis Earth Cruiser on Facebook marketplace for $75. Alas, it turned out to NOT be the model we all salivate over. It's a 2010 model year version; a curvy, aluminum framed bike that I had never seen until now. When I think "Earth Cruiser," I think strandie, bomber, or klunker. With this particular model, I don't know what to think. Check it out:

In an effort to show some swoopiness, Jamis designed this thing. I'm not sure they hit the mark. I'm also not sure just how I will approach this build. Will I klunkify it, or play to its aluminum frame's light weight and pare things down, getting rid of the fat seat, wide cruiser bars and other bits of heavyocity; sort of a "girth loser earth cruiser?" Either way, I'll keep it simple, and let it speak to me over the next few days as it sits in the garage, awaiting my ministrations. At least I'm in, and I have a little over two months. Stay well, you guys.

 

[kingfish254]

Alright! Glad to see you jump in!!!!
I've seen those around before with Nexus 4 speeds on them.
Have fun finding your direction and build name for this one. Heavyocity actually has a cool ring to it.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Woohoo! More builds!

 

[horsefarmer]

Will I klunkify it, or play to its aluminum frame's light weight and pare things down, getting rid of the fat seat, wide cruiser bars and other bits of heavyocity; sort of a "girth loser earth cruiser?" Either way, I'll keep it simple, and let it speak to me over the next few days as it sits in the garage, awaiting my ministrations. At least I'm in, and I have a little over two months. Stay well, you guys.

 

[OddJob]

Heavyocity? Ministrations? Former English teacher?

SD, welcome aboard brother! I like the possibility of a 'path racer' light weight. Mustache bars and a Brooks type saddle...

RaT oN~!

 

[sdframe]

I got "heavyocity" from a Woody Allen movie. Funny you should mention mustache bars: I bought a pair of super lightweight and somewhat narrow Nittos years ago and haven't used them yet. I must determine if the ride will deserve a Brooks, but it could. Speaking of Brooks, it feels good to be back in the saddle again.

 

[sdframe]

Somewhere I have a pair of 26 by 1.5 skinwall slicks. I believe I know what direction to take.

 

[sdframe]

NOW we're getting somewhere. I dug out some narrow and lightweight alloy handlebars that will help reduce the girth on my Earth Cruiser. I think I have a name: GLEC, (Girth Loser Earth Cruiser.)

Right now I'm leaning toward the mustache bars (with a little nudging from OddJob.)

 

[MattiThundrrr]

How bout a nudge from Manfred Mann?

 

[sdframe]

I'm leaning that way. Maybe I should be working on a Mighty Schwinn.

 

[sdframe]

I have two pairs of 26 x 1.5 tires: blackwall slicks, or gumwall colored sidewalls on skinwall slicks. If I go with the gumwall colored sidewalls, it might lead me to using tan grips, saddle and cable guides. I kinda like the idea of earth tones on an Earth Cruiser. I'm still pondering.

 

[sdframe]

Here are my skinny saddle choices. Did I mention I plan on only using parts I already have? I'm trying to go through all of July without buying any bike parts, new or used.

 

[sdframe]

Somewhere in storage, I have a beautiful Sturmey Archer shifter made to work on a Nexus 3-speed. I need to dig that out.

 

[sandman]

" I'm trying to go through all of July without buying any bike parts, new or used. "

The A/C gave up the ghost on my rental unit . There goes my play money for awhile .

 

[Psychographic]

Paint the silver parts of the bike a pale gold, then go with the gumwalls and tan accessories.

 

[OddJob]

Faux Brooks brown saddle, tan grips, gumwalls, all sound good to this 'tree hugger' .

 

[sdframe]

" I'm trying to go through all of July without buying any bike parts, new or used. "

The A/C gave up the ghost on my rental unit . There goes my play money for awhile .

I feel your pain. At least it's a write-off.

 

[sdframe]

Faux Brooks brown saddle, tan grips, gumwalls, all sound good to this 'tree hugger' .

I do have a faux-ny Brown brooks saddle in storage. I'll take a look, but I think it may be too wide.

 

[sdframe]

Paint the silver parts of the bike a pale gold, then go with the gumwalls and tan accessories.

I like that idea.

 

[sdframe]

I changed out the rims and tires. I lost 7 mm in rim width and a whopping 20 mm in tire width. Lost the chain guard, too.

Truth be told, it probably looked better in its original configuration. But I've only just begun.