Baddass Cruiser Bicycle

From my experience of building a high handlebar chopper, I learned the value of giant rear tire / skinny front tire.

The problem, I discovered, is that the eye perceives the skinny tire as having a smaller diameter, compared to the fat tire. Optical illusion, and not the way I want it.

I could visualize a solution. However it would take me years to find a good lightweight cantilever cruiser frame with which to make this.

Cruise

I finally ran across a 2000 Jamis Earth Cruiser. It has the small bottom bracket, so I could put in any racing crankset, it has a 1-1/8” head tube, so I could select from a wide range of high performance forks, and It takes the standard 27.2 seatpost. Along with other high end details, this classic beach cruiser frame is aluminum – super trick.

Streamlined Hotrod: upgraded 2000 EarthCruiser

To alleviate the fat tire / thin tire wheel illusion, I needed to go with a large diameter front. Harley Davidson Sportster style. The Harley folks worked out this design problem some time ago.

I worked out the variations of riding geometry changes from the wheel size differences over the range of 27” front to 24″ rear; brake problems, crank arm conflicts, bottom bracket height, etc. Then, balancing cornering clearance with a pretty good lazy steering angle, I settled on the 26” fat rear and 700c thin front. This would only require a fork change. Well, and all the other stuff connected to the fork.

I took the dismantling opportunity to install a light sealed threadless headset.

Some detail of the new Cane Creek S2 headset.

I searched out a 700c length threadless fork with brake posts for the cantilever brakes. I removed the clunky steel headset bearings and put in a sleek sealed aluminum Cane Creek S2 headset. I found a good high flange, low rim, 700c front wheel from a Bianchi Pista. And picked out a short Bontrager threadless stem.

Back View of the hot rod cruiser bicycle. With vertical bottle cage, normally to hold beer.

Top View of a hot rod Sportster style cruiser bicycle.

I had to rig up a cable hanger for the brakes; I got it pretty well with a piece from another headset and a barrel cable adjuster from a donor brake lever. I kept the old school cantilever brakes so that I could keep matching brake levers, though these levers do have a switch inside to use newer linear pull brakes.

uh, yeah, that vertical bottle cage is supposed to be for beer -bMHR

Get on this bad ass bicycle. Stable at high speed.

Researching for the rear I discovered a super light, Kevlar beaded, gigantic stunt tire: 26×2.1 KHE MAC2 made in Germany http://www.khebikes.com/2012/mac-folding-tires-p-1231.html. Wow, great tire, unusually good combination of performance. Then the front got a 700×23 racing tire wrapped around a wheel from a Bianchi Pista. That Bianchi solid high flange hub aesthetically matching the big Nexus hub quite well.

Going with the flow will get you to important places.

Only slightly heavier than the derailleur system, but much nicer, that 7 speed Shimano Nexus IGH internal gear hub really makes this a versatile bicycle. You can ride a variety of terrain, slow speed cruising and high speed flying, plus go reasonably long distances.  The roller brake is a heavy thing however, but with no other mounts on the frame, it’s that or a coaster brake.

Super grippy VP-001 pedals rock!

Also key to the high performance rideability of this bike are these VP-001 pedals.

On the street it is comfortable and quick. Overall the damn thing is surprisingly light. It is a blast to ride, it is super stylie plus high performance = well balanced.

I often find myself riding the long way around on my errands, hmmm.