High End Retro Cruisers/Townies

[MTBMaven]

I am tossing around the idea of renovating classic cruisers and townie frames and using modern parts. The idea is to go after the discerning biker or person who appreciates quality items that go against the current grain of new molded bikes from Taiwan. The goal is to build little works of rideable art and leverage the fixie movement and commuter/townie riders.

As an example a classic Schwinn beach cruiser with Thompson post, Brooks saddle with springs, Shimano Nexus 3 or 8 speed rear hubs, Sugino cranks, stainless fenders and/or baskets, brass bells, leather grips, etc. The paint would be some classic style with powder coat. I would love to have disc brake tabs welded on and run disc brakes rather than coaster.

Is there a market for something like this?

[Rockinthecasbah]

I think you could market it, especially with the nexus, it just depends on the pricepoint, I think fixies can be such a hit because they are so cheap and simple, if you throw to much crap on a bike it may loose its appeal

[BFloFoxRider.]

I think price would also determine this.
I know alot of people that come in to buy bikes, and want to see the cheapest bike in the store first thing..
I know i would not pay over $500 for a cruiser or townie unless it had a toilet and Wiped my @ss

[MTBMaven]

Yeah see I was seeing the prince point being $800 - $1,200 for these things. Again this would be a high end retro bike with hand picked top quality parts. Think of the way we trick out our MTBs. Maybe not all out like Fo does but in the same vain.

It's about pulling together great parts based on their performance but more for their aesthetic appeal.

[dstepper]

I have a old Schwinn beach cruiser and that frame is so heavy I would not spend the money putting light parts on it. Besides it is my town cruiser and I leave it locked but unattended when I am in town shopping..ect.

Dean

[1FG rider]

I don't know if there's a big market for this. Really a niche item, but Retrotec has a wait list as does Black Sheep.

Although myself and Neil (1x1 Clyde) have our own modified cruisers. I upgraded my Schwinn cruiser and am running Shimano XT cranks with SPDs, Brooks B-17, Panaracer Smokes in the rear and Darts up front, Mary Bars with a threaded to threadless stem adapter.

Heavy frames, but I pared my bike down to about 28 lbs. Lots of fun to hit the trails on (if you like pain)

[granny ring]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

I think price would also determine this.
I know alot of people that come in to buy bikes, and want to see the cheapest bike in the store first thing..
I know i would not pay over $500 for a cruiser or townie unless it had a toilet and Wiped my @ss

I was thinking it had to come with happy ending

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by 1FG rider

I don't know if there's a big market for this. Really a niche item, but Retrotec has a wait list as does Black Sheep.

Although myself and Neil (1x1 Clyde) have our own modified cruisers. I upgraded my Schwinn cruiser and am running Shimano XT cranks with SPDs, Brooks B-17, Panaracer Smokes in the rear and Darts up front, Mary Bars with a threaded to threadless stem adapter.

Heavy frames, but I pared my bike down to about 28 lbs. Lots of fun to hit the trails on (if you like pain)

Can you post pic or link to pics?

[Pain Freak]

Brian,
Mikey's schwinn is off the hook. I love his bike but it's not worth stealing as it's not my size . But he really has it nailed in my opinion. It's a cruiser mountain bike not really what you're talking about but still very cool. I've always thought I'd like to build a high end cruiser but haven't come across the right frame yet. I don't think there's a market for them though as most folks riding them don't want to pay much for them. Now there are those who restore but those prices are over the top.

[strobelite]

im building my wife a ss 1978 khs mixte with 1992 dura-ace cranks, an old 600 headset, ultegra 9s hubs laced to a mavic reflex in front, and a mavic cxp30 in rear, converted to ss, with nitto albatross bars and an old thompson that i have laying around. the only old stuff will be the shimano slr levers and the mafac racer calipers. what now?

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by strobelite

im building my wife a ss 1978 khs mixte with 1992 dura-ace cranks, an old 600 headset, ultegra 9s hubs laced to a mavic reflex in front, and a mavic cxp30 in rear, converted to ss, with nitto albatross bars and an old thompson that i have laying around. the only old stuff will be the shimano slr levers and the mafac racer calipers. what now?

that's gonna be a killer bike. I hope you post some pictures here.

[Pho'dUp]

I think there's a market.

Pashley bikes

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor.html


hot girls like them too.



Batavus bikes
http://usa.batavus.com/




Electra bikes: Amsterdam
http://www.electrabike.com/amsterdam/




Torelli bikes
http://www.torelli.com/



And if anyone has a project, I have my Kona Cruiser frame for sale. Paragon like dropouts so disc brakes only.



MTBMaven, this is the exact project I'm doing with my English townie Zion SSpeed. Hardest part is finding handlebars that have enough back sweep, are 25.4mm clamp, but can work with modern 4bolt stem clamps. So far Soma sells some bars, and there's the Nitto has the Promenade bar. Kona has awesome bar for their AFricabike/Ute bike but they won't sell it separately. I'll post pics when I'm done.

I guess if you really want to be retro weird cool, there's drum brakes out there too.

[strobelite]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

that's gonna be a killer bike. I hope you post some pictures here.

when i find some forks, itl be dope!

yes, ill post pics!

[Diamondback]

I dont think theres much of a share for hi end fixed up
old cruisers. Ppl who own or may own them are either fanatical owners of hi end road bikes or mtn. and thats a small percentage of the market.

There was a thread today by some kid who's attending Fullerton that wanted to know what type of lock he should use on his expensive mtn bike. Most folks suggested getting a beater or beater cruiser. Unfortunately, most cruisers are beaters or will soon turn into them.

Cruisers are good to take to the beach, the liquor store or for errands. You can easily scratch them up, break parts or worse, getting it stolen.

If you built a $1500-$2500 cruiser, you wouldnt enjoy the ride as much if it included a stop at a pub or coffee shop where you'd be subconsciouly freaking about it being outside. That basically eliminates the cruiser fun level.
These hi end cruisers are cool but again, the market share is very limited in my opinion.

[Pho'dUp]

Diamondback makes some good points. In a perfect world we could all ride cool bikes to the store or in town and not have to worry about some asshat ripping our rig off.

I think Pashley makes a townie that actually has a built in lock/key that disables the rear wheel. But I guess in Europe or whereever they sell most of these things they don't have the fools with SUVs or truck that just throw your rig in the back.

Do it anyways MTBMaven!

[Au575]

Originally Posted by 1FG rider

I don't know if there's a big market for this. Really a niche item, but Retrotec has a wait list as does Black Sheep.

Although myself and Neil (1x1 Clyde) have our own modified cruisers. I upgraded my Schwinn cruiser and am running Shimano XT cranks with SPDs, Brooks B-17, Panaracer Smokes in the rear and Darts up front, Mary Bars with a threaded to threadless stem adapter.

Heavy frames, but I pared my bike down to about 28 lbs. Lots of fun to hit the trails on (if you like pain)

Like these?

[EBasil]

There's a market alright, but Electra has it mostly nailed with their '08 line that's out right now. Great stuff worth seeing in a shop if you haven't fondled them.

I was finally able to afford a Cook Bros...and it was too late.

[granny ring]

I have a Cook Bros. cruiser hanging in my garage. I have been accumulating parts before I tear it down and spend stooopid money on it.

I agree with others that the people willing to dump a bunch of money on a cruiser are probably those that would restore it themselves.

[1FG rider]

OK here's my modified cruiser. Don't have any recent photos ever since I polished the cranks and seat post. I take out pretty regularly to Aliso and Fully Loop. Also seen some laps at Fontana, Bonelli and Mt SAC.

Before


Photo after I first completed my build

Fairly current picture of my cruiser now with "butchered" Brooks B17 and Shimano 180mm XTs