Classic bike to cruiser conversion
06-02-13, 04:45 AM
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Classic bike to cruiser conversion
Hello everyone, this is my first post in this community. I own a classic city sport bike that I would like to transform into a comfortable cruiser with some nice fat tires.
My idea of conversion is to keep the paint or maybe repaint it and lack it in high gloss and reinstall the original stickers, replace or maybe remove the fenders, replace rims and tires with wider (I think there is a 4,5 cm gap), remove the front derailleur and install rear hub gear system. This is the look I'm after.
Anyone can give the cost estimate and any further suggestions or heads up on my ideas?
My idea of conversion is to keep the paint or maybe repaint it and lack it in high gloss and reinstall the original stickers, replace or maybe remove the fenders, replace rims and tires with wider (I think there is a 4,5 cm gap), remove the front derailleur and install rear hub gear system. This is the look I'm after.
Anyone can give the cost estimate and any further suggestions or heads up on my ideas?
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06-02-13, 10:18 AM
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Three speed coaster brake hub would be nice. New seat of course. What size tires are on it now? 26" can be 4-5 different sizes, check the fine print on tire & rim. Standard mountain bike/beach cruiser 26" is 559mm.
Good starting point. I prefer powder coating. It's not that expensive ($80-$125) easy and you get a durable finish.
Good starting point. I prefer powder coating. It's not that expensive ($80-$125) easy and you get a durable finish.
06-02-13, 11:56 AM
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First find out if cruiser 26' (559 mm) wheels will fit your bikes frame. I'd guess the forks and rear stays will be to narrow.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
06-02-13, 01:02 PM
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I also had to change my fenders, my others were too narrow and if you want that "tight to the tire" look, your new tires are going to need to tuck up in there.
06-03-13, 07:08 AM
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It turned out my bike is a 28er, not 26er. I measured the gaps between the fork tubes and rear triangles and in both cases the gap is around 5 - 6 cm, so I think I'm on the safe side, right? A bit tight though, but nothing a hammer can't fix. 
Should I pay attention when selecting the rims, so that for example the rim doesn't make the tire lower and wider in the profile causing it to rub against the tube? What kind of rims should I get?? I want to install nexus inline-3 hub. I enclose some additional photos of my "blue bentley".
Should I pay attention when selecting the rims, so that for example the rim doesn't make the tire lower and wider in the profile causing it to rub against the tube? What kind of rims should I get?? I want to install nexus inline-3 hub. I enclose some additional photos of my "blue bentley".
06-03-13, 08:09 AM
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Bicyclerider4life
stick with the original rim, if the are good, "28 incher" and "29'er's are both aka 700 C. Toss on some 700 x 35 to 45 if you want wide rubber. changing to 26 inch is going to cause you brake woes finding the right reach arms
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"Whenever I see an adult riding a bicycle, I know there is hope for mankind." (H. G. Wells)
"Whenever I see an adult riding a bicycle, I know there is hope for mankind." (H. G. Wells)
06-03-13, 09:53 PM
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I was thinking that myself...not sure you can find anything off the shelf, but you can build something pretty nice I'm willing to bet. It seems like a nice bike, it would look good stock as there aren't a ton of them around...that being said, I understand the want to make it your own, just keep your goals simple and if you want to keep things inexpensive, keep your eyes pealed for donor bikes.
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06-10-13, 02:06 PM
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Can anyone give me a hint on how to mount the seat more to the rear end of the bike? It's current position is way to forward and I have a "road-racing-bike-feeling" on it. The seat is already mounted on the beginning of the rails. I hope I was clear. :S
I am thinking on installing Brooks seat. Is it really worth 100 €?
I am thinking on installing Brooks seat. Is it really worth 100 €?
06-11-13, 10:58 AM
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Can anyone give me a hint on how to mount the seat more to the rear end of the bike? It's current position is way to forward and I have a "road-racing-bike-feeling" on it. The seat is already mounted on the beginning of the rails. I hope I was clear. :S
I am thinking on installing Brooks seat. Is it really worth 100 €?
I am thinking on installing Brooks seat. Is it really worth 100 €?
https://www.amazon.com/ACTION-SEATPOS...pr_product_top
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
06-19-13, 05:36 AM
#13
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What just hit me is will the powdercoatet rim keep its color because I have the old type side pull caliper brakes? I'm afraid the paint my come off due to braking after time.
I'm also sceptical about the 3-speed nexus hub, because I have a big front sprocket, 52 tooth. What will this mean for lower gear transmission ratio? Are the gear ratios between the three gears significantlly different or is there just a slight change? I have a few hills I need to climb and at the moment they're quite a challange , and it'll be even worse when I put my daughter on a babyseat (15 kg extra).
I'm also sceptical about the 3-speed nexus hub, because I have a big front sprocket, 52 tooth. What will this mean for lower gear transmission ratio? Are the gear ratios between the three gears significantlly different or is there just a slight change? I have a few hills I need to climb and at the moment they're quite a challange , and it'll be even worse when I put my daughter on a babyseat (15 kg extra).
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