Jason Sonneborn's
Schwinn Typhoon Kustom Cruiser
KUSTOM CRUISER
Kustom Cruisers are bikes which wear 26" balloon or middleweight tires.
Just about any frame type, new or old will do as the basis for one. The emphasis
in this class is on appearance; practicality is not much of a factor in the
designing of these machines. They are purely designed for cruising down
streets and bike paths at a leisurely pace, while dazzling bystanders with
their beauty and koolness. Unlike Street Rods, there usually isn't the
slightest attempt made to increase their efficiency. This blithe disregard
for physics is best exemplified by the 144-spoke radial wheels so popular in
this class. The 36 steel spokes in a typical 26" bike wheel account for a
large amount of its weight. There are four times that amount of weight in a
144-spoke wheel. Combine that with a single-speed pedal-drive system, and
the terms "slower' and 'harder" come to mind in a whole new context. They
could advertise these wheels as "fitness aids" and find an even larger
market. You won't find many applications of lightweight alloy components at
all, in this class. Let's face it: chrome-plated steel is a lot
sharper-looking than polished aluminum. With their emphasis on the more
impractical, baroquely-visual approach to biking, you could call a Kustom
Cruiser driver a fop, but you can't say he doesn't have manly legs.
This class isn't limited to coaster-braked single-speeds, though. The basic
idea is that no significant attempt has been made to increase the efficiency
of the basis bike over what it started with. Builders sometimes start with more
modern frames, such as old-school MTBs and factory "cruisers" from recent
times. While they may have no interest in performance improvement, they are
unlikely to discard multi-speed shifting and adequate braking. Unless they really
stand in the way of the right look, of course.
This is not to say that efficiency is discouraged in this class, it is just
not a requirement of the breed. The main thing is the visual appeal of the
vehicle. It has an interesting, well-executed paint job, unless it's chrome
or gold plated, in which case it might sport pin-striping or accent
airbrushing. Just about anything goes in this class, so long as the bike is
functional to the extent that it is capable of participation in the
mandatory bike parade, with stop-and-go flow.
Builders of Kustom Cruisers share the benefits of the widespread popularity
of Lowrider Bikes. There are many sources for reasonably-priced, extremely
kool-looking if less than efficient bike parts. That, combined with the
availability of reproductions of luxe vintage seats, and other components,
accessories, etc. gives the Kustom Cruiser Creator a wide range of
ingredients to go into the masterpiece. The next time you're at a bike
parade and one of these boulevard bombshells passes by, give it a big hand.
Its creator has provided you with spectacular entertainment, and its driver
is workin' like a dawg.
Judging Criteria: Kustom Cruiser
Concept 1-5
Overall Impression 1-5
Paint and Details 1-5
