This might be more of a regional style, with vintage roots in the coastal communities of California, harkening back to the late ‘70s early ‘80s. But I definitely see a lack of online representation when it comes to bikes which we in California identify as Cal Custom Cruisers otherwise known as Strands or Strandies.
Not to be confused with another historical West Coast bike creation, the Klunker (which has roots in Marin county, rooted in engineering cruiser frames for offroad use and the direct ancestor to the modern mountain bike). Strandies are specifically Beach Cruiser frames which have been upgraded with BMX parts to cruise around the beach community.
Usually outfitted with BMX handlebars with a bit of back sweep (since its fitted to a large cruiser). If the handlebar is a one-piece cruiser style, it is clad in long black foam grips which stretches from the stem to the ends of the bars (I think this was to protect the bare metal from being exposed to the salty seaside air). Strandies are outfitted with a straight BMX forks which are of a high quality Chromoly. Some Strandies have multiple rear gears, and high-end version are outfitted with a quality 3 piece cranksets. Some bikes have long reach single pivot brakes, and many just have the typical coaster brake.
I’ve seen my fair share of DIY Strandies, and many of the mainstream Bike companies of that era churned out cruisers fitting that west coast style (for example the Peugeot Pipeline and the Diamond Back Sand Streak) most of the frames from these manufacturers were made with Hi-Ten steel. There was also boutique BMX builders who built Strandies such as KOS, Cook Bros, Laguna, Prodyne, S&S, Bassett and SE. Most of these bikes are high quality and made of Chromoly, they’re extremely sought after, even parts that are mint or NOS will fetch a pretty penny.
The modern 26” BMX Cruisers you see today, which are popular with teenagers who take part in “Role Outs” and wheelie crews, are bikes which directly descend from Strandies. Anyways, I’ve got a couple ideas brewing in my mind (mainly I want to build a Strand out of an old urban cromo Peugeot frame), but just wanted to see if anybody else has went down this route?
mediumclay on
>Not to be confused with another historical West Coast bike creation, the Klunker (which has roots in Marin county, rooted in engineering cruiser frames for offroad use and the direct ancestor to the modern mountain bike). Strandies are specifically Beach Cruiser frames which have been upgraded with BMX parts to cruise around the beach community.
I still fail to see the difference, I guess. Cruiser frames, single speed, riser bars, knobby tires, California… Is the difference just the surface you’re riding on?
SinoSoul on
Interesting ad for the Peugeot: it’s a French company selling bikes clearly from Taiwan (CST tires and KMC chain!) very cool.
Tosssauceinmybag on
Thanks for sharing! Never heard of a strandie but this is super interesting. I’ve always hated those crusty black foam grips that go to the stem but I can see the point now. A fun site to get some period correct parts for your build is porkchop bmx. Damnit now I need a strandie
9 Comments
This might be more of a regional style, with vintage roots in the coastal communities of California, harkening back to the late ‘70s early ‘80s. But I definitely see a lack of online representation when it comes to bikes which we in California identify as Cal Custom Cruisers otherwise known as Strands or Strandies.
Not to be confused with another historical West Coast bike creation, the Klunker (which has roots in Marin county, rooted in engineering cruiser frames for offroad use and the direct ancestor to the modern mountain bike). Strandies are specifically Beach Cruiser frames which have been upgraded with BMX parts to cruise around the beach community.
Usually outfitted with BMX handlebars with a bit of back sweep (since its fitted to a large cruiser). If the handlebar is a one-piece cruiser style, it is clad in long black foam grips which stretches from the stem to the ends of the bars (I think this was to protect the bare metal from being exposed to the salty seaside air). Strandies are outfitted with a straight BMX forks which are of a high quality Chromoly. Some Strandies have multiple rear gears, and high-end version are outfitted with a quality 3 piece cranksets. Some bikes have long reach single pivot brakes, and many just have the typical coaster brake.
I’ve seen my fair share of DIY Strandies, and many of the mainstream Bike companies of that era churned out cruisers fitting that west coast style (for example the Peugeot Pipeline and the Diamond Back Sand Streak) most of the frames from these manufacturers were made with Hi-Ten steel. There was also boutique BMX builders who built Strandies such as KOS, Cook Bros, Laguna, Prodyne, S&S, Bassett and SE. Most of these bikes are high quality and made of Chromoly, they’re extremely sought after, even parts that are mint or NOS will fetch a pretty penny.
The modern 26” BMX Cruisers you see today, which are popular with teenagers who take part in “Role Outs” and wheelie crews, are bikes which directly descend from Strandies. Anyways, I’ve got a couple ideas brewing in my mind (mainly I want to build a Strand out of an old urban cromo Peugeot frame), but just wanted to see if anybody else has went down this route?
>Not to be confused with another historical West Coast bike creation, the Klunker (which has roots in Marin county, rooted in engineering cruiser frames for offroad use and the direct ancestor to the modern mountain bike). Strandies are specifically Beach Cruiser frames which have been upgraded with BMX parts to cruise around the beach community.
I still fail to see the difference, I guess. Cruiser frames, single speed, riser bars, knobby tires, California… Is the difference just the surface you’re riding on?
Interesting ad for the Peugeot: it’s a French company selling bikes clearly from Taiwan (CST tires and KMC chain!) very cool.
Thanks for sharing! Never heard of a strandie but this is super interesting. I’ve always hated those crusty black foam grips that go to the stem but I can see the point now. A fun site to get some period correct parts for your build is porkchop bmx. Damnit now I need a strandie
https://preview.redd.it/z663no2yzw5e1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05cd7c93b52785f6fd2c66c6de8d227bec866872
Here’s mine. Now I guess I know what to call it
The world needs more anodized gold
Yes x100.
Just no to upswept bars.
Everything else I can dig, including Ashtabula cranks.
These are much nicer than the rusty old Schwinns I see people riding on the Strand. And now I kinda want one.
Number one and six! Super cool 😎