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Nostalgia Rides On Through Iconicride, Complete with Banana Seat

Written by Zach Overholt
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Iconicride chopper bicycle banana seat kickstarter (4)

Whether you consider yourself a “cyclist” or not, quite a few people have fond memories of waking up to a new Schwinn Krate under the Christmas tree during their childhood. Between the chopper bars, 16″ front and 20″ rear wheels, and the banana seat, the bikes became iconic symbols of late 60’s/early 70’s bike culture.

If you find yourself reminiscing about those days, perhaps you would be interested in the new IconicRide. Introduced by industrial designer Mario Ciaramellano, the chopper inspired ride brings back memories, only in an adult sized package. Even though the wheels might be bit bigger than the original, the IconicRide packs in all of the style, just with a few modern touches…

Iconicride chopper bicycle banana seat kickstarter (1)

One of the most obvious differences between the IconicRide and a classic chopper bike is the size. Rather than a 20×2.125″ rear and 16 x 1 3/4″ front, the modern incarnation rolls on 24″ rear and 20″ front stock. Combined with a Hi-tensile or Chromoly steel frame built with larger riders in mind, the IconicRide is the perfect ride for big kids, and big kids at heart.

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Iconicride chopper bicycle banana seat kickstarter (1) Iconicride chopper bicycle banana seat kickstarter (3)

As the calling card of the chopper bike, the banana seat and chopper handlebars remain, but the bike gets some modern appointments at the hubs. Instead of the old gear shift on the top tube, the IconicRide runs a modern Shimano Nexus 3 or 7 speed internal gear hub with a coaster brake. The front end ditches a drum brake in favor of a mechanical disc brake, while both wheels run double wall alloy rims for lighter weight and improved durability over chromed steel hoops.

Iconicride chopper bicycle banana seat kickstarter (5) Iconicride chopper bicycle banana seat kickstarter (2)

Available in Green, Blue, and Red/orange, complete bikes start at $567 ($699 AUD) through the IconicRide Kickstarter. If the Kickstarter is successful, bicycles are expected to start shipping May, 2015.
Zach Overholt
5,724 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Les
Les
9 years ago

Simply put.

Gotta havit

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Greg @ dsw
Greg @ dsw
9 years ago

Looks good, but where are the schwinn lemon peeler essentials? Like:
– Rear strut shocks
– Rear derailleur (ok, nexus 7 is a good replacement)
– Rear caliper brakes (ok, nexus 7 is a good replacement)
– Top tube mounted stick shift
– Front suspension fork (or springs)
-Front drum brake (well, the front disc substitutes nicely for that)

Photo for reference:
http://classiccycleus.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Lemon-Peeler.jpg

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Dave B
Dave B
9 years ago

“– Top tube mounted stick shift”
CPSC pretty much outlawed that decades ago.

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Mario C.
Mario C.
9 years ago

Hi All,
I had a Schwinn Krate in red when I was a Kid, and some time ago as an adult I sat on a similar bike, as many things from the distant past, I outgrew it and the fantastic krate from my childhood memories was a no go for me, so I decided to make a similar bicycle in a bigger scale to suit adults and here are my design choices. I think that better brakes and drivetrain are a great improvement on what was available back then, I avoided suspension components to keep the weight low, and the shifter had to go as accurately pointed out by Dave B.
Your support is very important to us, either by pledging or relaying the info to others!
Cheers
Mario C
IconicRide
Sydney-Australia

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Steve Polzak
Steve Polzak
7 years ago
Reply to  Mario C.

I did the same with a Sear’s 24 inch ,it is really a Huffy or Murray built for them.I rebuilt it repainted it put a spring fork that was for a 26 inch bike on it and a 20 inch wheel up front. Was 5 speed great riding bike,had it till 2005 or 2006.Just gave it to someone who need a bike. Miss it now a lot. Steve Polzak U.S.A. So I am glad to see someone doing this. I still build,matter of fact have a few to do.If I could I would have posted pics but do not see a way to.Have a good one and hope everything takes off.Matter of fact I would like you to keep me posted.

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King County
King County
9 years ago

Fun looking bikes. The Rat Rod Bikes crowd would dig these.

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Ripnshread
Ripnshread
9 years ago

I dig these bikes. When I was in my 20’s a friend found a pimped out crate left down on the beach half buried in the sand on the island I was living on. He brought it to me to see if I could fix it up. We asked around (small island) and no one claimed it, it was probably stolen from the mainland and dumped on the island, who knows.

We fully rebuilt it that winter and I rode it the whole next summer as a commuter. I am a small guy, 5’4″, so it was not a bad fit.

The one problem with the bike, besides the lack of brakes on my model (the coaster failed), was that the front end had a tendency to push to the outside going into corners due to the center of gravity being well rearward. I would think a front brake would aggravate that situation in anything loose. I found a heavy dose of Flintstones style cantilevered cornering and stopping was needed.

Fun bikes those Krates. Think I left mine at a friends house at the end of the summer. Vinnie, if your out there, you still ridding that thing?

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kaliyuga
kaliyuga
9 years ago

do you ever take it over any sweet jumps?

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Mario C.
Mario C.
9 years ago

Hi Kaliyuga,
I haven’t done any jumping on IconicRide, mostly because of my age and profile.
I see it more like a cruising / commuting bike, That being said, there are no flimsy parts so it would take some moderate Air.
It has an Ashtabula type BB, and durability would decrease the heavier the rider is (mass) and jump intensity, it is very easy to service and replacements parts would be relatively inexpensive.
Cheers,
Mario C.
IconicRide
Sydney-Australia

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Mario C.
Mario C.
9 years ago

HI All, We Wish you all a Happy New Year from Sydney-Australia
Cheers,
Mario C.
IconicRide

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Charles Cunningham
Charles Cunningham
9 years ago

Well, I am glad to know that I am not the only one who’s been thinking about this! I had a Sears Gremlin 3-speed when I was from 13 to 15, until it was stolen by some mutoid I’d still like to kill. I would make the rear wheel 26 inches, and replace the banana seat with a more comfortable butt-shaped seat, though, since I am on the tall/large side.

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Michelle Hollis
Michelle Hollis
3 years ago

Do you know anyone that can make an Adult sized SCWINN STINGRAY style of bike for someone @ 6’3″ ? I would like the handlebars to be tall, like the kid’s Stingray… & the seat higher up. A motor would be a great addition.

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