Author Topic: Confusing double top tube frame - really CycleCraft? (Read 6148 times)

bmx_freestyler · « **on:** November 19, 2015, 03:28 PM »

Found this bike on a Classifieds Portal.
First impression was HARO Master out of the 90's.
But the interbar between the double top tubes is tubular, whereas the Haro shows a plate-like design.

Decals says "Cycle Craft", and the sticker on the top tubes "Five o two".

Can anybody confirm this design as a Cyclecraft?
If so, which building date and model - also grateful for further/any informations help to id this frame

Note: Seller told me that he has swapped the handlebar over the years.

For me the decals seems to be original; sticker at the front says "Made in Taiwan":

Some close-up's (quality of the welds):

The chainstay tubes are all closed at the end (HARO-like):

Brakes are all "Dia-Compe" (front: Bulldog; rear: AD-990 [buliding date 1994]; levers: Tech77 with locking):

Stem is "SR" (original? Not sure because of some blue colored parts on the screws...):

Bottom view of the fork:

Over all a really nice bike

Only the serial at the bottom bracket is not clear to me.
Also it can be seen that the part of the serial number has been kept open during painting of the frame... maybe original or re-powdered?

Many thanks in advance for every hint in this context

That Swan Guy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2015, 04:22 PM »

Cyclecraft normally have distinctive drops front and back and I've never seen them do a freestyler. The serial is all too organized for them too.

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2015, 04:40 PM »

Cyclecraft are my favourite brand, I've never seen a twin top tube one. The oddest thing they have is the Block, which is still a single top tube but unusual forks.

As far as I know the tube ends were never solid either. At least I've never seen solid ones.

gary4130 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2015, 06:28 PM »

it's a brand made in germany not the US cyclecraft.not many were ever made think due to copywrite branding
remember there being a test in uk ride in the early 90's .has a similar haro twin top tube and a mongoose hooligan oval downtube.
will have a dig around to see if i can find the issue
would be interested in the F+F

Jaymz · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2015, 08:09 PM »

That's a cool looking frame

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2015, 08:56 AM »

Quote from: Jaymz on November 19, 2015, 08:09 PM

That's a cool looking frame

You are absolutely right - thanks

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2015, 08:59 AM »

@ That Swan Guy & Monk_Wally_Honk:
Yep, this was my first impression, too.
Particularly the rear drop outs on CycleCraft (US) bikes appears like clearly U-shaped single part welded below the lower chainstay (with open tubular ends).

Seems that "gary4130" has mentioned the solution:
Obviously this one here is based on a similar German brand (not US), namely "Cycle Craft".

@ gary4130:
In fact I haven't recognized the oval cross section of the down tube until You've mentioned it!
Studying his shape more in detail the downtube nearly appears complex.
Now I've measured the cross section near the bottom bracket (BB) and near the steering tube (ST):

BB tube-width: ~ 5/3" (~43mm)
BB tube height: ~ 8/6" (~34mm)

ST tube width: ~ 8/6" (~34mm)
ST tube height: ~ 5/3" (~43mm)

As You can see, the cross section of the down tube near the BB is quasi inverted compared to his end near the ST.

Would be fantastic if You're able to find the mentioned test inside the "UK Ride"

OllyHall · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:50 AM »

It looks very much like a copy of a 92-93 master even the forks look similar

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2015, 10:23 AM »

Quote from: OllyHall on November 20, 2015, 09:50 AM

It looks very much like a copy of a 92-93 master even the forks look similar

Yep, that was my first impression, too.

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2015, 11:35 AM »

In the meantime I've studied the Trade Mark register here in Germany.

In fact a wordmark called "CYCLE-CRAFT" has been registered 1994 in Germany particularly for "bicycles".
Holder was "Mr. Sascha Gros". He was the owner of a firm called "CycleCraft e.K." (has produced bicycles).
Than in 2011 this Trade Mark has been deleted based on a holder request...
The same holder has also registered a wordmark called "cycle craft" (without the hyphen) in 1998 for bicycles, accessories thereto and other stuff like bags, clothes and so on.

Against this background "gary 4130" is absolutely right by saying that "cycle craft" (as displayed on the bike) can be traced back to a German firm.

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2015, 11:52 AM »

By the way:
The firm is still alive (http://www.cyclecraft.de/) producing high quality mountain bikes, racing bikes and so on...

gary4130 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2015, 10:56 PM »

hi michael pics finally uploaded

many thanks to john for scanning them for me-cheers john

hope this clears up that it's a 'german' made cyclecraft

deeman · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2015, 02:26 AM »

It looks quite cool, have you bought it?

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2015, 12:43 PM »

Quote from: deeman on November 29, 2015, 02:26 AM

It looks quite cool, have you bought it?

Deeman,
It is me who bought this bike here in Germany a few weeks ago

Gary was able and so kind to dig relevant informations about it and post them here - many thx, Gary

griff · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2015, 04:06 PM »

Every day is a school day

deeman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2015, 04:08 PM »

Quote from: bmx_freestyler on November 29, 2015, 12:43 PM

Quote from: deeman on November 29, 2015, 02:26 AM
It looks quite cool, have you bought it?
Deeman,
It is me who bought this bike here in Germany a few weeks ago
Gary was able and so kind to dig relevant informations about it and post them here - many thx, Gary

Nice one, it looks quite reminiscent of a RL20 II. Are you going to restore it or leave it as it is?

gary4130 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2015, 11:16 PM »

few more pics michael

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2015, 09:35 AM »

Fantastic good job, Gary!
Your investigative skills are absolutely impressive

Studying the content of the magazine it can be said that this F/F-set containing really good quality (full chromoly, geometry, stiffnes...)

bmx_freestyler · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2015, 10:51 AM »

Quote from: deeman on November 29, 2015, 04:08 PM

Quote from: bmx_freestyler on November 29, 2015, 12:43 PM
Quote from: deeman on November 29, 2015, 02:26 AM
It looks quite cool, have you bought it?
Deeman,
It is me who bought this bike here in Germany a few weeks ago
Gary was able and so kind to dig relevant informations about it and post them here - many thx, Gary

Nice one, it looks quite reminiscent of a RL20 II. Are you going to restore it or leave it as it is?

Until now I had no idea about the significance of these "Cyclecraft Freestyle F/F-set".
In fact it is Gary's effort who has identified the quality and rareness of this F/F-set

In the near future I will try to make a decision about the further way of the bike...