slickdude
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Well, Schwinn came out with the Stingray so they get to set the parameters for what makes a Stingray, though there are many variations.
A Stingray initially was a smaller Beach Cruiser style frame. It had tall Ape Hanger style handlebars and a Banana seat. They were initially single speeds but later adapted to both 3 and five speed models. So this was the original Stingray. It had other parts too like flared chrome fenders, but initially handlebars and seat on a Beach Cruiser style frame made the Stingray, those two parts.
Stingray Single Speed.
Stingray Deluxe Model with 3 speed on the handlebar.
Later model Stingrays offered a 3 speed stick shift.
But we are not stuck on a Beach Cruiser style frame. Schwinn upped their game with a model built on a ten-speed style frame called the fastback and this bike had narrower tires and a 5-speed stick shifter, plus all the chrome trimming. So now, a Stingray could have a differing frame and still be called a Stingray.
Note: The handlebar on the Fastback was just a bit taller and narrower than the older Stingray. It also featured the "Mag" style chain ring too, as to where the original Stingray had a differing style. For a very short time, I owned a 1971 Burgundy Red 5 speed Fastback, and it was actually a lightweight fast bike for what it was.
The next Stingray variant was called a Krate. So what defines a Krate since it is quite a bit different? What parts must a Krate use to be a Krate?
The Krate shared a similar Beach Cruiser frame as the original Stingrays. To have a Krate requires the following definition of parts and they can vary. This is not an exact roadmap, just a guideline.
Springer fork in the front (single spring), Banana seat, Sissybar with Shocks, Drum brake on the smaller front wheel, and a wheel that is smaller in the front and larger in the rear. Usually a 4 inch difference between the wheel sizes. Additionally, Krate originally came with a Stickshift and also in coaster brake style too. The earlier stick shifts were 3 speed, but quickly morphed into a 5 speed. The rear brakes were a sidepull caliper, but in later years towards the end of the production of Krates, a disc brake became available.
Now, as far as Krates go, there is no absolute you must have it this way. For example you could do a double springer fork in the front and have one that allows for a disc brake mount and maybe even a small ebike kit wheel, something at around 500 watts or smaller. Shifters can vary too. In the later years of the Krate production, after a lawsuit on the stickshift design, they used a handlebar thumb shifter.
Unless you are doing a replica of an original Krate, the guidelines can vary a lot. But hope this quick take shows you the variations and what the differences are. With the plethora of Beach bruiser frames available today and aftermarket parts you can build your own custom Stingrays, Fastbacks and Krates. Do you really need the iconic stick shift? Nope, Schwinn production had set precedent so you can use paddle and thumbshifters too, so while there is a roadmap, it can vary a great deal.
For example, you can Build a Gold Krate, I am, or a Silver Krate just build it in almost all chrome and add a silver seat, grips and chain guard , how about a Mango or Peach Krate yellowish orange color or orange with black or a Kiwi Krate green and black, a Winter Snow Krates dark blue highlights on an all white frame,l a Death Krate, all black with Crimson Red the sky is the limit. Of course if you want to stick with the original Krates, here they are. Apple, Orange, Grape, Koal, Blueberry Krates, Lemon Peeler, Pea Picker, Grey Ghost and Cotton Picker. I know there was also a custom dealer one similar to the Grey Ghost.
A Stingray initially was a smaller Beach Cruiser style frame. It had tall Ape Hanger style handlebars and a Banana seat. They were initially single speeds but later adapted to both 3 and five speed models. So this was the original Stingray. It had other parts too like flared chrome fenders, but initially handlebars and seat on a Beach Cruiser style frame made the Stingray, those two parts.
Stingray Single Speed.
Stingray Deluxe Model with 3 speed on the handlebar.
Later model Stingrays offered a 3 speed stick shift.
But we are not stuck on a Beach Cruiser style frame. Schwinn upped their game with a model built on a ten-speed style frame called the fastback and this bike had narrower tires and a 5-speed stick shifter, plus all the chrome trimming. So now, a Stingray could have a differing frame and still be called a Stingray.
Note: The handlebar on the Fastback was just a bit taller and narrower than the older Stingray. It also featured the "Mag" style chain ring too, as to where the original Stingray had a differing style. For a very short time, I owned a 1971 Burgundy Red 5 speed Fastback, and it was actually a lightweight fast bike for what it was.
The next Stingray variant was called a Krate. So what defines a Krate since it is quite a bit different? What parts must a Krate use to be a Krate?
The Krate shared a similar Beach Cruiser frame as the original Stingrays. To have a Krate requires the following definition of parts and they can vary. This is not an exact roadmap, just a guideline.
Springer fork in the front (single spring), Banana seat, Sissybar with Shocks, Drum brake on the smaller front wheel, and a wheel that is smaller in the front and larger in the rear. Usually a 4 inch difference between the wheel sizes. Additionally, Krate originally came with a Stickshift and also in coaster brake style too. The earlier stick shifts were 3 speed, but quickly morphed into a 5 speed. The rear brakes were a sidepull caliper, but in later years towards the end of the production of Krates, a disc brake became available.
Now, as far as Krates go, there is no absolute you must have it this way. For example you could do a double springer fork in the front and have one that allows for a disc brake mount and maybe even a small ebike kit wheel, something at around 500 watts or smaller. Shifters can vary too. In the later years of the Krate production, after a lawsuit on the stickshift design, they used a handlebar thumb shifter.
Unless you are doing a replica of an original Krate, the guidelines can vary a lot. But hope this quick take shows you the variations and what the differences are. With the plethora of Beach bruiser frames available today and aftermarket parts you can build your own custom Stingrays, Fastbacks and Krates. Do you really need the iconic stick shift? Nope, Schwinn production had set precedent so you can use paddle and thumbshifters too, so while there is a roadmap, it can vary a great deal.
For example, you can Build a Gold Krate, I am, or a Silver Krate just build it in almost all chrome and add a silver seat, grips and chain guard , how about a Mango or Peach Krate yellowish orange color or orange with black or a Kiwi Krate green and black, a Winter Snow Krates dark blue highlights on an all white frame,l a Death Krate, all black with Crimson Red the sky is the limit. Of course if you want to stick with the original Krates, here they are. Apple, Orange, Grape, Koal, Blueberry Krates, Lemon Peeler, Pea Picker, Grey Ghost and Cotton Picker. I know there was also a custom dealer one similar to the Grey Ghost.
