Al Fritz, inventor of the Sting Ray, Dies at 88
05-08-20, 05:15 PM
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Al Fritz, inventor of the Sting Ray, Dies at 88
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/b...?smid=fb-share
My first bike was a used Coppertone Sting Ray Deluxe.
Not mine but just like mine.
My first bike was a used Coppertone Sting Ray Deluxe.
Not mine but just like mine.
Last edited by cb400bill; 05-08-20 at 05:33 PM.
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05-08-20, 05:20 PM
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I had a Fastback and a '90s re-issue Krate that I gave to my nephews. I also used to have a Peapicker Krate with the Drum front brake and Disc rear brake - I sold that long ago - no pictures.
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05-08-20, 05:24 PM
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Stingray
RIP
AWESOME DESIGN!!!
I couldn't afford a Schwinn Stingray when I was a kid. I got a purple Savoy Stingray. I loved that bike.
I almost 57 and I bought an early to mid 70's Schwinn 3 speed stick shift Stingray to restore. Do you think I'm letting my grandkids ride it when it's finished. Maybe not.....
Feeling hasn't changed in 45 years!
AWESOME DESIGN!!!
I couldn't afford a Schwinn Stingray when I was a kid. I got a purple Savoy Stingray. I loved that bike.
I almost 57 and I bought an early to mid 70's Schwinn 3 speed stick shift Stingray to restore. Do you think I'm letting my grandkids ride it when it's finished. Maybe not.....
Feeling hasn't changed in 45 years!
05-08-20, 05:37 PM
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Anyone know where the California kids were getting the long handlebars and banana seats for their pre-Sting-Ray creations?
I don't remember seeing either on a bike until the rich kid in the neighborhood got his purple Sting-Ray.
I don't remember seeing either on a bike until the rich kid in the neighborhood got his purple Sting-Ray.
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05-08-20, 05:44 PM
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RIP
I learned to ride a bike on my neighbor's Stingray. I always wanted one, but never got one, apparently like a lot of other folks on this forum.
I'd take a guess that the high rise bars etc were adapted from mini bikes. ??
I learned to ride a bike on my neighbor's Stingray. I always wanted one, but never got one, apparently like a lot of other folks on this forum.
I'd take a guess that the high rise bars etc were adapted from mini bikes. ??
05-08-20, 08:10 PM
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https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/b...?smid=fb-share
My first bike was a used Coppertone Sting Ray Deluxe.
Not mine but just like mine.
My first bike was a used Coppertone Sting Ray Deluxe.
Not mine but just like mine.
The stolen bike was replaced by a used green Stingray. I painted it black and an older friend build me a 2-speed kickback wheel. Could ride wheelies all day in the low gear.
best bikes ever! RIP Mr Fritz.
05-09-20, 05:07 AM
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RIP
AWESOME DESIGN!!!
I couldn't afford a Schwinn Stingray when I was a kid. I got a purple Savoy Stingray. I loved that bike.
I almost 57 and I bought an early to mid 70's Schwinn 3 speed stick shift Stingray to restore. Do you think I'm letting my grandkids ride it when it's finished. Maybe not.....
Feeling hasn't changed in 45 years!
AWESOME DESIGN!!!
I couldn't afford a Schwinn Stingray when I was a kid. I got a purple Savoy Stingray. I loved that bike.
I almost 57 and I bought an early to mid 70's Schwinn 3 speed stick shift Stingray to restore. Do you think I'm letting my grandkids ride it when it's finished. Maybe not.....
Feeling hasn't changed in 45 years!
My parents couldn't afford a real Sting Ray, so I got a Huffy Cheater Slick during a spring sale at K-mart. I was confused, since they normally didn't buy large gifts except for birthdays or Christmas.
05-09-20, 11:53 AM
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I do hereby nominate the Sting-Ray as the single greatest bike, ever.
Is it the handle bars?
Is it the banana seat?
Is it the sissy bar?
Maybe it's the flared rear fender.
How about how the smooth arcs of the frame's tubing blends into the curvature of the wheels.
Maybe it is quick handling of the short wheel based frame.
Maybe it is the choice of gearing that allowed easy riding and still allowed wheelies and other fun skills.
Maybe it is the simplicity of the design.
Maybe it's all of the above.
I never had one but have ridden them. I've also ridden the Crate and Fastback. Neither was as good as the Sting-Ray.
RIP, Al Fritz. Thank you.
Is it the handle bars?
Is it the banana seat?
Is it the sissy bar?
Maybe it's the flared rear fender.
How about how the smooth arcs of the frame's tubing blends into the curvature of the wheels.
Maybe it is quick handling of the short wheel based frame.
Maybe it is the choice of gearing that allowed easy riding and still allowed wheelies and other fun skills.
Maybe it is the simplicity of the design.
Maybe it's all of the above.
I never had one but have ridden them. I've also ridden the Crate and Fastback. Neither was as good as the Sting-Ray.
RIP, Al Fritz. Thank you.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 05-09-20 at 11:56 AM.
05-09-20, 01:04 PM
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RIP, Al. 👍 I had an old used green Stingray that my older brother built from parts, but my neighbor had a Purple one, with that cool stick shift lever. He also got a mini-bike before I did, but he was pretty cool, and let me ride it. 😎
I see Little Richard also died. Not my cup of tea, musically, but ya gotta respect his contributions. RIP, Richard.
I see Little Richard also died. Not my cup of tea, musically, but ya gotta respect his contributions. RIP, Richard.
05-09-20, 01:51 PM
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Thank you, Al, for you contribution to my lifetime on two wheels.
It all began with a red Schwinn Apple Krate:
DD
It all began with a red Schwinn Apple Krate:
DD
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05-09-20, 02:30 PM
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Fritz pioneered the Stingray in the early 60's. Thanks Al! 
Dad converted our standard bikes to Stingray style with banana seats and ape hanger bars in the late 60's when my brother and I were kids. Thanks Dad!
Years later I've had and refurbished several. Fun bikes!
Dad converted our standard bikes to Stingray style with banana seats and ape hanger bars in the late 60's when my brother and I were kids. Thanks Dad! Years later I've had and refurbished several. Fun bikes!
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05-11-20, 02:32 PM
#12
Bicycle Repairman
May 7th was the anniversary of his death. He actually passed away in 2013.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Fritz
Still a good thread with some great pix!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Fritz
Still a good thread with some great pix!
05-11-20, 08:33 PM
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Damn. I didn't even notice that. Now I can't remember where I got the link.
