Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike

I thought the reason was that millions of Americans who became interested in cycling still remember the contortions required to ride, and the harsh unpleasant ride of the 10 speed racers of the 70's and never tried a bike again. Not eerybody is interested in riding in a peloton with the club, on a tour, or in "training". The absence of the cruiser from the American market and the single minded emphasis on performance bikes, high tech gimmicks and weight weenieism for the last 30 or so years has been a loss for many potential cyclists as well as the industry as a whole.