24" wheels on a 26" cruiser

[Dozur]

I am trying to lower a cruiser just enough so its comfortable ( and pimp ) for a big guy. so i was wondering how i could drop a 26" , standard cruiser frame about 3-5". i thought smaller wheels might work but since this is my first build would like to know if anyone has done this and what the result was. after all my measurements i know it will work and i imagine it will look good. just looking for feedback before i get to the grind

[oldfool]

I am trying to lower a cruiser just enough so its comfortable ( and pimp ) for a big guy. so i was wondering how i could drop a 26" , standard cruiser frame about 3-5". i thought smaller wheels might work but since this is my first build would like to know if anyone has done this and what the result was. after all my measurements i know it will work and i imagine it will look good. just looking for feedback before i get to the grind

I've done it with 20 inch wheels but had to go to such short crank arms to keep from striking the ground that I gave it up. With 24 inch wheels you might still want to go to 6 inch cranks. Most bike throw-aways are department store kids bikes and that is a good source of short cranks. With a smaller drive wheel and shorter cranks you'll still have plenty of power. Setting the saddle back with an off set seat post gets you lower and looks good. If you have trouble with reach turn the stem around. The only difference I noticed with the shorter cranks is my knees stop hurting and the pain in my left hip stopped. Now I'm planning to change all my bikes to shorter cranks
Do it.

[kemmer]

It should work just fine so long as the pedals don't hit the ground. I have also done 20" wheels and i used shorter cranks from smaller bike. They do scrape in the corners though.

[FlatTop]

I did a Raleigh frame (originally 26x1 3/8" tire size) with all the parts from a 24" wheel Raleigh kid's bike. It rode fine, a different feel for sure with the smaller diameter wheel set. No issues with pedal strike...but the crank arms were from the smaller bike, and shorter.

[Dozur]

does it look good and achieve the effect of lowering the bike? im actually pretty prone to cutting things apart to make them function but i am for once trying to make something more aesthetic ( good looking ) that will hopefully get me some attention from women. but thank you so much for you replies. i know im not the only one who relies heavily on learning from others, and these forums with the help of like minded cool cats like you make it work

[Blais]

that will hopefully get me some attention from women.

Oh man, this one had me rolling. It reminds me of the time when I was 17 and trying to decide between my first car and another dirtbike; My grandfather's words of wisdom? "Just remember, you can't get laid in the back of a dirtbike." :D

[basscadetz]

attention from the women?

[FlatTop]

I'm thinking that using fenders sized to match the tires will help this mod work as far as appearance goes. Helps visually fill in the open space left from larger diameter wheels.
I build and ride whatever the hell I want, don't care what anybody else likes. But I'm an old guy.

[Dozur]

attention from the women?

what wrong? is that something you're not familiar with? zingzing.

[basscadetz]

i think i need a burned-aid.

[Siu Blue Wind]

what wrong? is that something you're not familiar with? zingzing.


I think he meant that a bike shouldn't be used to get attention from women if : YOU are so jaw droppingly handsome that it is you and only you being focused upon. :)

ANYWAY....anybody else have any ideas on shortening this bike?

[Dozur]

im glad you can take a good burn basscadetz. I don't mean harm, I just can't resist a good burn. in my own way it's how I say " I love you". anyway it helps weed out people with bad attitudes or take themselves too seriously. And I am very handsome by the way, I just want a woman to love me for my bike, not my body. Look even with incredible hulk skin ( and then just some incredible hulk ) and my dads glasses from the 80's I am still a good looking Caucasoid. ( I'm sassy too )

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa289/bringer13/meCarsTatsInsanity/29a8.jpg

[Dozur]

thank you everyone for the posts, i didnt expect so much feedback. the suggestions so have been practical and direct so far. its no wonder why i didnt think of them myself. will one of those bent forks from say ...lovelylowrider.com help lower a bike?

[mastershake916]

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/540/emoticeburnrm6.gif

[cerewa]

If you run a coaster brake and are willing to ride with one brake only, you can just put 24" wheels on a 26" bike. But it won't be all that pretty. (not to my eyes, at least).

If you use a shorter fork and also lower the frame, the bike will probably be rendered unrideable because the pedals will hit the ground. You could go for really short cranks but they might look silly. You could just start with a 20"-wheel bike. Or you could take a semi-recumbent (http://www.ransbikes.com/Fusion07.htm) and put smaller wheels on it (or leave it the same.)



There are women who will notice you because of your stylish bike (if you have one) but they are few and far between. It's like this... if you are a woman and want to meet men, do something lots of men do. Join a cycling group or go to hockey games, for example. If you are a man and hope to meet women, your best chances are at things many women like... for example dancing. (I used to take Irish dance classes and there was one other guy and lots of girls. The other guy's current girlfriend is, no surprise, an irish dancer.)

[Dozur]

Ok, I have to stop this NOW! I was kidding about building a bike to get women. it is shallow, materialistic and pathetic. ( but hey if it works I am gonna jump on it ). I am so much more interested in building a bike that is comfortable to ride, works as a media for my ideas, and is dirt tough and reliable. I don't want to lower the bike itself significantly, but the hight at which I ride would be more comfortable lower. or I can just get bigger handle bars. then there would be a place for even fat women to sit. I honestly don't know a lot of "women" who would be impressed at all by a grown man on beach cruiser, even if I ( yes me, not the bike ) were gold plated, well maybe, but anyway there are lots of young women who would love it. Thanks all you who are giving me advice. Even though some of it is repeated it just validates the idea. I should mention that I am 6' 3" and 290 lbs. ( yeah i know, too much pabst blue ribbon, but in my defense I can lift 300 and teach you how to scorn a child ) so anything smaller than a 24" cruiser isn't gonna hack it.

[Fast Eddie]

if you look back to a post of mine on this forum titled "daisy duke" ya can kinda see what im talkin bout here....i lowered a 26 frame by mounting a fork that came off a 20" bike, and used 20" wheels, but even with shorter crank arms it scrapes pedals in turns. and by the way, the best way to get attention when riding a bike is to ride naked. fast eddie outty

[East Hill]

...and by the way, the best way to get attention when riding a bike is to ride naked. fast eddie outty

Fast Eddie, you aren't talking from personal experience, are you :p .

East Hill

[Fast Eddie]

why yes, YES I AM!!!! that way if im kroozin for chicks there's no false advertising! plus the cars cant miss my best reflector (my stark white behind) so riding in the buff is also a safety precaution!
nakee eddie outty

[East Hill]

why yes, YES I AM!!!! that way if im kroozin for chicks there's no false advertising! plus the cars cant miss my best reflector (my stark white behind) so riding in the buff is also a safety precaution!
nakee eddie outty

:roflmao:

I am NOT asking for photos this time :D .

Gotta keep this worksafe, ya know :p ?

East Hill

[CCR]

swappin to 24" wheels should only drop the bike an inch right??, swappin to 20" would drop ya 3" if i am right. which is not too often :)

[Wordbiker]

Contrary to popular opinion, this thread became worthless with pics.

[Dozur]

thanks for all the advice. due to some people taking themselves way too seriously here on bikeforums im taking this question somewhere else. thanks to all who gave relevant advice, and not irrelevant opinions.
please close this thread