Commuting - I want a FAST cruiser.

I know... this does not make any sense.


Still.... any ideas?

Pedal harder.

Trek Soho 4.0 with cruiser bars and fenders.

I don't know about fast, but Electra's Amsterdam Balloon 8 is a pretty kewl looking cruiser!
http://www.harborcountrybike.com/v/vspfiles/photos/192040-2.jpg

I don't connect "cruising" with going fast

I know... this does not make any sense.


Still.... any ideas?

Schwinn and others make some multi speed cruisers with aluminum frames. Not fast, but faster than the standard steel single speed. I suppose you could change out the handlebars and get a little "faster" geometry. Altering the tires from 2.125" of course is sacrilege.

Be more specific. Do you want a fast bike with cruiser style, or the fastest off-the-shelf cruiser, or something totally different?

I used to pass lycra-clad roadies all the time on my Giant Cypress, so I guess that's "fast". Now, having mostly switched to a Sport Racing bicycle (OCR1) or whatever they're called, when I ride my Cypress it feels like I'm pushing a Mac Truck with a barge pole.

The big tires do well on Seattle's cracked pavement and railroad tracks though.

RANS has some road style crank forwards, all the way up to an 18.5lb crank forward. You could probably pull some pretty incredible speed on those "for a cruiser"

Pricey though.

Just add Nitto Albatross bars and fatter tires... Instant cruiser! Of course fat tires do kind of limit you to the touring and mountain biking frames, but even 700x32 tires will be way more comfy than super skinny tires.

My wife has a Rivendell Wilbury mixte that is a fast cruiser. It has a full range of gears, albatross bars, and 650B wheels. It also has the most beautiful lugs I've ever seen. You can cruise really fast on this bike. She lets me ride it, and fortunately we are about the same height :-)

Sean

http://k53.pbase.com/o4/15/544315/1/58174824._DSC0080.jpg

Sorry to hijack, but those bags are wonderful! Where can I find them? Please don't tell me they're vintage...

Sorry to hijack, but those bags are wonderful! Where can I find them? Please don't tell me they're vintage...

Maybe Frost River.
http://www.frostriver.com/bike_bags/bikebags_menu.html

Sorry to hijack, but those bags are wonderful! Where can I find them? Please don't tell me they're vintage...

http://www.rivbike.com//


My cruiser's pretty fast, its called the Flying Machine, plus is has a number plate, which I'm sure makes it faster.

But seriously, if you want speed, a cruiser ain't for you, 2 inch tires and 40 lbs don't get you anywhere fast. If you're looking for a more upright geometry, try a dutch style bike, at least then you'll have less rolling resistance.

Maybe Frost River.
http://www.frostriver.com/bike_bags/bikebags_menu.html

Awesome!

I've been looking all over for a vintage type bag to store my six shooter in:

http://www.frostriver.com/gun_cases/pistol_rugs.html

Sorry to hijack, but those bags are wonderful! Where can I find them? Please don't tell me they're vintage...

Thank you! The leather and canvas bags are "Baggins" bags from Rivendell Bicycle Works: http://www.rivbike.com.

We also have a huge Baggins seat bag. They are very nice and expand to hold a lot of gear. You can find similar bags made by other manufacturers like Carradice, Brooks, etc.

The yellow and black canvas bag on the bike in the background is an Arkel Utility Basket (they call it a basket, but it's a bag).

Sean

Maybe Frost River.
http://www.frostriver.com/bike_bags/bikebags_menu.html

The Frost River bags appear to be identical to my Baggins bags. There was some bad blood between Rivendell and Frost River, but I don't know if that has since been smoothed over. The Baggins bags I have were designed by Rivendell and made by Duluth Pack by the guy who started Frost River. Rivendell had a verbal agreement with the bag makers that they would not sell the Rivendell bags under any other label. The guy who left Duluth and started Frost River broke that agreement. At first Rivendell tried to continue working with him and ordered a whole bunch of bags from Frost River, but he couldn't deliver and they went back to Duluth Pack. This upset the Frost River guy, so he started selling the Baggins bags under his own label.

It has been a couple of years and I don't know what the current relationship is. I don't know if Duluth still makes the Baggins bags or not, and I don't know if Rivendell and Frost River have reconciled. While Rivendell was waiting long periods of time to have more Baggins bags produced, their stock dwindled down to just a few models and they still don't offer as many different bags as they once did. They now carry some other brands like the Nigel & Sons bags from the UK.

The illustration at the Frost River website shows the bags hanging on a Rivendell Atlantis (identical to my bike right down to the mustache bars), so Frost River obviously wants people to associate them with Rivendell. Maybe things are better between them? Maybe not?

Sean

http://www.rivbike.com//

My cruiser's pretty fast, its called the Flying Machine, plus is has a number plate, which I'm sure makes it faster.

But seriously, if you want speed, a cruiser ain't for you, 2 inch tires and 40 lbs don't get you anywhere fast. If you're looking for a more upright geometry, try a dutch style bike, at least then you'll have less rolling resistance.

Yeah... most people don't associate cruisers with speed; but subtle differences can make the bike faster to ride. My wife's Rivendell Wilbury is a good example: It has the cruiser characteristics of swept back handlebars, sprung saddle, big comfy tires, and upright riding position. Unlike most cruisers the frame is fairly light and it has a full range of gears thanks to the triple chainring and the 7-speed (or is it 8?) cassette. The tires can take up to 50psi, but there is still more rolling resistance than with skinnier and higher pressure tires. The gears are what make it so much faster though. While most cruisers are limited to a single chainring, she can keep shifting into higher gears and really hammer when she wants to.

My Atlantis would also make a good cruiser if I put Albatross bars on it. The mustache bars are a little more aggressive, but if I sit up on the bar ends I feel like I'm cruising. The 700x37 tires are pretty comfy and take up to 75psi. When I just want to cruise comfortably on rough gravel roads and trails I run the tires at a lower pressure. When I want less rolling resistance, I pump them up to the max pressure.

Maybe I should add a number plate for even more speed ;-)

Sean

a cruiser frame in and of itself will not slowyou down- its the wheels, gearing and componentry that will.

derailluer cruiser frame, alloy MTB wheels, 1.5 to 1.75 slicks and you will have a very fast bike who's look belies its abilities at speed.

Several of the current Schwinn cruisers, with a small upgrade in wheelset and tires, perhaps a nine speed mtn drivetrain, will give you a very very speedy ride.

Also some nice bags from here:
http://velo-orange.com/bapaandba.html

Wallbike.com and Peterwhitecycles.com are other good resources for similar bags. The Berthoud bags are awfully nice. Rivendell was selling some of those for awhile I believe.

There should also be plenty of European sources for Berthoud, Carradice, Brooks, Nigel & Sons, etc.

Sean

fireman's cruzers (http://firemansbikes.com/completes.htm)

26" single speeds, not slow

I have a 1933 CCM that runs 28 inch wheels and have stunned more than a few roadies... it's stock gearing is a 52:18 with a coaster brake that is really not up to stopping a bike that can hit speeds in the high 30's and 40's (kmh).

Bianchi Milano?

http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_milano.html

Add a motor.

I have chopper style handlebars on my Electra Townie 3, and I kept up with the road guys on the last ride.

More than 1 speed is key; after that, just try not to have a 50 lb. bike. :)

The key is to get one (assuming it's single speed) that is geared for you. Some are geared too low and you have to pedal 100 rpm to go 12 mph. :mad:

Most are pretty good. I ride a beach cruiser when I visit Hilton Head every spring and always enjoy it. I know I'm going 15-16 on it, but I don't have a computer on it. Just feels like it. They're configured like a dutch bike, so aren't in as atheletic of a postition to pedal. If you get one more like a mountain bike, you'll go faster. No doubt the Milano will move pretty good--better than 20 I would think, if you really pump.

Just enjoy the ride--that's what they're for!

fireman's cruzers (http://firemansbikes.com/completes.htm)

26" single speeds, not slow

They look like what used to be called Cruiser Class BMX's, which was originally a more adult size BMX back in the 80's. What they DON'T look like is Beach Cruisers, which I reckon is what he meant. Double loop frames, balloon tyres, fat sprung saddles - that's what cruiser means to me.

I have a...ahem..."city" bike that's pretty fast.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/002.jpg

a cruiser frame in and of itself will not slowyou down- its the wheels, gearing and componentry that will.

derailluer cruiser frame, alloy MTB wheels, 1.5 to 1.75 slicks and you will have a very fast bike who's look belies its abilities at speed.

Several of the current Schwinn cruisers, with a small upgrade in wheelset and tires, perhaps a nine speed mtn drivetrain, will give you a very very speedy ride.

I have an old Schwinn Wasp cruiser. I changed out the wheels with new 7-speed nexus system from a modern Schwinn. Scroll down for picture in this thread. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=391078

Any way. I can go faster but I really did not gain much. However, I live in New Orleans and the terrain is close to dead flat. I probably would think it was worth while, if there hills, but I probably would not be driving a cruiser if there were hills. In a flat place, a cruiser is OK. The f'd up roads here also encourage cruisers.

They look like what used to be called Cruiser Class BMX's, which was originally a more adult size BMX back in the 80's. What they DON'T look like is Beach Cruisers, which I reckon is what he meant. Double loop frames, balloon tyres, fat sprung saddles - that's what cruiser means to me.

I agree, but I do like the BMX style cruisers, and they are lighter and a littler more aggressive than a beach cruiser. My son is 10 and rides a 24" cruiser (really just a too-big BMX). It's laid back but he can fly in comparison to a beach style cruiser.

btw, Lamplight that is a sweeet bike.

Just add Nitto Albatross bars and fatter tires... Instant cruiser! Of course fat tires do kind of limit you to the touring and mountain biking frames, but even 700x32 tires will be way more comfy than super skinny tires.

My wife has a Rivendell Wilbury mixte that is a fast cruiser. It has a full range of gears, albatross bars, and 650B wheels. It also has the most beautiful lugs I've ever seen. You can cruise really fast on this bike. She lets me ride it, and fortunately we are about the same height :-)


That is a SERIOUSLY gorgeous bike! I think I know what I want for a graduation present :)

I ride a vintage Raleigh that has cruiser-like geometry, although it's labeled a touring bike - it actually looks a bit like Lamplight's Specialized, a couple of posts up here. Longer stem and sprung saddle, 5 speed derailleur, fenders etcetera. It's faster than my first bike, which was a mountain bike, and a thousand percent more comfortable to ride. I am pretty happy with my speed on it, but I'm a slow-and-steady type.

I was riding my old cheap multi-speed mountain bike around and felt like I was zipping along pretty good on it. Switched to a single-speed cruiser, initially lost some speed, but am now going faster than I ever did on that mountain bike. So the "Pedal Harder" has some truth to it.

Mine is geared lowish, 44:22, I think. 15mph is a pretty good speed for it. Without a headwind or hill, I can hold about 17mph. That's spinning pretty good, but not continuously, either.

I bought an old 3-speed upright bike a while back. It's got 1-3/8 x 26" tires on it. Those are skinny little tires. Consider one of those- 3 speeds don't attract much enthusiasm in the used bike market.

That is a SERIOUSLY gorgeous bike! I think I know what I want for a graduation present :)

I ride a vintage Raleigh that has cruiser-like geometry, although it's labeled a touring bike - it actually looks a bit like Lamplight's Specialized, a couple of posts up here. Longer stem and sprung saddle, 5 speed derailleur, fenders etcetera. It's faster than my first bike, which was a mountain bike, and a thousand percent more comfortable to ride. I am pretty happy with my speed on it, but I'm a slow-and-steady type.

Thank you!

Vintage Raleighs are awfully beautiful bikes themselves. My wife's grandparents used to have a pair of 1974 Raleighs with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer shifters, Brooks saddles, and Brooks seatbags. I couldn't believe the condition and told them that they had collectors items. That was seven years ago and a different house. Sadly nobody remembers what happened to those beautiful bikes. I used to have fantasies about my wife and I riding the same Raleighs around town that her grandparents had ridden. Sadly it was not meant to be. That said it's tough to beat the pair of Rivendells we have now!

Sean

The Pashley Guv'nor (http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor.html) looks fast.

Also some nice bags from here:
http://velo-orange.com/bapaandba.html

Wallbike.com and Peterwhitecycles.com are other good resources for similar bags. The Berthoud bags are awfully nice. Rivendell was selling some of those for awhile I believe.

There should also be plenty of European sources for Berthoud, Carradice, Brooks, Nigel & Sons, etc.

Sean

Thank you. Great stuff, beautiful in fact.

may I suggest get a vintage roadster? preferably of the 3-speed english lightweight variety. I just picked this up myself:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2292788461_d4318b5f79.jpg
'67 Western Flyer

pretty fast in 3rd gear. Also, if you can track one of these down it's the fastest cruiser I have, I can even keep up with roadie friends:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/1570382653_23bea21cca.jpg
mid 60's Spaceliner, with skinny balloons. Good luck, keep cruisin, however fast you want!

Bianchi Milano.

The Pashley Guv'nor (http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor.html) looks fast.

OH. MY. GOD.

Please tell me there's a company like this in the States!!

I'm pretty sure there's not, though. :(

And with our exchange rate I certainly won't be able to buy one from them anytime soon.

Those Pashley's are really cool.

I'm sure there are bike shops in the states that can get them... the same ones that get people Dutch bicycles and order special frames and special equipment.

You may also want to check out A.N.T bikes in the Boston area. http://www.antbikemike.com/ specializes in similar styles of bikes, and makes gorgeous custom racks.

Sean

Another vote for Milano. I had one,and it was pretty quick. Ditch the chainguard and kickstand,ditch the roller brake for a caliper,and swap on some higher psi tires and it would do pretty decent.

I have a...ahem..."city" bike that's pretty fast.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/002.jpg

I'm really digging this bike..

I think a 3 speed or something similar would be awesome... so I can go FAST. =)

I went to the LBS today and after looking around at all of the bikes I decided that a cruiser would just not do what I need and want =(

So I put an order in for a Specialized Tricross Comp.

It has eyelets for the rear rack & it has room for fenders. It is very light, and has reasonably good components for daily riding.

Wish me luck =)

I got one in blue/black... this is just the black...

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2007/bikes/TRI_Comp_Tpl_GL_Blk_Sand.jpg

u had a fast cruiser, remember the hyundai?

may I suggest get a vintage roadster? preferably of the 3-speed english lightweight variety. I just picked this up myself:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2292788461_d4318b5f79.jpg
'67 Western Flyer

pretty fast in 3rd gear.

My 1984 Raleigh City Tourer looks virtually identical to this, with a 5 speed friction derailleur and (sadly) no chainguard. This is my ideal bike geometry. Sir Lancelot isn't lightweight by modern standards, but once up to speed we just sail along with minimal effort - unless, of course, there is a headwind, in which case we curse and struggle.

I'm mourning my mother's Raleigh 3-speed, which I donated to Goodwill before I knew any better, but also lusting after the matched pair of early 1970's Raleigh 3 speeds (with Brooks saddles and dynamo headlamps) that have been gathering dust in The Boy's parents' garage for twenty-five years. They are khaki green with black and chrome accents, purchased in Winnipeg.

The Pashley Guv'nor (http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor.html) looks fast.

*drooling gently, comatose in corner, dreaming of beautiful bikes*

*drooling gently, comatose in corner, dreaming of beautiful bikes*

That is a nice one, but I think I like this one even more:

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/phantom.html

I like them ALL. As much or more as I like the Rivendell bikes.

Would anyone like to give me a few thousand dollars? I promise to put them to very good use...

I really like the Phantom as well... very striking.

This post got me looking at the A.N.T. website for the first time in awhile and I found this bike with a 14-Speed internal hub!
http://www.antbikemike.com/images/Bikes/Rohloff/Rohloffbig.jpg

My only problem with A.N.T. is that I'm a sucker for lugs, but the frames are still beautiful in a very clean and utilitarian way. Check out their custom racks like this one (not to mention the hammered aluminum Honjo fenders and Paul brakes):
http://www.antbikemike.com/images/Baskets%20and%20Racks/duallightrackbig.jpg

I don't usually like those hammered fenders, but they look really good on that bike in particular.

The ANT is a great looking bike, but Honjos are aluminum, not steel. ;)

Maybe Frost River.
http://www.frostriver.com/bike_bags/bikebags_menu.html

Crap! More stuff to spend money on! Will it never end? My wife wants to know too.