Cruiser

[iberagu]

Hello... just joined the forum.
I would love feedback on brands of cruisers I should be looking at to buy. I am 5'8" and want something that is comfy as well as will allow me to bike with my 16 month old son. Not sure if we should get a seat or a trailer (that will be another thread! ;) ).
So where do I begin? I do not want to spend a lot of money as I already have a really nice road bike. My hubby has a Trek cruiser that we both love. I appreciate any other feedback.
Thanks!

[RonH]

Anything that you're comfortable riding on would be ok.
Look at Electra and Joe Breezer.
http://www.electrabike.com/cruiser/
http://www.electrabike.com/townie/
http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes.cfm

[st0ut]

if you have ANY hills you should look at a hybrid comfort such as a trek 7100 WSD. or a specialized expedition.

[rlnewman]

Hi:
I am also new to this forum. I am 61 and have been riding for around 2 years. I ride about 30 minutes daily, just to try to keep the weight down. In my neighborhood, I have moderate hills, and have been struggling up said hills, on a Schwinn bought from Target. Usually I am exhausted after that last "widow maker hill", and did some research on the Trek Lime. After taking a test ride, I was convinced that it would make the hill climbing more bearable, so I bought one. Total cost was 489.00. A lot of money, but today I rode 9 miles and when I finished, I was amazed! I wasn't exhausted. After a 15 minute rest, I went out and rode another 5 miles, and I feel great. I didn't realize how much better a quality bike can be. I was skeptical about the automatic transmission on it, but it really worked well for me. It is worth going to a bike shop in your area and test driving one. Good luck.

Robert Newman

[bbattle]

If you like the cruiser I'd get another one and a trailer for your son. You might want to check out Trek's new Pure bike, a crank-forward design.

[Hezz]

Hello... just joined the forum.
I would love feedback on brands of cruisers I should be looking at to buy. I am 5'8" and want something that is comfy as well as will allow me to bike with my 16 month old son. Not sure if we should get a seat or a trailer (that will be another thread! ;) ).
So where do I begin? I do not want to spend a lot of money as I already have a really nice road bike. My hubby has a Trek cruiser that we both love. I appreciate any other feedback.
Thanks!

Since you already ride a road bike and a comfort bike which it sounds like you share, I would suggest a mountain bike that retains somewhat of that riding position of the road bike. You can put wide slicks on a mountain bike to make it more friendly to ride with your husband on the road or bike paths. Then you will have a bike that is more useful over a variety of conditions. And it will have low gearing for pulling a kids trailer or ride along up hills if necessary.

[iberagu]

Thank you all for your feedback. I will definitely look into the suggestions you all posted. So my next step is the head to a couple bike stores and start riding around. Thanks again. Gina :)

[Sci-Fi]

Take a look at the Trek Calypso, Wasabi 3, or Drift 3. Multiple speeds will make things much easier.

If you don't mind having an LBS or yourself assembling a mail order cruiser bike check out this one from Amazon.Com (http://www.amazon.com/Chrysler-PT-CruiserTurbo-Mens-Cruiser/dp/B000B8J8O0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1212306450&sr=8-3). My GF rides this all the time...almost everywhere...lol. Added a rack, rear foldout baskets, and a removable front one if she needs it for shopping. The rear wheel, at minimum, needs to be redished and the spokes tensioned (might as well have the LBS do both), the rest are minor adjustments. A lot of the parts are old tech, but you aren't paying a lot for the bike either and it's been reliable and easily maintained.