Hybrid Bicycles - Cruiser bike with gears?

No cruiser forums, so I thought maybe, possible(?) this would be the closest forum for this. I'm looking to get a cruiser bike because I love they way they look. I already have a 29er and a SS road bike. I use the 29er for mt. biking (at parks since Miami doesn't even have a hill) and commuting to work (avg. 4 days a week.) and the SS for long distance events, etc. I want to get a cruiser, and also be able to use it for getting to work. I want at least a three speed so I can ride faster than what most cuisers come set up with gearing wise. Any suggestions for me? I'm looking to keep it under $500, new...not used.


thanks

nothing? any other forums I could post this in where I might get a reply?

I'll reply, but you ain't gonna like it :)
I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?

You're right, I don't like your reply. Your reply not only doesn't help, but it's annoying and completely useless.

http://jaxbicycles.com/product-list/bicycles-cruiser-classic-83/

Take a look at some of these Cruisers with internal and external gears. I hope this helps!!!!

http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Cruisers/

Here's more examples!!!!!

thanks you two!

a friend of mine has an old beach cruiser. he complains about his hands going numb after an hour or so. loves the bannana seat though. and the basket on the front. its a single speed, lock wheel (proper term?).

i had one when i was younger (it was originaly my mothers) and didnt see any problems with the handlebars, but than again children don't usualy have many concerns over such things.

Electra Townie Original 3i fits the bill.

Electra Townie Original 3i fits the bill.

that's about how it's looking at this point. I'm going to my lbs this weekend to check some out. I really really dig the Felts though. I want to use this bike as a commuter, so the military police one with the headlight, front rack and rear rack is my favorite.

There are 10s of thousands of balloon tire beach cruisers with gears on the boardwalks of Southern Cal. The cruisers easily out number road bikes and hybrids 10 to 1. Most boardwalks have a speed limit of 5-8 miles due to equal sharing with pedestrian traffic. The more popular brands seem to be Electra and Nirve with baskets to carry dogs and beach gear. Early examples of Schwinn Phantoms ( 1949-1959) are fetching $1,500 daily on CL and Ebay. The Electra Balloon Townie 8i at $899. is the current bike to have on the boardwalk.

You're right, I don't like your reply. Your reply not only doesn't help, but it's annoying and completely useless.

All you have to do is go through this quasi know-it-all's low amount of posts to see that this person really doesn't know what they are talking about. You can tell by the simple fact that "Cruiser bike" has never been heard of by them.

To question your desire of how many gears you desire with a challenge of more shows this person also cannot see your fitness level considering you have an SS road bike.

There are plenty of bikes out there that would be an option for you as you have seen by the above links. Good luck to you and let us know what you end up with.

(http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/pure/pure/)

i actually wasn't sure since they are from the land of mussels and beer if they understood it as a different word or not. I have no idea if they are Flemmish speaking or French speaking Belge. I have family there in Ukkel, and have pretty much always met only nice people there and so, while the response was given to me was retar... I just let it be a bump to the thread. Thanks though!

I'm heading to the bike shop tomorrow night to take a look and see if they have any Felt cruisers in stock, or pretty much anything else out there with three gears. I really dig the look of the Felt ones though!

I'll reply, but you ain't gonna like it :)
I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?

I stopped reading at the bolded part.

Why some people feel the need to offer their opinion on matters they've never even heard of is beyond me.

All you have to do is go through this quasi know-it-all's low amount of posts to see that this person really doesn't know what they are talking about. You can tell by the simple fact that "Cruiser bike" has never been heard of by them.


I do not see the point in referring to me as "them".
I also do not see the point in going through all of my posts in particular ... but if you want to spend your time doing so ... feel free :)
The term "cruiser bike" is not common in Belgium (and I presume this goes for the whole of Europe).
In fact I haven't seen an actual cruiser bike ever in my life.
This has probably to do with cruiser bikes being a typical american phenomenon, I guess.
Think of me whatever you desire and look down upon me if this makes you feel better ... be my guest :)
I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
This concludes my answer to your personal attack ... so back to the subject at hand:
I still stand by my personal opinion that the handlebar of those cruiser bikes seems extemely uncofortable for the rider's wrists and also seems very unhandy and difficult to control on anything but flat roads.
So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?

"Cruiser" and "speed" are not words that go together well. If your commute is really short I suppose this will work, but it would probably be smart to ride one before you buy. Maybe you can rent one and ride your commute distance to see if it works.

Cruiser bike, beer runner...Commuter? Anything beats walking.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh168/curbtender/DSC00421_edited.jpg

https://www.electrabike.com/store/
check out the super deluxe
http://www.nirve.com/mens.asp?cat=cruiser&cid=548
Fifty-Three

"So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?"

I guess it would be the balloon tires and the springed seats make the ride "Cadillac" smooth. The tires run between 35-45 psi. The seat is like an easy chair. It's not made for racing, unless you grew up in the sixties and liked running down the firetrails with one foot dragging. They really are made for flat areas, but if you don't mind getting off your tush and pumping up the hill...

I stopped reading at the bolded part.

Why some people feel the need to offer their opinion on matters they've never even heard of is beyond me.
They have no life and desperately need interaction.

Adalaar: I suppose it's the English as a second language, but the responses you are getting stem from the bluntness of your post coupled with your opinion of distaste for something you have not seen in person or even heard of until now. You can't imagine that someone would be interested in you opinion if you have absolutely no knowledge of what you're talking about.

Also, I just don't believe you about you building your own bikes because I choose to believe that you're just making that up to sound cool, but it's not really working yet...so if you feel like posting more about your really cool bike building capabilities I will certainly not care about any of it.

I do not see the point in referring to me as "them".
I also do not see the point in going through all of my posts in particular ... but if you want to spend your time doing so ... feel free :)
The term "cruiser bike" is not common in Belgium (and I presume this goes for the whole of Europe).
In fact I haven't seen an actual cruiser bike ever in my life.
This has probably to do with cruiser bikes being a typical american phenomenon, I guess.
Think of me whatever you desire and look down upon me if this makes you feel better ... be my guest :)
I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
This concludes my answer to your personal attack ... so back to the subject at hand:
I still stand by my personal opinion that the handlebar of those cruiser bikes seems extemely uncofortable for the rider's wrists and also seems very unhandy and difficult to control on anything but flat roads.
So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?

Have you ever ridden a cruiser?

You also know there are different types of handlebars that can be used on a cruiser bike. Right?

Also, btw....

http://www.google.com/images?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&q=dutch%20cruiser%20bikes&tbs=isch:1

I do not see the point in referring to me as "them".

I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.

I didn't want to get rude and call you IDIOT so I didn't.

You designed and built your own bike? Does that mean the frame too? If so then I bow to your ingenious ability. I, in no way, can do what you can.

So your last name is Thompson I see...

http://i46.tinypic.com/2lkw9wz.jpg (http://i46.tinypic.com/16ga6uc.jpg)
http://i50.tinypic.com/ezpj4o.jpg (http://i49.tinypic.com/zlsx7k.jpg)
http://i45.tinypic.com/28jsz7.jpg (http://i45.tinypic.com/5d6lcj.jpg)
http://i49.tinypic.com/21npf9h.jpg (http://i46.tinypic.com/34xrrj8.jpg)



You must race too. I bet you do well with those rad road tires and the CAF. Digging the aerobars and bar ends that point to the heavens. How do the grip shifters do when you bunny over roots and rocks? What suspension seatpost is that? Does it lockout? What's the brand of the CAF?

I didn't want to get rude and call you IDIOT so I didn't.

You designed and built your own bike? Does that mean the frame too? If so then I bow to your ingenious ability. I, in no way, can do what you can.

So your last name is Thompson I see...

http://i46.tinypic.com/2lkw9wz.jpg (http://i46.tinypic.com/16ga6uc.jpg)
http://i50.tinypic.com/ezpj4o.jpg (http://i49.tinypic.com/zlsx7k.jpg)

http://i45.tinypic.com/28jsz7.jpg (http://i45.tinypic.com/5d6lcj.jpg)

http://i49.tinypic.com/21npf9h.jpg (http://i46.tinypic.com/34xrrj8.jpg)



You must race too. I bet you do well with those rad road tires and the CAF. Digging the aerobars and bar ends that point to the heavens. How do the grip shifters do when you bunny over roots and rocks? What suspension seatpost is that? Does it lockout? What's the brand of the CAF?

What's a CAF?

I hope, sir psycle chic, that you realise that I never personaly insulted you in any way, yet you seem to do nothing but try to insult me.
How I like to set-up my bike is my personal taste and I will simply ignore anything you say about it :)

I hope, sir psycle chic, that you realise that I never personaly insulted you in any way, yet you seem to do nothing but try to insult me.
How I like to set-up my bike is my personal taste and I will simply ignore anything you say about it :)
More pathetic mindless attention seeking drivel.

I hope, sir psycle chic, that you realise that I never personaly insulted you in any way, yet you seem to do nothing but try to insult me.
How I like to set-up my bike is my personal taste and I will simply ignore anything you say about it :)

So is Pawn's choice of gears and cruiser bikes. Don't belittle him for wanting to ride a bike you know nothing about. Here's a remind of what you said.



I'll reply, but you ain't gonna like it :)
I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?



What's a CAF?

Cheap Ass Fork.

So if I understand this correctly ... you are now quoting my own posts to me? Weird.
My fork happens to be a "Suntour Cr9v" ... what this has to do with anything I cannot understand but I'm sure you will very soon use this information to try and make fun of me :)
Since insulting me seems to be your hobby you may go ahead and tell me that my fork is "cheap ass" and you'll probably add that "suntour" is for idiots.
I eagerly await your reply ... but at the same time I wonder: "since when was this thread about me and my fork?"

OP asked for opinions and got them. I like it when people get to the core of the apple. NP here

I just bought a Sun cruiser for my wife. Beach cruiser pure, and three speed hub.
It was on sale for $350.

Here is my 3 speed cruiser found next to dumpster! It came with a custom black/rust color scheme:D. I moved the shifter to the middle tube and custom made the 8-ball shifter.


http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z245/fastmunny/roland%20cruiser/5310a73b.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z245/fastmunny/roland%20cruiser/7f94ea83.jpg

That shifter rocks! :D

late to the game but how's about one o-these. Not sure if it qualifies as "cruiser" but I think it's a sweet bike.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q6/rudebwoy85/Bicycles-%202010/2010-soulville7-blk4.jpg

Multi-gear cruisers made by Felt:
http://2009.feltracing.com/09-catalog/cruiser.aspx

Electra:
http://www.electrabike.com/home.php

Nirve:
http://www.nirve.com/mens.asp?cat=cruiser

And of course, you can always build your own from an old klunker with a Sturmey 5 or 8-speed hub, or a Shimano 8-speed, or any other bunch of cheap 7 or 8-speed derailers.

I built a Sturmey 8-speed cruiser out of a kid's chopper bike, and I've ridden it a few hundred miles. It's slow, but comfy, and gets there in style.

You can try these guys too http://www.abikestore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=victory-touring-one&Category_Code=&Store_Code=abs

late to the game but how's about one o-these. Not sure if it qualifies as "cruiser" but I think it's a sweet bike.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q6/rudebwoy85/Bicycles-%202010/2010-soulville7-blk4.jpg
i don't know either, but I've always loved the look of that bike!

I wound up just getting another ss bike, a cruiser by sun. I'm changing the rear cog and the chain so it's a lower ratio for higher speeds. I guess living in such flat country gears aren't as important to me as the ability to reach a higher speed so I can get to work faster.

Having this bike has freed me up to make my 29er into a more mountain oriented bike for use at the local trails. Before I kept the gearing so low it was damn impossible to get up some of the climbs if momentum wasn't on my side. I think the ratio is like 42x18 and I have a 38 front cog waiting to go on. (bike is a single speed, same as my road bike.)

Thanks for everyones help in this thread I appreciate it.

i don't know either, but I've always loved the look of that bike!

I wound up just getting another ss bike, a cruiser by sun. I'm changing the rear cog and the chain so it's a lower ratio for higher speeds. I guess living in such flat country gears aren't as important to me as the ability to reach a higher speed so I can get to work faster.

Having this bike has freed me up to make my 29er into a more mountain oriented bike for use at the local trails. Before I kept the gearing so low it was damn impossible to get up some of the climbs if momentum wasn't on my side. I think the ratio is like 42x18 and I have a 38 front cog waiting to go on. (bike is a single speed, same as my road bike.)

Thanks for everyones help in this thread I appreciate it.
Nice decision, enjoy your new bike!!!

Adalaar: I suppose it's the English as a second language, but the responses you are getting stem from the bluntness of your post coupled with your opinion of distaste for something you have not seen in person or even heard of until now. You can't imagine that someone would be interested in you opinion if you have absolutely no knowledge of what you're talking about.

Also, I just don't believe you about you building your own bikes because I choose to believe that you're just making that up to sound cool, but it's not really working yet...so if you feel like posting more about your really cool bike building capabilities I will certainly not care about any of it.

They know enough to understand that a beach cruiser is the least efficient bike in common use. It doesn't take a lot of research to figure that out.

What they don't understand is that just about every bike in the USA between the 1930s and the 1960s was a beach cruiser. The handlebars generally put the wrists in a comfortable position but any wide, swept back handlebar can be rotated to improbable uncomfortable angles such as the great eight ball bike above. Making a hard bike even harder is part of the charm I guess. Same with the saddle angle! I love it!

When I read their recent post about climbing the kapelmuur, I thought of the only steep cobbles I know of, a very steep short wall near the Georgetown Palisades. The next thing I thought of was the only guy who ever worked as a messenger in DC in the modern era on a beach cruiser (single speed). He explained that he climbed that street, 35th Street on his beach cruiser before deciding he could messenger in DC on it. That is the toughest climb in the city. He was on the street for many years and was one of the most productive riders.

Pawn, he may have settled down in Florida. He lived on a boat and when he saved up enough money, he headed south on it.

A story about this guy. His bike was stolen on Wisconsin Ave. the main route from Georgetown to points north. He walked uphill hoping the thief had ridden off in that direction. Luckily, he was right and found his bike less than a half mile from where it was stolen. Most people aren't strong enough to climb Wisconsin on that bike.

One nice thing about having a bike that makes travel harder than walking is you don't need to lock it up! :D

Adalaar, sorry for calling you "they". I thought it was funny so I played along. I know you can take a joke. I guess Rambo is trying to be funny too, but he might have fallen short of that goal as I may have as well. All in good fun. Enjoy the weekend.

Pawn, enjoy your cruiser! I'm glad you got a real one (single speed). Given your preference for single speed road bike and single speed mountain bike, starting a thread about cruisers with gears smells kind of fishy to me, as in trolling, but without trolls the hybrid forum would be boring. :)

i actually wasn't sure since they are from the land of mussels and beer if they understood it as a different word or not. I have no idea if they are Flemmish speaking or French speaking Belge...

It does say Vlaamse right under their username in "location"! They probably speaks Dutch.

If they knew you were in Florida, they might have understood.

I still do not see the point or joke in referring to me as "they" and I doubt the person you refer to as "rambo" was trying to be friendly, but hey ... I'm willing to learn.
It's probably got something to do with my english as a second language then, i guess ... but not really.
When one speaks as many languages as I do, one tends to mingle them up in the head and it becomes a spaghetti of words and expressions.
Funny story about the bike btw and how he recovered it :)
You are right: I did indeed not know what most bikes in the 30's till 60's in the USA looked like.
What is the lowest gear ratio on such a device? I doubt it has any chance at all where I live, but hey ... I start to understand why you refer to it as a "beach cruiser" now.

I don't get why we are calling you they either, but I thought it was funny anyway. Pay no mind to rednecks who pretend to know something about Belgium, but can't figure out if you are in Flanders or Wallonia!

The American balloon tire single speed bikes were designed to look like motocycles, not to efficiently transport riders. As you know, USA rejected bicycles in favor of motor vehicles. During those dark years, bicycles were sold as toys, not as tools. These hideous heavy tanks are now sort of nostalgic. People who ride them know they are not the fastest rides, but for many they are adequate and fun. Even a hardcore messenger might choose one, but as I mentioned it's only happened once in our nation's capital city in the last thirty years... :D