woodybr

This is not what I meant. I don't know much about bikes, so all I know for sure is that an aluminum frame will almost always be lighter than a steel frame.
Of course, as you said, some alloys like 41XX steel (chromoly) may have similar weight as an aluminum frame, and with increased resistance.
However, as I'm not familiar with cruisers and their brands, I can't really tell by myself a heavy crappy steel cruiser apart from a higher quality one, considering the price point I'm willing to pay, without actually testing it.

If you could point me at some direction, I'd appreciate.

btw: thanks for broadening my options

Iron Horse

aluminum vs steel or anything else is mostly irrelevant where cruisers are concerned in my opinion. simply swap rear cogs or install a shimano three speed. The rear cog is the easiest and the cheapest. usually about 5 bucks or so. And if you are even slightly mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself in under 15 minutes. Go to a 20 tooth, and you should still be able to do 13 or so mph without breaking a sweat.

JusticeZero

The standard for a passable steel cruiser in my city where they are among the most popular options seems to be a Sun Revolution, which floats around the 250 price point somewhere or other new. They seem decently bulletproof and repairable. The thing to ask about is the brand, which usually predicts the quality; Schwinn is the top end for disposable bikes, Sun is the bottom end of "good" bikes (bicycles that use standard parts that are repairable and last decently well). There's probably others besides Sun that work well, but the bike stores that don't cater to the superhero crowd here that i've seen all love Sun for whatever reason. Or Electra, but that's more expensive.
Anything you buy at a big box store is a disposable - they use nonstandard parts and cut corners, so it rapidly wears out in really strange ways that aren't always apparent, and if you bring it to a shop, they have to do extra work to kit bash standard parts onto the thing

woodybr

Where can I learn more about that?

OldCruiser

Easiest way of course , is to buy a cruiser with a three speed hub . Next would be to by a wheel with a three speed hub already laced up .then just swap out tire and tube , attach shifter, adjust and go.
If your budget is around $250 and the Sun cruiser is sold for that price , I would google Sun bicycles and find a dealer in your area that sells them .
Bikes Direct sells the Mango cruiser in a 3 speed for $299 shipped to your door . Aluminum frame , Cromoly forks . Looks like decent bike to me ?
I bought a Motobecane HT 400 MTB from them and like it . Haven't had a problem with it . I've got it set up with street tires and riser handlebars . Kirby

woodybr

Thank you kirby. You gave me all the info I needed. I really appreciate it.

After one year, how easily do you think I could sell it? I would really like to purchase my own brand new cruiser, but I completely forgot I won't be able to bring it back to Brazil (on a plane) without having to pay almost the price of a new one.

Edit: that Mango 3 speed black+red looks really appealing to me. If only I could bring it back with me without leaving a kidney there...

Iron Horse

Have you looked at bikeflights.com? I have not tried it myself, but have read good things about it by those who have. Good luck!

woodybr

Thank you very much for the input. Do you happen to know anything about those Mango bikes?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ruisers_al.htm

It seems to cost twice the price of the bike

@ topic
I'd like to try to gather info about these Mango bikes. Should I create a new thread?

OldCruiser

I almost ordered the 3 speed Mango when I bought my Electra Cruiser 1 . It was $50 more than what I paid for the single speed Electra . I like my single speed Electra as it suits most of the roads and paths where I live . But sometimes I wish I had the two extra gears. .
I rode a three speed rental bike all day when I was in DC visiting relatives last year and only walked it up one hill . We rode approx. 20 mikes that day . The rentals had the Shimano 3 speed Nexus hubs . If they hold up on rentals , they've got to be a good hub.
The frame on the Mango was most likely welded up in the same factory as my Motobecane , so it should be a nice frame .
If I hadn't found the Electra for $249 , I'd probably would have ordered the Mango Longboard for $399 to get the 3 speed and the forward pedals . I like the forward pedals. . Kirby

Gothic Sunshine

I haven't used a cruiser for commuting yet. I use a mountain bike for that. I have ridden my uncle's cruiser past my college a couple times, though, so it's certainly doable. I'm buying my own cruiser soon, and I will be using it to commute to and from school.

garage sale GT

Northroads may be a more comfortable choice while still offering many of the advantages of MTB bars.

1FJEF

I rode my Sun Retro-7 cruiser about 1400 miles in the first 6 months of the year. It's outfitted with good lights, rack, baskets & tires.