seafoamer

I'm an avid cyclist, and have moved to Sarasota Florida from the north east. I have a nice Bianchi road bike, and a nice Raleigh One Way w/ a 7-sp Nexus hub. I don't have the Raleigh with me yet, as it's currently in storage up north until I buy a house down here. I only have my Bianchi road bike down here, and I'm realizing it's not the best tool for the job for getting around down here. I've ALWAYS wanted a beach crusier, but they didn't make much sense in my very hilly Northeast area. Now that I'm down here, I'd like to grab one, but I want to be able to do as much as I can w/ it: ride decent distances & amounts (3 sp hub), carry stuff (racks), and ride on streets, sidewalks & beach.
I was looking at the Electra Delivery, but it looks a bit overdone & like a theft magnet. I do like it's components though.
I like to have nice bikes, but i don't know if I should go with something sorta stripped down & inexpensive so I don't worry about theft & wear due to weather & sand & salt, etc...
There's a local spot that has a Micargi decked out w/ crazy colors & 2 racks that actually rode decently, but I've read many bad reviews about them. The Electras look nice too.
I'd also like to stick w/ more of a classic beach cruiser design for this bike.
Soooo, any persepective or ideas would be MUCH appreciated!!! Thanks!

StephenH

Locate some old worthless cruiser, add one or more big heavy Wald baskets, use that for grocery shopping and the like. Lock it with a good U-lock while you're shopping (the local Walmart has cart corrals that work well for locking).
Then get some cool LOOKING bike for when you want to cruise around and look cool.
For flat land, you don't need the 3-speed, even. If you need to, you can put a larger rear sprocket on the cargo bike (requires a longer chain, too) to get permanent lower gearing.
This all assumes you're "average" size, if you're tall, one-size-fits-most bikes don't work as well.

surreal

Stephen has the right idea. You get bonus points if you buy a Florida-made Emory; there's a few on your local craigslist.
https://orlando.craigslist.org/bik/3997523275.html

no pic, but it's $40

thenomad

yep, learn to love "patina" and get a big lock. Then you'll have a true beater that may get nabbed or broken or decay and wont be so bad. Ride your nicer bike slow if you want to cruise.

Horses for courses

seafoamer

Thanks for weighin' in, guys!!!
I still haven't grabbed anything yet, but my research continues. I'm sure that emory is nice, but orlando is a bit of a haul from me.
I'm definitely thinking of going w/ a more lower priced option that the Electra Delivery. I like it's idea, but it's just too "executed" for me. I just don't see me riding something sooo "high-polished".
I'm also figuring that I'd eventually like to get 3 cruisers. One for me, another one for when my father or friends come to visit, and a female one to for those visitors too.
So, any recommendations for reasonably priced yet nice functioning cruisers, possible w/ the 3 speed option.
Oh and any preferences for either the 3 sp Nexus or Sram hub?
Mahalo!

wahoonc

Both hubs are good as are the sturmey archer. I buy the cheapest wally world cruisers I can, then build a 3 speed coaster brake into the rear wheel, current hub is over 40 years old.
My cruisers usually last about 5 years on average in the beach environment.

Aaron

anthonygeo

Have you considered an Electra Townie? The design hasn't changed much over the years but it's a great bike.

seafoamer

Thanks for chiming in guys! I'm listening to what ya'll are saying.
Anyone know how the size of an Electra Coaster 3i compares to the average lower end cruiser on the market? It seems like the Electra is a little more roomy, which might be good for my 6'1" frame.
Anthonygeo: I'm sorts not considering the Electra Townie too heavily because it seems a bit too laid back for what I'm looking for.

wahoonc

I am about your height, no clue on what size the Electra's come in, but my Redline city bike is an XL. From perusing the Electra catalog is seems most of the bikes come in one size only, there are a couple of models that are available in "tall" whatever that means. FWIW for general purpose riding I would buy something inexpensive so if it gets gone you won't be out the money. I ride whatever sized frames I can get, usually with about 1.5' of seat post sticking out.

Aaron

tim24k

I own three Electra cruisers and they are very nice bikes. I'd buy the the Electra Delivery and always lock it up properly with a good U-lock. You only live once, so buy the bike you like that puts a smile on your face.

yodatic

My wife loves her Electra Townie 7D.

howeeee

I have about 15 riders, but this is the one I ride the most a vintage Schwinn Spitfire 5, I paid 70 bucks for it about 6 months ago I been riding it almost daily ever since. Has 5 speeds,,almost the same bike as a Cruiser 5 or Klunker 5,,It is a blast to ride. I had a Cruiser 5 I bought for 20 bucks at a thrift shop,,I sold it and really missed it so I bought the Spitfire,,I have a Cruiser 5 in my basement that might have 5 miles on it,,so that one I dont ride (-: If you can find one in rider shape for less than 200 scoop it up.

HBCruiser1

Way to go seafoamer! I second finding a used cruiser on C/L. I'd recommend a larger size and something that is "pedal forward" especially at your height. Don't go cheap, go used.

I have a black 3G Venice someone gave me, I put new forks on it because someone had run it into a wall or something, tuned it up and repacked the bearings. It is by far my preferred bike to ride daily, comfortable, simple and a sleeper. I ride it about 2600 miles a year (almost 6600 on the odometer now) consistently doing 30-50 mile rides on the weekends as well as several 75-100 mile rides under my belt with a few strong hills for the challenge and on the sand at the waters edge for fun.

It takes time to build up your endurance but you get there. I've run a 44/13 and with a draft I can keep up with many road bikers comfortably running 19/20 mph for extended periods on flats. My best so far is 62 miles @ 16.9 mph average. I run the tires at 50+ psi and make sure the bearings are adjusted just right. It's a blast to ride and I don't have to worry too much about anyone stealing it. Like nomad posted above, learn to love patina! IF it gets stolen just pick up another.

My daughter's $60 beach cruiser was stolen a while back from her work, so I went back on C/L and in 2 weeks found a really sweet replacement with newer rims for $50. It'd really piss me off if I had paid several hundred dollars for a new name brand model. And yes, get a good U lock if you plan to leave it unattended.

The great thing about beach cruisers in coastal areas, they hold their value.
Good luck.