joelpalmer

My commuter may not technically be a cruiser, but it is an upright 3-speed. I don't ride it looking for speed. I ride it for comfort (lots) and style (even more). I will say that my commute is a wee little thing (1.5 mi one way) so speed is not an issue. If I had to go longer, like when I was in CA, I would either be on my roadie or a 'cross bike.

robcycle

I just swapped BMX bars and stem, and a 700x38 fixed wheelset onto my cruiser and I feel like I'm six years old again! Its perfect for going to the store, going to a freind's, or going to work. I love that bike.

-Rob.

shumacher

I wouldn't rule out a cruiser as a commuter for a short ride. I saw some awesome cruisers when I was in New Orleans the weekend before last. They're not generally my thing, but Felt's cruisers really have me questioning that. I could see me owning a couple of those, including the Hot Wheels model.

Sammyboy

This, right here, is a cool bike.

PaulH

Keep in mind that what we now know as "cruisers" were originally developed for practical transportation and were the American equivalents of the Dutch commuter bike. They are the only easily available type of bike that one can conveniently ride without doing things to one's clothing. On flat ground, I'd consider them the optimum commuter bike. Most of them have crazy bar-stool things for saddles (replace them) and need fenders and lights, but the basics are there. Some of the new lightweight ones from people like Electra have internal gears and would be ideal commuters.

Paul

mredison

Any thoughts on making a Schwinn Speedster ready for winter? Basically wondering if anyone's tried getting knobbies on with such a narrow fork?

caloso

Cruisers are very popular here in Sacramento. It's flat and if you've got a short commute, it would seem to be a great ride. There's a woman in my building who rides an Electra with a wicker basket on the handlebars. I've even seen her pull up wearing high heels. Very stylish.

ko57

Hey Schwinnsta,

I'm from Lafourche parish, I'd say cruisers would be ideal for New Orleans. I have a mountain bike (21 speed, don't ride much lately), and I do have the previously mentioned Next Monterrey with Aluminum frame-great for the humidity down here. The 3 speed Sturmey Archer is fine, I've read where they are no good because they are sealed, so far so good for my bike. I got the white (a tad off white) fenders from Planet Bike, added a rear spring type (old fashioned) rack from a dealer (bicycle usa?) on ebay, and got a front basket from WalMart that just hangs on the handlebars. It has carrying handles so you can bring it in a store if you want to do some lite shopping. I usually just weave my lock and chain through it, that way no one can remove it if I stop somewhere.

I've been riding this bike, so far the 3 speeds are okay as we are pretty flat out here. The faster gears help with the headwinds, I do like having more gearing to choose from but I believe I can live with a 3 speed.

I have another 3 speed-a Sturmey Archer that is not sealed as the Next is-on an old Columbia bike that I love, it is a great rider, but I need to clean the rust it has gotten on it , I should have waxed it and brought it inside from the beginning...
If I get another bike, it will probably be a Breezer for their aluminum frame, fenders, lights, horn & rack set ups. I live 5 miles one way from my job, have yet to use my bike for work but have gone there during my off hours. That Next Monterrey's cost is right at $98.00 at our WalMart (I work there), and it is holding up well for me, does not feel flimsey at all just because it is aluminum-feels quite sturdy actually. For what I paid for the bike and add-ons, say $150, it's pretty good, and it looks good also. I'll post a pic later.

Have you been to some of the bike shops in New Orleans? Bayou Cycles on Lafitte off of Orleans Avenue handles Breezers, but had no Villagers or Uptowns when I spoke with them. Will have to go to his store one day...

Where did you see the Nexus 3 speeds for $150 + shipping? I think I've seen some online before. I like aluminum frames because of the rust problem down in Louisiana.

Let us know what you get...write me if you have any questions,

Kerry

Schwinnsta

Hi KO57,

I am currently riding a 56 Schwinn Wasp that I recently modded with a nexus 7 speed. Not really necessary but I like it.

Bayou cycles reopened about a month or two ago. It was closed since Katrina. I have been there once since it reopened but they did not have any Breezers. They said they plan to stock them again but no date as of yet. I live near them.

The Wasp is a good bike but it is a tad small for me. I am 5'-10" and with the seat as high or higher than it was meant to go it is still a tad to small. I have an after market longer seat post that is meant to extend the range of height but it wont quite fit in the tube. I may try to sand it off some so it fits. Its close to fitting now but takes too much force. I got this bike cheap. I spent more the new wheel set with the nexus off a late model Schwinn.

Here is the link you asked about. https://www.cheapbeachbikes.com/product/700-1115 They are not aluminum framed.

-roger

Joe Phillips

Aluminum Schwinn Next La Jolla Cruiser at Walmart 95 Bucks

They listed this thing at 28 lbs. I went to the store and took a digital bathroom scale and checked it out with me holding it and subtracted my fat. I did it five times. It was 21 lbs. I kid you not. I rode it in the store. It was effortless on a smooth surface. I hear the rear sprocket is cheap. I'm going to go to a dealer and weigh a Schwinn Alloy SS Cruiser. I've never had an aluminum frame but it might be great on a cruiser. Might be perfect for a three mile each way run to the store for 52 year old fart who gets a sore neck trying to see traffic on a road bike. Hope the light frame don't beat me to death.

Sirrus Rider

I always considered commuting on a cruiser coming a full circle as Mountain bikes (which is what I use) evolved from cruisers. The only liabilities I can think of is weight and the fact that you sit extremely upright and catch the wind. Other than that most cruisers may not have mounting points for racks or if it does have a rack it's one not designed for panniers. Would I use one? If it was all I had then yes. I would say 10 miles would be the upper limit of the commute I would take and I'd allow plenty of time to get to my destination.

pgoat

I used a KHS Wedgewood for two or three years. Straight gauge cro-mo main tubes. It was supposed to run a Nexus 7 spd hub but I bought the frame and fork alone and built it up with a coaster hub and a bmx V-brake up front. I just used an old mtb triple crank with whatever chain ring I felt like at a given time.

I eventually wound up sticking with a 2:1 ratio (36x18) for a 52 inch gear. That was great for all around urban utility riding. Kinda stunk for climbing bridges tho. Even though the bike was under 30 pounds...

mine had a long threadless stem and flat bar so I was moderately aero. It had a nice sturdy feel, which is cool for a commuter. But my knees needed gears, so I sold it and started using my old mtb, which I never rode off road anymore anyway.

Gunmetal_Ghoul

Cruiser are great for the flatlands, but where I ride it's impractical. I have to get off and walk my bike up hill and be careful with the coaster brake so as to not break my chain, lock my rear wheel or cook the hub's grease into disintegration. Sad life, happy cycling. Yea!

maximan1

Were you the one on Yahoo! Answers?

Sixty Fiver

I commuted for a whole week on this and would still be commuting on it except it's down at my shop so that I can do more restoration work... it is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden and besides being fairly fast and smooth, it also climbs very well due to some lower gearing.


1948 Rudge Whitworth - 3 speed

I do have a great back up cruiser which I used to think was my most comfortable bike until I acquired the Rudge.


1978 Raleigh Superbe 3 speed

ActionJeans

Um, they are pretty slow, and climbing ability in these is just terrible, but pretty comfortable. I've got a Bianchi Milano, which is a very comfortable bike, with pretty slack geometry. Terrible on climbs, but around town, it handles quite well, and the 7 speed nexus works well too. On flats, I don't really see an issue; most cruisers handle pretty well, and the riding position is good. Also, you can wear pants, cause of the chain guard.

Skinnier tires might make for a faster ride.

wahoonc

Depends on what you are referring to as a "cruiser"...

The first picture is of my work bike a 2008 Huffy Cranbrook POS...and in my definition a cruiser. Single speed, balloon tires, coaster brake. Yes you could commute short distances on it on flat ground >2-3 miles. They are availble with multi speed hubs which could work to your advantage in a hilly situation.

Second picture is of my1971/2 Raleigh Sports 3 speed, it was my dedicated transportation from 1982-1886 and then was still used quite a bit until 1997. It is good for a commute of up to 10 miles or so IMHO. Thousands and thousands of people in the UK and other European countries depended on these bikes for transportation for many years. People can and do ride them further. I have a Raleigh Superbe that I have ridden over 50 miles in a single day for pleasure. I quite often do get off and walk up steeper hills as a a method of stretching and taking a break. Not an issue as far as I am concerned, if you plan for it.

I also just purchased a Redline R530 which is a similar bike in style to the Raleighs but with a 7 speed hub, roller brakes and an aluminum frame. A new generation of that style of bike. Some people refer to it as a cruiser.

Aaron

littledog

I had a Schwinn Cruiser Deluxe with the 7 speed Nexus hub. My rides were about 16 miles total several times a week with a few small though steep hills. I would stand up to pedal the hills. Once I did a fifty mile trip on flat ground. The bike with tool kit and water bottle was 52 pounds on the bathroom scale. I only weigh 120 pounds and am 5'4" so it was a big bike for me. The Nexus hub took about 800 miles to break in. It had about 2,800 miles on it when I sold it.

I sold it when I moved into a 3rd floor apartment as I knew I couldn't carry it up and down the stairs with the wide handlebars and no balance point due to the cruiser curved bottom tube. I still miss that bike.

Leiniesred

My Bianchi Milano is pretty much a glorified cruiser bike...with an 8 speed internally geared hub. I find the stock gearing sufficient. Sometimes I could use a little taller gearing, and very rarely do I wish for lower gears.

the glorified cruiser Milano is fine for 25 miles/day. More than that...you might want something less upright.


Everyone loves the bike. More people talk to me when I'm on the milano than on any other bike.
Stylish. comfortable. kinda slow, but whateva.

NormanF

My Schwinn Black Phantom rides like a tank. It could be the steel wheels. The ride would improve somewhat if I went to alloy rims. It may be worth it, at the loss of some authenticity, even though most of the parts are not original. The only thing Chicago Schwinn about it is the frame.

carkmouch

Here's my cruiser bike, a Felt Trestles. I'm getting rid of it soon and trading it in part for a recumbent.

mike

Cruisers, to me, means heavy fat-tire single speed coaster brake bicycles.

If you have several bikes in your fleet, you will probably find yourself commuting on one of these clunkers the least.

IMO, an older three-speed is not really a cruiser because it is lighter, has narrow tires, and multi-speed. I commuted on old three-speed Raleighs and Schwinns for many years and found them to be perfectly suitable for commuting; comfortable, versital, stable, and fast.

From a geometry standpoint, the upright position of the cruisers are comfortable for riding, but terrible in the wind. If you have to ride against a strong wind on a cruiser, you will feel like a kite going in the wrong direction.

Of course, the second drawback of the traditional cruisers are the fat-tires which drain so much energy.

But cruisers do travel. You can get from point A to point B on a cruiser. They are fun that way, but they are slow and take a lot more energy to ride. I find that by natural selection, my cruisers tend to stay in one spot in the garage - fun to take for a Sunday spin once in a great while, but just not very practical for transport compaired with other bicycles in the fleet.

BassNotBass

I don't quite understand the mindset that the cruiser is good for short rides/commutes... it should be fine for just about any length ride. I ride one every now and then when I'm hauling my granddaughter around on the Schwinn Runabout and aside from having to get used to the low gear ratio and the "coasting" thing, it's great as a simple and reliable all-day ride.

Schwinnsta

My usual commute is on a cruiser. It would be absolutely not practical in a hilly area. Where I live it is pancake flat. My main reason for riding a cruiser is mine is old and not a theft magnate.

I grew up riding cruisers in the 50's when the only other alternative was the English 3-speed. Both types have their own problems. My cruiser is old (a 1956 Schwinn Wasp). It’s heavy, about 50 pounds +. It is a no frill standard cruiser. Since these were sold all over the country they were geared down for hills. On flat areas like I live you can get them easily up to their top speed, say 12 or 13 MPH. That is not a deal breaker in a heavy traffic, short block town.

The 2.25" tires soak up the potholed asphalt that we call streets here. It is comfortable. The main down side is the coaster brake and riding in the wind. The coaster brake being on the rear wheel just won't stop as well a bike with brake on the front wheel. I see no way to add one to mine without swapping out the fork. Since I am not going that fast and it will lock up the rear, it stops as quick say a modern road bike at 18-20 MPH.

It can be a ***** to pedal against the wind. It's slow but I can live with that part. I paid very little for it and I can leave it locked without worry. I have a road bike, a touring bike, really, that is old, 1996, but is too nice to take down town and leave locked.

In the early to mid 70's when 10 -12 speeds came out I had three stolen in as many years. I had them well locked. I use a quality u-lock on the cruiser too, but these just don't seem to have cachet of a road bike to the local thieves. Other good qualities of cruisers, little to no maintenance required. Low air pressure means that tires hold air pressure without requiring pumping for at least a week. Wide tire is more stable in sand or gravel and less prone to be grabbed by gratings and trolley tracks. Less prone to flats as well.

The problem with the English three speeds is also the brakes. Steel rims, and that is what they all had (AFAIK), just won't stop well when wet. And this is a wet place. They are also heavy, say 40 pounds +.

The Schwinn Black Phantom, cool in the 50’s, is Wasp, with a bunch unnecessary components added on, like a gas tank and front shock system, 60 pounds +. But these were a fashion statement and still are.

The biggest problem with older bikes is that the spokes were steel and corrosion makes them likeliest part to fail, otherwise very reliable well built bikes.

recumelectric

I absolutely loved my single speed cruiser for years when I had a 5 mile or less commute. I still love it for commutes/ "utility cycling" trips that are under 5 miles. My beach cruiser is like an old friend that I never really get tired of and miss when when I don't see her often enough.

Advantages are: the upright postion (you get to check things out while riding), the ability to set up a basket and/or rack, the coaster brakes (great in the rain for me and they are the same as the first bike I ever rode on), the simplicity.

Disadvantages are: sore butt after over 5 miles