littledog

I love cruisers. I have a 2002 Schwinn Cruiser Deluxe. This year I added a Columbia 24" which is NOS from the early fifties,only needed the bearings greased and a little polishing. And a 2006 Haro 24" BMX cruiser.

Once in a while a post shows up about cruisers but there is no section in BF on them. I know I am not the only one who likes them. Post pics if you have them.

littledog

Digital Gee

I have two Huffy (yes, Huffy -- quit laughing) cruisers that I ride - one for me, one for my 14 year old daughter. Lots of fun for errands, etc.

CrossChain

Greg Lemond raced on a Huffy at one time....not really a Huffy of course....anybody remember who made his Huffy bike?

roccobike

A freind at work asked me to find her and her husband cruisers so they could cycle with their child. I found three bikes, but one of them was really nice. It was a Jamis, I think the model was Big Boss or something like that. It was all black with chrome fork, red anodized rims, gumwall tires and side pull brakes. As I remember I sold it to her for $20.

Little Darwin

I seem to recall it was Serotta.

edp773

The bikes wouldn't happen to be Good Vibrations would they?

Digital Gee

One's a Surfside, and one's a Santa Fee II. Woohoo!

nedgoudy

I intend to buy at least
a 6 speed cruiser so I
can take it on the bus
with me. Do they make
em in 21 speeds, that
would be even sweeter!

(Still posting narrow messages.) :O)
(And feeling good about it.) :O)

ticwanos

I just recently picked up a '69 ("70?) Schwinn Racer complete with coaster brakes and chrome fenders. The chrome fenders made it impossible for me to resist. I haven't ridden it a lot, but when I have its been a very joyous experience. It's pure bicycle, definitely designed for the casual tourist. I pay more attention to my surroundings than either on my mtb or road bikes. When I want to sight see, it's the bike for me!

My local Salvation Army has a matched pair of his and hers Schwinn World Tourists in mint condition, (not real cheap, the pair for just under $100), but I have neither the room or the disposable income right now for two more bikes, but they sure are beautiful. Sigh.

TheSquirrelGuy

Serotta made them for the Olympics under the Huffy Name

Tom Bombadil

Digital Gee must be too embarrassed by his Huffy to list it in his signature.

Woodlark

I have a Ross DuneRider. Does that count?

pastorbobnlnh 

I agree 100%! I wouldn't part with my '66 5 speed Collegiate for anything! How about these chrome fenders!

Woodlark

PastorBob, That is one PRETTY bike!

I-Like-To-Bike

You mean Schwinn Cruiser like mine:


One daughter's cruiser:
A 7 speed Zero Seven:



The other daughter's 3 speed Calvin:


or my wife's alternate use Columbia:

Metric Man

Cruisers! You bet!!

ticwanos

Beautiful bikes, I-Like-To-Bike! Your Schwinn is a peach! I think the classics get all too often overlooked and are underappreciated. There are a lot of memories riding on those wheels.

I posted earlier regards a Schwinn Racer new to my stable ( I've determined it is a '71). I have since tarted it up a bit, as well as acquired a '74 Sprite freebie rustbucket that I have cleaned up and gotten roadworthy. Pics to follow. I thought I would include a photo of my next (MAJOR!) restoration project as soon as I rescue it from the woods.

This is the Racer pretty much as I got it. I just cleaned it up, put a Wrights saddle on it and a vintage saddle/handlebar bag.

The bike became an art project. Here it is with correct "S" saddle, Schwinn rack, and period correct lights. I added hand brakes after I found myself squeezing the handlebars and NOT stopping. I do have Huret cable guides for the rear brake, but everything else is either Schwinn, Schwinn approved or generic. The last steps are to get white cable "sheathes" and an appropriate fender reflector to replace the one that is missing. While this old horse can't begin to keep up with road bikes it is surprisingly quick for its weight and is a kick to ride.

The Sprite in all its English gentleman glory. I will spare you a pic of its rustbucket phase. The original rusted solid Huret gear levers on the stem have been replaced by a better condition downtube set. A new low end RD to make it rideable (until I can get a good quality period correct RD--it came with the Huret Allvit--gotta get something better) and changing the mattress saddle that was falling apart to a Brooks are all I have done so far. The paint is really faded, but for the most part intact. I waffle on whether to repaint or not.

Thanks to the good folks on the Classic and Vintage forum I have found out this is a '50s era J.C. Higgins Color Flow. It waits on my cousin's farm in Oklahoma until I can retrieve it from her and see if it can be rejuvenated. They don't make bikes like this anymore! (And I'll bet there is a good reason.) I don't know whether to make this the ultimate RatRod and preserve the moss, or repaint to bring back its former glory. Either way, it looks like a lot of fun to try.

sknhgy 

I had a schwinn 5 speed collegiate too! Man, that brings back memories. In fact, mine was trashed out but I kept dragging it along with me. I think I threw it out witin the last five years.

crazyb

Closest thing I have to a cruiser.

Terrierman

Man that is a sweet looking bike.

littledog

PastorBob- That is a very beatiful Schwinn.

I-Like-To-Bike

Just like mine too, though I changed out the saddle.


Schwinn must have sold a lot of 'em around S.E. Iowa; pictured is one strung up over the street as a decoration for the Snake Alley races held on Memorial Day weekend.



Though truth be told the World Tourist is nice (I took mine to Phila and left it with my sister so I have one to use when I visit) nothing beats the ride of a spring action balloon tired Cruiser with a real comfy saddle.

crazyb

If you are looking for another Tourist, a guy out north of town on Gear has a couple of them laying around for 10 bucks apiece

Artkansas 

Make your own. A lot of people seem to think my Specialized Hard Rock is a cruiser. It's got 21 gears. I get compliments on it and offers to buy it frequently. The black Freddy Fenders make it look good.

littledog

I have cruiserized my 1998 Trek 820 MTN bike. It now has Hank 2.2" slick tires,Wald North Road handlebars- which are like the old Schwinn and Raliegh road bike bars and a Dyna Cruiser seat and Freddy fenders. Unfortunately I have no pictures as I don't have a digital camera or know how to post pics even if I did. but I am working on that too.

What I like most about cruisers besides the comfort is that they give you a good workout if you push them. So if you don't have a car to load your bike into and take to the local bike club ride,which I don't,and don't have a good local bike path-then you can still get a lot of exercise just pedaling around town on the side streets. And the balloon tires,sprung saddle and front springer on my Schwinn make the curb bashing a lot easier on my old bones and joints.