Any of you convert a mountain bike into a cruiser?
03-28-20, 11:50 AM
#51
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 376
Bikes: Schwinn Del Mar, Schwinn Sanctuary, Schwinn Hurricane, Murray Actra, Eastern Shovelhead
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
Super duper nice job!!! I have a Bridgestone 400 sitting here that I've been trying to figure out how to covert. At first my stem from my cruiser didn't fit in the head tube. But then for some reason the stem from my son's Schwinn MTB does fit and I used a different stem on that one for the BMX bars.
I just need tires and tubes to fit the frame. I think I'm gonna use my cruiser rims with a coaster brake and put on 1.5" tires. Although 1.75's would work. I tried it with my Son's rims and the 1.95 tires and that pretty much fits but I think would rub a little. Don't your 1.9's come pretty close to the fork or no? I guess yours was a MTB. The 400 I'm referring to is a road bike.....
The only thing I gotta figure out is the different size of the rim in the dropout. I guess I'll use some washers. Or just wait for a cheap MTB and buy it. And use the rim....
I just need tires and tubes to fit the frame. I think I'm gonna use my cruiser rims with a coaster brake and put on 1.5" tires. Although 1.75's would work. I tried it with my Son's rims and the 1.95 tires and that pretty much fits but I think would rub a little. Don't your 1.9's come pretty close to the fork or no? I guess yours was a MTB. The 400 I'm referring to is a road bike.....
The only thing I gotta figure out is the different size of the rim in the dropout. I guess I'll use some washers. Or just wait for a cheap MTB and buy it. And use the rim....
03-29-20, 06:09 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,103
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
551 Posts
As long as you're dealing with (1") MTB quill stems, no problem. The O.D. is 22.2 mm AIR. A BMX stem would fit, but is about 1 mm smaller in diameter, and will fit but could be a problem.
06-10-20, 09:43 AM
#54
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 376
Bikes: Schwinn Del Mar, Schwinn Sanctuary, Schwinn Hurricane, Murray Actra, Eastern Shovelhead
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
I don't think you're talking to me, but just in case you are, my bars and stem I have no clue what they are. They were on a cheap kids bmx bike I found for free. But they work.
06-10-20, 10:48 AM
#55
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks 3S1M . . . you're correct . . . I was actually requesting input from Kirby999. Thanks again though!
01-22-21, 10:40 PM
#56
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 435
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 558 Times
in
219 Posts
1992 Stumpjumper
Not sure if this is considered as an official cruiser but it’s definitely not a hardcore mountain bike anymore. I love this bike and find it very comfortable to ride our city streets with.
Likes For victorm:
01-30-21, 06:50 PM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saratoga calif.
Posts: 1,007
Bikes: Miyata 610(66cm), GT Vantara Hybrid (64cm), Nishiki International (64cm), Peugeot rat rod (62 cm), Trek 800 Burning Man helicopter bike, Bob Jackson frame (to be restored?) plus a never ending stream of neglected waifs from the Bike exchange.
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 499 Times
in
196 Posts
This is my Burning man bike . The frame is way to small for my 6'5" but with the seat post all the way up and the Ape hanger bars it is a blast to ride
Likes For capnjonny:
05-25-21, 11:01 AM
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere South
Posts: 1,667
Bikes: Most of my bikes are Single Speed Conversions
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 265 Post(s)
Liked 3,010 Times
in
1,001 Posts
Changed my Hardrock around a little . Hard to find bright green or yellow accessories that match . Too many different shades , Fun bike to cruise the neighborhood.
05-26-21, 05:53 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere South
Posts: 1,667
Bikes: Most of my bikes are Single Speed Conversions
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 265 Post(s)
Liked 3,010 Times
in
1,001 Posts
Finished up my Motobecane today . 1x8 gearing for easy cruising.
05-26-21, 10:47 PM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,103
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
551 Posts
Procured a couple of 1984 Schwinn Mesa Runners while searching for a rear hub with 126 spacing. Kept the wheel from one and combined the best parts of the two to make my granddaughter's first MTB, er cruiser.
05-27-21, 10:12 AM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere South
Posts: 1,667
Bikes: Most of my bikes are Single Speed Conversions
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 265 Post(s)
Liked 3,010 Times
in
1,001 Posts
Just thought I was finished with the Motobecane. LOL ! Are we ever really finished with one ?
Swapped the handlebars out for a taller riser bar . Feels better now .
Swapped the handlebars out for a taller riser bar . Feels better now .
Likes For OldCruiser:
05-31-21, 09:39 PM
#62
^that guy^
Just finished building one... 85 Peugeot Orient Express
Likes For ceelint:
Likes For J.Higgins:
06-02-21, 01:22 PM
#64
Junior Member
I just finished a mountain bike to beach cruiser conversion. I wrote a quick blog post about it if you want to learn about the details. The conversion was the result of wanting a 'casual' riding experience when I go on rides with my family on the bike path or around the lake. With a less aggressive position, I'm less inclined to push the pace - which puts me in the dog house 
The upright riding position allows me to relax and enjoy the surroundings. I list parts I used for the conversion in the aforementioned blog post, but the key parts are the super chill beach cruiser handle bars and big cushy seat. Some flat pedals, a kick stand, basket, bell and fenders round out the build, along with some Fat Frank tires. I opted to put some tubes with removable cores in the tires, and then added some Stans to the tubes to help keep a good seal on the valve (prevents slow valve leaks, making topping up air a less frequent need) along with the thorn or pinch flat protection it will provide. I’ve dubbed this build the "FrankenCruzer".
‘FrankenCruzer’
The upright riding position allows me to relax and enjoy the surroundings. I list parts I used for the conversion in the aforementioned blog post, but the key parts are the super chill beach cruiser handle bars and big cushy seat. Some flat pedals, a kick stand, basket, bell and fenders round out the build, along with some Fat Frank tires. I opted to put some tubes with removable cores in the tires, and then added some Stans to the tubes to help keep a good seal on the valve (prevents slow valve leaks, making topping up air a less frequent need) along with the thorn or pinch flat protection it will provide. I’ve dubbed this build the "FrankenCruzer".‘FrankenCruzer’
Last edited by GenesGrnMachine; 06-02-21 at 02:03 PM. Reason: Fix typos
Likes For GenesGrnMachine:
06-03-21, 07:59 AM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,172
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 563 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
466 Posts
90s cruiser style NORBA geometry MTB frame turned into a city cruiser
Likes For DorkDisk:
06-03-21, 09:06 AM
#67
^that guy^
thanks! eBay wheel... I just placed the appropriate amount of washers on each side of the axle to fit the dropout
06-03-21, 10:26 AM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,103
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
551 Posts
I always worry about getting a straight chainline when doing something like that, but I guess you get it straight, then re-dish the wheel as necessary.
06-03-21, 06:43 PM
#70
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 491
Bikes: There is always room for one more.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 161 Post(s)
Liked 339 Times
in
197 Posts
This is true. I have converted a couple of vintage bikes to SS and have been able to get a good chainline by merely changing the bottom bracket spindle width and/or moving the chainring in or out on the crank arm. Sometimes you get lucky.
__________________
Don
Don
Last edited by GeezyRider; 06-03-21 at 06:50 PM.
Likes For GeezyRider:
06-03-21, 11:07 PM
#71
^that guy^
Likes For ceelint:
06-04-21, 12:05 AM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,103
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
551 Posts
Well, I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. I've used mostly cassettes with my single speeds, so no problem with chainline. The couple of times with a freewheel hub years ago, must have gotten lucky.
06-19-21, 04:12 PM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,103
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
551 Posts
1985 Mt Fuji. The paint was in pretty rough shape after years of off road activity with a series of youngsters in bike seats and it was going to be dipped and powder coated, but noticed the decals looked pretty good, so just masked them, then prepped and shot the frame. Decided to toss a spare BBS02 on to see how stealth it would look with a 52V, 4 ah battery in a seat bag (not shown). Frame, fork and headset weighed a portly eight pounds, but the entire bike came in at 41. Went on a 20 or so mile shakedown cruise along a dirt / gravel / concrete bike path and it's pretty competent if a little unforgiving.
06-21-21, 05:49 PM
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saratoga calif.
Posts: 1,007
Bikes: Miyata 610(66cm), GT Vantara Hybrid (64cm), Nishiki International (64cm), Peugeot rat rod (62 cm), Trek 800 Burning Man helicopter bike, Bob Jackson frame (to be restored?) plus a never ending stream of neglected waifs from the Bike exchange.
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 499 Times
in
196 Posts
My Burning man Playa bike . I love the ape hanger bars for low speed cruising but they can be a little twitchy . And make sure they are screwed down tight . I once left them a little loose after doing some work on the bike and the next time I rode it and put on the brakes they fell forward and I did a summersault over them landing flat on my back. Amazingly I didn't get hurt at all. Must have looked amazing to any onlookers.
06-22-21, 05:03 AM
#75
Rhapsodic Laviathan
