Allright, so it's decided! I'm doing my 12.5 mile uphill commute on my Electra Deluxe 3-Speed tomorrow Friday May 18.. That's going to be challenging! If there is any other beach cruiser rider out there that wants to join me let me know. The trip starts down in Leucadia and ends at the Vista business park. Even if you have to meet me halfway up the hill, it should be great.

Way to go man! I start my commuting on Tuesday. My ride is only 7 miles though. Lots of hills around here.

Kool !

I love those Electras, too ! The new Schwinn !
I commuted 12 hilly miles in Vermont on a Single Speed cruiser
and the benefits of the big fatso tires and sprung seat far
outweighed (literally ) the slight speed advantage of the
'serious' bikes people in this forum talk about. Comfort, ability
to roll over big stuff, etc....Cruisers are great !!
Spin a low gear rather than trying to mash out in 3rd and stick
with it !!!

Here the recap of the commute: The trip was interesting. It actually took only 1:10 to go uphill and then 55 minutes on the way down for a total of about 26 miles. The uphill part was super hard. Especially once I passed El Camino Real - the climb after that is super steep and long! It was drizzling a bit, but not enough to get me wet. On the way down I did that same hill but this time I was going like 30+mph as I was crossing El Camino. Kind of intimidating! When I merged into the 101 close to home, this guy pulls up to me on a sweet TREK road bike and begins commenting on my Electra. He's like, dude, that bikes's awesome! It's like so Old School... And I bet it rides amazing too. I want one of those! - That was a BIG compliment coming from a hardcore roadie. Anyway... Great experience overall.

This is the new Schwinn. Bought in 2003 with 7 speed hub. It replaced the vintage one speed 1950's era model knee action Schwinn I had for 25 years and foolishly got rid of in 1997.

That is a repop Schwinn ???
That bike is the bomb !! Is that seat stock ??
The dice are too kool !!
Nice ride !

I work in that area and commute 2-3 days a week. I live in Oceanside so I come down Melrose to Sycamore when I ride in. I'm riding a road bike though.

I mean, cruisers are the coolest bikes, but I do I have to give it to the road bikes as far as efficiency. Although the commute was fun, it was way too long and steep to do it everyday on a cruiser. My next purchase is a Mountain Bike though. If I could afford getting a road bike as well I might commute more often, but I'm not willing to give up the Electra in order to afford the road bike!

Wow! Definitely a sweet bike!

Yes it is a Schwinn Brand, probably made in the Orient. I bought the bike new in 2003 for $450 with the Nexus 7 speed/coaster rear wheel.

The seat is a Brooks B73 I bought new in Germany in 2000 for 99DM (approx $50). Close up below.

Wow! One thing I don't like about the Electra seats though is that the springs are the kind that have an inner bolt going through them. These creates friction and a very annoying chirping, screaching noise when you pedal. Add to this an alloy frame that multiple noise and vibration and you've got yourself a very bothersome problem. I do like the cover of my seat though. So I'm thinking of putting the same covering over a Townie seat which has elastomer shock absorbers instead of springs.

Try Silicone or Teflon spray on the offending springs. That may solve the friction/chirping problem.