UberGeek

I've been commuting on my flat-bar road bike. It's a nice, fast, agile ride; and I thought I had gotten "the best" ride for my situation. I also do 20 mile or so rides on the weekends, with a smattering of errands.

This weekend, I finally got my dad's older 7 speed cruiser ready to ride (Don't laugh, it's a Huffy Ocala). Took it on some errands, and a quick jaunt down the MUP.

I think I am sold on the "comfort bikes" now. In fact, my next n+1 purchase will be a comfort/cruiser bike for commutes and errands. The flat bar will still be there for the weekend fitness rides (A pillow seat is nice for errands, not so much for long distances).

Sitting on that thing felt, I don't know how to put it, but the best I can think of is "Fun".

I really like the upright seating, and the foot-forward pedaling. The only thing I don't like are the turns (The swept-back handlebars get pretty close to my knees on turns), but I can work around that by doing the "foot-down while pivot turning" thing.

All in all, I think more people need to look at these comfort bikes when shopping for a commuter/errand runner. There's a lot to be said for riding in a nice comfortable position, and not leaned over.

Easy Peasy

I have a bad neck, so I have to ride upright most of the time. It's isn't as efficient as a bike with a more aerodynamic position, but for my commute and purposes, I don't need a fast or light bike. It's put me back on 2 wheels, and i'm having lots of fun and feeling very comfortable.

hybridbkrdr

I've ridden various styles of bikes. For whatever reason, cruisers can hurt my knees. I prefer hybrids even compared to comfort bikes. I know people may think they're in the same category. But I think there are slight differences that make them different enough.

That being said, I'm not completely surprised to see a "roadie" enjoyed a more laid-back bike.

DataJunkie

I think cruisers would be fun to ride around the neighborhood with my family but that is just about it.

UberGeek

Depends on what kind of ride you're doing I suppose. While, I would like to make my commutes as fast as possible, riding a cruiser vs. a road bike in city traffic hardly makes a minute or two of difference over an 5 mile commute.

Like I said in my first post there, the road bike will be my "I want to ride really, really fast; and really, really hard" bike. The cruiser is "I need to go to point A."

waynesworld

Any bike that someone enjoys riding is a great bike.

Ratchet

I tried one out at the LBS, just for fun... I loved it, too! Something about it just made me smile. After my winter build, and some slicks to put on my 29er for commuting, I think I'll make this my next n+1 as well...
You're in good company!

Moozh

You are singing my song right there. I have pretty much all performance/fitness oriented bikes in my stable and all of a month ago or so just decided I wanted to just have an easy, chilled out ride and realized I did not own a bike in my stable to give me this. I decided to find something cheap and easy on craigs list and figured if I dont like it, no problem..dump it. I found a guy selling his Electra Amsterdam, I checked it out, took it for a spin...I LOVED IT..sitting up, feet forward, bars raised and brought close. I was totally comfy, at ease, sat up straight, looking about willing ready and able to take things easy and smell the roses... What a revelation, not so long ago I would have thought I wouldnt be caught dead (a little harsh perhaps) on some dorky looking comfort or utility bike..but I loved it....LOOOVED IT.. I have since gotten very stupid and went even further and picked up a 'straight 8' cruiser. Cool looking, even more relaxed and chilled out ride and stupid comfortable and more stable the faster you go. (not so fast tho, only has coaster brake).

These bike are such a pleasure to ride, total fun, total chill, slowing down can at times truly be more enjoyable that rushing and going fast. Now I'm thinking about a middle ground for more casual riding but the ability to cover a bit more distance and am eyeballing a ticino.

I read about and hear folks that own Electra bikes that basically love the hell out of them (townies in particular), but those seem to be largely folks just reentering cycling after a long hiatus or folks getting older or else with some physical issue that these ergonomics are suited for and I see that others that consider themselves more educated with regard things cycling or just a more serious/hard core type that slams the bikes and company. I've gotta side with the new commers and older folks, these comfort bikes are a slice of heaven so long as the hills are not too steep and the distance isnt too long.

One month ago my opinions were very, very different! I cant imagine where I'm going to put these extra bikes but I'll shoehorn them in somewhere.

Glad to hear someone else has had the revelation I too experienced just this short while ago.

UberGeek

Same here. I mainly took on my dad's bike as a sentimental project, and started out just taking it out for a "check ride" after fixing it up.

Prior to the "check ride", I would never have thought I'd be riding one, and liking it

I guess it just takes "trying" it. I'm sure most would like it, if they do.

BridgeNotTunnel

My giant escape two hybrid is ideal for my commute in every way.

I personally would not want to ride a cruiser for more than two to three miles.

My six to eight mile ride (depending on route) into manhattan covers such varying terrain and requires some tight handling.

If I rode three miles or less in a wide open or more rural environment I might consider a "comfort bike".

I was however pleasantly surprised to find my hybrid well suited and very comfortable for longer rides as well as errands.

UberGeek

I'll agree, the hybrid lines are good at both long distance and errands. In fact, the hybrids borrow a lot from the cruiser's design principles.

Have you taken a cruiser for a ride? I'd recommend trying it once, if you haven't