Hello everyone, I was wondering if commuting with a cruiser is a good idea. I've seen nice cruisers, the ones I've seen have just one speed an breaks with pedals but I think I can add a break in the front for better break performance. My budget is tight that is why I'm not looking at better bikes for the moment.

I don't know is just an idea since my commutes are short and the terrain is flat, I just need a bike that does the job for now until I figure out what I want to do with my other bike. Open to hear suggestions and comments...

Thanks in advance...

Ever consider a used road bike? In my area you can find them on Craigslist for under $200 (vintage '80s bikes). I'd ride a cruiser if I had one and it was my only option, but I'd prefer not to. A vintage road or mountain bike would be my choice on a budget.

Bikes Direct also has a nice selection of bikes: https://www.bikesdirect.com/?gclid=CJ...FUFV4AodWnccEw

Also, my Puma Nevis is a cross between a commuter & cruiser. Here's a listing for a white one, but it's a pretty big frame: https://www.commuterbikestore.com/pum...uter-bike.html

I swapped out the stem, handlebars, and seat. I also put a rack on, but I have a different one on the way - with a rear mud guard that attaches to it. I also have a mud guard on the front. Overall a nice ride,...

Why not? Worldwide, most bike commuters probably use bikes of this type. If it's flat, anything else just adds inconvenience, cost, or unreliability.

Assuming you've been riding a while and know what really "flat" terrain looks like, I'd say go for it!

I would just make sure the bike frame has the necessary inserts to install a rear rack, which you will want when you start commuting. Frame pumps, water bottles, and other accessories can be attached without these.

+1, if you later decide to scale it up and want more of a road bike then go for it, in the mean time just stay with what ya got.

A bike is a bike. On a short commute thats reasonably flat I see no reason not to. It might take a little longer, but the plus is that no one will want to steal your bike.

I would do it provided the route was flat, protected (bike lane or path), and short (up to a couple of miles).

The 'protected' part would be especially important for me. If I'm going to be riding in traffic, I want something a little more nimble to dodge around the unexpected.

Flat and short - a cruiser should work along with almost any other bike that is the right size for you so that it is comfortable and fun to ride.

If riding in the rain or needing to carry other items (work clothes,lunch,rain clothes etc.), get a bike that can handle fenders and can hold the panniers/bag.

Good luck

My Nevis is 8 speed, can do fenders, can do a rack, etc. It's fine for 5-10 mile rides.

Correct, all of Europe rides a "city-bike" or Cruiser-type bike because it's flat and most people ride less than 20 miles/day round-trip. You don't need a road bike for commuting and there are many reasons not to go with a road bike as a commuter (i.e. where a city-bike is very advantageous.)

Thanks to all of you for you comments.

I have a road bike, but I have concerns on many things because of the city I live plus I don't know if I can make that road bike into a commuters bike. But thanks

tds101 Thanks for the Tips, I will check my local Craiglist for some bikes and see if there is anything appropriate for commuting.

PaulH Well I think you might be right, why not after all I am not in a rush on the road, not for now that is why I though it would be nice to have a bike like this. Thanks Paul

PapaTom Yes, I've ride for a while but I stop and came back. I agree with you as long as the bike have everything to make it a commuters bike.

RootMan ok...sounds like a go then.

The rest of the comments are good, I like to thank all of you for your time to help me with a decision. As long as the bike is appropriate for commuting and has all the things I need to make it a pleasant ride to work and back to home...I will do some errands too.

Now the other question I have though is what you guys think about brands, there is so many to choose from. So far I've seen Schwinn and Huffy bikes they are so cool but really I don't know to much about this bikes I would consider my self a newbie in this category of bikes. You know sometimes by the looks is not what is all about, but then again I just need a nice ride...

My commute is short, 8 miles RT, and flat. I've done it many times on a single speed cruiser. In my area the cruiser is probably the #1 choice of commuting bike.

You can get away without a rack if you don't mind a backpack or, like some women, a large purse.

two and a half years ago I got a schwinn windwood from a big box store. I was suing it to get from my shop down to a little town a mile a away and rode it a few miles a week. Then I started riding it further when I figured out that it really isnt much slower than my commuting bike. Important part here, after two hundred miles the bottom bracket started getting some play in it. This will need to be addressed soon, but in the mean time I bought a felt cruiser. Very smooth drive train and good components. A friend bought a new huffy cranbrook a year a go for recreation and has had the same problem I had with the windwood. I do love the single speed simplicity and low pressure fat tires though.


I ride the cruiser into work everyonce in awhile, I have a very short commute these days, so it is not a big deal. But buying a cruiser may not mean saving a lot of money on a bike. If I could do it over again I would buy an old schwinn cruiser in good condition ( I am so sick of "vintage" being abused) before buying a new one for $125. How old? I really cant answer that question to the year, but pre 90s at least.

Oh wonderful GP, then the more I see people posting about commuting with a cruiser the more I want one.

jdswitters Schwinn seem to be very popular, I saw some today and I was in love LOL...thanks for your commets


Ok, I went to the store today and saw one that I fell in love with, my options started to be limited cause I am 5,4" and the perfect fit for me will be a 24" bike. So is very limited what they have in that size. The other ones are way to big for me I've try them and OMG they are amazing the Schwinn are beautiful but I can't afford one of those for now. Will see I'll keep you guys post it. But the one I like the most was a Kent la Jolla 24" for women, what I like the most about it was that the frame is all aluminum the bike is so light I was amazed.

Please keep the comments going cause I like your opinion.

Some days the cruiser just feels right.

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Short and flat sure, there's nothing really wrong with using a cruiser if that's what you like. Up to a given speed and distance there honestly isn't much disadvantage with a cruiser and it's all about how it feels and convenience.

On the flip side, personally I wouldn't do it because I might want to take it for a longer ride some times or for errands and the cruiser could be a handicap for that. The two cruisers in our household seldom get ridden, my wife and son generally preferring the mountain bike.

Really? Why is so inconvenient for running errands a side from being a longer ride? Maybe is because the bags get heavier that would be my thinking, just curious cause I can't tell the difference, I've never had a cruiser before. I'm getting very indecisive cause would love to have a cruiser but at the same time allot of people seem to like mountain bikes better for the job. Not to mention that I've been watching videos of the Fat Bikes and I'm just like amaze on what this bikes do. However a fat bike to me seems more fun and recreational, so choice number 2 other than the cruiser will be a mountain bike...


jdswitters I love your cruiser bikes they are awesome

For me the handling and position is wrong for a more strenuous effort. Like loaded down with cargo, going up hills, more than a few miles, that sort of thing. Granted you could use one of the other bikes for that.

I have a beach cruiser with 700c rims with 23c tires....its a fixed gear too Go for it!

Well overall it seems like a good choice for a flat terrain, I'm still on the looks and try to a make a decision. I just want to invest on the right bike.

Right now I'm commuting on a bike that someone lend me, the bike is suppose to be oriented for Triathlon looks like a mountain bike but is heavy and to big for me. I like the fact that the bike I'm using is fun if you want to make short cuts like little hills and parking lots things like that. What I don't like about the cruiser I'm looking at is that I don't have front brakes or handle brakes, I see myself installing a front brake that will end up being more money.

Oh choosing the right back is not an easy task when budget is tight

Hello everyone, I just wanted to say that I finally got my new bike. I ended getting the Cruiser, it was a gift so I can't complain at all.

I love, love, love the bike is a La Jolla Lightweight Aluminum Street Cruiser. Is beautiful, I like the fact that is not heavy at all so it comes great when I have to take a bus because I can lift the bike without no problems. Wide wheels, one shift no brakes on the front but who cares cause it rides so nice. Has a Basket on the front and fenders, is a dream bike very Retro I get compliments every where I go with it, of course the gift had to come with a good lock, is a OnGuard OG Series Mini U-lock has the lock with keys and the cable.

OMG I love my bike sooooo much, commuting with it makes me soooo happy every day!!!

Congrats, bike pics or it didn't happen.

i have a raleigh western classic,7 speed igh,110,000kms.now it has the dyno-hub at the front why not commute on a cruiser.


(a lot of original parts have fallen by the wayside,but it still rolls nicely.

i have a raleigh western classic,7 speed igh,110,000kms.now it has the dyno-hub at the front why not commute on a cruiser.


(a lot of original parts have fallen by the wayside,but it still rolls nicely.)