Totally. I like hearing about odd configurations, like fixed gear mountain bikes or internally geared hubs and all kinds of mods like that.

Unlike most here, I am a 'cruiser-guy,' but I would never dream of gushing over my 2003 Fuji Shangri-la in neon yellow and black with the 2" slicks, chrome bullet-light, 3-speed Nexus hub and coaster brake: it just wouldn't be seemly. Now, I could brag about my Giant Stiletto chopper in chrome and black with the new Maltese-cross mirrors, pedals and customized saddle, sissy-bar and front fender (coming soon), but that would be inapporpriate as well. My all-chrome lowrider with 144-spoke wheels, ape-hangers, bullet and torpedo lights and back-rest deserves to be bragged about, but how immature would that be? And while I'd love to rave about the new Firebike stretch-cruiser I am buying that is 9' long, diamond-tubed and modified with a 3-speed Nexus, I don't possess it yet, so that just wouldn't be fair. I suppose if I was a different man, I'd make a point of proudly proclaiming my rolling works of art, but I am an understated and subtle kind of guy... :) ;) :) ;) :) ;) :) ;)

144 spoke wheels??? Are you serious? You could break, like, 80 of them and still keep riding...

The tube stem is designed to face outward because there is no room between the spokes for it to stand upright. They're beautiful to see, but not the most fun to have to true or clean.

Are cruisers fun to ride for more than a mile or two? I tried one at the beach once and it was a heavy ugly POS, but maybe yours are better?

Well, cruisers are inherently heavy: all of mine weigh between 40-50lbs, but on low-grade inclines, flat or downhill surfaces they require minimal effort, particularly if there are multiple speeds at your disposal. My Shangri-la is 3-speed, my chopper 7-speed and the new stretch cruiser will be 3-speed. All of them have slicks which makes for a very smooth ride. Single-speed cruisers are thigh-killers. I won't buy another single-speed after spending so much time on the lowrider last summer. Often the seats are inadequately padded as well. They are not designed for long commutes or extensive rides as a result. I use mine for maximum 60 minute rides and I have had to get the saddles reupholstered to provide better cushioning (the seats are all unique so I can't just buy a better one; they have to be customized). As for fun, I think they are a blast to ride: you can just relax and enjoy the stares, smiles, pointing and picture-taking and not have to worry about how fast you are going. It's not about speed, it's about style. As for beauty, I think every one of mine are works of art; stylish and screaming with personality. Judging by the compliments I receive on virtually every trip, I guess there are many who agree. I have seen ugly cruisers too, but I don't go near those. Of course, some people think road bikes, trainers and hybrids are beautiful too, so they might not find a cruiser to their taste. :)

I cant beleive I read each of these posts. This is a bike forum, get over it.

I don't list my bikes in my sig because there's not enough room and no one realy wants to hear at the end of each post about my '72 Gitane Super Course, Paramount PDC3 Fixie, NSU city bike, Univega Active cyclocross setup, 88 Specialized Stumpjumper commuter, Terry Dispatch, '65 Astra, early 90's Stumpjumper SS, Nishiki Century, GT I-Drive 5, True-temper lugged '86 Trek 950, Trek 820, '84 Schwinn Enduro mtb, Kurahara Count tourer, Fuji Record, Jamis capri (my daughters), Huffy tank cruiser, 72 Schwinn SUpersport, 65 Schwinn Supersport, Giant Butte mtb, early-70's Raleigh Gran Prix, 2002 Specialized Rockhopper custom build, Concorde Freedom 12, 71 Schwinn Fastback, '75 Schwinn Speedster, JC Higgens gentlemens 3speed, the cantilever-framed low-rider I built, or any of the custom builds or restorations that went on each.

And YES I'm bragging, just because this post seemed to be begging for it. :P

I think it's a guy-thing. I'm usually the only gal in our group and sometimes we'll meet new riders. We all introduce ourselves, have a great ride and part ways afterwards. Then during lunch, I'll say something like, "Gee, that guy Maynerd sure can hit the technical stuff, eh?" and the guys look at me with blank looks on their faces. So I have to follow with, "the guy on the Specialized" and they'll all answer, "Oh yeah, him!" I think (and this is just my own theory from my own experience) that guys relate to other people by the bikes they ride and not by name. My hubby loves to cruise around swap meets and he's known some of the vendors for years yet he doesn't remember their names but knows them by, "the Chevy guy" or "Mopar guy" etc.

Also, I've noticed that guys do this on other forums, too. Sometimes my hubby forwards me emails from his Firebird alias and their sig would list their cars: '69 hardtop, '70 GTO, '68 convertible, etc. I've had my motorcycle buddy forward me emails from his motorcycle forums and they list their motorcycles much like our forum.

Like I said, this is just my own theory..... (and yes, I know that GTO's are not Firebirds, but I guess it's a Pontiac thing :p)

These are ONLY cool if they are equiped with the carbon fiber face with nickel silkscreen graphics. Are you down?

Well the face is the solar panel. So can't have carbon blocking it...
That's my excuse.