Cruiser bike with gears?
#1
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Cruiser bike with gears?
No cruiser forums, so I thought maybe, possible(?) this would be the closest forum for this. I'm looking to get a cruiser bike because I love they way they look. I already have a 29er and a SS road bike. I use the 29er for mt. biking (at parks since Miami doesn't even have a hill) and commuting to work (avg. 4 days a week.) and the SS for long distance events, etc. I want to get a cruiser, and also be able to use it for getting to work. I want at least a three speed so I can ride faster than what most cuisers come set up with gearing wise. Any suggestions for me? I'm looking to keep it under $500, new...not used.
thanks
thanks
#3
I'll reply, but you ain't gonna like it 
I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?

I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?
#5
https://jaxbicycles.com/product-list/...er-classic-83/
Take a look at some of these Cruisers with internal and external gears. I hope this helps!!!!
Take a look at some of these Cruisers with internal and external gears. I hope this helps!!!!
#6
#8
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From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
a friend of mine has an old beach cruiser. he complains about his hands going numb after an hour or so. loves the bannana seat though. and the basket on the front. its a single speed, lock wheel (proper term?).
i had one when i was younger (it was originaly my mothers) and didnt see any problems with the handlebars, but than again children don't usualy have many concerns over such things.
i had one when i was younger (it was originaly my mothers) and didnt see any problems with the handlebars, but than again children don't usualy have many concerns over such things.
#10
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that's about how it's looking at this point. I'm going to my lbs this weekend to check some out. I really really dig the Felts though. I want to use this bike as a commuter, so the military police one with the headlight, front rack and rear rack is my favorite.
#11
There are 10s of thousands of balloon tire beach cruisers with gears on the boardwalks of Southern Cal. The cruisers easily out number road bikes and hybrids 10 to 1. Most boardwalks have a speed limit of 5-8 miles due to equal sharing with pedestrian traffic. The more popular brands seem to be Electra and Nirve with baskets to carry dogs and beach gear. Early examples of Schwinn Phantoms ( 1949-1959) are fetching $1,500 daily on CL and Ebay. The Electra Balloon Townie 8i at $899. is the current bike to have on the boardwalk.
#12
To question your desire of how many gears you desire with a challenge of more shows this person also cannot see your fitness level considering you have an SS road bike.
There are plenty of bikes out there that would be an option for you as you have seen by the above links. Good luck to you and let us know what you end up with.
Last edited by Psycle chic; 06-09-10 at 08:07 AM.
#13
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i actually wasn't sure since they are from the land of mussels and beer if they understood it as a different word or not. I have no idea if they are Flemmish speaking or French speaking Belge. I have family there in Ukkel, and have pretty much always met only nice people there and so, while the response was given to me was retar... I just let it be a bump to the thread. Thanks though!
I'm heading to the bike shop tomorrow night to take a look and see if they have any Felt cruisers in stock, or pretty much anything else out there with three gears. I really dig the look of the Felt ones though!
I'm heading to the bike shop tomorrow night to take a look and see if they have any Felt cruisers in stock, or pretty much anything else out there with three gears. I really dig the look of the Felt ones though!
#14
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: Miele Azsora, Kuwahara Cascade
I'll reply, but you ain't gonna like it 
I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?

I never heard of a "cruiser bike" and had to look it up to know what it was, but even looking at a "cruiser bike", I cannot fathom why people would want such a rediculously unhandy handlebar on their bikes.
Is it because it supposedly looks cool?
I know it would definately strain my wrists after a couple of miles and it seems very awkward for doing cross-country.
Does looking supposedly cool outweigh comfort of riding?
You speak of 3 gears ... why just 3?
Why not have at least 7 or even 9 gears, since having more gears does make your biking easier, right?
Why some people feel the need to offer their opinion on matters they've never even heard of is beyond me.
#15
I also do not see the point in going through all of my posts in particular ... but if you want to spend your time doing so ... feel free

The term "cruiser bike" is not common in Belgium (and I presume this goes for the whole of Europe).
In fact I haven't seen an actual cruiser bike ever in my life.
This has probably to do with cruiser bikes being a typical american phenomenon, I guess.
Think of me whatever you desire and look down upon me if this makes you feel better ... be my guest

I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
This concludes my answer to your personal attack ... so back to the subject at hand:
I still stand by my personal opinion that the handlebar of those cruiser bikes seems extemely uncofortable for the rider's wrists and also seems very unhandy and difficult to control on anything but flat roads.
So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?
#16
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 546
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From: NorCal
Bikes: 2009 Surly Cross Check Frankenbike
"Cruiser" and "speed" are not words that go together well. If your commute is really short I suppose this will work, but it would probably be smart to ride one before you buy. Maybe you can rent one and ride your commute distance to see if it works.
#17
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
Cruiser bike, beer runner...Commuter? Anything beats walking.

https://www.electrabike.com/store/
check out the super deluxe
https://www.nirve.com/mens.asp?cat=cruiser&cid=548
Fifty-Three

https://www.electrabike.com/store/
check out the super deluxe
https://www.nirve.com/mens.asp?cat=cruiser&cid=548
Fifty-Three
Last edited by curbtender; 06-14-10 at 06:38 PM.
#18
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,212
Likes: 5,422
From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
"So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?"
I guess it would be the balloon tires and the springed seats make the ride "Cadillac" smooth. The tires run between 35-45 psi. The seat is like an easy chair. It's not made for racing, unless you grew up in the sixties and liked running down the firetrails with one foot dragging. They really are made for flat areas, but if you don't mind getting off your tush and pumping up the hill...
I guess it would be the balloon tires and the springed seats make the ride "Cadillac" smooth. The tires run between 35-45 psi. The seat is like an easy chair. It's not made for racing, unless you grew up in the sixties and liked running down the firetrails with one foot dragging. They really are made for flat areas, but if you don't mind getting off your tush and pumping up the hill...
#19
#20
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Adalaar: I suppose it's the English as a second language, but the responses you are getting stem from the bluntness of your post coupled with your opinion of distaste for something you have not seen in person or even heard of until now. You can't imagine that someone would be interested in you opinion if you have absolutely no knowledge of what you're talking about.
Also, I just don't believe you about you building your own bikes because I choose to believe that you're just making that up to sound cool, but it's not really working yet...so if you feel like posting more about your really cool bike building capabilities I will certainly not care about any of it.
Also, I just don't believe you about you building your own bikes because I choose to believe that you're just making that up to sound cool, but it's not really working yet...so if you feel like posting more about your really cool bike building capabilities I will certainly not care about any of it.
#21
Still kicking.


Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19,659
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From: Annandale, New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.
I do not see the point in referring to me as "them".
I also do not see the point in going through all of my posts in particular ... but if you want to spend your time doing so ... feel free
The term "cruiser bike" is not common in Belgium (and I presume this goes for the whole of Europe).
In fact I haven't seen an actual cruiser bike ever in my life.
This has probably to do with cruiser bikes being a typical american phenomenon, I guess.
Think of me whatever you desire and look down upon me if this makes you feel better ... be my guest
I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
This concludes my answer to your personal attack ... so back to the subject at hand:
I still stand by my personal opinion that the handlebar of those cruiser bikes seems extemely uncofortable for the rider's wrists and also seems very unhandy and difficult to control on anything but flat roads.
So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?
I also do not see the point in going through all of my posts in particular ... but if you want to spend your time doing so ... feel free

The term "cruiser bike" is not common in Belgium (and I presume this goes for the whole of Europe).
In fact I haven't seen an actual cruiser bike ever in my life.
This has probably to do with cruiser bikes being a typical american phenomenon, I guess.
Think of me whatever you desire and look down upon me if this makes you feel better ... be my guest

I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
This concludes my answer to your personal attack ... so back to the subject at hand:
I still stand by my personal opinion that the handlebar of those cruiser bikes seems extemely uncofortable for the rider's wrists and also seems very unhandy and difficult to control on anything but flat roads.
So my question is: what is the benefit of riding a cruiser bike?
You also know there are different types of handlebars that can be used on a cruiser bike. Right?
Also, btw....
https://www.google.com/images?oe=utf-...kes&tbs=isch:1
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#22
I do not see the point in referring to me as "them".
I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
I know for myself that I design, build, adjust, repair and maintain my own bike ... if you call this "really doesn't know what they are talking about" than your definition of this statement is clearly different from mine.
You designed and built your own bike? Does that mean the frame too? If so then I bow to your ingenious ability. I, in no way, can do what you can.
So your last name is Thompson I see...




You must race too. I bet you do well with those rad road tires and the CAF. Digging the aerobars and bar ends that point to the heavens. How do the grip shifters do when you bunny over roots and rocks? What suspension seatpost is that? Does it lockout? What's the brand of the CAF?
Last edited by Psycle chic; 06-17-10 at 01:06 AM.
#23
I didn't want to get rude and call you IDIOT so I didn't.
You designed and built your own bike? Does that mean the frame too? If so then I bow to your ingenious ability. I, in no way, can do what you can.
So your last name is Thompson I see...




You must race too. I bet you do well with those rad road tires and the CAF. Digging the aerobars and bar ends that point to the heavens. How do the grip shifters do when you bunny over roots and rocks? What suspension seatpost is that? Does it lockout? What's the brand of the CAF?
You designed and built your own bike? Does that mean the frame too? If so then I bow to your ingenious ability. I, in no way, can do what you can.
So your last name is Thompson I see...




You must race too. I bet you do well with those rad road tires and the CAF. Digging the aerobars and bar ends that point to the heavens. How do the grip shifters do when you bunny over roots and rocks? What suspension seatpost is that? Does it lockout? What's the brand of the CAF?
#24
I hope, sir psycle chic, that you realise that I never personaly insulted you in any way, yet you seem to do nothing but try to insult me.
How I like to set-up my bike is my personal taste and I will simply ignore anything you say about it
How I like to set-up my bike is my personal taste and I will simply ignore anything you say about it
#25
More pathetic mindless attention seeking drivel.



