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-   -   Cruiser for tall riders (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=1148233)

Surly Steve 06-29-18 11:34 AM

Cruiser for tall riders
 
I am looking for a cruiser with a standover height of 32". Is there a middle ground between the run of the mill $200-300 cruisers which come in one size fits everyone and getting a custom frame building to make one that fits for $2,000? I'd like something I can change out the rear cog and chainring, with the lines of a Schwinn Typhoon.

rhenning 06-30-18 06:54 AM

I have about the same standover height and ride a Huffy Good vibrations with the saddle up all the way and a higher stem. I will take some pictures but it is just a beater bike. Normally ride a 23 inch or 58 cm road bike. Roger

rhenning 06-30-18 07:17 AM

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35022d1447.jpg
Not a good picture as it is so hot and sticky out this was the best I could do. Basically a stock Huffy Good Vibrations frame with new wheels. Aluminum rims with sealed bearing BMX front hub and a Bendix red band 2 speed kickback hub. One of my get the mail bikes. Roger

SquidPuppet 06-30-18 09:05 AM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20419516)
I am looking for a cruiser with a standover height of 32". Is there a middle ground between the run of the mill $200-300 cruisers which come in one size fits everyone and getting a custom frame building to make one that fits for $2,000? I'd like something I can change out the rear cog and chainring, with the lines of a Schwinn Typhoon.

How tall are you?

From 1962-1964 Schwinn offered their American model in a king size version, I believe it was two inches taller. Perhaps someone else knows the exact numbers. Maybe look on Craigslist to see if you can find one. They are rare and not cheap. But it's definitely in between $300.00 and $2k and it definitely looks like a Schwinn. And the bonus is, it IS a Schwinn.



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c841dba01e.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e8ff290cc6.jpg

Surly Steve 06-30-18 10:14 AM

I'm only 5'10", but I have long legs, my current bicycle is a 59cm Surly Steamroller.
Thank you for the suggestion to watch for the King Size American or Heavi-Duty.

SquidPuppet 06-30-18 11:31 AM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20421085)
I'm only 5'10", but I have long legs, my current bicycle is a 59cm Surly Steamroller.
Thank you for the suggestion to watch for the King Size American or Heavi-Duty.

I'm six foot with a 32 inch pant inseam and I have no issues with my regular size Schwinn cruisers. I just raise my saddle a lot and adjust the stem and bars to suit my desired height and reach. I bet you'd be fine on a standard cruiser.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1c928a27be.jpg

Surly Steve 06-30-18 11:52 AM

That is a beautiful looking cruiser! Where'd you get the fork? You're probably right about the smaller frame but I don't like the aesthetic of a lot of exposed seat post, my inseam is 34".

SquidPuppet 06-30-18 01:14 PM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20421227)
That is a beautiful looking cruiser! Where'd you get the fork? You're probably right about the smaller frame but I don't like the aesthetic of a lot of exposed seat post, my inseam is 34".


Thanks for the compliment. The fork is the stock ugly unicrown fork that came with the bike back in 2000, although the color aint stock. It's just an Asian Schwinn, not Chicago built. I hear you about the look of the extended seat post. It's totally wrong for a cruiser, but for me, comfort and efficiency reign supreme.

You want a slammed seat post? Here's my 1977 Schwinn Varsity (66cm) converted into a KING SIZE coaster brake diamond frame beach cruiser. :lol:



https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a575dd3c48.jpg

Surly Steve 06-30-18 01:43 PM

I had one of those in high school, probably a '74 or '75, my dad traded it in when he bought himself a new bike after I joined the Coast Guard. Looks like you need to take a link out of your chain...

Surly Steve 06-30-18 01:46 PM

Nice looking set up, I love the tires, and the yard looks brilliant.

My preference would be something between a run of the mill $200 factory-made one size fits almost no one and a $2,000 custom frame.

SquidPuppet 06-30-18 02:15 PM

For the price it might be worth checking out. If it sucks, sell it. If it fits, upgrade the parts that need it and powder coat it a color that you love. Or, upgrade everything and you've got your perfect bike for what, $400.00 maybe?

https://www.amazon.com/Kulana-Mens-C...ZEN7MZR5BTPEVR




https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...52d6e0a3d7.jpg

Philphine 07-02-18 09:02 AM

i didn't check the website first, but walmart sold a 32" cruiser for a while that's pretty roomy. i have a couple, but don't ride them often. my main caveat would be future tire availability, although i've heard dirty-sixer now makes a 32" bike also, and i think i've heard of 32" unicycles, so maybe it'll always be possible to come up with replacements (how hard it'll be i can't say). if you came across a used one on craigslist or something (how i got my first one, the second at a flea market) at a decent price, i think it would be worth trying. there's also 36" coker monster, but sizewise it rides like a normal 26" cruiser. the 32 feels bigger. last, walmart also sold a 29" cruiser, but it also doesn't seem much bigger than a 26.

Kedosto 07-02-18 10:45 AM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20419516)
I am looking for a cruiser with a standover height of 32". Is there a middle ground between the run of the mill $200-300 cruisers which come in one size fits everyone and getting a custom frame building to make one that fits for $2,000? I'd like something I can change out the rear cog and chainring, with the lines of a Schwinn Typhoon.

Firmstrong Chief. Maybe not quite the lines you're looking for, but they claim the bike is for tall people.

Firmstrong Chief

-Kedosto

Surly Steve 07-05-18 10:14 AM

Found this: eBay item 273305532879 near me, but I'm not a fan on the forks. Any good sources for unicrown forks with a bit more rake, or whatever its called, something that doesn't look so BMX. Also tips on swapping out the crankset with a three piece bottom bracket set up?

StephenH 07-05-18 11:37 AM

You've hit a pet peeve there.
Years ago, I believe I located online a Brazilian manufacturer that made a "tall" version of their cruiser, but I never actually located the actual bike where I could buy one. I forget the brand, but they made other more common bikes, kids bikes, etc., and all I ever saw for sale were those. (Edit: I think that was "Caloi", but I don't see anything like that on their current website.)
If Worksman would make up one jig for "large" frames, they'd have that market cornered for the next 40 years.
As it is, the Worksman straight-bar models (M2600) may have a little less seatpost extension than the regular. The overall frame dimensions, I assume are the same, but just shaped a little differently where the seatpost is. I rode one of them for a couple of years.
There are the various "monster cruisers" but the problem is, they're still a 1-size frame, so that frame is optimized for medium-size people.

SquidPuppet 07-05-18 05:30 PM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20430070)
Found this: eBay item 273305532879 near me, but I'm not a fan on the forks. Any good sources for unicrown forks with a bit more rake, or whatever its called, something that doesn't look so BMX. Also tips on swapping out the crankset with a three piece bottom bracket set up?

Type in the link with some spaces so we can see the bike.

Surly Steve 07-06-18 03:30 AM

www. ebay. com/ itm/ Schwinn- Mens- Cruiser/ 273305532879 ? hash= item 3fa24779cf

Surly Steve 07-06-18 09:21 AM

Yeah, after I posted it the lister got back to me with the seat tube and standover height measurements... I guess I’ll be keeping an eye out for a Schwinn American King Size and saving up for a Retrotec Classic.

murady009 07-07-18 12:02 AM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20431417)
www. ebay. com/ itm/ Schwinn- Mens- Cruiser/ 273305532879 ? hash= item 3fa24779cf

lovely design :thumb:

tds101 07-10-18 10:26 AM


Originally Posted by Surly Steve (Post 20431895)
Yeah, after I posted it the lister got back to me with the seat tube and standover height measurements... I guess I’ll be keeping an eye out for a Schwinn American King Size and saving up for a Retrotec Classic.

The Retrotec Classic is friggin GORGEOUS!!!

Patriot1 03-13-19 08:11 AM

Specialized Roll....your own....:) just ordered (2) in Taupe.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...42837e6e1a.png

Philphine 03-13-19 08:33 AM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1934570326578989&set=p.1934570326578989&type=3&theater

lets see if this works. i posted it at the time for a guy at the co-op who's pretty tall. he passed on it so after seeing it at the flea market for a few weeks i brought it myself. i know not really a cruiser, but it'll be one to me (probaly change to a single front chain ring, and maybe comfier seat and bars), plus at 5'11" myself, i ride it without pulling the seatpost out at all.

fietsbob 03-14-19 11:06 AM

modifying
 
I found a 1" Chromoly steel seat post thru, SBS, (Seattle Bike Supply (wholesale importer)),
under their Red Line brand, ordered from my LBS.

they're strong enough to not bend, ( like a Wald seatpost would ), when extended like a foot out of the frame ...

kyleand 03-30-19 09:04 PM

That looks pretty nice.

gpw 04-15-19 12:45 PM

Hi Guys , I’m 6’2” 240lb, I’ve got my old ’48 Tulane with Fat aflame tires ,but am looking for a Stretched Beach Cruiser … Just something inexpensive to ride along my long driveway … also have a recumbent , and stretched chopper we built .. Also the recumbent I’d like to Trade, as now I live on a dirt road and the recumbent ( originally built by two hippies in a garage in California some 30 years ago ) …Doesn’t work on my road ...Recumbents are more open road speedsters , At 70 now I pedal 30 min. a day and a big stretched cruiser would be perfect ( on a road that well simulates a beach … hahaha ) …
You guys have any ideas … preferences … or should I just make my own …
I can’t post pictures as yet .. (?) Working on that …


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