js1003

this is my first post. Does anyone use cruiser bike for commuting. What is your experience.
I live in south florida. The city I live in has some very rude drivers. no regard at all for their safety or the fellow road users. my total commute is around 10-12 miles round trip.

By the way, I recently started commuting to work. I hope to continue riding.
What has been your experience for cruiser for commuting.

I bought a used schwinn beach cruiser (it has 7 gears and a brake).

thanks
js

StephenH

You can commute on just about anything; speed, comfort, style may vary!
One thing on the older-style cruisers without a quick-release is that fixing a flat can be rather slow. Irritating if you're just out for a fun ride, but major delay if you're commuting.

Sci-Fi

It's the same as riding any other bike. I used a 7-speed cruiser bike for years. Recently changed it to 9-speed, needed lower gears to hauling stuff. May take a bit longer to get somewhere, but I don't have a problem with that. As long as I can get from point A to B and back, that's all that really matters. Cruisers have been used for long distance touring, so don't limit yourself to a few bike types.

There's always a compromise/choice to be made and you have to decide what kind of bike fits best to your daily use/lifestyle.

dabac

Better than walking, but I prefer bikes whose riding position better allows for more efficient pedalling.

fietsbob

Beach cruisers are good for an un hurried pace, so start early in the AM to not be late ..

Not much 'we' can do about your drivers in Florida, put a mirror on the handlebars to keep an eye on them..

EnjoyinTheRide

About 3 years ago I got a job working at a restaurant literally up the street from my house. Except for Winter it didnt make much sense to even start my car so I went out and bought a plain jane cruiser single speed (huffy) just for the fun of riding to work. But as time went on i would also ride the bike to see my family a couple of miles away and other places that would involve roads, intersections, traffic, malls etc. We do have very nice sidewalks to ride on along the way too. I even bought lights and mirror so I can ride at night because sometimes I get out late.

I find that it basically takes me to go see my family (2.2miles) about 10-15 minutes which involves moderate traffic patterns. If I ride to the mall thats about 5 minutes down a busy road with a nice sidewalk/bike route. Obviously a single speed has its limitations going up hill but thats the fun of a cruiser...find your way around those uphills lol...
And theres no shame in walking up a very steep hill lol...its all in the presentation I guess lol.

But yea, commute away with your bike. I am very confident that if you begin your destination, then you will reach your destination no problem lol.

SquidPuppet

Major delay? It takes about three seconds to loosen two nuts.

Only 4.5 inches long and is a tire iron as well.

js1003

My ride is like 5-6 miles, I just got started. I like to go for lunch during the mid-day break. Nice to know I am not only one who is commuting on cruiser.I go really slow. takes me about 45 minutes, as I watch all the driverless cars (I call cell phone drivers - driverless cars - also partially blind - mentally inattentive).

I watch at each and every intersection for zombie drivers. I barely missed an SUV today while going to work. SUV is driven by a mom with bunch of kids in the back, of course updating her fakebook or instagram who knows what.

I am learning. If I do another week it would be a month on my schwinn cruiser.

thanks everyone

HBCruiser1

I've been commuting on my cruiser for maybe 6 years. Only 3 miles each way but like several have said above, use whatever you want. On occasion, I've even commuted on my 7 foot skateboard.

Squid, I really like that tool, that thing is perfect.

If you know where the tire/tube was punctured, I've been known to fix the flat without removing the wheel. It's not as hard as you think.

loky1179

Where do you find these things?! I dragged a Craftsman wrench along when I was commuting by cruiser.

Which I did 4 or 5 times last summer. Single speed La Jolla cruiser. It added about 15 minutes to my normal 90 minute commute. Normally ride a mountain bike w/skinny slicks.

Nothing wrong with cruiser commuters!

SquidPuppet

That wrench is very short, which means if fits anywhere, and that's cool.

BUT, what about leverage to tighten the rear axle, which needs to be pretty darn tight?

See how the handle faces the opposite direction of the flats on the wrench head? And, see how the handle angles AWAY from the wrench head?

After you hand tighten the axle nuts (and don't kill yourself here) flip the bike back over onto it's wheels. Place the wrench on the axle nut (notice it stays in place because of it's weird design) and step on it. It's a perfect no-slip platform for your shoe and easy to get the nuts tight that way. The angle handle keeps the wrench out and away from the drive side chain stay too. Rubber coated so it wont scratch rims.

HBCruiser1

"Craftsmen wrench" LOL I thought about that but I just tossed in the bag a small vise grip as a quasi multi-tool.

As requested, here's a link to the item Squid posted, I couldn't get to their website directly.
https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Desi...735094&sr=8-12

kingston 

I have been commuting on the same single-speed Schwinn beach cruiser since 1992, but my commute is only a mile-and-a-half to the train station. I would consider it for a 5-6 mile commute, but that's probably about the limit. I can't remember ever getting a flat on this bike.

loky1179

I'll add that to my birthday wish list!

BassNotBass

Yeah I've ridden in Florida, quite a bit in The Keys, and it is far worse than any riding I've done in the big US cities. My condolences.

A beach cruiser can be anything you want it to be and the ergos can be changed to suit. I like the looks of the frames, the fact that they can accomodate fat tires and I have to admit, I'm a sucker for ashtabula cranks... unlike the typical three-piece alu I've never broken an ashtabula.

They make great utility and recreational bikes... I absolutely love 'em.

HBCruiser1

Wow, only a cable lock. Here in SoCal that'd be gone in 5 minutes!

kingston 

There's not a lot of crime in Lake Forest. I've seen bikes at the train station with no lock at all.

Chris Chicago

i once noticed a klein locked only through the spokes at the winnetka train stop, though at wilmette station they get a fare share of bike thefts..maybe a few per summer

BassNotBass

The one locking method that I see way more than I should is a cable looped around a parking meter.

This method is pretty good too.

Chris Chicago

not sure why i cant see that pic but i went looking and glad i found it

js1003

thank you. I had my bike inspected, adjusted brakes and derailleur cable changed at a bike shop, yesterday. The bike store guy adjusted my seat height, makes a big difference. I still have knee pains.
Here in my city (noted as most un courteous city in south florida), I am learning everyday. not at all bike friendly.

I will look into mirror installation

js1003

Yes, I ride so slow to work to ride 5 miles to work it takes me about 40 minutes. I am ok with it.
Safety is #1 for me (for all of us).

thanks for your reply

js1003

very nice cruiser.

mine is a schwinn beach point