jpshaw

I have a simple Walmart cruiser that I've been riding about 10 years and wondered if anyone used them off road like the mountain bike trails. I have used a 1/4 mile trail that the 4 wheelers have pounded through the woods to get to another longer road to ride occasionally without problems. The only thing I really worry about is my gearing. It's a pretty normal 44t in front of 18 and thought that may be too high in the woods. What do you guys think and have you used cruisers where the mountain bike go.


Everyone I know who owns a mountain bike only uses it on the pavement so why can't I use my single speed 26 x 2.125 in the woods?

Zoroman

It's not a matter of trail verses road as much as it is HOW steep are the climbs on the trail. If they are NOT existent or not much then 44T - 18T should be fine.


People use "mountain bikes" all the time for trail riding when they do not need to. A single speed cruiser would work. I use my road bikes too for trailing riding as long as the dirt is packed. You can use your cruiser for trail riding is the there are no steep inclines would be my guess.

Zoroman

Just to requalify----If you mean in the woods as in steep, rough terrain with mud and real muddy soft ground, then the answer is probably no.

jpshaw

The trial in question is in the Kisatchie hills area and listed as "medium". I watched a video of it once and it seemed to be mostly fairly level. The elevation varies in that area about 150 feet and the whole thing is 10.6 miles long (and return). I'm thinking about continuing until I'm tired of it then starting back to the truck.

fietsbob

How do you think farm kids got around in the 50's? coaster brake cruisers. of course.

jpshaw

I know they will ride on dirt, I've put many miles on a 24" Western Flyer as a kid over dirt, mud and even down a R.R. track. I quess my question should have been, do you see cruiser bikes on the rural bike trails?

EnjoyinTheRide

Hey we got a recruit for the next walmart bike thread. 10 years...NICE!!! That outta put some extra crust in their lbs wonderbread lol.

in my experiences in mountain biking I would say medium trails should be tackled with a true mountain bike. Not necessarily an expensive one btw....but a mountain bike. Most likely you will need gears and with bumps and roots etc chains can pop off a single sprocket.

However there is nothing wrong with doing what you said. Start the trail and see how it goes..

Your really close to the square peg and round circle theory.

BassNotBass

Concerning single speeds:
28 Reasons Why A Single Speed Mountain Bike Is The Best Choice
https://www.singletracks.com/blog/un...king-a-chance/


I don't limit my trail riding just because I happen to be on one of my SS cruisers.

torkelisacson

I have the chance to single speed my ht specialized m4 stumpjumper. But I'm kinda iffy about the whole one gear only thing. Can some one help me with the pros and cons of single speeding. I've just always run gears. I mainly ride just single track. Lots of big jumps , downhills, and uphills. Technical trails. Just need to see whatl work best in personal opinions

CVB

Of course you can!

bicyclridr4life

Back in the 60's and 70' my friends and I rode our bikes through the woods. They had Schwinn Stingrays ... I think all but one were the coaster brake versions ... One was a 5 speed Krate.
I rode an old 26 inch Schwinn with coaster brake, not unlike the coaster brake Huffy cruiser sold at Walmart (and others) now - complete with fenders.
So in answer to your question ... "Yes."

NormanF

Fathers of MTB used classic Schwinn Excelsiors or klunkers to ride up and down hills.

MTBs are descended from cruisers. So yes, people rode off-road with them before there were mountain bikes.

JehD

I used to jump mine over ramps.

Bholio

I would be worried about bending those thin wide handlebars and breaking the stem if the trail gets too rough. I guess it depends on your weight.

2manybikes

It depends on the terrain and your strength. Try it and see what happens.

Sindy

I use my gears to protect my knee's.
Besides, beach cruiser saddle position and angle puts you farther back.
Standing Would be prudent when mashing a cruiser off road.
Modern Mtb seat angles put us over the pedals for a reason.
Food for thought.