Show me your cruiser.
#1476
Junior Member
#1477
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: 9+,...
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1120 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
597 Posts
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
#1478
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 533
Bikes: There is always room for one more.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 185 Post(s)
Liked 391 Times
in
226 Posts
Schwinn Riverside after weight loss surgery.
__________________
Don
Don
Likes For GeezyRider:
#1479
Junior Member
Likes For cweb99:
#1480
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,272
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 826 Times
in
624 Posts
New "cruiser"; second owner of a 40 year old (AFAIK) Hon. It's a hoot to ride and has the requisite (for me) coaster brake, riser bars, single speed drivetrain and comfy seat.
Last edited by 2old; 03-04-24 at 11:41 AM.
Likes For 2old:
Likes For 3speedslow:
#1482
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 459
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 101 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times
in
237 Posts
#1483
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,589
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 543 Post(s)
Liked 1,873 Times
in
846 Posts
You DO KNOW that quite a few members here have bought Wally World cruiser bikes, right? And we do our own adjustments/mods to them, right? FYI The Walmart bikes are now IN LINE with bike shop bikes, as long as you know what to look for. Maybe you need to check out KevCentral on YouTube and become enlightened... It will do your soul some good!
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#1484
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: 9+,...
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1120 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
597 Posts
The frames and structural items on big box bikes seem OK, except weight weenies may object (almost all straight gauge hi-ten). But derailleur-equipped bikes, including cruisers, almost always use stamped steel Shimano Tourney components, which can be adjusted but will almost never remain adjusted, and bend on their own without the need for psychic powers. Although it has 3 too many letters, "Tourney" is for me a four-letter word.
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
Likes For tds101:
#1485
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,589
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 543 Post(s)
Liked 1,873 Times
in
846 Posts
Most are actually decent quality aluminum nowadays. Even if they're hi-ten steel, who cares about what a weight weenie wants when it comes to a cruiser??? WTH are you even bringing it up for??? It's a cruiser, and most are boat anchors, and people, for the most part, DON'T CARE. Now, cheap parts can be upgraded, which is a recurring theme here, and with KevCentral. And even if upgrading isn't an option (simply because the owner could actually care less), quite a few others here never bother to go above the most basic of derailleurs. And what about single speed cruisers? Those are quite popular here as well. Are the weight weenies trying to cut grams with SS cruisers too???
I have nothing at all against coaster brake cruisers, having owned more than one and assembled many a Cranbrook and others out of the box. The only issues seemed to be when a boxed bike had a bad trip across the ocean and arrived bent, dented, or mangled. They do good service for buyers at a very attractive price point, and resell well if not neglected or rusted.
However, I now recall another type of big-box bike that has vexed me - the 16" / 18" / 20" wheel "easy assemble" kids' bikes that use a plastic bushing for the top headset race so the buyer can easily drop in the handlebar assembly perpendicular to the front wheel. Great concept, but poor execution. There's no ability to repair or upgrade, and a faulty or failing headset results in junking the entire frame & fork. So far, these haven't yet seemed to spread to the larger adult cruisers discussed in this thread, but if they do, it won't be good.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to beat up a misbehaving Tourney derailleur...
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#1486
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: 9+,...
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1120 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
597 Posts
It would seem you read more into my comment than I actually said. And you are correct that a substantial and growing percentage of big-box bikes are using aluminum frames. And yes, owners can upgrade these bikes without making a poor investment due to standardized componentry. What's on the floor these days at the big box is far better than the spot-welded bikes of 40-50 years ago. But a big-box bike owner may not be aware of upgrade opportunities that could make a big difference in performance.
I have nothing at all against coaster brake cruisers, having owned more than one and assembled many a Cranbrook and others out of the box. The only issues seemed to be when a boxed bike had a bad trip across the ocean and arrived bent, dented, or mangled. They do good service for buyers at a very attractive price point, and resell well if not neglected or rusted.
However, I now recall another type of big-box bike that has vexed me - the 16" / 18" / 20" wheel "easy assemble" kids' bikes that use a plastic bushing for the top headset race so the buyer can easily drop in the handlebar assembly perpendicular to the front wheel. Great concept, but poor execution. There's no ability to repair or upgrade, and a faulty or failing headset results in junking the entire frame & fork. So far, these haven't yet seemed to spread to the larger adult cruisers discussed in this thread, but if they do, it won't be good.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to beat up a misbehaving Tourney derailleur...
I have nothing at all against coaster brake cruisers, having owned more than one and assembled many a Cranbrook and others out of the box. The only issues seemed to be when a boxed bike had a bad trip across the ocean and arrived bent, dented, or mangled. They do good service for buyers at a very attractive price point, and resell well if not neglected or rusted.
However, I now recall another type of big-box bike that has vexed me - the 16" / 18" / 20" wheel "easy assemble" kids' bikes that use a plastic bushing for the top headset race so the buyer can easily drop in the handlebar assembly perpendicular to the front wheel. Great concept, but poor execution. There's no ability to repair or upgrade, and a faulty or failing headset results in junking the entire frame & fork. So far, these haven't yet seemed to spread to the larger adult cruisers discussed in this thread, but if they do, it won't be good.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to beat up a misbehaving Tourney derailleur...
Enjoy your misbehaving Tourney derailleur
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
#1487
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,589
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 543 Post(s)
Liked 1,873 Times
in
846 Posts
*plonk*
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#1489
Junior Member
WRT big box store bikes. A few years back I saw a "Schwinn" cruiser on Amazon for something like $200 delivered, so I took the lunge and ordered it. Absolute worst case, I'd only use the frame and fork for a project I had been thinking about for years.
I already posted a thread about it here but to recap - I was pleasantly surprised when it showed up. I worked as mechanic in a Schwinn shop for about ten years starting around 1978 so I have experience with "real" Schwinns (Yes I am highly biased). The bike was packaged a lot better than they used to be. The paintwork was nice. The hubs were one piece aluminum, better than the hubs low end bikes had back in the day. So far so good. The frame/fork would work for what I wanted. On to assembling it.
Holy crap. NONE of the bearings were adjusted correctly. And they had virtually no grease. The cable housings were all too long. The fender braces and chainguard were about half as sturdy as the classic bikes. The rims were painted and trash - the brakes weren't great and could not be made to not squeal. Sidenote - I detest the straight pull (Linear?) brakes or whatever they call them that cheap bikes get these days. Every one I've dealt with has been trash. Too flimsy.
To make a long story shorter, virtually EVERYTHING on the bike had to be pulled apart and rebuilt. Hubs. Headset. Bottom bracket. All cables.
Once the bike was completely rebuilt, it wasn't bad. Aside from the brakes never getting quiet. Yes I know how to adust them. These would not shut up.
Bottom line, I don't see where the average Joe would have ended up with a decent bike just following the assembly instructions. If you have the resources to rebuild a bike they're decent IMHO. If you are expecting to pull it out of the box and spend half an hour assembling it, forget it. There is no way I beleive that if I had bought this in a store that it would have been assembled/set up correctly. And if you take ti to a bike shop to be set up, they're gogin to want to rebuild everything too, and it won't be a cheap bike anymore. So I'm torn on how I feel about them - decent if yo uare ok putting the work in, dissappointing if you just want to buy and ride.
I was happy with the purchase, but I always qualified it with "for what I paid..."
Then... while searching for stronger fender braces and better pedals, I went off the deep end.
EDIT: Here's the thread with more info on this bike. https://www.bikeforums.net/beach-cru...tuary-7-a.html
Forgive the repost (this has been posted here before) but here it is in it's current set up
Front brake upgraded. Yes the angle of the pad was corrected after I saw this picture.
5 speed IGH with drum brake. The derailluer is bluetooth - no cables! Actually it's just a tensioner - the frame has vertical drop outs. But the shift cable is still hidden. ;-)
Drum brake that's strong enough to lock the rear wheel. The frame mounted linear brakes are just to hide the welded on brake bosses.
Upgraded rims, stainless spokes, QR front hub
It rides a lot nicer now, and the brakes don't squeal.
But I have a skootch more than $200 into it at this point.
I already posted a thread about it here but to recap - I was pleasantly surprised when it showed up. I worked as mechanic in a Schwinn shop for about ten years starting around 1978 so I have experience with "real" Schwinns (Yes I am highly biased). The bike was packaged a lot better than they used to be. The paintwork was nice. The hubs were one piece aluminum, better than the hubs low end bikes had back in the day. So far so good. The frame/fork would work for what I wanted. On to assembling it.
Holy crap. NONE of the bearings were adjusted correctly. And they had virtually no grease. The cable housings were all too long. The fender braces and chainguard were about half as sturdy as the classic bikes. The rims were painted and trash - the brakes weren't great and could not be made to not squeal. Sidenote - I detest the straight pull (Linear?) brakes or whatever they call them that cheap bikes get these days. Every one I've dealt with has been trash. Too flimsy.
To make a long story shorter, virtually EVERYTHING on the bike had to be pulled apart and rebuilt. Hubs. Headset. Bottom bracket. All cables.
Once the bike was completely rebuilt, it wasn't bad. Aside from the brakes never getting quiet. Yes I know how to adust them. These would not shut up.
Bottom line, I don't see where the average Joe would have ended up with a decent bike just following the assembly instructions. If you have the resources to rebuild a bike they're decent IMHO. If you are expecting to pull it out of the box and spend half an hour assembling it, forget it. There is no way I beleive that if I had bought this in a store that it would have been assembled/set up correctly. And if you take ti to a bike shop to be set up, they're gogin to want to rebuild everything too, and it won't be a cheap bike anymore. So I'm torn on how I feel about them - decent if yo uare ok putting the work in, dissappointing if you just want to buy and ride.
I was happy with the purchase, but I always qualified it with "for what I paid..."
Then... while searching for stronger fender braces and better pedals, I went off the deep end.
EDIT: Here's the thread with more info on this bike. https://www.bikeforums.net/beach-cru...tuary-7-a.html
Forgive the repost (this has been posted here before) but here it is in it's current set up
Front brake upgraded. Yes the angle of the pad was corrected after I saw this picture.
5 speed IGH with drum brake. The derailluer is bluetooth - no cables! Actually it's just a tensioner - the frame has vertical drop outs. But the shift cable is still hidden. ;-)
Drum brake that's strong enough to lock the rear wheel. The frame mounted linear brakes are just to hide the welded on brake bosses.
Upgraded rims, stainless spokes, QR front hub
It rides a lot nicer now, and the brakes don't squeal.
But I have a skootch more than $200 into it at this point.
Last edited by DesmoDog; 04-18-24 at 07:50 PM.
#1490
is just a real cool dude
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,165
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
14 Posts
I'll have to one up your walmart Schwinn sorry, lol...aluminum Point Beach with XTR wheelset(sun cr18 rims, Sapim db spokes, dt alloy nips, 11-42 cassette),Schwalbe Knobby Nick 26x2.4 tires, E13 crankset, 1x chainring, older sram x9/x0 shifter and derailleur, Brooks Pro saddle, XT v brakes avid brake levers, MX two piece bars. Only original parts is the frame, fork and headset but the fork and headset will be getting swapped out to a threadless setup and carbon fork. The frame also had a few things removed and bottle bosses and upper rack mounts added with rivnuts. Plus new decals are coming in a few days.
I love these Schwinn cruisers honestly. Especially the harder to find aluminum frame models which are three pound frames but ive also built up a couple of the steel models like the one above also. Now if they only used a 1-1/8" headtube it would of made things really easy on the build. The steel versions would make adding disc brakes a lot easier though. Though how it sits is low 20 pounds and not too far from my Dean titanium 26er build.
Originally started as this homely looking thing...
I love these Schwinn cruisers honestly. Especially the harder to find aluminum frame models which are three pound frames but ive also built up a couple of the steel models like the one above also. Now if they only used a 1-1/8" headtube it would of made things really easy on the build. The steel versions would make adding disc brakes a lot easier though. Though how it sits is low 20 pounds and not too far from my Dean titanium 26er build.
Originally started as this homely looking thing...
Likes For Henry III:
#1492
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,272
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 826 Times
in
624 Posts
I picked up this Micargi as a basket case hoping to salvage either the motor or the bike. The bike was repainted, the chrome was polished and the aluminum was sanded with increasingly finer paper. Surprisingly, the motor operated perfectly. The picture doesn't show the result of removing 30" of wiring from the motor and "display" or the custom battery holder.
Likes For 2old:
#1493
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: 9+,...
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1120 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
597 Posts
I picked up this Micargi as a basket case hoping to salvage either the motor or the bike. The bike was repainted, the chrome was polished and the aluminum was sanded with increasingly finer paper. Surprisingly, the motor operated perfectly. The picture doesn't show the result of removing 30" of wiring from the motor and "display" or the custom battery holder.
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
Likes For tds101:
#1494
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,272
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 826 Times
in
624 Posts
Likes For 2old:
#1495
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 533
Bikes: There is always room for one more.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 185 Post(s)
Liked 391 Times
in
226 Posts
I am not biased and I think that young man is a very good artist.
__________________
Don
Don
Likes For GeezyRider:
#1497
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: 9+,...
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1120 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
597 Posts
I'd be biased as well, considering that this man has talent!
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
Likes For tds101:
Likes For 2old:
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gareth
Utility Cycling
5
09-23-16 02:31 PM
sirnoodleton
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
9
05-20-13 06:45 AM