3S1M

Hot hot hot. That bike is awesome. How do u figure out the actual gearing on a bike like you did? Is there some kind of formula? Math is not my strong suit but I think I could maybe figure that out. LOL.

I like the simplicity of a coaster brake. And I like the clean look of a frame like yours over a normal cruiser type. However, when I ride my sons mountain bike it feels like my legs have to work harder when they are further back then the angle my cruiser bike has.... Plus it looks like your handlebar height would have you sitting more forward than I'd like. But I like the style of your bike and would like to do something similar. Also... I'm still all new to this stuff and I don't know exactly know what size rims / wheels / tires you are talking about. I'll try to convert but I'm confused about the smaller, second number. Width?

3S1M

27.5" = 700mm?

Maybe 42 or 35 is the height of the tire or is that like a diameter? I'm used to 2.3", 1.75", etc etc...... I guess the difference between cheap bikes and good bikes. LOL. Maybe? Your tire tread is very cool.

I put a set of schwinn tires that resembled that tread on my sons bike. Bought them at K mart. They were buried in the back underneath all the normal knobby mountain bike tires but I thought these would be better. They are so smooooooth on the road. Only thing is after I put them on I realize they might have a direction to them and I'm not sure which direction is proper. Plus I put the front and the rear on opposite. LOL. Without knowing. But it rides fine and I don't think there was any marking on the box to say which way is the proper way for them to go. Hopefully it doesn't really matter. You at least don't notice it in the ride. It's so smooth.

FiftySix

Well known in the bicycle world is Sheldon Brown's gear calculator. https://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html

If you know your tire size, front sprocket teeth count, rear sprocket teeth count (or set of rear sprockets, or internal gear hub type) you can figure out gearing in gear inches, meters, and potential speed of your bike depending on how fast you pedal it.

It's pretty handy for figuring out how your bike is set up and if you want to change it. Also very handy for looking at new bikes to see if they suit you, too.

Speedway2

IMO....the direction of the tread on the front wheel is facing the wrong direction. It will create more "drag" on a rolling tire at the contact point.....

FiftySix

Look at the sidewall of the tire and look for "American" or metric numbers. For instance, the new tires on my wife's bike up above are 26"x2.125" / 559(rim diameter)x54 metric. A typical cruiser tire size. The smaller number is the "estimated" tire width, which affects outside tire diameter (not rim diameter).

By design, directional tires should have the tread pointing forward on the bike, as viewed from the top of the tire in the riding position.

It seems backwards when you think about the tread hitting the ground, but it is supposed to make any water shoot away from the center of the tread as the tire rolls forwards. With the tire facing the other way, the tread theoretically makes water go from the sides to the center which would be a hydroplane inducer.

However, I don't think this matters much on bikes going under 20 mph. It definitely matters on motorcycles with similar tread patterns, and perhaps bicycles going faster than 20 mph.

The good thing is, this is an easy fix for a front wheel. Not as easy a fix for a rear wheel with the sprocket(s) on one side.

curbtender

Sometimes tire manufacturers recommend the reverse pattern in the rear for traction. Being in the front you can just spin the wheel around. Maxis sells a tread like that called the "Holy Roller".
https://kylesbikes.com/maxxis-holy-r...hoCFAAQAvD_BwE

rhenning

Just a picture of the only Cruiser I still ride. Built on a 1980s Huffy Good Vibrations frame. Pretty much the rest is from parts I had left over. Brooks saddle, wheels built by me. Bendix yellow band 2 speed rear and a BMX high flange front hub. Weinman aluminum 26 inch rims with swap meet tires. Other bits I had. Roger

3S1M

I'm not sure I can just turn the wheel around. It's got these locking tabs on the inside of the fork and not sure if it matters which way they are. I'll have to try that out and see!!! Thanks for the tips guys. You can't really tell when riding dry but I could see how maybe if it was wet that could be an issue. We're not going overly fast though. LOL. I'm not really sure how fast we get going. I guess I have to figure that out some time.

3S1M

OK, fixed it. All is well.

itsivxx

My collection has increased since the last time being here. Here is a post of m y ride to date and just bought a new one on my Birthday (26th Aug)

This is my growing collection, will post the last build next

itsivxx

This is a new comer to my bike collection. Finished this up about 2 weeks ago. Sure made the honey a happy camper

So far so good. Looking for a rear fender and should be done

itsivxx

Just picked this cruiser up on my birthday, 8/26...time to make a real bike out of this junk lol

Day one

itsivxx

Made some progress on my OMG Huffy. Bought a parts bike this morning as well to give this heap some extra love

itsivxx

Another cut closer towards my huffy upgrade. Just replaced the wheel bearing and ordered in all news bearing caps, seals and bearing. Now its all about the wait


not quite right but getting there

Got it welded back together, time to grind the welds a bit and get things cleaned up a bit then its time for the powder coater

Philphine

i like it, and the jig too. always studying home jigs to try and improve mine.

'02 nrs

1999 later converted to nexus7.

itsivxx

The jig worked awesome, got it welded together and looking more like a frame, going to have to put it together and go for a test ride, already helped the Huffy

OldCruiser

Love the paint job !

coopman

The Huffy has a serious crank forward issue going on.

curbtender

These usually end up on the desert filled with grey dirt...
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...985127096.html

Beach Cruiser - $45 (castro / upper market)

irideiam

Super nice vintage Columbia, looks new!

irideiam

Looks like the King Size tall frame version? Is it original or did you restore it? Nice Ride.

irideiam

Nice lugged frame Ross cruiser!

Surly Steve

Looks like the King Size tall frame version? Is it original or did you restore it? Nice Ride.

Thanks! I found it on eBay, the previous owner had restored it, it is original. It is a tank, I didn't realize how much larger the Heavy Duti is compared to the American.

Jmpierce

My Electra mod...2 speed kick-back hub, springer fork, Brooks Saddle and a gorgeous blue/black powder coat you can't really see in the photo.

Oh and a "wooden tank" the original owner made with a Shlafly Beer bottle opener attached for those long hot rides...