Anyone Care About Wheels?
08-05-19, 10:02 PM
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Anyone Care About Wheels?
I have an old 1987 Murray
Monterey with the chrome wheels. The problem is that the bike frame is a tank and those steel wheels are super heavy. I have some mild hills where I live and it's just not enjoyable to ride my super heavy beach cruiser around town. All of my other bikes have nice, quality light wheel sets. Nobody seems to care about beach cruiser wheel sets. I'm in my 50's , money's not an issue. I want a nice light set of wheels damnit. Who has them? Thanks for any info you can provide.
Monterey with the chrome wheels. The problem is that the bike frame is a tank and those steel wheels are super heavy. I have some mild hills where I live and it's just not enjoyable to ride my super heavy beach cruiser around town. All of my other bikes have nice, quality light wheel sets. Nobody seems to care about beach cruiser wheel sets. I'm in my 50's , money's not an issue. I want a nice light set of wheels damnit. Who has them? Thanks for any info you can provide.
08-06-19, 07:20 AM
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If money is not an issue or if you can build a wheel set do that. My Huffy cruiser I built the wheels around Sun aluminum rims, a BMX sealed bearing front hub and a Bendix 2 speed kit back rear hub. It is not much lighter but rides much better. If you really want light and money is really not a problem. There are a few companies that make titanium cruiser bikes. Roger
08-06-19, 08:32 AM
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i saw this and their name slipped out of my head. but walmart made a couple of aluminum beach cruisers that make nice starters for a light cruiser. it's not serious for me (and there will be some who need to chime in with "why waste money on a walmart bike"), but i picked up a mens/ladies pair and swap out components as i luck across them. the frames are aluminum, but nearly every component is steel.
edit: kent la jolla is the single speed bike, and there's a derailleur version too (del rio? i think a 7sp?) also aluminum. i picked up some alloy bars for both at the local co-op, and eventually want to replace the crank sets (3pc but steel and noticeably heavy) with alloy sets. i only paid $45 for both and they're not really the style of bike i ride, so the parts hunt is more what falls into my lap.
edit: kent la jolla is the single speed bike, and there's a derailleur version too (del rio? i think a 7sp?) also aluminum. i picked up some alloy bars for both at the local co-op, and eventually want to replace the crank sets (3pc but steel and noticeably heavy) with alloy sets. i only paid $45 for both and they're not really the style of bike i ride, so the parts hunt is more what falls into my lap.
Last edited by Philphine; 08-07-19 at 08:31 AM.
08-06-19, 12:00 PM
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Unless you're married to that Murray, I'd probably look for a new bike with alloy frame and alloy wheels. Probably only double the price of just wheels alone and you get a lighter new bike overall.
08-11-19, 10:30 AM
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08-11-19, 10:43 AM
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I used a wheel set from another bike for my 82 Murray Baja. I really hate to part bikes but for me this just made sense.
08-11-19, 01:48 PM
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As mentioned, Bicycle wheel warehouse has nice sets. I put some in my cruiser.
Alienation Chrome Cruiser
They also have them in black and regular aluminum. The PBR rims are nice.
Alienation Chrome Cruiser
They also have them in black and regular aluminum. The PBR rims are nice.
08-16-19, 03:49 AM
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08-18-19, 03:05 AM
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Replace the rear sprocket with a 20 - 22 tooth sprocket, and add a half link or link to your chain. Will set you back about $10, and less than a half hour of time. Have ridden mine around part of the flint hills of Kansas for 4 years now. Average of 30 miles a ride. 1950's Columbia built Good year. 44t front, 21t rear.
