bikeclone

I like 7 speed Shimano internal hubs for my type of biking.
Given that, I want to build a Cruiser from a standard 7 speed I can buy for under $180, delivered.
This is the donor: Kent 26" Men's Bay Breeze 7-Speed Cruiser .
In and of itself it looks like a nicely finished alum frame standard cheap commute bike with f & r caliper brakes. My main interest is the alum frame and brakes.
I intend to swap in a Shimano Nexus 7 speed internal hub/F&R SSspoke alum wheel combo [26" same size] and finish with BMX style bars to raise my steering profile up a few more inches. [Never have liked the exaggerated, wide style beach cruiser bars].

In the end, I should have a near customized 'low to no maintenance-light to load into back of my tacoma' cruiser with a nearly sand, water, ocean-air proof drive system. Maybe add a stainless steel chain later and look forward to very looow maintenance beach cruiser, but one that I can do a 10 mile run on without much trauma.

The whole customization will cost $400, provided I do all the work.
Looking around at whats available stock alum bikes w/Nexus 7 speed internal hub-F&R SSspoke alum wheelset, I haven't seen anything under $550, let alone that I like.
My use will be casual 3-10 mile rides at a time x 2-3x/week on beach streets and concrete boardwalks having a fine coat of loose beach fine beach sand. Occasional graded dirt/decomposed granite city maintained bike scenic roadways. I project to get at least 10 years out of this ride before I get tired of it or interested in a future bike.

Your thots.??

SHOFINE

Does the donor have horizontal dropouts? I can't find any good pics of this bike.
I've never had a 7 spd Nexus but have 3 Nexus 8 speeds and a Alfine 8 speed that have been bulletproof. I converted my 82 Schwinn road bike to a hybrid/cruiser like bike to a Nexus 8 speed. I also like being able to use the Alfine Shifters on the Nexus hubs as the Nexus twist shifters are crap.

This bike would be ok except for that set back seat.

Save Up To 60% Off Cruisers Mango LongBoard 8 Speed Shimano Nexus Internal Geared Cruisers from bikesdirect.com

jimmie65

So for $580, you'll have a Kent with internal gears.
If you're looking for something crank-forward (which the pics online show the Bay Breeze is), just get a Mango with an IGH.

bikeclone

Maybe I mis-stated.
The whole customization will be $400: Kent 7speed bike, $170, ShimanoNexus7-IH w/F&R wheels: $200, Mid or hi-rise BMX bars: +/-$30.
I would be at minimum, $550 for stock 7spd-IH BeachCruiser w/alum frame, and still need BMX bars.

jimmie65

I did misunderstand.

But a $400 Kent is still a Kent. Take one for a test ride before shelling out any money and definitely before trying to modify one.

bikeclone

I agree w/Shofine; the 'Mango' sounds like a great bike, but for $500 I still have to swap in my preferred bars and I have to live with the crankforward [isn't for me].
Alternately, and to Jimmie65's point, in the end, I still will have a Kent- frame at least.

Based on those scenarios, this appears to be the only way [and cheapest] to my chosen options: +/-9" hirise BMX bars, Nexus 7spd IH with F&R Shimano rims, alum frame w/out 'Crankforward'. And yes, I'll immediately also need tubes & tires.
Basically, I'll be on a Kent frame w/cheap brakes, but the Nexus has a coasterbrake, so I can live with that for a while.
So here's my 'Failsafe' plan: Likely order bike fr/the big T, and try it out; if it's absolutely horrible, I can return to the local T for full refund. If not, I'll order my Nexus combo, Bars and tires and put it all together for $465.
The same bike from the W, or even the A, sells for $165 delivered but returns could be like self administered root canals; I'll pay the xtra $45 to the big T for the convenience of a no hassle return.
If it works out, I'll have a 'CPO' beachcruiser for about $465 [and w/out the 'crankforward universe].
But yes, it is still a Kent frame, albeit aluminum.

So, here goes, unless someone out there knows of a bike being currently marketed w/my CPO items.

Thx,
Joe

jimmie65

Just to make sure I was clear - a Kent frame would make a great anchor. All of the Kents I've seen are heavy, poorly welded, and would be very difficult to upgrade. They suck.

Check out some of the Amazon reviews for the Bay Breeze (https://smile.amazon.com/Kent-7-Spee...-no-redirect=1)
Lots of issues with the paint, pedals, crank, etc.

It is NOT a good choice for upgrading.

jimmie65

That one is nice-looking. Still, I wouldn't recommend the Bay Breeze, based solely on the pics I've seen and the reviews. Just wanted to be clear to the OP that I wasn't recommending it.

SHOFINE

If Electra had come out with the Super Moto 8i before I got my Sawyer ...??? Sometimes you can get some good deals at the Trek dealer stores. I did on both of my Treks.

tds101 

How about getting this: Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Gravity 29 SS Single Speed 29er Mountain Bikes
I converted mine to a 3 speed - Shimano Nexus internal geared hub.

Jax Rhapsody

Now that's effing nice! I've wanted a cruiser with disc brakes, if that was single speed, it'd be perfect.

Jax Rhapsody

The Kent/Next LaJolla is not heavy, at least the old ones weren't. Especially compared to Schwinns walmart line of cruisers. They're usually aluminum and probably wiegh less than the bmx bikes. Now this Next Bella Vista I been stripping down is pretty heavy, but it's a steel hardtail cruiser. Not sure if I wanna use it or scrap it.

SHOFINE

Electra came out with the Moto 1 (single speed 29er) & Moto 3i a couple years before the Super Moto 8i (650B +).

bikeclone

Ok, convinced.
The Kent bike is more likely than not to be a regrettable purchase....so, still looking for a Non ForwardCrankset.

Maybe the best find so far: a 20 yr old "Electra 7 Speed Street Rod"; specs per BicycleBluBook:

Hubs: Front: Shimano Nexus Roller brake, Rear: Shimano Nexus Inter 7 Roller brake
Rims: EBC TA-5 aluminum, 36-hole
Tires: 700 x 38c EBC City Slicks
Spoke Brand: Stainless steel, 2.0mm straight gauge
Spoke Nipples: Brass nipples
Components
Brakeset: Shimano Nexus Roller brake
Shift Levers: Grip Shift SRT-400
Crankset: Tracer, 38 teeth
Pedals: Wellgo resin/aluminum
Bottom Bracket: Cartridge
BB Shell Width: 68mm English
Rear Cogs: 7-speed internal, 18 teeth
Seatpost: Kalloy aluminum micro-adjust, 26.8mm diameter
Saddle: EBC Touring w/springs
Handlebar: EBC Euro-City aluminum
Handlebar Stem: Kalloy
Headset: 1inch threadless YST

...just got to see if frame can handle a 26x1.95 or 2.125 tire set.

and a lot under my $465 upper limit-

comments?

bikeclone

oh, mis-stated in last post:

hopefully the frame and existing rims will accomodate a 1.95 or 2.125 tire...?

jimmie65

Caveat - 20 years old might need some maintenance and replacement parts (but I assume you're more than capable of handling that).

bikeclone

Glad you mentioned that.
I'm also concerned about max width of tire that can safely mount between the forks and existing brakes. If bike can tolerate a 50mm [1.95"] tires, maybe I'm in.

bikeclone

Found and bought today. Trek beach cruiser
Aluminum frame
7 speed Shimano IH w/disc brake rear, Caliper front
26x2.125 tires,SS spokes, presume alum rims
Front shock absorber fork
Trek stock hi rise bars? 3 piece alum stem
Nice seat w/Trek backrest [to really feel like a 'senior']
Gloss black/silver finish
Forward crankset [I'll live w/it]
Age= +/- 3 year old, $300

Wish I could post pics but keep getting message : 'Cant post URLs until you have 10 posts'

Stock Trek hi-rise bars & 3 piece stem


Trek shock absorber fork


Shimano IH 7 spped w/disc brake


Trek backrest- not gonna keep, but I'll try the 'Senior' look for a while.

Ballenxj

Just looked at the specs on this. I've gotta say it looks like a pretty good deal for an aluminum framed internally geared 8 speed.

bikeclone

Thanks Ballenxj. I knew that the 7 speed IH w/disc brake alone was worth 1/2 the price. I'm ecstatic I just happened to cruise this BS, as I haven't set foot in there since 1983, having moved 26 miles north to Carlsbad back in '86. I was more than happy to not try to negotiate the BS any lower, since it's obvious he's not much of a new bike marketer anymore as much as he is a repair/accessory/ mod shop. It helps that he's on the main drag into the heart of one of the most popular beach communities in San Diego. Pacific Beach is somewhat of a 18-40 yr old haven of bars and new age/hipster restuarants and shops, so as janky as his shop is, he's been in a great place for bike biz for 40 years now.
Guess I have to keep posting here to be allowed to post pics?

Ballenxj

Like the real estate folk are always saying, location, location, location. As far as you posting an image here, I don't remember what the minimum requirements are, but most forums require about 30 text posts before they allow picture posts?

bikeclone

Just looked it up [didn't notice decal on upper frame tube, duh]; its a Trek 'SoleRide 300' from 2006.
Well this bike can't have more than 100 miles on it based on appearance, so based on age, I think it should have been a bit cheaper, but b/c of it being a 'trend' in the last 10 years, especially in beach towns, there sufficient demand. Still, at $300 I could have done much worse- thanks to my readers who called me out on the Target or Amazon generic cruisers I wanted to mod. Finding this Trek turned out to be the path of least resistance with the best return.
For what it's worth, the archive pic is identical, except the PO had a 'Trek' branded backrest installed on the saddle post.
[Hopefully, if I keep yammering on with posts about this bike I can post pics.]

bikeclone

Finally- 10 post minumum fulfilled!
Here's Johhny!



without the backrest should look much more 'sportster'


Stock Trek hi-rise bars & 3 piece stem


Trek shock absorber fork


Shimano IH 7 spped w/disc brake


Shimano IH 7 speed

Ballenxj

Nice bike and tires. I would probably lose the backrest after riding with it first to see. That depends on you though, you might like it.

jimmie65

Nice!
Looks like you have a little room to go wider on the tires if you want.