Is there some way to get more space between the handlebars and gut?
#1
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Join Date: May 2018
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Is there some way to get more space between the handlebars and gut?
Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I'm searching for a beach cruiser for myself and my wife and we have run into a little problem. Both of us are a bit overweight and carry our weight in the front (think belly.)
We shopped beach cruisers at Wal Mart and found that the one issue we had was that the handlebars were too close to our bodies; it made turning difficult. It appeared that raising up the gooseneck and rotating the handle bars forward might help but I was wondering if there is some brand/model that would be better for our body type?
I was shopping at beachbikes.net and some looked more cramped that other but I didn't want to just guess at it and have to return bike after bike.
Are there stems that are adjustable / longer so that the handlebars move significantly forward?
I can't be the only person who's come across this issue, I'd appreciate any help I can get.
I'm new to the forum. I'm searching for a beach cruiser for myself and my wife and we have run into a little problem. Both of us are a bit overweight and carry our weight in the front (think belly.)
We shopped beach cruisers at Wal Mart and found that the one issue we had was that the handlebars were too close to our bodies; it made turning difficult. It appeared that raising up the gooseneck and rotating the handle bars forward might help but I was wondering if there is some brand/model that would be better for our body type?
I was shopping at beachbikes.net and some looked more cramped that other but I didn't want to just guess at it and have to return bike after bike.
Are there stems that are adjustable / longer so that the handlebars move significantly forward?
I can't be the only person who's come across this issue, I'd appreciate any help I can get.
#2
2-Wheeled Fool
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: New Hampshire
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Welcome to BF!
Please do not take offense to what I am saying, because I mean only good will to you. Here goes:
If you have trouble with handlebars interfering with your belly, either
1) The bike is too small for you
or
2) your gut is significantly huge.
I'm going to assume the former is the case.
Look into Worksman bikes. They are strong and made in USA.
Please do not take offense to what I am saying, because I mean only good will to you. Here goes:
If you have trouble with handlebars interfering with your belly, either
1) The bike is too small for you
or
2) your gut is significantly huge.
I'm going to assume the former is the case.
Look into Worksman bikes. They are strong and made in USA.
#3
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Stems (goose necks) are available in different lengths. Cruisers typically come with short ones. You could replace the stem with a longer one. There are also a zillion different cruiserish handlebars available. Some place the hands much farther forward. Nether option is expensive nor difficult. Personally, I cut all of my handlebars to achieve the exact fit that I want.
Here is just one of your many options.
Here is just one of your many options.
#4
Uber Goober
It's hard to tell the issue without being there.
One thing: cruisers tend to come in a one-size-fits-all, except that women's (step-through) frames tend to be smaller than men's.
You can get different lengths of stem, etc. but normally wouldn't need them for that particular reason.
A similar problem- toe overlap- your toes can hit the front wheel or fender when you turn. The catch is, this happens when you're fooling around or riding tight circles in the street, but isn't normally a problem when you're actually going anywhere because you don't normally turn the wheel that far when actually riding. So I'm wondering if the problem you describe isn't similar.
For some reason, they like to put the big curvy swept-back handlebars on cruisers, but I used a straighter bar on my Worksman, so that can be swapped out.
One thing: cruisers tend to come in a one-size-fits-all, except that women's (step-through) frames tend to be smaller than men's.
You can get different lengths of stem, etc. but normally wouldn't need them for that particular reason.
A similar problem- toe overlap- your toes can hit the front wheel or fender when you turn. The catch is, this happens when you're fooling around or riding tight circles in the street, but isn't normally a problem when you're actually going anywhere because you don't normally turn the wheel that far when actually riding. So I'm wondering if the problem you describe isn't similar.
For some reason, they like to put the big curvy swept-back handlebars on cruisers, but I used a straighter bar on my Worksman, so that can be swapped out.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: West Sacramento CA
Posts: 65
Bikes: Electra Cruiser 7D, Dahon Boardwalk, Sundeal F1
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One option is to look at Electra bikes. The seat is positioned a bit further back from the handlebars and also positions the pedals foot forward from the seat to give you an almost flat foot when stopped.
#6
Senior Member
i agree. i ride this type of bike so often (actually closer to a semi or fully recumbent stretch cruiser myself), it took me a moment to make the question make sence.
#8
Bicyclerider4life
1) High Rise or Mid Rise "Ape Hangers" as used on the old 1960's 1970's Schwinn Stingrays and other like bikes.
2) Flat bar with little to no sweep and bar ends to provide different hand positions.
3) "Bullhorn" bar.
4) Remove the existing bar and re-install it with the grips pointing forward, like a Bullhorn bar.
2) Flat bar with little to no sweep and bar ends to provide different hand positions.
3) "Bullhorn" bar.
4) Remove the existing bar and re-install it with the grips pointing forward, like a Bullhorn bar.
#9
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Thanks everyone for the helpful replies! I don't know why I haven't been getting email notifications about them.
My bike comes in two days and I'll evaluate what I need to do based on these suggestions. It looks like a fixable problem. In the long run I hope to lose the gut so it won't be a problem in the future.
My bike comes in two days and I'll evaluate what I need to do based on these suggestions. It looks like a fixable problem. In the long run I hope to lose the gut so it won't be a problem in the future.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dogtown, CA. USA
Posts: 156
Bikes: Cannondale M500, Electra Cruiser 7, Schwinn Cruiser 3 2003 retro, Trek Calipso Cruiser 7sp, Dyno Taboo Tiki, Dyno Moon Eyes, Dyno Duece, Dyno Moto 7
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Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I'm searching for a beach cruiser for myself and my wife and we have run into a little problem. Both of us are a bit overweight and carry our weight in the front (think belly.)
We shopped beach cruisers at Wal Mart and found that the one issue we had was that the handlebars were too close to our bodies; it made turning difficult. It appeared that raising up the gooseneck and rotating the handle bars forward might help but I was wondering if there is some brand/model that would be better for our body type?
.
I'm new to the forum. I'm searching for a beach cruiser for myself and my wife and we have run into a little problem. Both of us are a bit overweight and carry our weight in the front (think belly.)
We shopped beach cruisers at Wal Mart and found that the one issue we had was that the handlebars were too close to our bodies; it made turning difficult. It appeared that raising up the gooseneck and rotating the handle bars forward might help but I was wondering if there is some brand/model that would be better for our body type?
.
Stretch frame Greenline cruiser
Chicago Schwinn regular frame cruiser
#11
Bicyclerider4life
I hope you are not riding that Schwinn like that.
Both the seat post AND the quill stem look to be set FAR short of the minimum insertion line ... by perhaps as much as 3 or 4 inches too high.
You need more than an inch or so of the seat post in the seat tube, and more than just the stem wedge in the steer tube.
Both the seat post AND the quill stem look to be set FAR short of the minimum insertion line ... by perhaps as much as 3 or 4 inches too high.
You need more than an inch or so of the seat post in the seat tube, and more than just the stem wedge in the steer tube.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dogtown, CA. USA
Posts: 156
Bikes: Cannondale M500, Electra Cruiser 7, Schwinn Cruiser 3 2003 retro, Trek Calipso Cruiser 7sp, Dyno Taboo Tiki, Dyno Moon Eyes, Dyno Duece, Dyno Moto 7
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I hope you are not riding that Schwinn like that.
Both the seat post AND the quill stem look to be set FAR short of the minimum insertion line ... by perhaps as much as 3 or 4 inches too high.
You need more than an inch or so of the seat post in the seat tube, and more than just the stem wedge in the steer tube.
Both the seat post AND the quill stem look to be set FAR short of the minimum insertion line ... by perhaps as much as 3 or 4 inches too high.
You need more than an inch or so of the seat post in the seat tube, and more than just the stem wedge in the steer tube.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
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Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
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Cruiser bars that sweep back are fashionable, but they have some issues. Some people rotate them upward so that they can make tight turns. You end up not even holding onto the the grips, you kind of push on the end of the grip with the palms of your hands. You could do this because all of your weight is off of your hands. When you get your bike, you might want to go to a bike shop and talk to them about different handlebars.
#15
Member
Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I'm searching for a beach cruiser for myself and my wife and we have run into a little problem. Both of us are a bit overweight and carry our weight in the front (think belly.)
We shopped beach cruisers at Wal Mart and found that the one issue we had was that the handlebars were too close to our bodies; it made turning difficult. It appeared that raising up the gooseneck and rotating the handle bars forward might help but I was wondering if there is some brand/model that would be better for our body type?
I was shopping at beachbikes.net and some looked more cramped that other but I didn't want to just guess at it and have to return bike after bike.
Are there stems that are adjustable / longer so that the handlebars move significantly forward?
I can't be the only person who's come across this issue, I'd appreciate any help I can get.
I'm new to the forum. I'm searching for a beach cruiser for myself and my wife and we have run into a little problem. Both of us are a bit overweight and carry our weight in the front (think belly.)
We shopped beach cruisers at Wal Mart and found that the one issue we had was that the handlebars were too close to our bodies; it made turning difficult. It appeared that raising up the gooseneck and rotating the handle bars forward might help but I was wondering if there is some brand/model that would be better for our body type?
I was shopping at beachbikes.net and some looked more cramped that other but I didn't want to just guess at it and have to return bike after bike.
Are there stems that are adjustable / longer so that the handlebars move significantly forward?
I can't be the only person who's come across this issue, I'd appreciate any help I can get.
Never mind the drink/wine cup!