Other types of handlebars on your cruiser?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Other types of handlebars on your cruiser?
I wanted to see what other bars some cruiser riders gave gone to on their cruiser bikes. With photos, I hope. I came here to write this, and saw a thread about BMX bars on cruisers. Many cruisers use those bars that basically form a half circle. What have some of you gone to?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,022 Times
in
665 Posts
When I put my Schwinn Cruiser together back in around 1980, I worked at a bike shop and was able to try out BMX handlebars, Schwinn 7881 handlebars and others. They did not have the feel that I was looking for. I went to a motorcycle dealer down the street from the bike shop and they had these Superbike handlebars. They felt good, they had a low rise so I was able to lean forward and get more weight on the front end for better handling. And they fit into a BMX stem. One of the things that also liked about them is how wide they are. But that caused problems in the garage. I ended up taking an inch off each end. I kind of wish I could add that inch back on. Trade-offs. The other trade-off, being that they are made for motorcycles, so the wall thickness is heavier. On a bike like mine, you don't notice the weight. You do notice how solid they feel.
More recently, I picked up an Electra Cruiser and put BMX handlebars on it. For me, again, I didn't like having my hands up so high with the "Sit up and beg" posture. I ended up selling the Electra with traditional cruiser bars on it. I wasn't a fan of them either. I will admit that they make perfect sense if you need to hold on to a surfboard, or coffee, with one arm while using the other to steer. With wrap around cruiser bars there is no weight on your hands.
These handlebars are still available:
Superbike Handlebars
The price isn't too bad, considering that these are motorcycle handlebars. And available in chrome.
More recently, I picked up an Electra Cruiser and put BMX handlebars on it. For me, again, I didn't like having my hands up so high with the "Sit up and beg" posture. I ended up selling the Electra with traditional cruiser bars on it. I wasn't a fan of them either. I will admit that they make perfect sense if you need to hold on to a surfboard, or coffee, with one arm while using the other to steer. With wrap around cruiser bars there is no weight on your hands.
These handlebars are still available:
Superbike Handlebars
The price isn't too bad, considering that these are motorcycle handlebars. And available in chrome.
Last edited by Velo Mule; 08-16-21 at 04:29 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere South
Posts: 1,680
Bikes: Most of my bikes are Single Speed Conversions
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 267 Post(s)
Liked 3,067 Times
in
1,015 Posts
[QUOTE=Velo Mule;22187165]
More recently, I picked up an Electra Cruiser and put BMX handlebars on it. For me, again, I didn't like having my hands up so high with the "Sit up and beg"
/QUOTE]
I’ve tried over 20 handlebars of different shapes , from flat bars to risers bars of different heights including bullhorn or “ cruiser” bars as they are also called .
But I wasn’t happy until I tried a set of BMX bars . Handlebars that give me the control I was looking for without putting pressure on my arthritic hands .
By using BMX bars I’m able to raise my hands to a comfortable position without using a high stem . High stems look odd and weak to me .
That’s why they make so many different handlebars . You can’t please everybody with just one style .
More recently, I picked up an Electra Cruiser and put BMX handlebars on it. For me, again, I didn't like having my hands up so high with the "Sit up and beg"
/QUOTE]
I’ve tried over 20 handlebars of different shapes , from flat bars to risers bars of different heights including bullhorn or “ cruiser” bars as they are also called .
But I wasn’t happy until I tried a set of BMX bars . Handlebars that give me the control I was looking for without putting pressure on my arthritic hands .
By using BMX bars I’m able to raise my hands to a comfortable position without using a high stem . High stems look odd and weak to me .
That’s why they make so many different handlebars . You can’t please everybody with just one style .
Likes For OldCruiser:
#4
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
When I put my Schwinn Cruiser together back in around 1980, I worked at a bike shop and was able to try out BMX handlebars, Schwinn 7881 handlebars and others. They did not have the feel that I was looking for. I went to a motorcycle dealer down the street from the bike shop and they had these Superbike handlebars. They felt good, they had a low rise so I was able to lean forward and get more weight on the front end for better handling. And they fit into a BMX stem. One of the things that also liked about them is how wide they are. But that caused problems in the garage. I ended up taking an inch off each end. I kind of wish I could add that inch back on. Trade-offs. The other trade-off, being that they are made for motorcycles, so the wall thickness is heavier. On a bike like mine, you don't notice the weight. You do notice how solid they feel.
More recently, I picked up an Electra Cruiser and put BMX handlebars on it. For me, again, I didn't like having my hands up so high with the "Sit up and beg" posture. I ended up selling the Electra with traditional cruiser bars on it. I wasn't a fan of them either. I will admit that they make perfect sense if you need to hold on to a surfboard, or coffee, with one arm while using the other to steer. With wrap around cruiser bars there is no weight on your hands.
These handlebars are still available:
Superbike Handlebars
The price isn't too bad, considering that these are motorcycle handlebars. And available in chrome.
More recently, I picked up an Electra Cruiser and put BMX handlebars on it. For me, again, I didn't like having my hands up so high with the "Sit up and beg" posture. I ended up selling the Electra with traditional cruiser bars on it. I wasn't a fan of them either. I will admit that they make perfect sense if you need to hold on to a surfboard, or coffee, with one arm while using the other to steer. With wrap around cruiser bars there is no weight on your hands.
These handlebars are still available:
Superbike Handlebars
The price isn't too bad, considering that these are motorcycle handlebars. And available in chrome.
Likes For SkinGriz:
#5
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
I wanted to see what other bars some cruiser riders gave gone to on their cruiser bikes. With photos, I hope. I came here to write this, and saw a thread about BMX bars on cruisers. Many cruisers use those bars that basically form a half circle. What have some of you gone to?
I am going to trade them out for 3” rise MTB bars.
#6
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
Keep in mind.
Measure your bars you have now at the stem.
They’re probably 25.4mm AKA 1inch. This is also the old MTB and hybrid standard.
BMX bars and the motorcycle bar above are 7/8”. These won’t work unless you get a BMX stem.
I think there’s a big long thread about bars somewhere on BF.
Measure your bars you have now at the stem.
They’re probably 25.4mm AKA 1inch. This is also the old MTB and hybrid standard.
BMX bars and the motorcycle bar above are 7/8”. These won’t work unless you get a BMX stem.
I think there’s a big long thread about bars somewhere on BF.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,022 Times
in
665 Posts
The BMX bars that I tried were Black Op's MXII bars. I got these because I could mount accessories on the top bar, and of course, I wanted to try a bar with my hands up higher. I still have the handlebars. Perhaps for another project. I have an old Schwinn step through frame for my wife, if I build this up, perhaps she will like them. Or if I ever get a Schwinn Tricycle, I think these will look neat.
These are still available from Black Op's. They are 26-1/8" [66.4cm] wide.
These are still available from Black Op's. They are 26-1/8" [66.4cm] wide.
Last edited by Velo Mule; 08-22-21 at 03:27 PM.
Likes For Velo Mule:
#8
Rhapsodic Laviathan
I don't use cruiser bars on any of my cruisers. I typically use mtb risers either as they are, or upside down.
#10
Junior Member
I totally have the low-profile 24" BMX cruiser bars on my old Colson. I entered a clunker classic years ago up in Downieville, CA and the handlebars had to be a minimum width. So I put these BMX low profiles on there and loved them. I have the orginal standard cruiser bars still too and just swap them out depending on where I'm riding. We were really into the Cruiser/MTB set-ups for a while there.
Likes For cdoud:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 458
Bikes: 2017 Surly Cross-Check. 2020 Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0, 2002 GT Dyno Roadster, 2002 Rans Stratus, 2020 Giant Fathom 2, 2011 Trek Pure Sport
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 171 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
62 Posts
#12
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,270 Times
in
1,439 Posts
BMX bars!
Likes For Rolla:
Likes For SkinGriz:
Likes For irontri:
#17
Member
I know this isn't really a cruiser, but I hate low bars. I also wanted a more pedal forward position. So, I fabricated some parts to move the seat back and installed a set of apehangers on this fat tire bike. I have since rolled the bars down a little and farther forward, and swapped out the seat for a wider seat and moved it forward a couple of inches, since these pictures were taken. It's really quite comfortable, gives you a nice upright riding position, but won't win any races.
Last edited by Lastmohecken; 12-17-21 at 07:30 PM.
#18
Rhapsodic Laviathan
This thing makes me feel like I'm on a cafe racer, or something.
Likes For Jax Rhapsody:
#19
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
Get aero and pass the drop bar roadies.
Looks good and fun.
Noticing that chain stay doesn’t look as long as some cruisers. Maybe a good klunker conversion.
Looks good and fun.
Noticing that chain stay doesn’t look as long as some cruisers. Maybe a good klunker conversion.
Last edited by SkinGriz; 01-28-22 at 02:39 AM.
#20
Rhapsodic Laviathan
I've never paid attention to chain stay length, but I do have a Cranbrook and Drifter1, I could measure&compare. Plus a number of cruiser actually have a curve in them. LaJollas are smaller than most cruisers I see, Probably about the size of a Sante Fe II. Would make a good klunker, it's light(lightest walmart bike, most likely), has a english bb. My Cranbrook is goona be my klunker if I can find a fork for it.
#23
Rhapsodic Laviathan