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My Walmart custom sidewalk cruiser is done!

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My Walmart custom sidewalk cruiser is done!

Old 02-26-22, 05:35 AM
  #26  
passive jay
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
We'll see. Cruisers are so fun to ride you might kick it up a notch.
You never know! I do tend to maybe overdo it a tad with things I get in to. Hence spending more money than the bike cost to upgrade it.... a lot more money That said I am interested in your earlier comment about tires, got a link of some sort?
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Old 02-26-22, 06:08 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by passive jay
I do tend to maybe overdo it a tad with things I get in to. Hence spending more money than the bike cost to upgrade it.... a lot more money
Much of the bike world is made up of flippers, traders, keepers and collectors. Across that spectrum there are those that criticize other's choices of where to spend their money so please don't criticize yourself. This is an Internet message board, there will be rude posters from time to time to do that for you. IMHO, what you have spent on this bike is a better return on your investment than many other things if it brings you enjoyment.
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Old 02-26-22, 06:21 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by passive jay
Hence spending more money than the bike cost to upgrade it.... a lot more money
Hurray for having a couple extra beans to spend on happy bike project, and look how it turned out!
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Old 02-26-22, 07:37 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by passive jay
You never know! I do tend to maybe overdo it a tad with things I get in to. Hence spending more money than the bike cost to upgrade it.... a lot more money That said I am interested in your earlier comment about tires, got a link of some sort?

TBH, I've never had a 29er, but maybe a tire like this? https://www.amazon.com/WTB-ThickSlic...UIQ&th=1&psc=1. I've had tires like that on a cruiser and a "comfort" bike, and I could crank those up to about 18 mph on the flat (top speed, not average). Obviously, the tires are absolutely useless in the winter, and you will go flying if you ride them over wet metal (guess how I know that, hint, streetcar) but from your description, doesn't sound like you do foul weather riding.

I don't think spending more than you paid for the bike on upgrading it to your specs is irrational at all. If you could actually find all that on one new bike, I'd bet you'd pay a lot more for it. And you're 6'7" fer crying out loud, you can't just buy stuff off the rack and expect it to fit.

Fair warning, expect people to wax nostalgic when they see your bike. Cruisers evoke memories out of a lot of people.
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Old 02-26-22, 08:15 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
TBH, I've never had a 29er, but maybe a tire like this?
My experience with the oversize ThickSlick was similar. The big slicks were surprisingly fast, just don't expect much traction off-pavement. Could be excellent on an Urban Cruiser.
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Old 02-26-22, 09:34 AM
  #31  
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Your front tire is on backwards. LOL. That will affect traction.
And it looks like a fine cruiser tire to me. I don't see how it wouldn't have plenty traction with the knobby edges.
That 2 speed heavyweight isn't going anywhere needing any other tire. LOL.

Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 02-26-22 at 09:41 AM.
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Old 02-26-22, 11:04 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by GamblerGORD53
Your front tire is on backwards. LOL. That will affect traction.
And it looks like a fine cruiser tire to me. I don't see how it wouldn't have plenty traction with the knobby edges.
That 2 speed heavyweight isn't going anywhere needing any other tire. LOL.

That is hilarious.
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Old 02-26-22, 11:25 AM
  #33  
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When you remount the tire the other direction on the wheel, mount the wheel with the QR on the non-drive side and see how that works out.
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Old 02-26-22, 11:28 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
When you remount the tire the other direction on the wheel, mount the wheel with the QR on the non-drive side and see how that works out.
I have a friend put this stuff together for me. I know QR is quick release but I am unsure on the rest. What should I be passing on to him to do?
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Old 02-26-22, 11:30 AM
  #35  
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The quick release is on the wrong side of the bike. Turning the entire wheel around will fix that and the tire direction at the same time. I was being a bit facetious.
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Old 02-26-22, 11:35 AM
  #36  
passive jay
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
The quick release is on the wrong side of the bike. Turning the entire wheel around will fix that and the tire direction at the same time. I was being a bit facetious.
If that is the case he will have to take stuff apart because the dynamo hub has to be on in that direction since it can only spin one way to create power. Why is the quick release on the wrong side, i.e. what does it affect?
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Old 02-26-22, 11:38 AM
  #37  
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Nothing major should need done. The skewer will just come out and be swapped directions. The wheel won't even need to be completely removed from the bike.

Edit: Typically the QR is on the non-drive side as rear wheels with derailleurs won't facilitate them on the drive side and our OCD makes us want them on the same side.
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Old 02-26-22, 11:41 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
Nothing major should need done. The skewer will just come out and be swapped directions. The wheel won't even need to be completely removed from the bike.

oh good, he has to come out here at some point to make a few adjustments so that wont be a big deal. I feel bad about asking him to take the tire off the rim and put it the other way, considering how casual I use the bike I am tempted to leave it alone.
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Old 02-26-22, 11:43 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
Nothing major should need done. The skewer will just come out and be swapped directions. The wheel won't even need to be completely removed from the bike.

Edit: Typically the QR is on the non-drive side as rear wheels with derailleurs won't facilitate them on the drive side and our OCD makes us want them on the same side.
So it is just cosmetic/aesthetics? since the rear hub is not quick release I would not be worried about matching anything
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Old 02-26-22, 11:45 AM
  #40  
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And keep in mind, it isn't a show stopper. Some people even go as far as proclaiming there is a certain direction for the lever to go and while some of those declarations make more sense than others, it is more important to not have it too tight or too loose IMHO.
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Old 02-26-22, 12:04 PM
  #41  
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Very nice looking cruiser, I'll bet you it rides nice..
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Old 02-26-22, 03:18 PM
  #42  
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Very nice looking!
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Old 02-26-22, 03:33 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by passive jay
Its done! Well mostly, I am not sure if I am going to add a front fender or not.
This started out as a walmart bike https://www.walmart.com/.../Genesis-29-Onex.../16203481
I installed an Eagle two speed internal kickback hub
new seat
saddlebags and luggage rack
new kickstand
new pedals.
Monark springer front fork
new stem

Shimano Alfine Dynamo front hub
head and tail lights
New rims and spokes.
rearview mirror and bike bell.
I might be missing something
What do you guys think?



good job with that bike , how does the hub shift I see no shifter or cable could you have gotten a three speed if you wanted it ?
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Old 02-26-22, 04:01 PM
  #44  
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I'm not a cruiser guy, but that's a very nice bike.
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Old 02-26-22, 04:21 PM
  #45  
passive jay
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Originally Posted by Fastfingaz
good job with that bike , how does the hub shift I see no shifter or cable could you have gotten a three speed if you wanted it ?
It is called a kickback hub, you rotate the pedals backward slightly to shift, no need for a shifter or cable. the company I bought from only does a two speed but I have read there are 3 speed versions out there.
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Old 02-26-22, 05:10 PM
  #46  
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Grew up with a kick back 2 speed on my Stingray paper route bike. There were 2 versions of that hub. One was low and direct, the other was direct and overdrive. I had the low and direct version as I needed it for pulling hills with a bag full of newspapers.

Good times.
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Old 02-26-22, 07:58 PM
  #47  
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I had a 26" Schwinn American with the Bendix red band 2 speed, it was nice. I got very good at shifting the bike,and could hit 22 MPH on a flat. You just have to be aware when you stop, the gear gets shifted, and you need to kick-it back down. I loved mine, dis-assembled it, greased it and never did another thing to it, very simple. I motorized my cruiser bikes like yours, the beefy frames work well for it.
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Old 02-26-22, 09:51 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by dave8311
Grew up with a kick back 2 speed on my Stingray paper route bike. There were 2 versions of that hub. One was low and direct, the other was direct and overdrive. I had the low and direct version as I needed it for pulling hills with a bag full of newspapers.

Good times.
Hills on my route, too. Stingray Sturmey Archer 3sp to help me. And many times nearly crushed my nuts on the stick-shifter when the gear slipped. Would've loved that kick-back sucker!
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Old 02-27-22, 05:37 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by FREEBIRD1
I had a 26" Schwinn American with the Bendix red band 2 speed, it was nice. I got very good at shifting the bike,and could hit 22 MPH on a flat. You just have to be aware when you stop, the gear gets shifted, and you need to kick-it back down. I loved mine, dis-assembled it, greased it and never did another thing to it, very simple. I motorized my cruiser bikes like yours, the beefy frames work well for it.

From what I understand the frame I used is very popular with the motorized bike people, it's a beast!
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Old 02-27-22, 08:17 PM
  #50  
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I see snow on the ground
so I think a Fonzi jacket would be the perfect accessory for that bike
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