[Closed] Cruiser Bikes

I dont have one...but if I did

https://www.starlingcycles.com/migration/

Meh, looks okay but is nowhere near retro enough looking and those bars are way too normal.Be better without the high top tube and is about £600 too much. Each to their own though.

I too like the look of a cruiser for trips to the shops etc but they appear to be made of absolute crap parts that won't last and won't keep their looks for 5mins so I'vel steered clear

Type "hack bike derby" into Google images for shonky steeds.

I've got this rat rod/cruiser/MTB mongrel based around an early 90s Peugeot. Got a more conventional (and comfier!) saddle on it now though.

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I built a fab Kona HumuHumuNukuNukuApua'A up from a frame, was a great bike until stolen. IRC Lovers Soul tyres were like Vans tread on your tyres.

I use the Batavus Personal as a cruiser when the mood suits.  Just have to lower the seat

in my mind it looks like 

Love it. Perfect for pootles with the 4 year old, or cruising along the seafront at Exmouth.

Occasionally i try and kill myself by riding it on proper trails.

I don't really understand much about that Starling, letalone the cost 😳.  Certainly a UK-centric approach to 'cruisers', which I find to be something like an MTB vs 1980s Raleigh Bomber?  Surely cruisers are laid-back with the b/b set forward so you can have the seat lower, lean back on the properly gigantic bars,  with a straighter back, lower down yet still able to get the leg extension required for efficient pedalling? Not necessarily rat rod laid-back, but appreciably. See the Electra Townie geometry for an example.

I was partly joking about the  Batavus above, yet even on this the B/B is placed a good deal further forward than the standard MTB or road geo. The sea-tube angles back quite sharply to enable this, and the tube itself is thick as a scaffold. The difference is immediately noticeable, you kind of relax into it and the high wide bars are something to hang lightly off rather than bear down on (unless clmbing).

Combined with the long wheelbase the ride is very swoopy and chilled.  Relaxes me right down no matter what.  Bought step-rider junior a US-made beach cruiser once, and I remember it felt v similar.   Be careful with cruisers though, they make you want to take the long way everywhere.  And whistle.  And sing. And smile a lot.   Weirdo territory.  As if an adult on a (non-performance) bicycle isn't already weird enough in Old Blighty 2018

And, Hi-Ten all the way...it's what balloon tyres were made for.

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5059/5397415525_c6cf009b33_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5059/5397415525_c6cf009b33_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9dXaAn ]humu[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr

This could be what you are looking for.  Saw some of his stuff at a bike show last year. Very impressive.

https://m.facebook.com/Gonzokustom/?locale2=en_GB

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KMB used to have this kicking around, made of two frames cut'n'shut.

Is that starling not a cruiser in the bmx style cruiser rather than a schwinn 1950s style cruiser?

I've got a 1979 Huffy Good Vibrations, given to me by a Yank who was working at Menwith Hill MOD. It's actually just a crappy dept store brand but looks quite classic. converted it to look a bit more normal (saddle /handlebars) and ride it on the canal topath occasionally.

You need one of these  http://www.sebikes.com/bikes/cat/retro-series/big-ripper-29

Is that starling not a cruiser in the bmx style cruiser rather than a schwinn 1950s style cruiser?

Pretty sure it's 'just' a rigid MTB, with 1X gearing (not even SS-able without a tensioner?) and 650b/2" max tyres.   With some extra-down-tubing?*  To be fair, the Starling blurb doesnt mention 'cruiser', it states that it's a 'MTB town bike/hack'  to be 'leaned against railings' and built from spare parts.  No way in my lifetime can I see myself dropping £1100 on an MTB frameset to use essentially as a pub bike, let alone to hang some spare parts on 😐

But as they say, vive le difference!  And it is a nice yellow 😎

*What I think a BMX cruiser looks like/functions as:

Build your own cruiser, here's a mate riding one of rik of drumlanrigs creations,

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Now here's my proper Kruiser. GT Dyno Glide. Good for 70km/h on a downhill stretch. Also been raced XC.

^^ 😂 Unicycle with optional chop boom?

No way in my lifetime can I see myself dropping £1100 on an MTB frameset to use essentially as a pub bike, let alone to hang some spare parts on

Same here. You’d have to be pretty well off to drop that kind of money on a bike that’s going to essentially be left lying around. The Transition Klunker is much better looking in my opinion too.

Kiwijohn has the exact sort of thing I was thinking of. Would love to give one a go, but think I’d feel very self conscious riding about on one 😕

I would be tempted by the Charge Cleaver if they ever actually release it. Looks fun and a bit daft. Would definitely liven up the boring work commute. Some of the others up there look like eBay specials / Injury Lawyers 4 U wet dreams.

I have this:

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Also got a really long low one, but it's currently dismantled. Over 8 feet long. Great fun on singletrack... 🙂

^^Now that looks great. Looks like great fun and a 50’s version of ‘The bicycle of the future’ love it. What is it, a bit of everything, bespoke jobor an actual branded machine?

Epicyclo that looks lush.  Barracuda cruiser vs path-racer mashup?  Belt drive too?  V pretty bike, nice job 👍🏼

How does it ride? I like the jekkyl/hyde bar options,  imagine if you turn them over it's a laid-back affair?

The LBS had one of these on the floor. Redline Rain City Choppers.

Kiwijohn has the exact sort of thing I was thinking of. Would love to give one a go, but think I’d feel very self conscious riding about on one 😕

For something more inoffensive/stealthy why not try a Townie for a while see if you enjoy it?  If decide to keep then upgrade parts on a worn-out basis:

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/151138/products/electra-townie-original-3i-bike-grey.aspx?currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI--CutNSC2wIVjpTtCh3TfQvuEAQYAyABEgLRz_D_BwE

Think I’m going to save up for when the Charge Cleaver arrives. That, or one night after a few drinks order something like this!

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That’s right an invisible bike!

Worth setting up an Ebay alert for Transition Klunkers. They come up fairly regularly.

I got mine for the princely sum of £160 + £10 postage. It was almost brand new, looked like it'd been ridden about twice.

Oooh, not seen that Charge before.  Nice looking klunker.  Overkill for town bimbling (STWin), but could make the trail come alive!    Don't forget the plaid shirt deeeeeewd, and bring a review home 👍🏼

I've had a couple of Electra cruisers, part of my surfing obsession and prior to having an mtb. They are lovely "fun" bikes to ride, really nice position and draw a lot of attention. They weight a tonne and only have 1 or 3 gears so only practicality you live somewhere flat. I moved to the top of a big hill and sold mine to help pay for a new hardtail. If we lived elsewhere I'd buy one again.

although it's a bit of a cliche, there are loads of people on California that ride them, to the beach, wetsuit on and board under arm.

Ceepers there's no way they way as much as my 3 spd up there (around 55lb).  When I moved back to the Hiils I just changed the sprocket and chainring.  It's still the smoothest-riding  town bike I ever had, right down to the fwd-planning-friendly worn-out roller brakes 😬 I do like the look of the cruisers though.  Didn't Electra do a fat cruiser?

*edit

I dunno they are pretty heavy! 🙂

I used to use mine to cruise from home to work and the village to the beach but I live 5 miles further inland now and just wasn't riding it. They are a bitch to store cos the bars are so wide. My wife still has a girly one! I still love them though.

they do a ballon tyre version I think.

Ooh that fat cruiser looks nice.

Sat in my parents shed. Swap for literally anything useful. Can deliver to Derby, Reading, Manchester or Farnborough.

https://flic.kr/p/cmWRoJ

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That looks pretty crazy. What is it and what size wheels are they?

I'm also waiting for the Charge Cleaver to land. Looks a great rag about/ride home pissed bike

Malvern Rider

Epicyclo that looks lush.  Barracuda cruiser vs path-racer mashup?  Belt drive too?  V pretty bike, nice job

How does it ride? I like the jekkyl/hyde bar options,  imagine if you turn them over it’s a laid-back affair?

Yes Barracuda frame, belt drive (Magic Ratio, no tensioner).

Works surprisingly well. Took it round the 'Puffer course a few years back. Springer fork doesn't like leaving the ground though. 🙂

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The other mode is as you suspected, bars up, but with a sprung saddle. Real cruisey.

Currently partially stripped in my attic. I robbed the rims for my wife's bike.

^^looks like it kept you nice and slim riding it. You should build it back up, it’s a great looking bike.

1997 Kona Aha Stars n Bars is my go to, back in service for the Summer cruising to the local outdoor pool for my regular swim.

Kiwijohn has the exact sort of thing I was thinking of. Would love to give one a go, but think I’d feel very self conscious riding about on one

I have left it outside nightclubs with the bouncers minding it. They loved it.

My GT Moto is a little more subdued, I just wish it was lighter.

Think it safe to say that the UK/MTB idea of 'cruiser' is more often akin to 'bmx-style/klunker'. This makes total sense given the MTB lineage.   What's people's preference for klunker geometry nowadays? Especially wheeelbase and headangle?

Semantics aside, I found it interesting to compare the 1979 Lawwill Pro to the 1996 Gary Fisher Klunker, to the new Charge Klunker

Someone should nudge Charge, last time I asked they were a bit vague about dates and specs.

That looks pretty crazy. What is it and what size wheels are they?

Can't  remember if I'm honest, I think they're 24" but might be 20". Bought it off the guy who used to distribute Brooklyn Machine Works (Ged?) hence the stickers. Its more BSO than BMW though.

Its an absolute hoot to ride down a hill.

Needs a new hoop bar for the saddle making up as it's got a crack in it, but it just bolts on.

to the new Charge Klunker

OMG - TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That’s pretty much four guaranteed sales in two pages and Charge still have last years bikes on their website. Sort it out you slackers! I’d hassle them on social media if I was on any form of social media. Anybody care to bug them on my behalf?

Not seen it before, but that Charge is pretty cool looking.

Klunkers, not cruisers, but... 🙂

My Breezer Ignaz X, nice for riding along the seafront although the 7 speed Nexus is currently jammed in gear

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WQhMEo3TDmrEnLPg2

Emailed Charge and it’s looking like October before the Cleaver arrives as they have lost their assembler. Quick response from Neil, hope they manage to get things sorted.