Single Speed Cruiser Bike?

Quoted message said:

For this I am considering a single speed cruiser bike with foot brakes, with 26 x 2.125 road slick
tires, which I may equip with solid inner tubes later on.

You'd better live where it's flat for that seven mile radius you plan on biking, and I'd skip the
solid inner tubes.

I would compare one against a good hybrid. You get so much more bike for around the same money -
maybe a little more depending on what you may think you really need. I think you can get a Trek 7100
for the price range you mentioned, I dunno check it out. This being August the 04's are out so you
might save a little on an 03 if you find the right shop. What I would really recommend is a Trek
7500fx, its a beast for the money. But your looking at 600 - 750 depending where you go.

--
twotreks, __o __o _`\(,_ _`\(,_ (_)/ (_) (_)/ (_)

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]... Hi,

I am considering purchasing another bike for errands and commuting (within a 7 mile radius usually,
but the occasional longer ride is possible). My ride will be mostly on city sidewalks with the
occasional street, gravel trail, and grass/rock surface. I'm about 215 pounds and 6'2 and usually
bike with a backpack with supplies.

For this I am considering a single speed cruiser bike with foot brakes, with 26 x 2.125 road slick
tires, which I may equip with solid inner tubes later on.

So far I am leaning towards a cruiser for the following reasons:

1) Wide road slick tires make them more durable and better performing for city riding.

2) Fenders mean my back won't get splashed with water when I go through puddles.

3) Handlebar layout seems good for a basket should I use one, plus a more comfortable ride.

4) Single speed and foot brakes means the bike is easy and forgiveable to maintain. (eg: wobbly
wheel won't interfere with braking, tire and chain changes should be quicker, etc...)

What I would like to know is this: What are the disadvantages? What kind of top speed can I expect
with this bike -- how would that compare with a Mountain Bike/All Terrain Bike? Ditto for durability
-- can I take those potholes without too much worry?

I'm not looking to spend a lot -- from $100 - $250. Would you recommend any brands? Any brands to
stay away from? Any other tips?

Thanks.

Quoted message said:

4) Single speed and foot brakes means the bike is easy and forgiveable to maintain. (eg: wobbly
wheel won't interfere with braking, tire and chain changes should be quicker, etc...)

What I would like to know is this: What are the disadvantages? What kind of top speed can I expect
with this bike -- how would that compare with a Mountain Bike/All Terrain Bike? Ditto for
durability -- can I take those potholes without too much worry?

I'm not looking to spend a lot -- from $100 - $250. Would you recommend any brands? Any brands to
stay away from? Any other tips?

The biggest problem that I see is that a bike with only a rear brake has really bad braking.
Dangerously bad. Get the dealer to put one on the front.

--
Ted Bennett Portland OR

Quoted message said:

You'd better live where it's flat for that seven mile radius you plan

on >biking, and I'd skip the solid inner tubes.

I live in Houston, TX -- it doesn't get much flatter than that!

As for the solid inner tubes, I have them on my MTB. My front wheel is warped, but I don't know if
that's a result of the tube or my hard riding.

Thanks.

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You'd better live where it's flat for that seven mile radius you plan

on >biking, and I'd skip the solid inner tubes.

I live in Houston, TX

How many large cities named Houston are there?

Quoted message said:

-- it doesn't get much flatter than that!

With the exception of Florida...

Ted Bennett said:

The biggest problem that I see is that a bike with only a rear brake has really bad braking.
Dangerously bad. Get the dealer to put one on the front.

Houston really doesn't have any detectable slopes. And a one-speed cruiser probably sports a 55- to
65-inch gear, which isn't going to allow a blazing cruising speed (maybe 15mph with some ambitious
pedaling). A coaster brake only is probably fine unless the OP intends to mix it up with high-speed
auto traffic.

Here in Seattle there are 20% grades, and there are fixed-gear riders with no brakes at all. Now
that's a bit dangerous if you ask me.

Chalo Colina

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

What I would like to know is this: What are the disadvantages? What kind of top speed can I expect
with this bike -- how would that compare with a Mountain Bike/All Terrain Bike? Ditto for
durability -- can I take those potholes without too much worry?

I'm not looking to spend a lot -- from $100 - $250. Would you recommend any brands? Any brands to
stay away from? Any other tips?

i would consider a cheaper hybrid from a real bike store, over the cruiser. i woudlnt consider the
handlebar a plus (for basket) because a rack on the back, with baskets, panniers, etc, will outdo a
handlebar basket anyday of the week. if youre looking for wide friendly looking handlebars, a lot of
the hybrids come with them, and an LBS can always slap whatever you want on there. (or you can. got
a 5mm allen key?)

you mentioned ease of changing tire with singlespeed cruiser? coaster brakes, which i assume it what
youre looking at on a cruiser, are harder to change a flat on than a normal tire, becuase you have
to unbolt the axle on both sides(no QR) *and* unscrew the bolt that holds the 'arm' (technical
term?) to the chainstay. and put it all back together with the right chain tension. not a big deal,
but much bigger than changing the flat on a QR-equipped freewheeling bike.

If I were doing 7 mile shopping trips on flat ground, id find a used mtb and turn it single speed,
buy a cheap hybrid with fat slicks, or something similar. or go fixed!

anthony

"jjp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You'd better live where it's flat for that seven mile radius you plan

on >biking, and I'd skip the solid inner tubes.

I live in Houston, TX

How many large cities named Houston are there?

I don't know about large (or why you use that qualifier) but there are a lot of Houstons:

AK, AL, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, PA, TN, KS.

Peter Cole Newton, MA

(not Newton, AL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MS, MT, NC, NH, NJ, OR, PA, TN, UT, WA, WI, or WV.

"Peter Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"jjp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>You'd better live where it's flat for that seven mile radius you plan
on >biking, and I'd skip the solid inner tubes.

I live in Houston, TX

How many large cities named Houston are there?

I don't know about large (or why you use that qualifier) but there are a lot of Houstons:

Because it continues to complex me why people still say "Houston, Texas" when it's the fourth
largest US city.

Quoted message said:

AK, AL, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, PA, TN, KS.

The Houstons in these other states should be using the state after the city name -- but not the
one in Texas.

"Peter Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"jjp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>You'd better live where it's flat for that seven mile radius you plan
on >biking, and I'd skip the solid inner tubes.

I live in Houston, TX

How many large cities named Houston are there?

I don't know about large (or why you use that qualifier) but there are a lot of Houstons:

... to *perplex* me -- it's been a long, long day....