What's your experience with beach cruisers? Do the fun and comfort make up for its other inefficiencies when riding in a city?
@auggie9438
2 жыл бұрын
I own a beach cruiser and use it often in commuting to work and shopping. I like that its comfortable to ride for long periods of time. Yes there are tumes when it sucks to pedal, and on particularly steep hills i do occasionally need to step off and walk but thats a pretty rare occurrence for me. I like the simplicity of the bike and the fact that it just feels more natural to ride. Most of the cycling i do is in areas that arent very busy, often the bike lanes are very wide and theres a decent amount of mixed use pathways. On the rare occasion i come across a busy intersection i just hop onto the sidewalk real quick to use the crosswalk which seems to be what most other cyclists here do anyways
@CMG78
2 жыл бұрын
i have one that i concerted to center drive electric and also added a 6 speed in hub rear wheel. it is now my favorite way to get around town
@newttella1043
2 жыл бұрын
I love my old 90s mountain bike. City-fied it with a rear rack for panniers, fenders, bell, slick tires. It's ugly but has gear ratios to carry groceries uphill home. After having a bike stolen, I feel uglier the better. Though beach cruisers would be nice for flat ice cream rides.
@allws9683
2 жыл бұрын
What's the problem with these bikes ? I have no experience with them, but they look a bit like the 'oma/opa fiets' roadster style bikes you see all over the Netherlands.These have also a bit more laid back seat position. And 'oma/opa' bikes are great ! Especially for daily, maintenance free, 'suit' use in cities. Easy going speed of 15-20kmh (10-13 mph), rugged as they don't have brake/gear cables to break (in the bike racks). with a sturdy coaster brake and single speed or internal gear hub, they are ideal for daily use. Almost all people in NL have used/abused them as student or adult. It won't get stolen easily and as junk/pub bike you can come home clubbing early in the morning, without your bike gotten stolen. They have been used 10-15km to go to highschool. At the famous 240 km long Frisian 11city bike tour I have seen them, with 3 gears and even a single speed ! How does cycling beach cruisers compare to an 'oma/opa fiets'? I am not sure about the high steer of this beach cruiser. If it isn't stiff/rigid enough, it might steer a bit wobbly. I would prefer a lower steer. But then again my brother biked a roadster with high steer, with cowboy boots, to his highschool 10km down the road.. I think it might depend on the quality they are made with, and since they were considered 'toys' , they may have not very good components...
@xenaretos
2 жыл бұрын
Beach cruisers can be a very decent choice for commuting under certain circumstances. Where I live, it's semi-legal (and sometimes fully legal) to cycle on paths intended for pedestrian use (not calling them "sidewalks" because most are wide enough to be proper shared paths). In these conditions, when you don't need to go faster then 20 km/h or so and may encounter bumpy terrain (such as paving tiles or packed snow in winter), the comfort of a cruiser-style bike can be a blessing that outweighs the inefficiencies which become unimportant in these conditions. I switched to a "city cruiser" several months ago and I absolutely swear by the balloon tires. Wouldn't want to use anything else if the frame allows it. And 95% of my cycling is commutes. I don't do it recreationally at all.
@hemaccabe4292
2 жыл бұрын
Those big tires may not deliver your racing bike in sheep's clothing minimum resistance, but they do give a lot more confidence dealing with broken terrain including pavement making them very practical for city riding. Not to mention insulate from a lot of bumps in the road which can create fatigue with the bicycle as practical city transportation.
@Drago0900
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah. Though I commute on skinnies because if your tire pressure is set about right they are fast as hell and have minimal dampening problems.
@Sander_Datema
2 жыл бұрын
These seem to be closer to actual Dutch bikes than your own city (touring) bike., especially in regards to the riding position. If you lean on the handlebars it's not a Dutch bike :P
@Claire_Loves_Music
2 жыл бұрын
My commuting beach cruiser is definitely more of an upright dutch bike and it's so comfortable. I have back pain and this style doesn't make it worse.
@ztl2505
2 жыл бұрын
Swap out the giant balloon tires and this thing seems borderline indistinguishable from an omafiet.
@lsamoa
2 жыл бұрын
@@ztl2505 Errm no, they'd be very different still
@zacharyjones6729
Жыл бұрын
VINDICATION. The way he talks about his sporty hybrid has always bugged me
@sarahkathleen6752
Жыл бұрын
THANK YOU! Literally was thinking the same thing. My beach cruiser has coaster brakes, no gears and you sit upright riding it. Which is very similar to the Dutch bikes.
@slackerjo
2 жыл бұрын
I added cruiser style handlebars to my hybrid bike and riding is so much fun. Just a chill vibe to my rides. I am slow as heck, but I was never a fast rider and hills are a challenge.
@Shifter_Cycling
2 жыл бұрын
There's no doubt these bikes are fun to ride, and if it works for you, then why not go for it!
@cassiapalladium2921
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, the laid back vibe is exactly why I love my beach cruiser. I live in a small Missouri town, no beaches anywhere to be found, but it's also small enough I can bike from one side of the town to the other in 20 minutes or less. There's nothing here worth getting in a hurry over. I did decide to upgrade it with a 3 speed internal hub gear, though. The hills here aren't tall, but they're long. My trip from my apartment to the gas station is entirely uphill, so the 3 speed was a massive improvement for those wide rolling hills.
@greg1268
Жыл бұрын
How was that upgrade to perform? im thinking about doing that.
@cassiapalladium2921
Жыл бұрын
@@greg1268 It went well, it was a great drop in upgrade. I've since upgraded to a new bike with a 7 speed but that's mostly because I tend to carry a lot more weight now.
@katherineb.9445
2 жыл бұрын
The experience is definitely what you make of it. I bought an overhauled cruiser from the bike shop down the street from me and I love it. A more expensive bike would probably give a smoother experience but compared to walking, it's great. I live a mile from downtown, a mile from my furthest class and 1.5 miles from the nearest grocery store, and it gets me to all of those much faster than walking and only a little slower than driving (when you factor in parking and traffic). The step-thru frame and the upright position help me integrate into pedestrian spaces fairly easily. I can go from riding to walking for a quick second and back to riding seamlessly, and I cruise down to a comfortable 4 mph if I get caught in a crowded pedestrian area. The upright position and frame also lets me ride with large instruments on my back (I'm a music student). Even though it's had a lot of new parts and tune-up, it still looks like an inexpensive, aesthetics-only Ebay bike to would-be bike thieves, so it's low theft risk (peace of mind), especially when there's more expensive brands parked nearby. It's also just pretty looking and I enjoy that : ) It's not the fastest bike, but it's at least twice as fast as walking for a fraction of the effort, and I can always just leave earlier. Hills around town are a bit of a workout but my body is adapting and I'm getting those lower body gains. There's no suspension so some of the older roads around town are a bit scary and I can't compete much with intense traffic so I avoid it (probably for the better). I might do one of those electric front wheel conversions just so I can have a boost when I need it or when I don't want to risk breaking a sweat in nice clothes.
@christill
2 жыл бұрын
I love any bike that’s single speed and has only a coaster brake. It’s so clean and beautiful to look at. I will admit that my e-bike is pretty close to as complicated as it gets with full suspension, a nuvinci gear system, a gates belt and a Bosch motor. But I’ll always want a second bike that brings it all back to basics like this. I don’t think you can be a bike fan and not own one like that. I do agree about it not being ideal as an urban bike, but some people ride mountain bikes or road bikes as urban commuters. And while I wouldn’t do that myself, and it frustrates me to see rusty old supermarket mountain bikes being ridden around; those people would say they those bikes do the job for them. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. And I’d definitely rather see people on beach cruisers than MTBs. That’s for sure. They’d at least be gradually moving in the right direction towards a Batavus or Gazelle type bike that I would ride.
@AaronHendu
11 ай бұрын
What is the problem with MTB? Most commuter bikes are just MTB with suspension seatposts and adjustable stems. Mtb doesnt need to mean dual suspension with 2.3 wide tires. My 13" frame mtb hard tail is good for everything. I ride 1.9 wide 26" tires. Small frame has a super low step over height. High bottom bracket for rolling curbs. Bars can be swapped to any style. I dont get it. I can lower my seat and put on a long stem and riser bars, raise it up and use road bars, etc.
@anticyclingclub
8 ай бұрын
I have to agree, i have a priority continuum onyx which is almost entirely decked out as much as you can, same nuvinci CVT, gates carbon belt drive, an MTX rear rack, triangle bag, cruiser bars, and about a dozen trinkets and accessories. I have an awesome purple Schwinn beach cruiser, with almost nothing in comparison. It has a single speed and coaster brakes, fenders, and a front basket. Really is a great bike for short trips in my city and i use it all the time for trips to the convenience store or getting takeout.
@doolsification
2 жыл бұрын
I ride my $140 walmart beach cruiser around st. John's newfoundland, hills and all. There's some work involved on those hills but if i choose the best route i can mitigate that. Also changed the tires for narrower more road worthy ones. But hands downy fave bike, and i have 3 lol, including an ebike.
@mariaansley1519
2 жыл бұрын
Lord Tunderin Jesus flip flops in Newfoundland.
@doolsification
Жыл бұрын
@@mariaansley1519 a little late to reply to this but uuumm...no...lol
@mariaansley1519
Жыл бұрын
@@doolsification Lord thundering Jeesus I replied to your comment when you made it two months ago. Now it's really too late for flip flops. 😎
@SpecialAgentJamesAki
2 жыл бұрын
I got my first beach cruiser recently. Funny enough it was after a visit to see some family on kauai. I liked the rusty patina look of the bikes there. It reminded me of “clunker” repack race bikes. So when I got home to socal looked around for a bit didn’t take long as a ridiculous amount of cruiser bikes get scrapped here. Found a matte green one with the most perfect patina a neighbor was looking to give away. I cleaned it up clear coated it unseized all the rusty bits and tricked it out with a 3 speed hub, a generator light set, and some mountain bike tires. After riding it for a while I came to that same sort of realization you spoke about with just wanting to take your time and well cruise along. Always looked at cycling more as transport and less as fun although I do enjoy it this experience of the cruiser bike opened my eyes to enjoy it more.
@Lughnerson
2 жыл бұрын
You should try a beach cruiser with multi-speeds, a front wicker basket filled with snacks or a pet, and a handlebar mounted drink holder (pina colada) on one side, silly looking bell on the other, while wearing a straw fedora and Wayfarer sunglasses. That's living!
@hananas2
2 жыл бұрын
Honestly there's imo really something about the simplicity of a singlespeed bike. My favourite bikes I've ever owned/own are singlespeeds. You're never worried about being in the right gear to get somewhere as quickly as possible, because you're just never in the right gear! I'll always have at least one singlespeed because every now and then I need a break from practical bikes and ride something I can just ride totally relaxed without a care in the world.
@Yellowbanana2024
Жыл бұрын
100%😊
@WollyFatboy
2 жыл бұрын
Great vid, Tom. I use 2 Huffy Cranbrook Cruisers as my primary form of transport. I only go 2-3 miles a day. They are perfect for my short-term flat-land commutes. However, your city bikes (including the Priority and Dutch style) definitely serve a purpose for longer term or urban dense commutes. They really serve 2 different purposes. Honestly, I think having BOTH types in my bike wheelhouse (no pun) is on my bucket list.
@richarddecarolis7178
Жыл бұрын
If you raised the seat enough to allow for proper leg extension, the pedaling might have been a bit more efficient.
@glissemaster
2 жыл бұрын
I bought my wife a 3-speed beach cruiser with fenders a few years ago. It has since been stolen, but it was a fantastic bike. Very comfortable and had a lightweight aluminum frame, so it was pretty easy to pedal. Last summer, I spent a few days on Coronado Island, and the hotel had complimentary beach cruisers to check out. I probably put 10-20 miles daily on bike paths and through traffic, continuously circling the island and bar hopping. The second day I even took the ferry across Downtown San Diego and road around a bit. In the city, I would have preferred my trusty gravel bike/commuter, but the beach cruiser did just fine. If people are commuting less than 3 or 4 miles each way and it's relatively flat, then I don't see any issue with using a beach cruiser as a commuter. With regards to tires, wider tires are not nessisarily harder to push. I have 700x48 Rene Herse tires on my gravel/commuter and they are pretty quick and comfy on bad roads. Every beach cruiser I've ever riden always rolls surprisingly well. I think it has more to do with geometry and gearing than the tires.
@E38vip
2 жыл бұрын
yeah id imagine having a beach cruiser to do your hotline in nyc would be a challenge to say the least but I gotta say going from a fixie to my 2006 diamondback drifter chopper with a 20x4 rear tire here in Vegas, I've been more than satisfied, rear wheel eats up a lot of the unkept roads where im at and brooks saddle is cherry on top not to mention throwing a front basket on it made it a very fun booze cruiser. overall id say go for a beach cruiser if you don't wanna take your riding super seriously because youre gonna get where you're going eventually anyways and in style may I add, gotten a lot of compliments on mine :) coaster brake is even better for that clean look too.
@WalvisYT
2 жыл бұрын
Looking at this bike, it reminds me a lot of the bikes I see around here in the Netherlands. For a while, I had a Gazelle citybike (I think it was a 'Heavy Duty'?), the geo of which looks very comparible to the beach cruiser shown in this video. In my opinion, a comfortable citybike is the best kind of citybike.
@Parker307
2 жыл бұрын
One new thought I have watching this is how beach cruisers are compatible with pedestrians. People that are walking sometimes complain about bikes zooming by(even more so as more bikes are electrified). The elderly and kids can be startled by fast bikes. Much of the bike infrastructure in the US, where it exists, is multi use trails. While the road biker tend not to use these as biking for transportation increases, more people are riding faster on the multi use trails. More problems of having walkers and bikers on in the same place are bound to increase. I don't think that beach cruisers are a practical or likely solution to this but is it interesting to see a bike design that specifically works for a mix of pedestrians and riders.
@titankooyman3638
2 жыл бұрын
This was a fun video. About 10 years ago I started commuting to the city a few days a week on the bus and wanted a simple cheap and easy to maintain bicycle so I didn't have to walk to and from the bus stop. I got a beautiful kulana Riviera men's cruiser for only $10 at a thrift store and rode that thing about 100 mile per month for three years! It was a lot of fun. I do have to admit that as my need to ride further and more often I modified the bike with a 7 speed rim brakes and flat bars to make it more efficient. I still have the bike and hope to someday turn it into a lowrider bike to Cruise my neighborhood.
@vincenzodigrande2070
2 жыл бұрын
The Omafiets is kind of a cruiser in terms of the coaster brake and single speed (most commonly) only separates itself from it by a decent saddle height to regain some efficiency and a more easy on the knees pedalstroke. That, and 'jasbeschermers', a fully enclosed chain and lights make it far more practical. You could ride it recreationally just as well tho, and it also looks about just as cool. In that sense I get your point that in this comparison the Omafiets just does everything a cruiser does, and more, and some things it does more are rather important for actual daily commuting.
@microMobilidade
2 жыл бұрын
You should try a beach cruiser ebike. These are great for that enviroment as you only need power on a couple hills and roads. And all the other time is relaxed commuting without the sweat
@sharpless
2 жыл бұрын
I've not tried a beach cruiser, but from what I've learned when looking for bikes: pick one that suit you. Last time I needed a new bike, I found one that I thought looked nice, and tried it, but it just felt wrong to bike on. Picked another bike, and that one felt much better, and ended up being the one I actually bought.
@PRH123
Жыл бұрын
You often see really bad geometry on beach cruiser bikes... they're not all created equal... The classic bikes of the 50's and 60's that they are supposedly modelled on, but not really, didn't suffer from this wierd geometry, so it's probably more often a result of a no name manufacturer slapping something together and getting it out the door as fast as possible....
@Janus1000
2 жыл бұрын
Cruisers/townies are the bike equivalent of a nice walk. I LOVE how they feel on a ride, all my other bikes are conducive to getting my heart rate to 180bpm.. this slows you down to enjoy the air, scenery and vibe ❤️
@jesusestrada5543
Жыл бұрын
I got a cheap walmart beach cruiser as my first singlespeed coaster bike and I loved it so much, I converted my 15 speed mountain bike to singlespeed. It makes it so much simpler to maintain now. I'm even in the process of turning a Huffy Cranbrook into a klunker bike (AKA a proto-mountain bike made from a cruiser/ newsboy bike frame, BMX bars, different seat, offroad tires and sometimes a lower sprocket ratio. First created in the 60s and 70s from junked bikes). So I really like cruiser bikes, since they're super simple and you'll never wreck a derailluer when going down a muddy trail. Just be prepared to not brake too hard or you will end up skidding your tires to the point of having flat spots, and feeling like you're riding in an old pickup truck with bias-ply tires on a cold morning. Which I guess helps with the whole 'vintage bike' vibe of everything creaking and hopping.
@dimitriosfotopoulos3689
2 жыл бұрын
Back in the day, the best thing you could do with a Beach Cruiser was to modify it into a klunker mountain bike by adding multiple speeds and drum brakes. Today, Beach Cruisers are gift bicycles best suited to be re-gifted to someone less knowledgeable about bikes.
@Shifter_Cycling
2 жыл бұрын
I love the idea of gifting them to somebody just getting into cycling.
@dimitriosfotopoulos3689
2 жыл бұрын
@@Shifter_Cycling Not a bad idea, sir; everybody has to start somewhere. But are you gaining a convert, turning off a potential cyclist, or setting someone on the path to an upgrade?
@another3997
2 жыл бұрын
@@dimitriosfotopoulos3689 This is the type of snobbish attitude that, unfortunately, still pervades much of the cycling world. Many people have a very narrow definition of what cycling and a cycle should be, and anything outside that is automatically inferior. They, encouraged by the bike industry, love to split cycling in to little boxes. Since the '70s, 'Roadies' showed contempt for anything without dropped bars and close ratio derailleurs. As MTBs became mainstream, their riders scoffed at anything without fat tires and ultra wide ratio gears. 'Fixed' riders show disdain for anything with gears or even a freewheel. BMX and 'Hybrids' joined beach cruisers, city bikes and tourers, and now we have 'gravel' bikes too. BMX and MTB have both split in to several distinct categories. Don't forget Recumbents and trikes either. None of them are perfect for everything.
@annesummers09
2 ай бұрын
This is the perfect bike for people who bike to the store, library, etc. I'm 71 and I love this bike. It is so comfortable to ride all day. Like a Dutch or Mamachari bike.
@jamesblackburn934
Жыл бұрын
Love beach cruisers! I've done several RAGBRAI's with a seven speed cruiser. Rear rack and panniers. Recently narrowed up the tires. Glad you liked it! Keep the great videos coming!
@marilynminer677
6 ай бұрын
Just want to say, Kudos to you for exploring and discovering how you actually respond now to something you've been reactive to in the past! We all have 'em, those "irrational reaction" areas. Good for you! And thanks for the information about beach cruisers and "city bikes"!
@unclepete100
2 жыл бұрын
First time EVER where I actually liked the background music in a KZitem video!! Hawaii-type appropriate, oh and thank you for dialling down the volume during the narration. 👍
@Luigi64
2 жыл бұрын
I've used a cruiser and they feel so heavy and clunky, I much prefer those dutch style step thru + swept back handlebars along with gears and hand brakes, that's peak commute bike for me
@tthomas184
2 жыл бұрын
Gears make all the difference.
@lsamoa
2 жыл бұрын
Same. Plus fenders, chainguards, skirtguards, built-in lock etc. All those things make Dutch and Dutch-style bikes the best commuter bikes.
@laurynw.5864
2 жыл бұрын
I have a beach cruiser that I use as my everyday commuter! The streets around here are AWFUL with potholes and the bigger tires handle them like a champ. I say all the time that if I had more of a “city” commuter the rims would have been bent within a week of me riding on the streets. I do think my bike sits up a little higher than the one you test rode, but other than that, I love my single speed, pedal brakes, big ol tire beach cruiser out on these city streets! Truly the amount of potholes cannot be understated, and I never see a bike lane on my ride to work, so sometimes it’s rough getting up higher inclines, but those big tires come in handy!
@napilopez
2 жыл бұрын
Your disdain for beach cruisers really surprised me because early on in my bike journey I basically thought they were the American equivalent of dutch bikes. Although they're not my own preference, one of the benefits to the laid back beach cruiser geometry is that you can have full or near-full leg extension while still being able to comfortably plant both feet on the ground at a stop -- no tip-toe-ing required. For a lot of people, that's a big deal.
@mkshffr4936
2 жыл бұрын
Yes, the closer you get to retirement the more these things matter.
@gloriagonzalez3811
Жыл бұрын
Greetings from Belize! Beach cruisers are the most affordable bikes we have here. They are very popular and people use them as method of transport. One thing i dont like doesnt have mud guard.
@Durandel
2 жыл бұрын
My bike is an old (2012) Giant Suede and it was listed as a hybrid Cruiser/City bike. The long wheelbase and feet forward position let me ride it for hours without pain which is saying something considering my weight and back issues. The best bike is the one you ride and keeps you from using an ICE vehicle. So glad I converted it to an e-bike over the summer. Hard to find many bikes that say they can handle 200 Kg without breaking the bank.
@DoubleRBlaxican
2 жыл бұрын
I have one of these, they absolutely suck going uphill. They are fine in flat areas or going downhill. Beach cruiser actually fits pretty well since it is usually pretty flat around a beach
@donrasky7783
Жыл бұрын
In the last five months, I've put roughly 2,500 miles on an EBC Model E cruiser style eBike. At age 60, I did my first mountains-sea 100 mile ride going from Corona, CA to roughly where the Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach, CA. I have found the cruiser style bicycle to be practical and comfortable and capable for me. This all said, my eBike can manage 400 lbs of passenger and gear, has front suspension, basket, rear rack, panniers, a 7 spd, and a suspension seat post. Personally, I enjoy it. It is also capable of cruising at 20 - 25 mph or 10 - 15 mph without using the e-motor. I also upgraded the tires and the gears to more personally suit my needs.
@catfishdog
2 жыл бұрын
I live 4 blocks from the beach and have an old rusty Electra that I use for walking my dog and riding around the neighborhood. If it was my only bike I’m sure it would be fine but for commuting I use a Surly Straggler. Beach cruisers are being phased out, at least here in San Diego, by e-bikes. When I started doing a train/bike commute in 2016, one of the six regulars on my car had an e bike. Now it’s 50/50.
@Shifter_Cycling
2 жыл бұрын
I totally see e-bikes taking over in the way you describe.
@completesalvation1755
Жыл бұрын
A cruiser bike with front and back brakes (calipers) is a great ebike conversion option. I would be sure that it’s a good bike though because it’s more like a moped. Also never use a front hub motor because eventually you’ll break off the front fork. It is a serious undertaking because you have to consider all the electrical issues such as watts, volts, battery, waterproofing and a torque arm. (So the motor won’t spin off the bike) This does overcome all the issues with fat tires hills and getting through traffic. I really like my cruiser ebike conversion. I added a suspension seat stem and it is very comfortable and easy to use.
@joecanuck3751
2 жыл бұрын
Promotion of cruisers and dutch-style bikes would be a great way to get more people pedalling. When did we loose touch with comfortable riding?
@RiversRun597
Жыл бұрын
Lots of chuckles all the way through - thanks!
@AdlerMow
Жыл бұрын
Can you do a video on the advantages of a 24 inch adult bike? Its very small, light and tight cornering!
@KeithLeong
2 жыл бұрын
Another great video. Glad you came here to Hawaii. Can't wait to watch your video about our bike infrastructure.
@pacificostudios
Жыл бұрын
I lived in Honolulu for ten years. It was really fun mentally tracking all your riding. Personally, I rode a 150 cc motor scooter as my daily driver, as well as used the city bus system that goes all around the island. Obviously, one can't put the scooter on a bus, so I always thought about getting a cycle, but I had the same traffic-related concerns that you did.
@sebarocznik79
2 жыл бұрын
As I didn't like the original riding position, I had to modify my 2003 Trek Woody to become a more friendly city commuter. Five speed internal hub was first to come. Then more sporty slim seat and regular straight handlebar. And a huge mud guard. I've added panniers on the rear rack and proper lights front and back. Spring fork and baloon tires do the job :) I've been riding downtown Honolulu and few other places in Hawaiian Islands many years back and I loved it. Great memories. Greeting from 🇵🇱
@williamwallace3780
2 жыл бұрын
Looking at early motorcycles, the other day, I was surprised at how close they actually looked to some of those beach cruisers. And now you can get ebikes that look like both.
@mausmalone
Жыл бұрын
I got myself a hybrid bike several years back so I could keep up with my kid and that was kind of my gateway into cycling around town for utility. It was a great change and it's been arguably good for my health, but I'm a pretty big guy (with a pretty big gut) and all that compression on my stomach can sometimes make pedaling a chore, and it does weird things to my lower back. Then I came across a beach cruiser for like $10 at a garage sale and I figured I'd pick it up for my wife so we could ride together and, well, /she/ never started using it but when I have ample spare time I'll use it for errands around town. The springy seat, balloon tires and upright position are all a lot easier on my lower back, and since I'm leaning back I don't have to work so hard to pedal it.
@GreenTurtle76
2 жыл бұрын
I ride my heavy cruiser 2.1 miles each way to work everyday. Eventually your legs get used to it and you can keep up a decent pace while staying comfortable, Albeit I live in a relatively flat city. I think cruisers are good for commuting and regular maintenance not really being a thing is a plus.
@mrkipple2080
2 жыл бұрын
I got a Jamis Boss Cruiser. and the gears broke so I made it a single speed with a freewheel and a handbrake. I've put over 1500 miles on it. it's rugged , dependable, comfortable and like you said fun 😊
@CoreyBrass
2 жыл бұрын
I'm honestly shocked to learn their is a bike you despised. I've always had the mentality that I love ALL bike...some I love more then others, but I love all things on 2 wheels. I've been eyeballing Prioritys Beach Cruiser for some time now because of the style, belt drive, and internal gears.
@Shifter_Cycling
2 жыл бұрын
Well, after this experience, I can't say I despise a beach cruiser anymore
@CoreyBrass
2 жыл бұрын
@@Shifter_Cycling in fact I just went to Prioritys site and they now have their beach cruiser with the cvt in it. If it was avaliable in their charcoal I'd order it today. I'm still eyeballing that 7 speed though.
@MikeSchmidt969
2 жыл бұрын
I can't believe my wife and I just left our Honolulu vacation last Friday and here you are posting a video from there. Thank you so much for your work. I got the bug to start riding to the office this past summer, but my hands would go numb on my mountain bike 5 mins into my 2.5 mile ride. So I've slowly converted that mountain bike into a cruiser of sorts. I got a cushy saddle, and a 300mm stem which I admit looks ridiculous. I put some road tires on it and presto! Awkward, weird, 21 gear, road bike/cruiser. But, my weight is off my hands and I'm sitting upright. And my feet are under me rather than in front of me, which I like better for power when I need it. I've watched so many of your videos for inspiration and motivation. Keep up the great work!
@tthomas184
2 жыл бұрын
Swept back or riser handlebars would help alot. I think many of them look better then straight also. There are many angles and degrees of rise to choose from.
@MikeSchmidt969
2 жыл бұрын
@@tthomas184 Oh yes! I forgot that. I replaced the handle bars as well. 😁
@glitch_pope
Жыл бұрын
I really love my cruiser. I live in Russia and it's a russian-made bike. It called Stinger Cruiser 7sp Men. It has 7-speed Shimano planetary gearbox, front disk brake, rear coaster brake and it's qute a fast thing. And long too, mind you. In fact, it's around 2 meters long. It has wide tires, enourmous fenders and the pedals actually moved a bit furher to front. I've also installed a big Brooks B190 saddle on it, ergonomic grips and moved the handlebar as much backwards as I could. I even installed the rear view mirrors, so yeah, it does look like a motorcycle exepct I couldn't manage to install the speedometer lol. But I'm sitting upright like a boss. Yeah it's kinda weird for pedaling, but I'm using it in Moscow and it's quite... alright? It ends up a quite comfy thing and people constantly ask about it. And most of them initally think it's a grandpa's bike lol.
@Cycle2life
Жыл бұрын
I use my beach cruiser as my commuter bike. I live in Daytona beach Florida.
@paulcaine2603
Жыл бұрын
I have a full-on Ventura Cruiser that I picked off a rubbish heap. It's now my bike of choice. Anything thing over 10 plus K I'll take my street bike. The cruisers' wide tyres makes cutting across large grassed park areas a snack you hardly loose any speed. Unpaved laneways, gravel tracks, it just eats them. Hopping kerbs and gutters, easy. It's weighs a ton, it's single speed, has crap brakes. Its a bandit of a urban cross-country machine. I nicked named it "The Titanic" I'm sure it will sink me one day.
@brunocyclist
2 ай бұрын
You should try a recumbent if you get the chance. They're amazingly comfortable, a lot of fun and deceptively fast.
@longrider42
2 жыл бұрын
Due to my bad vision, I've never been able to drive. I've ridden many a bike over the years. I'm 60 years old now and I ride a 2 wheeled recumbent, that I installed a electric hub motor on the front wheel. So its a pretty complex machine now. But a good beach cruiser, would be nice. Of course I would trick it out with at least a 7 if not a 9 speed rear hub and rim brakes, and racks, and a hitch for my trailer. But they look so comfortable to ride. Upright so you are looking around and seeing things that most do not. Oh, and PLEASE wear a helmet. I just found your channel. P.S. you can get some really good high pressure "Balloon" tires for a beach cruiser.
@smilingdog2219
4 ай бұрын
There are dozens of setups for the beach cruiser. If I'm not trying to gain miles it's suit the needs to have a casual cruiser. How your body is built makes a difference. How long you plan on cruising each trip also makes a difference as to your type of seat, single gear or multi gear. Fat tire, knobby tire, or narrow street tires. You can make a cruiser as comfortable as a lazy boy recliner and as easy to pedal as any 18 speed. The only issues I have with beach cruising is the sharing of the board walk with pedestrians, we have to be safe and thoughtful of others.
@steveskuras2515
2 жыл бұрын
My recommendation is DO NOT WEAR FLIP FLOPS when riding any bike! Your foot can slip off the pedal and land in the spokes of the front wheel. Believe me...I know😫
@stephaniestephers4586
2 жыл бұрын
What I don't understand is the assumption that if your bike is your main source of transit, then you must live in a city. I live out in the country and my bike is my main mode of getting around and I'd say having a bike is more important in rural areas because we don't have public transit out here and everythings farther to walk to. If you don't have a bike, then its an hour walk to the nearest store so unless you're rich and can afford a car then you're not going to have a good time but if I had the kind of money to afford a car, I'd have money to move to the city but as long as I'm stuck out here a bike is vital.
@Zatteneus
2 жыл бұрын
Real dutch bikes (omafiets/opoefiets) are also mostly single speed the bike handle is high above your seat height but the pedals are less forward than with your beach cruiser making it easier to put accelerate.
@oAPXo
2 жыл бұрын
I went to a college that was right by a beach and a little beach town, most of the bikes were fixies/single speeds or mountain bikes. But there were a few beach cruisers and well... with the university having a great bike routes around and in the campus, it was hell trying to ride past the cruisers, the handlebars were wide to where it was hard to bike past them. Also annoying due to the handlebars making locking up our bikes hell because cables would get snagged up.
@wtftony9975
5 ай бұрын
I love beach cruisers, but hey, im from a tropical island. We are about that laid-back lifestyle, but islanders also love some mtbs as well.
@christophermorin9036
2 жыл бұрын
"Big, Balloon type tires are so much more work to pedal." You mean "Normal" tires? Not 1 inch wide, pencil thin strips of rubber?
@dougscrubjay3939
Жыл бұрын
I bought a 1970's Schwinn Typhoon at the thrift store in 1987 for $12.50. At the time I considered it a 'disposable' bike to be ridden in the snow and ice of Minneapolis for a year or two and then 35 years later I still have it. I've replaced everything but the fenders and the frame at least once and I've put thousands of miles on it. I have had a 3-speed internal coaster-brake hub on it the last couple of decades. It's a great urban bike - sturdy, good traction, not attractive to thieves, very comfortable. It's heavy, not super-efficient, but great in rain or snow or even on ice. Not great on steep hills, and yeah, not at all a performance bike. Not fast, but cheap and good. Most of my commutes have been sub-3 miles, so high-tech yuppie bikes would be excessive.
@100toeface
4 ай бұрын
I added super high ape hangers to my ebike, along with a suspension seatpost, now I can ride without constant butt and back pain. Its a fact that upright riding position = best comfort. The problem with the beach cruiser is it is too low tech. The handlebars and geometry are great for comfort, it just needs better tires and more high performance gearing/parts.
@darwinskeeper421
Жыл бұрын
What is your take on the Electra Townie? My first bike when I got back into cycling was a Townie 7D, which has a freewheel, and 7 speeds. It really felt like a cross between a beach cruiser and a hybrid bike. It feels fairly stable and comfortable, and was easy to get into after being away from bikes for over a decade but with the aluminum frame, hand brakes and 7 speeds, it moves a lot quicker than I had expected. If I were the kind of person who had the nerve to commute on a bicycle, I think the Townie would be a good way to go. The Townie is a fairly rugged bike and can handle heavy riders much better than my Trek Verve. The only objection I have is that the longer chain is prone to stretching when the bike is ridden aggressively by heavy riders. If Electra produced a Townie with a Gates carbon belt drive and a 7 speed Shimano hub, I'd seriously consider replacing my Verve with one.
@missmolliepink
5 ай бұрын
I live in San Diego and commute by e-bike to Ocean Beach several days a week. E-bike for me because of age, hills and distance. BUT, for people living in OB, many use cruisers as their main transportation. OB is a throwback beach village. It's flat and has all the things a good 15 minute city has. Restaurants, two groceries (more if you head just a mile inland toward Point Loma) hardware store, post office, library, tons of coffee houses and ice cream places, of course. Since OB is flat and the cars mostly "get it," lots of people do really well with cruisers as their main bike. Interestingly, the village itself has almost no bike infrastructure. But there is a nice separate bikeway getting into it from the east. Other directions have a harder time, especially due to an e-bike ban through most of the safer routes. So, if you live in a beach area with most amenities local, cruisers are great! But for most of us, they are not the best main bike.
@stevenmay8763
Жыл бұрын
I live in northeast Texas I have a Kent Margaritaville beach cruiser every day I have it really low geared for hills and inclines but still have a consistent speed of about 10 to 15 mph maybe even 20 mph depending on the weather
@yesterdaytech9569
8 ай бұрын
I like how wide your handel bars are.
@garrettsaulnier2651
7 ай бұрын
I have a 3 speed cruiser and it’s simple enough for cruising and the extra two gears are for small hills and when I need to get around traffic really fast.
@Hdtjdjbszh
2 жыл бұрын
The huge rake on the fork, and the big tyres, make beach cruisers the perfect bike for electric cargo carrying. The best bike I have ever ridden for carrying a lot of stuff, without being a full on cargo bike, was an electric cruiser with a huge front rack and a long rear one.
@fjp3305
2 жыл бұрын
I had a Schwinn 3-speed beach cruiser. I used it all over. Could climb hills with it, but it was like a truck. I bought a Trek Mtb in 1992. I left the cruiser in the basement of a condo I used to live. Sometimes I wish I had brought the frame with me.
@SuperSuperka
6 ай бұрын
I love city bicycle rides and photographing cityscapes. I own common 28" Scott bicycle and I absolutly hate that I need to jump off on my stops. I absolutly want cruiser bike - so that my legs reach the ground on stops.
@elcochipit
8 ай бұрын
valuable information! thank´s for share
@Scott-J
Жыл бұрын
Rode my first cruiser earlier this year. The coaster brake was a real problem. Hard to modulate and my natural instinct is to grab for a lever. Also hated the swooping handlebars. They feel so disconnected from the front end. You don't steer, you pull one side and hope. I was very uncomfortable over 10mph (16kph). I think the seating position made the front/rear weight balance just feel wrong.
@Rexluna1
2 жыл бұрын
I’m from a beach town and go to college 1100 miles away, and I like having a beach cruiser because it reminds me of biking everywhere with my family back at home. I do have an electric bike to make biking to class in the Louisiana heat easier, but when I decide to go to the bars, the old rusty beach cruiser is perfect because 1: no one will bother to cut the cable lock to steal it and 2: it’s better to bike intoxicated on a simple pedal bike than an ebike that can go 28mph. I don’t need a mountain bike because the maintenance is a pain in the butt with the brakes, and the hunched over riding position and small seat are not for me. And the skinny tires of commuter bikes are not the best for the atrocious roads in Louisiana.
@leonbednarski6409
Жыл бұрын
I have several. My fave has triple suspension (I added suspension seatstays and a banana seat) and 18 speeds. It’s made of aluminum and I can keep up with some roadies/fixie guys with no issues….
@David-ys4xb
2 жыл бұрын
I got an old Trek 800 with Ovaltech 3x6 for free. Gonna clean it up and make it my cruiser. Not sure what year it is, I'm thinking early to mid 90s.
@elliotcowell3139
2 жыл бұрын
My mum had a beach cruiser when I was a teenager and I used to use it all the time because despite being heavy and difficult to go long distances on it was the single most comfortable bicycle I've ever ridden.
@deano1873
2 жыл бұрын
Ok..... I'm a bit confused by putting a Dutch Bike in the the city bike category.... I think of a city bike as basically a racer with nice ergonomics, whereas a traditional Dutch bike has more similarities with the beach cruiser... ie comfortable but slow. Aside from this I agree entirely with your assessment... bikes like cruisers are comfy to ride and good under limited conditions... but putting alot more riding effort in doesn't translate to much more speed, which you really want for a practical bike. That said most of the problems of a beach cruiser could be fixed if a little bit of design effort went into making it practical and not 100% on the look.
@lostmothii
2 жыл бұрын
As someone who could only afford the bikes on Facebook marketplace, the cruiser is just fine for me 😂 I've never seen a city bike on marketplace here
@mark52111
8 ай бұрын
Plenty of cruiser style bikes with gears and v-brakes (which i think are vastly superior to pedal brakes). And can always throw on some 1.5" wide higher pressure slick tires to reduce rolling resistance (for about $60 plus labor).
@itsPenguinBoy
Жыл бұрын
This would be a beautiful ebike conversion
@MichaelPattiruhu
2 жыл бұрын
I just noticed that your bike doesn't have a light on it. Are bikes without lights allowed on the streets in the U.S.?
@kenelder9615
2 ай бұрын
does the chain ever come off or break? Then you have no brakes
@heikirebane8579
2 жыл бұрын
You should dry Electra Straight 8, its bigger cruiser with fat tires and 8 internal speeds!
@spoonsnaper
2 жыл бұрын
Whoa you came to my hometown how did I miss this bummer 🤙🏿
@densitydad
2 жыл бұрын
Did I miss the review on those pedals that light up? Those look awesome
@tracygee
2 жыл бұрын
Man, how do you have a beach cruiser and not take it on the beach and ride the hard pack??? Now THAT is something you cannot do with your city bike. There's a reason for those balloon tires.
@biglewtoo6047
Жыл бұрын
I love my cruiser (Electra Cruiser 1), but I don’t live in the city. I live in the country. You said that you; “don’t want to be judgmental” about the way people use their bikes and then said beach cruisers you angry. Well I live an hour and half’s drive north of the nearest beach. However, I do live in a rural country area of southern Louisiana. The terrain is fairly flat. I’m in my fifties, I’m a bit overweight with an arthritic knee. I had two major surgeries on that knee when I was a young man. A fall at high speeds on bicycle would hospitalize me. I have no intention of traveling fast on a bicycle. My single speed cruiser bike, allows me to have some enjoyable leisurely exercise up, down and around the rural country lanes where I live. I don’t have to go anywhere fast I just enjoy the ride and I don’t even need a helmet cruising along at five to six miles an hour. Being single speed it requires little maintenance. Cruiser bike is perfect for what I need. I don’t live in a city I don’t need a city bike as you do. I understand your desire for bicycles to replace the dependence on motorized vehicles, and go you as a city dweller that is noble goal. However for an old man like me that lives in out in the sticks, 21 miles from the nearest Walmart, it is impractical for any bicycle to replace my pick-up truck. Besides my truck can Cary bike for me when I want to ride in towns or cities. Please don’t get angry at cruiser bike riders. It is perfect for what I need, the way your city bike is perfect for what you need.
@maxring837
2 жыл бұрын
Balloon tyres typically run around 40psi, rarely go flat and only need a top up once a month. When I rode on skinnies they needed a top up once a day and suffered regular flats. So much for efficient. Give me Balloon tyres any day.
@TenFalconsMusic
6 ай бұрын
Somewhere out there... A little old lady is wondering where her blue bike with crate basket is.
@Gaming_Groove
Жыл бұрын
I've got an old schwinn beach cruiser that is unfortunately a very uncomfortable ride. Handlebars just go too far back for my arm length, which is uncomfortable on my wrists, and the lack of additional gears and handbrakes make other aspects of the ride less enjoyable for me. I've thought about adding an internal gear hub, hand brake, and more comfortable handlebars, but for the cost and labor involved I think I'm going to just save up for a proper dutch bike.
@stevenmay8763
2 жыл бұрын
One thing that as a rider of a beach cruiser northeast Texas for years now I beat cruisers not all that bad especially when it's one that has gears other at the six speed or seven speed heck even internal hub 3 speed makes a difference
@Rose_Butterfly98
2 жыл бұрын
Are the tires that bad? Wider tires usually have lower rolling resistance though. It's only at higher speeds past 30kph that the aerodynamics start to affect it. I go up hills faster on my mountain bike than on my road bike and my mountain bike has wider tires than most beach cruisers. Also launch faster on my MTB but that's more of the riding position and after the launch , my road bike will accelerate much faster just because it's more than 5 kg lighter. Then again, depends on the tires, I have Schwalbe Hurricanes on and they're basically street style tires in the middle.
@nighteyeson
Жыл бұрын
So where do you find a dutch style commuter in walmart ??
@lihtan
2 жыл бұрын
There are modern version of cruiser bikes that have lightweight aluminum frames, derailleur or hub gearing, and proper brakes. Let's not forget that mountain bikes got their start by borrowing from the cruiser bike parts catalog.
@505Lucky7
2 жыл бұрын
I Love to ride my ‘62 Schwinn American all over the city. It’s like a time machine! I also have a ‘76 Schwinn Speedster, among many others. 😎
@stuarthirsch
2 жыл бұрын
With banana seat and playing cards cloth pinned to make a bike song on the spokes.
@bradleydawson9043
2 жыл бұрын
I hate mine. Anyone want it? The thing I like is the step thru feet down while you're on the seat geometry. I kick myself for not getting a multispeed, rim brake version. I had to do an emergency stop, with the pedals and being unused to pedal brakes, I didn't get my feet down quickly enough to avoid falling over. I don't like that there is no freewheel or backward pedaling to get in position to push off and start pedaling. It always seems like my feet are in the wrong position to get going. The single speed is not good either. I like at least three. One or low gears for starting and climbing, the second or middle gears for cruising, and higher or third gear for going faster when necessary, like getting through the traffic light.
@tedo3332
2 жыл бұрын
Try a stretch cruiser! I have a seven speed 1997 Dyno roadster that is the Cadillac of my town bike lane.
@dukeloo
2 жыл бұрын
Wow in Hawaii! I love Beach Cruisers! What about potholes? Nice music!
@IGreyKnightI
Жыл бұрын
I am sorry but what is the difference between dutch bike and beach cruiser?
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