Beach Cruiser

[samsays]

I'm lucky enough to spend summers on an island with no cars, just bikes. I need a new beach cruiser. Suggestions please...

Must haves:
-Huge Basket
-Fat Tires
-Horn
-Big comfy seat
-Sex appeal

Preferably less than $1,000. :beer:

Cheers,
Sam

[xjoex]

I had the nirve kilroy, it looked really cool. Heavy as a tank, but everyone smiled and waved.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IwIXeZzE35Q/SZHZ71g_90I/AAAAAAAABdU/8Ezbqb1n9os/s640/DSC_2303.jpg

[christian]

Coconino.

http://juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/PicsFeb2007/075.jpg

[Cat3roadracer]

Breezer Ignaz X for me.

I would try to find a Merlin Newsboy, the perfect cruiser.

[Aaron O]

I'd probably go one of two ways, depending on how I wanted to use it:

1. Get an old beach cruiser, Schwinn balloon tank of some sort, for no more than $200 and enjoy riding in style. A basket should be easy to have put on, get a sprung Brooks and pick up an Airzound. You should be able to do this for under $400ish without being cheap or patient.

2. Buy an older 90s titanium MTB frame...they usually go at insanely low prices all things considered. Build it up as a single speed MTB and add the stuff above. I think it could be done well under $1,000 so long as you don't buy brand new, latest greatest, parts and wheels.

[Ken Robb]

Is it a salt air environment? Do you leave the bike there year-round? Most beach cruisers I see here at the ocean have serious corrosion in less than a year so I would not invest many $$ in one. By definition they aren't "fast" so I'd get one with a comfy riding position and a saddle that's good while you're wearing a swim suit. Rather than the usual b.c. pedals I would use MKS Touring or Grip Kings as sold by Rivendell.

OTOH how about one of the porteur style bikes or a Big Dummy?

[AngryScientist]

cheap and easy:

$199 shipped from bikes direct. aluminum frame that doesnt rust. done.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/images/sand_al_blu_500.jpg

[Jaq]

"Huge Basket" and "Sex Appeal" are mutually exclusive terms.

That said, toss a wicker basket on a Pashley Guv'nor 1 or 3 speed, and it's pretty sweet. Toss a couple cans of cat food and some lanolin in the basket, and you might even charm the Depends off some willin' old gal.

http://www.pashley.co.uk/guvnor/images/imgGuvnorMain_03.jpg

[samsays]

Is it a salt air environment? Do you leave the bike there year-round? Most beach cruisers I see here at the ocean have serious corrosion in less than a year so I would not invest many $$ in one. By definition they aren't "fast" so I'd get one with a comfy riding position and a saddle that's good while you're wearing a swim suit. Rather than the usual b.c. pedals I would use MKS Touring or Grip Kings as sold by Rivendell.

OTOH how about one of the porteur style bikes or a Big Dummy?


Yes - salt air and we do see serious corrosion on most bikes. Kept there year round as well. I will remain economical, but still curious to hear opinions. :beer:

[samsays]

"Huge Basket" and "Sex Appeal" are mutually exclusive terms.

That said, toss a wicker basket on a Pashley Guv'nor 1 or 3 speed, and it's pretty sweet. Toss a couple cans of cat food and some lanolin in the basket, and you might even charm the Depends off some willin' old gal.

http://www.pashley.co.uk/guvnor/images/imgGuvnorMain_03.jpg


I find nothing more sexy then a huge basket.

[charliedid]

I'd get this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Schwinn-Tiger-Bicycle-1958-/160726789756?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256c102e7c#ht_500wt_1201

Or this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-Schwinn-Chicago-19-Hornet-26-Wheels-Tuned-VgC-Vintage-Cruiser-Bicycle-/290655733072?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ac6e8550#ht_949wt_953

[Jaq]

Airwalk from Target 160.00

http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/12/93/12930499.jpg

Huffy from Target 120.00

http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/82/13823687.jpg

[bigflax925]

I'm holding out for one of these...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GV9Bi8yg-xE/TIFR5Mh0mWI/AAAAAAAAB0s/r-ZSfFhbJ6o/s400/Hanebrink01.jpg

[Ken Robb]

Another factoid: My bikefriday New World Tourist easily allows a HUGE saddlebag to hang from the loops on its Brooks saddle and stuff I put in the bag can't bounce out. It has a sidestand and is often my errand-runner. It fits easily in almost any car and with its hard case can be easily and safely shipped so you wouldn't have to leave it unused on the island over the off-season.