Hi, I just bought my first bike and I'm living in a relatively bike friendly place (portland, OR).
Cutting to the chase, I didn't do a lot of research about urban riding- I ended up getting a 7 speed Electra cruiser used for $175 usd but it is kinda in a weird spot maintenance wise (rust everywhere flywheel to shift cable).
Regardless of maintenance (I'm okay with fixing it) I was looking more in commuting threads and have been getting the feeling I made a mistake getting a cruiser. In all honesty I don't see myself commuting beyond a 3 mile radius. But I'm mostly wondering if I've made a grave error.
I still find the bike really cute which is why I got it, but I feel kinda that cruisers aren't really something people use. Thoughts? feelings?
by Thepizzabunnygirl
37 Comments
Consider this a learning bike. And once you get a feel for what you do or don’t like about this one, it will inform your for whenever you feel ready to get something different.
Ride what you have, the best bike, is the one available to you, and of the right size for your measurements.
Your butt is about to hurt from getting your tailbone smushed but that can be fixed with a different seat. These types of handle bars are my favorite though because the pressure that comes with straight ones is annoying. So it really depends on if you plan to just cruise, which there is nothing wrong with that, or if you’re trying to get faster and all that jazz.
Comfortable and relaxed for 3mi commute seems fine.
I started with a $100 80s steel mountain bike with knobby tires and bottom tier components. Worked enough to show me I was serious about bike commuting.
My wife has been happily commuting on her Electra 7-speed cruiser for over 20 years!
We replaced the rear wheel with a fresh 7-speed a few years ago when it finally started slipping real bad, but otherwise it has only needed tires and tubes all those years.
My very first commuting bike was a beach cruiser. Rode it 13 miles to work for two years. Eventually got a road bike because it was faster but that cruiser has a special place in my heart
I never would’ve rode as much if my first bike was a road bike, simply because they’re less comfortable for new riders. This bike looks like a great machine to start up on and it’ll do wonderfully for short trips
Take the advice from any mostly American bike groups with a grain of salt, there is this weird hatred for any bike that is upright or in any way more comfortable or aren’t built for high performances, ride what you are comfortable riding and what works for you.
If you have no intention to do long distance, a cruiser is perfectly good option.
This isn’t the first cruiser I’ve seen with the bars angled wat up to the sky like that. How the hell do you even hold them? Do you hold them on the outside with a reverse grip or something? I always have to have cruiser bars pointed slightly downward to be comforable
I’ve got a cruiser for my short commute (just under 5 miles round-trip) and for my trips to the grocery store and the like. I love it a lot and people give me compliments constantly. I can’t speak for this particular bike, but mine makes my days a little better because it brings me and others so much joy.
A 7-speed cruiser can be fine for a short commute as long as it is geared low enough to get you over any hills you need to cross and the bike fits you. For lower maintenance commuter I would want a belt drive with IGH, but you’ll find your chain maintenance routine. You might have overpaid for the bike’s condition (but what is done is done there and I certainly think this bike is worth fixing up for the usage you describe).
I think a cruiser is perfect for 3 mile rides. Especially since that one has full fenders installed. The only thing I would change is putting some spiky BMX pedals on there. I generally wear trail running or light hiking shoes to work and spiky pedals really help keeping my feet on the pedals. As another poster mentioned, extreme hills can be tough but if you don’t ride in hilly neighborhoods you’ll be good.
I commute with a cruiser. It’s more than 3.5 miles. It’s comfortable which is what I care about.
That’s a perfectly suitable bike for the most of the flat parts of Portland.
> but it is kinda in a weird spot maintenance wise (rust everywhere flywheel to shift cable)
Replace the cables and cable sleeves, don’t worry too much about the rest.
Bikes can handle a little external rust. It looks fine.
Do get it professionally lubricated tho, you don’t want water in the headset or crank.
I drive a cruiser. It’s a little slower but A LOT more comfortable. For $175 you made a good choice.
Commuting 3 miles can be done on just about anything. For me, cruisers hurt my back and ass, so I would never do it, but that’s me. I ride 16 miles round trip on a commuter/touring setup with drop bars.
Ride it. Enjoy it. You won’t be very fast. But that’s ok.
When you do it for awhile and kind of earn your new bike, well, then treat yo’self.
Have fun!
Good luck!
That bike looks awesome. Maybe have some fun and paint it to give it more of your personality
Honestly, if you like or love it, then it is all good. I am born and raised in Portland. When I lived in the hills, I always wanted something with a triple chainring for commuting. When I lived on NW 23rd or SE 25th/Burnside, a 7 speed cruiser would have been totally fine. Don’t let anyone tell you you bought the wrong bike if the bike suits your needs and you enjoy it.
That bike looks great! Ride the hell out of it.
good video to watch if you’re unsure about if you need a new bike or not:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZk2jV5gJbM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZk2jV5gJbM)
Hey as far as the short commute you’re talking about it’s actually a good choice I’d get those handlebars adjusted so they are comfortable to reach and still allow you to sit relatively upright. I’ve found that an upright position is better for visibility in city traffic and your view of said traffic is also clearer making it a lot safer to ride. I had an older Fuji Crosstown 3.0 that I rode in Chicago for many years and when i decided to go electric I tried out many of the bikes available and decided just to use a conversion kit on my old bike. The upright seating position gives me such a clear view of the path. You’re going to find it’s a pleasant riding experience for commuting and never worry about how others feel about your bike they aren’t riding it! Only downside to those older cruisers is the weight but it’s also less likely to get damaged by bad roads on accidents.
Looks like a fun bike! And it’s better than no bike at all. I agree with other posters to use this to learn your likes and dislikes. Enjoy it!
That is such a cute bike I wish I had one!
I rode cruisers around town for years until I started getting older and then I bought an ebilke
Looks great. I’ve owned tonnes of bikes and would love to have one like this. In fact I briefly did and it was so cool. Really laid back.
Same with any bike, you only really know if it’s right for you after using it for a bit.
Be proud of having an unusual bike. It’s a badge of honour.
On a technical note, bikes like this put a bit more weight onto your bum and bit less onto your genitals, which is a healthy move.
7 years ago, I bought an Electra Townie. Not quite a cruiser, but close enough. It’s a super comfortable, long wheelbase and easy to ride bike. Daily commuter. 10 mile round trip. Her name is Lulu and I love her.
4 years ago, I bought a Priority Continuum Onyx – a very fancy commuter. It has a short wheelbase, much stiffer geometry and it became my daily commuter. Her name is Jolene (she stole Lulu’s man) and I love her.
Sometime last year, and I don’t remember why, I rode Lulu into the office and was surprised – shocked really – by how much more comfortable she is. I haven’t been on Jolene much in the last year or so.
What I’m saying is, I don’t think you’ve made a mistake at all.
For a 3 mi radius, that’s a perfectly good choice
I think it having 7 speeds, a rack and a basket makes it fairly practical. Plus it will be comfortable. It may not be fast, but you can get a fast bike later!
I mean I wouldn’t commute on that, but 3 miles in bike friendly Portland is easy even on that.
Just learn and use it. Whatever gets you biking is a good bike.
Yeah, that’s a good price, but not a commuter. Unless it’s a very short commute
Happy riding! Dont regret your choice due to what others say. I commuted 10+ miles on a crappy steel fixed gear with riser bars. It felt comfortable for me. Sure we’ll get passed by some roadie on a carbon fiber bike with spandex, but who cares? The back rack looks lovely for some panniers too
Looks sturdy, comfortable, and able to do the job. Looks fine, IMHO. Seeing it, it makes me miss my mamachari.
People will say what they want, just because they can, even when they’re not relevant to the decision-making process (i.e., they didn’t pay for the bike nor are they willing to buy you the bike they’re endorsing). Let them.
It’s your bike. Your money bought it, not theirs. They have no right to judge your purchase, just as you have no right to judge theirs. If they snark at you or bully you, outside of physical violence, all they’ve got going for them is hot air.
And you know what else is hot air? Vehicle exhausts, made up of pollutants.
Their noise is just that, pollutants that we don’t need in our lives.
Ride safe and enjoy your bike!
Not bad for short commutes. Already has fenders, a rear rack and a front basket! [Here](https://youtu.be/ph7d2H77tks?si=kj2fT3uDGILQY0mp) is a video on how to do basic adjustments.
Note: He left out a few things on adjusting the stem height. 1. After you loosen the expander bolt a couple turns you might have to whack it with a wood or rubber mallet, or use a regular hammer with a piece of wood (like a short length of 2 x 4) between. This should free the wedge and allow you to move the stem. 2. When you re-tighten it you have to align the stem with the front wheel so your handlebars are even, not crooked. 3. The mark that he mentions is the minimum insertion mark. It exists for safety. You should never ride a bike that has it showing because the stem could break while you’re riding.
ETA: With this style of handlebars probably the last thing I’d do is move the stem, but it does appear to be as far down as it can go…so *maybe* you will want to. I would definitely rotate the bars to have the grips close to level with the ground, not pointed upward so much. Would probably do that first and then decide on the stem position.
2nd edit: To be clear: saddle, then bar angle, then think about bar height (the stem). Because maybe you won’t have to move the stem…but IDK how tall you are, lol.
You’re on a bike, not in a car: love seeing that.
You’re riding a cool looking cruiser: love seeing that.
You’ll know when it’s time for the next bike: you got this. Your bike, your choice.
The fenders and a basket are super practical choices. Most of the general public are clueless about bicycles. I think this bicycle is neat. Most people don’t care about what you are riding. Bicycle folks who want to engage will probably be nice. A higher end bicycle is probably more likely to be stolen. I ride used and vintage bikes for my commute. Having a rack on the back, fenders, and basket on the front make this a nice commuter setup.
you might want to paint it a different color besides white
There is a reason why most dutch bikes are sit up cruisers.
Late to the party. [Here’s a video](https://youtu.be/aESqrP3hfi8) on why these kinds of bikes are great.
I love my cruiser!!!!!! They’re so much more comfortable than the other kind. I think you made the right choice!!