Seeking a geared cruiser - blasphemy, I know!

[Tahl]

Hi all,

Well, let me lay it on the table ... I'm seeking a cruiser/comfort style bike with at least 7 gears.

Now, I'd be the sort of person who'd happily slog away with the true-to-type fixed gear versions if only I hadn't had hip surgery that means I can't stand when I pedal. I also need to be able to put my feet flat on the ground when I stop at traffic lights without getting off the bike.

To fill in a few blanks, I'm a girl in my late 20's seeking a retro way to get to work in a hilly area of Victoria. Shapes I love are the Electra Cruisers and Amsterdams, the Skull x Bones shapes and anything else with that kind of feel. I'm not such a fan of the Townies and Urbans for shape.

Also, I'm kind of in love with balloon tyres right now, go figure.

Why I'm here asking you fine people questions is that I'm prepared to shell out a reasonable amount of money for the right bike, but so far, I haven't quite come across something that has the specs as well as the feel I'm after ... and you guys would be the ones in the know, right?

What are your favourite geared cruisers for women? Where are the best places to test ride/buy in Victoria or online?

Cheers folks, much appreciated

[hartleymartin]

By the sounds of what you want, I'd have to say that you want to get yourself an Electra "Townie"





They come in several versions. 3-speed hub, 8-speed hub, 7-speed derailer, and 21-speed derailer gears. This last version with 21-speed (3x7) derailer gearing sounds like the sort of bicycle you want. You might get some modifications done to the drive train to give you a real low set of gear for hill-climbing. I'd recommend a 48/36/24 set of chainrings and a 13-34 7-speed cassette on the rear, which will give you a good range of gears for doing anything except going super-fast (which is all wrong for a cruiser bicycle anyway).

The Electra Townie's geometry means that you can put your feet flat on the ground when commuting - a big selling point for this bicycle. In fact, I know of a cycling school which exclusively uses this model of bicycle because of this feature.

Some of the places which supply the Electra Townie:

http://www.cheekytransport.com.au/
http://www.southcottcycles.com.au/
http://www.stkildacycles.com.au/
http://www.melbournebicyclecentre.com.au
http://www.ivanhoecycles.com.au/

[Tahl]

Hi Marty,

Thanks for the advice. Like I said though, I think the Townies are butt ugly ... I think I'd rather walk than ride one of those, lol! However, the websites you listed were very useful and have led to a few interesting and informative phone conversations today. I think Cheeky is in NSW though, so even my enthusiasm won't stretch to interstate trips for test rides!

I actually test rode a few Scwhinn models today and was quite taken with their deluxe 7. Balloon tyres and 7 gears made the weight of the steel frame fairly insignificant imho. Certainly, if they made an alloy version I'd be all over it, but the riding position was so comfortable for my hips that I can overlook the weight given the type of commuting I'm liable to be doing.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions re: genre.

Much appreciated.

[jaffaman]

Have you checked out the RANS bikes like these http://www.ransbikes.com/Street.htm. A little harder to get in OZ, but pretty cool IMHO.

[Tahl]

Thanks! I'd never heard of them! That's exactly the sort of info I needed, much obliged!

[G3A]

Holstar also make flatfoot cruisers. There catalogue is here:
http://www.holstarcycles.com.au/pdf/Hol ... 9-2010.pdf

[Tahl]

Thanks, I'd heard the brand mentioned but hadn't seen much about them, I appreciate it