quality of cruiser?

I'd throw $ at the Schwinn. I don't know what's wrong w/ it so I can't say for sure. But, for example, maybe you could throw a new purpose built rear wheel. Or maybe some of your bearings could use an overhaul, suspension forks, better brakes etc. $200 would go quite a long way to bringing your Schwinn around.

My feeling on dept store bikes is that they're designed to be disposable. They're barely adequite as bicycles, let alone motorbicycles. However the Schwinn cruiser frame (windwood, jaguar etc. they are the same) is a strong frame and a good platform. Much of the periferies are ok h'bars, stem, fork (though susp. is nice).

Upgraded wheels (w/ some type of non rubber donut sprocket mount), upgraded brake(s) (w/ pads or shoes that aren't bathing in grease), good chain (track chain or BMX freestyle) and drive train bits, a new $20 Japanese headset, a nice seat etc. These are all things that will greatly effect one of these cruisers for the better. They also improve these bikes to a riding standard higher than what your thinking of replacing it w/.

Again I don't know the extent of your Schwinn's problems and people on this forum and elsewhere have made good looking, seemingly reliable mb's out of the Cranbrook and Macargi (I too have read bad stuff about Macargis though). I just think that so many useful bikes get thrown away and replaced w/ more cheap bikes that will be thrown away. IMHO

Some cons of coaster brakes:

When coaster brakes fail (usually the result of chain breakage or derailment) they fail suddenly and completely.

Coaster brakes are prone to overheating and fading when used in mountainous areas.

Too many bikes are equipped with only a coaster brake, so there's no back-up system available in the event of brake failure.

To be safe, any bicycle needs a front brake and some sort of secondary backup braking system.


for the complete pros and cons of coaster brakes

Bicycle Coaster Brakes

I hope this is helpful!

Yeah I just bought a Cranbrook for the Wife because she wanted a classic bike. (5 years ago when I wasn't looking for them they just fell into my lap, but now that I want them I can't ever find them unless their way overpriced.) So I saw the Cranbrooks and had her pick one. She liked the male model more so we got it. I am looking at the worksmanship and welding done....I would never put a motor on this bike. They didn't get the side tubes even. There is almost an inch of difference, lol. I just started building frames and can do better than that. Also there are a lot of poorly done high stress welds that wouldn't take long to seriously rattle that bike to bits. Still your choice but for safety's sake I wouldn't motorize it.

Just stopping to say you really need to check out the thrift stores. Neighbor got a nice Specialized last Saturday for $15. There was a Fuji as well, but it was sold before he got back. Every other Saturday is 1/2 price day at Goodwill.

Sure you may have to go a bunch of times, but $15 compared to $150, even if you need to do a little work is worth it.

i have a huffy from walmart i had for about a year so far no problems i bought it for for 84.00 plus tax

I'm not sure if your bikes lifetime warranty will be good if you motorize it...

I'm positive that motorization is a warranty voider! Lordoflightaz, it's good to see others encouraging the recycling of cycles.

Just picked up a Trek 4100 this wknd for $50 it needs nothing (except a motor of course)!

(steps up to pulpit) Bikes are a very under utilized over disposed of commodity in our society; it seems a waste of resources to purchase new all the time. Not being righteous just a little conciencious (I buy new too, sometimes). (dismounts high horse)

Yeah I agree with buying used. I just get free bikes all the time because people know what I do. I do like the Cranbrooks look but yeah the wheels brakes and fender were junky. Do you have a motor on yours? If you have I might feel better about motorizing one. It just seems if you actually look at some of the welds on the one I picked up they are a lil on the scetchy side.. but just like these motors I guess it could just be a bad apple.

city of angels said:

i have a huffy from walmart i had for about a year so far no problems i bought it for for 84.00 plus tax

Click to expand...

Same here. I made the clerk pull every one down off the rack so I could look them all over and I picked the best one. Only problem I've had so far is the rear fender quite simply fell apart.

1st the L bracket broke so I replaced it with one I made out of some 1/8" stock, it lasted two days. 2nd attempt was made out of the bottom corner of a 5gal. bucket. I figured that the vibes were fatiguing the metal so maybe polyethylene plastic would hold up better, it did, lasted a full week before it broke. Since the last repair the front 2" of the fender broke off just below the rolled edge, metal fatigue again.

I've crushed steel beer cans that were tougher then these fenders. Can't count the number of good heavy steel sets I threw in the trash when I pulled them off old cruisers as a kid and now that I want a cruiser WITH fenders.... lol