Zoom Zoom… no brakes

The first time I took my new Electra Cruiser Bike on a ride I dang near wiped out. I was coming up to my first intersection and started grasping for the hand brakes.

There are no hand brakes on a cruise bike. It is far simpler than that. You pedal forward, you move forward. You pedal backwards, you stop. But it is taking my brain a little time to let go of all the years of using hand brakes on scooters, bikes, mountain bikes and pretty much anything on two wheels.

But other than that.. I love my new Cruiser bike. And here is the scoop on where to find them.

It all started when some friends of our got their own cruiser bikes and were showing them off to us after a Rockies game. We had just finished a couple brews and were heading out when they pulled up to show off their new bikes. I wanted to learn more.

Basically the cruiser bikes that are growing in popularity across the country right now are appealing for a number of reasons. First of all they have character. You can get them with awesome paint jobs including flames or flowers, gypsy writing or skull and crossbones. Whatever your taste they have a bike for it. You can get low riders, classic cruisers, European throwbacks, and townie roadsters. Add to that an wide selection of tassles, old fashioned bells, squeaker horns (pictured above), retro lights, front baskets, back baskets and more and you can create your own
piece of art or expression of your personality.

And lets not forget that it is one more two wheel vehicle that allows you to skip the headache of driving in a car, parking a car, and lets you be a little bit more green.

After asking around we found one of the top brands was the Electra Bike. There are many other brands out there and I recommend you take some time to do some web surfing and check them all out. While Electra may be one of the most popular, it may also be the most common. But with so many different styles you can still find something unique and then you have the benefit of customizing it.

Priced from about $100 and up to about $600 for a bike these make great downtown transportation solutions because they aren’t as risky as chaining up a $300 mountain or road bike. Don’t get me wrong, they will get stolen if you don’t have a good bike and word at the bike shop is that this time of year with school starting is ripe with a boost in bike thefts. I even found new ones less than $100 in some of the other brands like XYZ bikes.
Before selecting my bike I searched the Electra Bike site, XYZ Bikes, sixthreezero, Firmstrong, Micargi, Greenline, Nirve, Schwinn, Hampton Cruisers (fun tunes on their site), and Sun. I also checked out the stores around town to “kick the tires” on the different bikes. While I am sure different bike stores focus on different types of bikes I have to compliment the guys at the Cycle Analyst in Wash Park for having the best cruiser selection and accessories. These guys had models on the floor to at least get a feel for the ride and they had TONS of books with the drawings and designs for most of the others. This way you can just stop in, pick out your bike, and either leave with it that day or wait till it comes in. If you can find a floor model you will save yourself the shipping cost. Plus they have so many accessories in stock you can try out different baskets, bells, and everythign else to trick out your bike to your hearts content.

Four of us went over to pick up our Electra’s including mine, one ladies Betty, one ladies, Gypsy, and one ladies Hawaii (all Electra). Then everyone set out by bike to go grab some beers and celebrate their new bikes. The cruiser that was calling my name was the Amsterdam sport. I loved the classic retro European style, the old school leather seat and handle grips, the positioning of the handlebar, and the leaner meaner tires. Or maybe it just reminds me of my dads old cruiser that I used to ride from home to campus and the nostalgia of that time.

Either way, I just love the darn thing. Now I am working to trick it out with my own favorite items and even hunting around on ebay for some antique or European items that aren’t available in the neighborhood store. But thats just me and everyone likes what they like.

If you get one don’t forget to get a GREAT LOCK!! I was warned to only get the U-bolt locks with the newest key lock system. These require a very loud machine to drill away for 20 minutes or so to break and that is not likely to happen without being noticed. The other cable style locks can be cut quickly, quietly, and sadly while you are enjoying a stop in your cruiser day. That would be a big bummer and a big disappointment, especially after you have transferred effort and creativity into making it yours.

I’ll let you know how my adventures on the cruiser bike go. I bought a couple bike maps while I was at it and have a great deal of exploring to do.

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