Canal Cruiser Recomendation

[Raven]

Getting close to pulling the trigger

so whats a good brand? .... and where to buy?

seeing them for under 300 bills online?

[ecduzitgood]

I prefer a multi speed trike. They can't tip over and provide a large seat for comfort even at rest (put your feet up and relax), cargo basket etc. The only drawback is they aren't quite as fast as a two wheeled bike. Make sure it's 3 speed or more so hills are easier to peddle.

[Raven]

so, what's the best brand was my question
Schwin?


3 speed it is....

[Mike P]

Schwinn makes a very nice women's "comfort cruiser" which Target sells for about $225. LL Bean sells the exact same bike, under their own name, for $375.

You want a woman's bike (now in the PC-world, they're called "step-thrus"). It's hard to get your leg over the bar of a men's bike, and if you have baskets with rod holders on the back, it's hard to get your leg over the back of the seat, unless you attach your rod holders so that the rods are angled to the rear of the bike.

Double kickstands help keep a bike from tipping over in the wind. A tennis ball on the foot of the kickstand also helps.

Trikes are nice if you have a truck or van, but they can be hard to transport on a standard strap-on bike rack.

[stripercrazy]

raven, go to walmart there under 100.....with tax...new tires/tubes no rust and nothing to do to them but put a basket and tubes on it you can't beat walmart

[ecduzitgood]

I drilled a golf ball for the kickstand when I had 2 wheels and used a rope of equal length extending from the seat stem or baskets to each hand grip. The rope kept the front wheel from turning, which I learned is what happens just before the bike goes over, when the wheel turned to one side the bike goes over resulting in a damaged rod .

For transport of my trike I customized a standard cargo rack that attach's to my 2" hitch receiver (I made a wood rack and mounted it to the cargo rack to hold the rear axle), then I use electrical wiring cut to length and use it like a large twist tie to secure the trike. I found my trike on craigslist.

I am thinking of welding another receiver to my cargo rack so I can mount a bike rack to bring a buddies bike or my spare rig/bike. (for others who don't have a bike and wannt to fish with me)

The old/spare rig:Web 100_1797.jpg

I am not sure I would go new because it will be exposed to the elements while fishing so shiny doesn't matter. Do look for fenders to keep the rain from flying off the tires when it's wet.

There is a trike in Barrington for $140, if it's a 3 speed thats a great deal R.I. Craigslist.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Schwinn makes a very nice women's "comfort cruiser" which Target sells for about $225.
I just checked Target listing now for $259.00 but it's a one speed.

You want a woman's bike (now in the PC-world, they're called "step-thrus"). It's hard to get your leg over the bar of a men's bike, and if you have baskets with rod holders on the back, it's hard to get your leg over the back of the seat, unless you attach your rod holders so that the rods are angled to the rear of the bike.

Double kickstands help keep a bike from tipping over in the wind. A tennis ball on the foot of the kickstand also helps.

Trikes are nice if you have a truck or van, but they can be hard to transport on a standard strap-on bike rack.

Have Van but i'm not sure of the Height of the bike yet.

Walmart listed the 3 wheeler (Trike) for $259 also

[Raven]

Originally Posted by ecduzitgood

I found my trike on craigslist.

I am thinking of welding another receiver to my cargo rack so I can mount a bike rack to bring a buddies bike or my spare rig/bike. (for others who don't have a bike and want to fish with me)

The old/spare rig:Attachment 46915

I am not sure I would go new because it will be exposed to the elements while fishing so shiny doesn't matter. Do look for fenders to keep the rain from flying off the tires when it's wet.

Must be nice to have welding capability.

[bigbuck28]

old tricycle is the only way to go!

[ecduzitgood]

Originally Posted by Raven

Have Van but I'm not sure of the Height of the bike yet.

Walmart listed the 3 wheeler (Trike) for $259 also

The three wheeler at Walmart for $259 is only a single speed. You could get a kit to make it multiple speed but I don't think the additional cost and effort to convert a single speed is worth it IMHO. Plus a single speed can be tough on the hills, even gradual inclines so go multi speed if you go trike.

I'm no pro when welding but I get the job done, I'm kind of a jack of all trades or just handy, it helps to be cheap too. I learn how to do it myself most of the time and when in doubt I get a pro.

[stripercrazy]

trikes are cool, i got one i'm rebuilding but that said there slower and harder to drive with out the van I'd say there a pain in the butt i got a ranger with a cap I have to loosen the handlebars to get it in the truck.the mountian bike i got from walmart got like 18 gears lol....gears are our friends lol

[blondterror]

Half the fun is building a good CC from a quality old bike/trike for small money... customizing it to your tatstes and putting cool stickers on the PVC tubes... I like angling the tubes at about a 25 degree angkle to make it easier to get on my bike (mens aluminium frame mt bike) Plenty of quality bikes on Boston CL

[Rob Rockcrawler]

Check out yard sales, you can probably get an older ladies bike for 10 bucks. A little elbow grease and your styling.

[redlite]

Kingston Recycling Center (AKA Dump)
2 tubes and a brake cable. $12.... 21 speeds and no rust. Sweet step thru....

[Raven]

thanks for the ideas guys

[tysdad115]

I got a step through cruiser at #^&#^&#^&#^&s sporting goods. Its made by diamond back. I looked around for used, everything I saw needed $100 in parts. Decided on new, breaking down at 2am loaded with gear 5 miles away really isn't any fun at all.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Rob Rockcrawler]

IM waititn to get a flat or some other malfunction while out fishing. I know my time is coming.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by tysdad115

I got a step through cruiser at #^&#^&#^&#^&s sporting goods. Its made by diamond back. I looked around for used, everything I saw needed $100 in parts. Decided on new, breaking down at 2am loaded with gear 5 miles away really isn't any fun at all.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Costco used to sell that Diamondback for $100 less than #^&#^&#^&#^&'s.

Now Costco is having their own line of bikes made for them, starting at $300

[shark lobster]

raven
ive offered them up before i have acouple of nice bikes in my shop left from tenants that i have , that never come back for them , no girls bikes just mens 26 inch multy speed you are more than welcome to them ,,

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Rob Rockcrawler

IM waititn to get a flat or some other malfunction while out fishing. I know my time is coming.

Put Slime in the tire tubes, helps reduce the odds.

[saltfly]

Raven..Make sure you have fenders.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by shark lobster

raven
ive offered them up before i have acouple of nice bikes in my shop left from tenants that i have , that never come back for them , no girls bikes just mens 26 inch multy speed you are more than welcome to them ,,

I'm interested of course but how do you go from a single wheel
in the back to dual wheels . Cant seem to picture that...
plus i am considering the weight issue of 240 lbs plus gear,cooler
seems to me i need a much sturdier frame with Fat tires too.

it's gonna have to transport 300 lbs when its fully loaded.

From what i've been reading on the Net...as soon as you say 3 speed
you just added 200.00 more bucks.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Raven

I'm interested of course but how do you go from a single wheel
in the back to dual wheels . Cant seem to picture that...
plus i am considering the weight issue of 240 lbs plus gear,cooler
seems to me i need a much sturdier frame with Fat tires too.

it's gonna have to transport 300 lbs when its fully loaded.

From what i've been reading on the Net...as soon as you say 3 speed
you just added 200.00 more bucks.

The best way to take along a cooler is to rig a trailer to the back of your bike. That also solves the problem of your bike tipping over in the wind.

Please trust me on this---you will live to rue the day if you go with a single speed. While the service road is generally flat, there are some inclines that you will feel if you can't change speeds, and when you're pedaling against the wind--and the Canal is usually windy--you'll work your arse off, especially carrying that much weight.

[redlite]

Originally Posted by Rob Rockcrawler

IM waititn to get a flat or some other malfunction while out fishing. I know my time is coming.

Don't worry about flat tires. I rim-rode my bike last year for 2 months with a flat front tire. They didn't have air filled tires in the old days.........One nite we were fishin and there was a bang like a gun shot. We were frieken out as to what it was, until I got up to my bike to find that my rear tire had just burst in its on......

[Raven]

your an ANIMAL Redlite hahahahaha

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Mike P

The best way to take along a cooler is to rig a trailer to the back of your bike. That also solves the problem of your bike tipping over in the wind.

Please trust me on this---you will live to rue the day if you go with a single speed. While the service road is generally flat, there are some inclines that you will feel if you can't change speeds, and when you're pedaling against the wind--and the Canal is usually windy--you'll work your arse off, especially carrying that much weight.

Great Idea MIKEP hadn't thought of a trailer !
i can lift 560 lbs with my calf muscles in a gym sitting on
a leg machine.... so it should be no problem !

[Raven]

so who sells the Trailers?

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Raven

so who sells the Trailers?

Somebody must, because I've seen quite a few on the Canal---unless they're all home made.

[Matt D]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Somebody must, because I've seen quite a few on the Canal---unless they're all home made.

A lot of people convert the kiddie trailers I think:

[Raven]

i'll do it right

this one looks pissah and i'll build
a lockable top

Croozer Cargo Trailers | Bike Trailer Shop