Schwinn--The Original Cruiser
Written: Oct 21 '00 (Updated Oct 21 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: classic look, Nexus internal hub, grip shift
Cons: weight
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| speedrcr99's Full Review: Schwinn Cruiser Classic Four |
Schwinn has been producing cruisers since the 1920's. Take a look at the Schwinn's from the 40's and you'll see that today's models look very much the same. And that's the way it should be. Schwinn's cruisers of today are not just bikes; they are memories. Memories of being a kid flying down the neighborhood street with hands in the air, feet on the pedals-carefully keeping pressure on the coaster brake, balloon tires rolling easily over almost anything in your path, and not even knowing what a bike helmet was. They're about "retro" without ever being "retro." That's the Schwinn cruiser. Sure many other bike companies make the cruiser, but only one is the original. Don't get "cruisers" confused with "comfort" bikes, or "hybrid" bikes. "Cruiser" is its own category and they do have some differences between those other two types.
Schwinn is now producing many models of it's classic cruiser, each one designed for the many different needs that today's riders might need. I have a bright red Men's 2000 Cruiser Four. The Four means it has 4 speeds. I would recommend the 4 to anyone who lives near hills and/or wants to vary their pedaling effort. I live in Seattle where there are many hills. I use this bike for fun. In the summer I take it to the beach or use it to cruise the neighborhoods. It's a wonderful bike for this and I'm so at ease when riding it. The 4 speed comes in handy when riding up hills, although, the first speed is probably not low enough for the average person to be going up steep hills. I'm a mountain biker and a road rider and the lowest speed still kills me when going up long, steep hills on this 40+ pound bicycle. If their are steep hills around you, consider the 7 speed. One reason I chose the 4 speed over the 7 is that the 4 speed has an internal hub and a "grip-shift" shifter. An internal hub means that the rear derailleur (rear shifting mechanism) is inside a metal barrel. I love this because it's hidden and the bike looks much cooler. The grip shift and the Shimano Nexus hub shift incredibly smooth. In fact, I was very surprised the first time I rode it and experienced it.
The paint job on this bike is awesome. It always looks wet and is so bright. I wax mine regularly and this keeps it in good shape. I also like that this bike has chrome fenders. These come in handy when I commute to work in the rain. The fenders keep the mud and rain off of me. It also has a chain guard which keeps my pant cuffs from getting stuck in the chain--a problem I had when using my converted mtn. bike to ride to work. One precaution though--chrome does rust so I have to wipe it off carefully after riding in the rain.
There are also some very cool accessories for this bike. A headlamp that fits comfortably over the front fender, handgrips, baskets, bells, etc. I have a bell and a basket on my bike. Perfect for hauling groceries and other stuff around. The fenders can also be taken off to give the bike a more "raw" look too.
This bike is so comfortable to ride. It's an upright riding position and is even easy to control when steering with one hand. I love riding to the beach and cruising up and down and people watching on the bike. In fact, this is the bike of many people in Southern California. The four speed allows a rider to really slow it down or speed it up when they want. The balloon tires give a nice, soft ride and offer good control. The seat is cusion-y and has springs to offer support and hours of comfortable riding. The coaster brakes bring back memories of those old-school bikes. Newer brakes (like V-Brakes or even cantilever brakes) will offer much greater stopping power than coaster brakes. I ride this bike down some steep hills, but I also stay in control because to stop the bike when going at high speeds you really have to stand up and apply all your weight to the pedals. In an emergency situation, this might not always be able to be done in time. This does add to the excitment of this bike, however. For most people riding on flat ground, the coaster brakes will be sufficient.
This bike is a beauty and one that will gain other's attention. I paid $300 for it which I thought was totally cheap. It is a heavy, extremely durable bike that has fun built right into it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
speedrcr99
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Member: Jon B.
Location: Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Technology Specialist at a K-8 school. Also interested in biking and buying appliances.
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