Converting cruiser into commuter

[TwoWheelsDC]

Welcome to the forum! I guess my question is: why not just use your Trek?

[mstone]

It would be fairly hard to convert for less than the cost of a used bike.

[jabberwocky]

Disc brakes are a no go. The frame isn’t designed for them (doesn’t have disc tabs at either the front or rear), and that isn’t something you want to kludge on.

A 3 speed hub is theoretically possible, but it won’t get you that much more gear range. And as mstone noted, you’re starting to look at costs that equal or exceed simply purchasing a used bike that is better suited to your commute.

Hills are a matter of gearing and weight. Thats a singlespeed beach cruiser. Its designed for casual cruising in comfort. You likely aren’t going to able to convert it to a commuter you’d be happy with.

Welcome to the forum. Cool to see another Restonite on here.

[lancito brazofuerte]

@mstone 50495 wrote:

It would be fairly hard to convert for less than the cost of a used bike.

That’s going to be one expensive commuter. The biggest issue is disc/rim brakes. This frame was designed as a balloon tire cruiser with a coaster brake. The frame itself wasn’t designed for discs/cantis/rim brakes. If you could find someone to fabricate and weld disc mounts, the sheer cost would probably be in the hundreds. Then add on the cost of front/rear disc systems, new hubs, wheel builds…. well you get my drift.

I think your best option is to get a couple of your dedicated commuter pals to go with you to a LBS that either specializes in or does a lot of commuter bikes. Ask lots of questions, discuss your current goals along with your future goals for commuting. Use your friends as soundboards and take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt. The type of commuter bike I ride and would recommend will be very different from what you have in mind.

Do a bunch of research on bike styles/makes/models. Make a list of features you must have, want, and don’t care about. Look at materials- steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.

Ride a bunch of different ones, borrow your friends’ bikes, see what works and doesn’t.

If you like the upright riding position, there are dozens of makes and models to choose from.

Good luck

[83b]

I agree with the others that it’ll be both difficult and not cost efficient to upgrade your existing bike.

But if what you’re really looking for is a very upright city bike, I’d recommend checking out BicycleSPACE and/or The Daily Rider.

Daily Rider carries Bobbin, Pilen, Gazelle, Linus and a few other makes that would probably be a very good fit. BicycleSPACE has a few of those models, plus Pashley . I think Capitol Hill Bikes also carries Public, which can also be ordered online if you’re comfortable servicing it yourself or have a good relationship with a shop that just doesn’t stock the type of bike you want.

[KLizotte]

Also, once or twice a year the local bike rental companies (not BikeShare but Bike and Roll for one) usually have a big sell off of their used equipment. You may also wish to check Phoenix Bikes or some of the other local co-ops if you are looking for a relatively cheap beater bike.

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@TwoWheelsDC 50489 wrote:

Welcome to the forum! I guess my question is: why not just use your Trek?

Thanks for the welcome! Part of the problem is the body style, my trek does not have the step through nor the chain guard. It’s a great bike but more for my fun and fitness needs.

The beach cruiser is great in its own way too but I seldom go to the beach so it’s just sitting. I was hoping to utilize it before considering a new bike purchase.

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@mstone 50495 wrote:

It would be fairly hard to convert for less than the cost of a used bike.

Thank you for the feedback… I was thinking that would be the case.

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@jabberwocky 50500 wrote:

Disc brakes are a no go. The frame isn’t designed for them (doesn’t have disc tabs at either the front or rear), and that isn’t something you want to kludge on.

A 3 speed hub is theoretically possible, but it won’t get you that much more gear range. And as mstone noted, you’re starting to look at costs that equal or exceed simply purchasing a used bike that is better suited to your commute.

Hills are a matter of gearing and weight. Thats a singlespeed beach cruiser. Its designed for casual cruising in comfort. You likely aren’t going to able to convert it to a commuter you’d be happy with.

Welcome to the forum. Cool to see another Restonite on here.

Thanks for the welcome! You have given me a lot to think about, much appreciated.

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@lancito brazofuerte 50501 wrote:

That’s going to be one expensive commuter. The biggest issue is disc/rim brakes. This frame was designed as a balloon tire cruiser with a coaster brake. The frame itself wasn’t designed for discs/cantis/rim brakes. If you could find someone to fabricate and weld disc mounts, the sheer cost would probably be in the hundreds. Then add on the cost of front/rear disc systems, new hubs, wheel builds…. well you get my drift.

I think your best option is to get a couple of your dedicated commuter pals to go with you to a LBS that either specializes in or does a lot of commuter bikes. Ask lots of questions, discuss your current goals along with your future goals for commuting. Use your friends as soundboards and take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt. The type of commuter bike I ride and would recommend will be very different from what you have in mind.

Do a bunch of research on bike styles/makes/models. Make a list of features you must have, want, and don’t care about. Look at materials- steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.

Ride a bunch of different ones, borrow your friends’ bikes, see what works and doesn’t.

If you like the upright riding position, there are dozens of makes and models to choose from.

Good luck

Thank you for the information… I think it’s wise to leave the bike as is and invest in a commuter/city bike instead.

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@83(b) 50503 wrote:

I agree with the others that it’ll be both difficult and not cost efficient to upgrade your existing bike.

But if what you’re really looking for is a very upright city bike, I’d recommend checking out BicycleSPACE and/or The Daily Rider.

Daily Rider carries Bobbin, Pilen, Gazelle, Linus and a few other makes that would probably be a very good fit. BicycleSPACE has a few of those models, plus Pashley . I think Capitol Hill Bikes also carries Public, which can also be ordered online if you’re comfortable servicing it yourself or have a good relationship with a shop that just doesn’t stock the type of bike you want.

Awesome list to research… Thanks so much. I’ve had my eye on a pashley but did not know where to get in the northern VA area.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Chic_n_Sporty 50509 wrote:

I was hoping to utilize it before considering a new bike purchase.

To fit in here, you’ll need to adopt the mantra that the ideal number of bikes to own is N+1, where N = the number of bikes you own currently. As a corollary, buying a new bike is always preferable to repurposing an existing bike, in accordance with the N+1 principle.

[ebubar]

If you’re looking for a cruiser-style bike for a commuter, maybe the Trek Allant is appropriate?

My wife loves hers (even though she doesn’t ride much after foot surgery). The bike is kind of heavy,
but she can still keep up a good pace!

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@TwoWheelsDC 50515 wrote:

To fit in here, you’ll need to adopt the mantra that the ideal number of bikes to own is N+1, where N = the number of bikes you own currently. As a corollary, buying a new bike is always preferable to repurposing an existing bike, in accordance with the N+1 principle.

Haha… love that mantra and currently do indeed live by it. Unfortunately, I’m running out of space inside (no garage currently) so I was looking to re-use the cruiser in the meantime. I’m currently 4 bikes in so I suppose it’s time to round out to 5.

[Chic_n_Sporty]

@ebubar 50518 wrote:

If you’re looking for a cruiser-style bike for a commuter, maybe the Trek Allant is appropriate?

My wife loves hers (even though she doesn’t ride much after foot surgery). The bike is kind of heavy,
but she can still keep up a good pace!

Thank you.. I’ll add that to my list of bikes to research.

[Author]

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