Comments on: The year of the cruiser? http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/ Work is just something I do between bike rides Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:01:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Treadly and Me http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/comment-page-1/#comment-992 Treadly and Me Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:09:21 +0000 http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/#comment-992 <p>I think the "bike as fashion accessory" is already here. Cashed-up "new golfers" are prepared to hand over up to $8000 for the very latest and greatest racing bike plus all the team gear—they don't need it, but they can afford it. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but it's not the only way to ride.</p> <p>But Adrian is right: keeping it simple and robust it the way to keep cost down. People who want a basic bike need something that's reliable and low maintenance.</p> <p>Lawrencia isn't my local bike shop, but I once bought a bike from them—and it was still doing regular service nearly twenty years later (I still have it, but it's retired). So, I've got to agree: their advice back then was right for my needs. I reckon I'll have to go the extra mile to drop-in and see what their service is like now.</p> <p>Dave and Bob highlight exactly why the bike biz as a whole needs to be more flexible in the customers it's prepared to serve.</p> I think the “bike as fashion accessory” is already here. Cashed-up “new golfers” are prepared to hand over up to $8000 for the very latest and greatest racing bike plus all the team gear—they don’t need it, but they can afford it. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s not the only way to ride.

But Adrian is right: keeping it simple and robust it the way to keep cost down. People who want a basic bike need something that’s reliable and low maintenance.

Lawrencia isn’t my local bike shop, but I once bought a bike from them—and it was still doing regular service nearly twenty years later (I still have it, but it’s retired). So, I’ve got to agree: their advice back then was right for my needs. I reckon I’ll have to go the extra mile to drop-in and see what their service is like now.

Dave and Bob highlight exactly why the bike biz as a whole needs to be more flexible in the customers it’s prepared to serve.

]]> By: Bob (Lowrydr) Wilson http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/comment-page-1/#comment-991 Bob (Lowrydr) Wilson Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:56:35 +0000 http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/#comment-991 <p>I went from a DF bike (6 years) to a recumbent (13 years) because of a blown out lower back. I just couldn't take the bent forward angles anymore. Am now considering one of the new cruisers for short, under 30mile, rides that I like to do with friends. We are not in any hurry as we have all day to enjoy the ride. What with a few food and drink stops thrown in. But will still use my "bent" for my long touring rides. Like the July RAGBRAI in Iowa USA. Ride on Ride on..........</p> I went from a DF bike (6 years) to a recumbent (13 years) because of a blown out lower back. I just couldn’t take the bent forward angles anymore. Am now considering one of the new cruisers for short, under 30mile, rides that I like to do with friends. We are not in any hurry as we have all day to enjoy the ride. What with a few food and drink stops thrown in. But will still use my “bent” for my long touring rides. Like the July RAGBRAI in Iowa USA. Ride on Ride on……….

]]> By: Adrian http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/comment-page-1/#comment-990 Adrian Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:32:47 +0000 http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/#comment-990 <p>I'm glad to see a boom in coaster bikes but fear things could go the other way. bikes turn from sport into a fashion statement. I think the emphasis needs to be to improve the components of bikes at the $500 level. People new to bikes usually don't understand these parts and they focus on the look, but in the end you want somethings thats going to last and keep people on the bike.</p> I’m glad to see a boom in coaster bikes but fear things could go the other way. bikes turn from sport into a fashion statement. I think the emphasis needs to be to improve the components of bikes at the $500 level. People new to bikes usually don’t understand these parts and they focus on the look, but in the end you want somethings thats going to last and keep people on the bike.

]]> By: Dave - Tweed Treadly http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/comment-page-1/#comment-989 Dave - Tweed Treadly Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:03:16 +0000 http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/#comment-989 <p>Good to see! I for one, have a back and backside to match, that requires comfort.</p> <p>I also like to spare the people I meet <strong>the horror of an aging body in Lycra</strong> by wearing <em>Netti Super Shy's</em> thus still having a chamois to help avoid chaffing of a delicate posterior and any lightweight long sleeve shirt I have clean will work at the speeds and distances I ride.</p> Good to see! I for one, have a back and backside to match, that requires comfort.

I also like to spare the people I meet the horror of an aging body in Lycra by wearing Netti Super Shy’s thus still having a chamois to help avoid chaffing of a delicate posterior and any lightweight long sleeve shirt I have clean will work at the speeds and distances I ride.

]]> By: Mark http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/comment-page-1/#comment-988 Mark Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:14:39 +0000 http://treadly.net/2007/09/20/the-year-of-the-cruiser/#comment-988 <p>The guys at Lawrencia Cycles were good that way. I said I just wanted something that would allow me to comfortably commute, and maybe handle a few 45 min rides on the weekend. They suggested a simple $540 hybrid. I ended up with a Trek 7.3FX because it was what I'd already been looking at, but I was happy that they didn't try to sell me something I didn't need.</p> The guys at Lawrencia Cycles were good that way. I said I just wanted something that would allow me to comfortably commute, and maybe handle a few 45 min rides on the weekend. They suggested a simple $540 hybrid. I ended up with a Trek 7.3FX because it was what I’d already been looking at, but I was happy that they didn’t try to sell me something I didn’t need.

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