[Catma]

The old Huffy which I'd been riding for years is getting quite beaten up. I might be able to repair it, but I want something new.

I have a lot of requirements for my perfect bike, but I can't seem to find them in any particular type of bike or brand. I don't know what to look for even. I seem to be leaning towards a cruiser, but there are problems.

I want a single speed bike. I want the pedals/gears/brakes and such to function the way my current bike (a cruiser) does: I can coast with the pedals not moving, yet moving the pedals backwards brakes the bike. Nobody seems able to tell me what this is. It isn't a fixie, right?

I need to be able to sit up straight. I don't care that this makes me less aerodynamic.

I would like thin tires, I guess, which are apparently more efficient or something like that. Cruisers usually have big fat tires. This isn't really necessary I suppose, I've been riding my cruiser around on its big tires and it feels fine.

Lastly, I find the curved frames of cruisers to be hideous. They would be great bikes if not for this. I also don't like the big, fat frames that are on BMX bikes.

My budget is also pretty spare, $100-$200. I would be interested in knowing about more expensive bikes that fit more closely, though I probably wouldn't be buying them.

Feel free to look at me funny for having this weird set of requirements. Great thanks in advance for anything that fits!

[Xela]

I guess from your tires comments, you'll mostly be riding on fairly smooth, paved or hardpacked surfaces. Also, how many miles on average will you be riding?

Welcome to TwoSpoke!

[Gandalfe]

Check out a new Schwinn Cutter single-speed.

[Catma]

Thank you for the welcome and recommendation!

I will be riding in Queens, which is flat as a pancake, for about a 4-5 mile commute. I've ridden this sort of distance before on my old bike and was comfortable enough.

The cutter will force me to be bent over, and make it impossible to sit up. I can't ride that for 30 minutes or an hour... just too uncomfortable.

[Industry_Hack]

Finding a single speed with a coaster brake may represent a challenge. Can you post a photo of your current bike?

[Catma]

I don't have a photo or camera handy but I'm pretty sure it's a Huffy Santa Fe. Model number on the bike is k6249k. Google search just suggests that this could be the santa fe, pictures seem to confirm it.

Edit: It looks much like this: http://www.propertyroom.com/itemdetails.aspx?l=7188005#

I can't believe it's so uncommon. Every bike I've had in my life has worked that way. I guess insisting on a one-speed got me this one in teenage years, which might account for why it happened to be that kind of bike.

[rawhite1969]

You might consider a classic 3-speed. While it does have 3-speeds, it is internal gearing so no derailer/chain issues. Would have hand brakes, but as Hack said, finding a bike with a coaster brake that isn't a 20" BMX is difficult.

Would have the upright position you are looking for.

You could easily choose the gear that fits your ride best and never change it.

[rawhite1969]

maybe something like this?

[Industry_Hack]

To find one of those, I would need to look...


























in my backyard.

[Chuckroast]

I think you guys might be overcomplicating this. The fellow has a beach cruiser, likes it and needs to replace it. Here's a whole site dedicated to such bikes:

Beach Bikes, Beach Cruisers & Cruiser Bicycles, Discount Bike Parts & Accessories, Buy Comfort, Stretch, Electra, Schwinn & Sixthreezero Cruisers Online

The only requirement not being met is that these all have the traditional curved frame look, sorry.