bamabikeguy
Active Member
Since the beginning of the forum, I've tried to recommend NOT to motorize single speed coaster models. Every day 5-10 new members join us, and I'd guess 20% of the first timers are going to try that single speed combo.
The ONLY place it might work is the beach area, flat roads where the label Beach Cruiser really applies. If you are 60 miles from the coast, hills begin to appear, and that is where trouble begins. If you are going to piddle around at 10-13 miles per hour in really low traffic areas, fine.
But most folks are itching to hit wide open throttle.
Your life is worth more than a $100 bike, and I thought maybe we could get a thread devoted to bashing this type bike once and for all. Then, if a new MBer joins with photo's of his/her shiny Schwinn with coaster brakes, we could point them to this thread.
Just yesterday:
In 2005 I got a Grampa bike for $30, a '70's model Western Flyer. It was motorized for maybe 2 weeks when a local bike collector bought it, without the engine, just because he needed the leather seat.
Then I found a bikeshop, he only had ONE Sun Cruiser in the rows of bikes, I was more interested in the handlebars and tires than the speeds. ( I've mentioned how I spent $700 on bikes before I found the combo I liked.)
I bought it, motorized it, then ordered a 7 speed from the bike shop catalog. Sales picked up pretty quick, and the single speed basically sat there doing nothing.
That winter, I put another engine on it, and while coming to a stop sign on a wet road, I hit the brakes and slid sideways.
Whooooooa, I'm NOT going to sell something that even I couldn't control.
That bike was stripped of parts (I sold the frame later).
You can "think" nothing will happen, but if you haven't bought a bicycle yet, maybe reading some MBincidents, you will splurge on something with multi-speeds and handbrakes. Makes about a $50 difference on new models in the big box stores.
If you don't see a multi-speed cassette in the Wal Mart racks? Keep on walking, in other words.
The ONLY place it might work is the beach area, flat roads where the label Beach Cruiser really applies. If you are 60 miles from the coast, hills begin to appear, and that is where trouble begins. If you are going to piddle around at 10-13 miles per hour in really low traffic areas, fine.
But most folks are itching to hit wide open throttle.
Your life is worth more than a $100 bike, and I thought maybe we could get a thread devoted to bashing this type bike once and for all. Then, if a new MBer joins with photo's of his/her shiny Schwinn with coaster brakes, we could point them to this thread.
Just yesterday:
Originally Posted by BAM
went down like a sack of potatos lose gravel 30mps no helmet luckly my face took the brunt of the inpact these bikes will bite you i did take fenders off though bike came though like a champ have a new respect for mbs i think coaster break did not help me out in this wipe out
Originally Posted by Irish John
Not only is a coaster brake useless but it stops you from back pedalling when you really have to to get the pedals clear of the road. A good friend of mine fell off a bike without a helmet in France recently and sustained serious head injuries even though he was going quite slowly. I'd feel too vulnerable not wearing a helmet and when I had my big spill in January (wouldn't have happened if I hadn't got that cursed coaster brake) it saved my skull from being broken. I can't understand why they aren't compulsory like seat belts in cars
In 2005 I got a Grampa bike for $30, a '70's model Western Flyer. It was motorized for maybe 2 weeks when a local bike collector bought it, without the engine, just because he needed the leather seat.
Then I found a bikeshop, he only had ONE Sun Cruiser in the rows of bikes, I was more interested in the handlebars and tires than the speeds. ( I've mentioned how I spent $700 on bikes before I found the combo I liked.)
I bought it, motorized it, then ordered a 7 speed from the bike shop catalog. Sales picked up pretty quick, and the single speed basically sat there doing nothing.
That winter, I put another engine on it, and while coming to a stop sign on a wet road, I hit the brakes and slid sideways.
Whooooooa, I'm NOT going to sell something that even I couldn't control.
That bike was stripped of parts (I sold the frame later).
You can "think" nothing will happen, but if you haven't bought a bicycle yet, maybe reading some MBincidents, you will splurge on something with multi-speeds and handbrakes. Makes about a $50 difference on new models in the big box stores.
If you don't see a multi-speed cassette in the Wal Mart racks? Keep on walking, in other words.