Ok, I'm in the market for a bicycle. I want a comfort/cruiser style, it must be strong (because I'm heavy) and large (because I'm tall). Any suggestions? Do you have a bicycle you love? What features should I be looking for? And what do you know about belt-drives (vs traditional chain)?
Do you want one for a leisurely weekend ride around the burbs or do you want it for transport or will you be cycling on the road?
For a general out and about, short trips, sturdy bike, you might want to consider a mountain bike or hybrid. They are heavier and therefore slower than a road bike but feel more sturdy.
If you are planning long distances regularly I'd probably go a road bike as they are lighter and more efficient.
Don't know anything about belt drives sorry.
Hopefully Audax will pop in. She's an avid cyclist
No I want it for leisurely riding with my family, possibly on quiet suburban roads or bike paths in urban park type settings.
Not keen on a mountain-bike type set up because they typically don't have the upright seating position of a cruiser. I don't want my bum waving in the air as my fear of heights kicks in and it feels less stable. My last bike was a mountain/hybrid and I rarely rode it for that reason.
ETA I have already reconciled myself with the fact that I will probably always be the slowest rider in the pack .
Belt drive - requires a specific frame, specific derailleur and hub gears. Less maintenance, but harder work if anything happens because of the specific parts. Great in Europe, annoying in Australia.
I have a bike that I love. (I have two!) My Fuji road bike has an adjustable head stem, so I can adjust the posture from a racing posture to more of a commuting or cruising posture. Great for pregnancy. But you do sit very high, so probably no good for you, and at the end of the day, it's a road bike.
Not all mountain bikes have that bum in the air stance. I had a Malvern Star hybrid which had cruiser posture, a nice wide bum saddle, and a low top tube, so a perfect skirt bike, and wide tyres to avoid tramtrack issues. I loved that one.
If you have someone who's handy with a wrench (or if you are) for maintenance purposes, you'll be able to pick up a cruiser pretty easily.
Failing that though, I think your bestest choice is the Cell Euro City Step Thru. Google it, I think you might love it. It's middle of the range, good quality for that price. Not too heavy and clunky, but still sturdy. Not tinny and going to fall apart on the first ride though.
You are in a lot of luck. There's a heap of bikes out there that will fulfill your requirements - you only have to go back 5 years, and many of them were rubbish.
As Audax says, belt-drive is pretty new. Low maintenance (and quite nicely, NO greasy chain), but there's not that many out there. They certainly have their advocates though. If you really like the bike, and it has belt-drive, I wouldn't be scared off, but perhaps wouldn't really seek one out otherwise.
Having a 'step thru' frame makes it easier to mount/dismount. I *love* my step-thru.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=1&theater Especially if you have a rack on the back, with a bag/pannier whatever. I use my bike for commuting, so it normally has my pannier (Basil Mirte) on it. If not step-thru, you have to swing your leg around, which can be difficult with a bag/pannier, or a kid-seat on the back.
Gears? My commuter bike has a hub gear. So, all in-built, like the belt-drive. It's a little heavier than derailleur, and doesn't give you as 'many' gears, however it almost has the range of most derailleurs and so I can still get up some pretty steep hills. (I also have a road-bike, if I'm doing distances, not that I do that often). The benefit of the hub gearing is it requires little/no maintenance. Mine also includes the rear brake in the hub - so it works in wet weather fine. Derailleurs are found on most bikes - coz they work, and at the cheaper as well as the higher-end of the scale, they tend to be the ones chosen. They do require a little bit more maintenance - but don't necessarily let that scare you off.
Take a look at a few bike stores (not K-Mart etc... actual bike stores). Unfortunately, some sales people can take the attitude that you have no idea about anything, and try to steer you in a particular direction. Go to a few stores, look at some websites. See what you like. Then - test-ride.
Suggestions? I LOVE my MASI Soulville Mixte 7. I also looked at Electra Townies. They have a low step-thru, and a really interesting geometry so you can always put you foot down. But, increaslingly these days, most of the major brands (Giant, Trek, Avanti etc) have some great 'city' bikes. This also means the prices are coming down. As I said, it's a lot easier today than even a few years ago.
Oh... and you won't need front suspension. Unless you're spending more to get decent suspension (and, most-likely on a MTB, which you've said you don't want), all suspension does is add weight, and take away some of your power when you're trying to put in some effort.
Finally - when you do purchase, ensure you factor in helmet and (if req'd) lights. Make sure they will, at the very least, do an initial service for free. (The cables stretch and all need readjusting), but most decent bike shops will throw in a year's servicing without too much haggling.
MD, I think you are in Adelaide and DP has suggested that you go and have a look in Treadly Bike Shop in the city (near East Tce) - they also have a web site.
I am not a fan of the electra townie. They look pretty, but apparently the componentry is not great, and the build quality is not commensurate with the price tag.
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