A new build from a noob builder (cruiser content & questions)...

[mynameismark]

Mark, I told you this was the place, right?? haha. These guys know their stuff. Hope you're happy over here on RRB.

Yep, I've definitely found the right place

 

[mynameismark]

I think now would be a good time to ask for recommendations of parts suppliers. So far I know...

cruisershop.eu
customcruisers.nl
ruhrpottcycles.de
amazon.de (for more generic parts)

Finding somewhere that sells a wide rimmed 26" wheel set including a 7-8 speed cassette would be amazing.

 

[Endlesschain]

These are nice, deore disc hubs, nexus 3 speed internal hub right there in Germany

 

[GTHOtrod]

Personally I'm allergic to derailleur's and fit up internal geared hubs every opportunity I get hahaha.
Here's my all road build with 8 speed igh, with 135mm spacing, has a really nice spread of ratios.

 

[JennieDraegon]

This is my current build. And far from done.

 

[JennieDraegon]

My other build has a bafang 750w mid-drive with a NuVinci

n380 hub. I had it up to 33mph at one point. Used it year-round until I got a car.

 

[deorman]

Welcome aboard.

 

[Son of Kradus]

Bro I love the hump in the top tube on your bike! to me it just says..."TUFF" the whole thing is super cool which brings me to your town of leipzig.... if ya bikes too cool then theyll grab it anyway LOL!
another thing about that bike is the rear guard, wow its just....cool! and no front guard and just that cool one on the back! yep. looks great!

 

[Slow-Rider]

Nah, I'm sticking with a classic cruiser-shaped frame. I love the look but also how my body's aligned (sat low, almost leaning back). I've been riding across town for almost 4 years like this & see no reason to change. I'm in no hurry, definitely preferring a more laid back commute.

It's been interesting, reading the pros & cons of an internal hub. Stepping down to 5 gears will change the high-to-low gear ratio, resulting in a slower ride, apparently. This might bug the heck out of me. I mean, I'm already slow, compared to all the racing/street bikes around me, but don't want to get even slower.

Another thing - and this really should have been a consideration a long time ago - better maintenance will obviously improve the lifespan of parts. I think, because my first bike was a cheap boat anchor, I rode it into the ground & only really serviced parts when they were close to failing. Spending more on the bike to begin with will most likely encourage me to protect my investment. I'll very quickly get used to cleaning & lubricating my new bike on a more regular basis.

Am I talking myself out of the internal hub option? Maybe.

Another problem - one that I'd heard about from a neighbour who's a bike enthusiast - is the lack of availability of some key parts. I gather, due to lockdown, people logically picked up hobbies that kept them physically fit, got them outdoors & maintained social distancing. Cycling was an obvious choice. I'm seeing SOLD OUT all over online bike shops.

that's a tough ask. of the top my head Schwinn was the olnly one that did a alloy beach cruiser round 2008 . as for the gear issue you can get more speed by changing your rear outer sprocket on say a Nexis 7 speed and changing the front crank sprocket. but true you can't really change the inner /inside hub gears. don't knock the comfort of a high speed three wheel bike. swapping seat adding a laid back seat post. diff handle bars can make it feel every bit as nice or nicer. than a beach cruiser. it's all in how you customize it to suit you needs and likes.

 

[mynameismark]

Bro I love the hump in the top tube on your bike! to me it just says..."TUFF" the whole thing is super cool which brings me to your town of leipzig.... if ya bikes too cool then theyll grab it anyway LOL!
another thing about that bike is the rear guard, wow its just....cool! and no front guard and just that cool one on the back! yep. looks great!

Hey, thanks!

I've forgetten the name of the brand. I pulled all the decals off when I picked it up because they looked a bit naff. I think it was some regular bike manufacturers attempt at making a kind of off-road/BMX/cruiser hybrid. It's definitely lacking the finesse of an Electra or a Schwinn.

I never bothered with a front guard because the bottom tube is so fat it does the same job. Ha!!! That's actually something I'll have to come to terms with when I get the new build on the road. The frame looks much thinner around that spot.

It's been around -4 degrees here today & the poor guy's creaking & groaning. I even had to pour hot water into my lock to get the thing open this morning. I really should buy some de-icer for that because it had frozen again when I set off home from work.

I digress...

Good news - I've discovered that the above mentioned Ruhrpottcycles sells the same parts as the initial Polish company I was hitting up. In fact, it sells a starter kit (frame, fork, stem & handlebars) for 200€ less than the equivalent parts from the other company AND it's free delivery!
This makes me feel a lot better about splurging on expensive disc brakes & other, maybe even getting a rear wheel custom-made by my local shop, if they're willing.

 

[mynameismark]

OK, I'm getting a bit giddy now.

The folk at Ruhrpottcycles will build my back wheel for an extra 40€ (most likely what the guys down the road would charge...at least). I'll choose a standard sized rim & they'll fit a Nexus 7 Hub (SG-C3001). I'm pretty sure there's a disc brakes friendly version (they'll confirm this tomorrow. It looks as though the cables & twist shift come with it).
I considered doing it myself but it'd be my first time ever building a wheel & I have a horrible feeling I'd mess it up. I'm happy to leave it to the pros.

I'm going with these tyres...

2.6" wide so nothing super fat. I really like the look off brownwalls (which will match the seat & grips) but couldn't find any in that were 3" wide.
If all goes to plan tomorrow I'll be ordering the parts & should have them with me by early next week.

Can't wait!

 

[DesmoDog]

Wheel building is intimidating but it's also one of those things where if you screw up you can back track and start over. You're right, you most likely will screw something up along the way. But it will only add time to the equation. Chalk it up as a learning experience. I built my first wheel about 45 years ago and I still screw up sometimes.

I'm guessing there are numerous websites and youtube videos that go over the process well enough that you could get the wheel laced up and at least partially trued. Then you can bring it in to the shop for the final truing if you want.

THAT said.. getting the right length spokes can be a pain. The online spoke calculators are good but I've still made mistakes with them too. I've only had to buy new spokes once, but they're not cheap.

 

[Endlesschain]

I've been doing bikes for 40 years and never built a wheel up from scratch, I've done everything else you can do with a wheel, some things I just never need to or bother doing I guess

 

[Son of Kradus]

Im with you on the wheel, i'd rether pay someone whos learned the trade well. having said that in my short time here ive begun looking at the lacing of wheels and I feel the challenge may be mine soon!

 

[JennieDraegon]

Bro I love the hump in the top tube on your bike! to me it just says..."TUFF" the whole thing is super cool which brings me to your town of leipzig.... if ya bikes too cool then theyll grab it anyway LOL!
another thing about that bike is the rear guard, wow its just....cool! and no front guard and just that cool one on the back! yep. looks great!

My current build has a 1500w hub motor on a 24x4.25 wheel, and a 26x3 front wheel.

 

[Wildcat]

I put 26 x 3.0 on different width rims, presently on 86mm rims. I actually got them to seat on 25mm rims but I wouldn't ride it like that. A standard 1.75 rim will work, but they fit best on 50mm or therabouts. On 57mm rims they seem to seat best.

24 x 3.0 tires on 57mm rims:

26 x 3.0 tires on standard 1.75 rims:

26 X 3.0 on 1.50 rims:

26 x 3.0 on 86mm rims:

 

[Wildcat]

I've been doing bikes for 40 years and never built a wheel up from scratch, I've done everything else you can do with a wheel, some things I just never need to or bother doing I guess

I was the same way until 2020. Since I started riding in 1962, never gave it a second thought, way too complicated. Turns out it's easy and I wish I had learned how years ago. I could have utilized a lot of good hubs.
Most of the online vids go on for hours, but a few get right to the point and show you just what you need. There's one called "Without the "bs". How to build a 36 spoke wheel." I can't post the address because they use a bad word.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I was the same way until 2020. Since I started riding in 1962, never gave it a second thought, way too complicated. Turns out it's easy and I wish I had learned how years ago. I could have utilized a lot of good hubs.
Most of the online vids go on for hours, but a few get right to the point and show you just what you need. There's one called "Without the "bs". How to build a 36 spoke wheel." I can't post the address because they use a bad word.

Just a link is ok

Link here

 

[mynameismark]

Hey Wildcat. Thanks for posting those pictures, it's great to get a visual impression of what different rims look like with the tire width I'm probably going with. I love the overall look of your yellow cruiser & those last brown walls look perfect on that particular frame. Very cool, although the rims would be a tad too large for me. I guess, like you say, around the mid 50mm ballpark looks ideal.
Colour obviously makes a difference too. The red rims stand out much more than the wider black ones, even though they're a good deal narrower.

....and Captain Awesome, that link has made me realise that building wheels may not be that daunting. I'm pretty good with my hands & love stuff that's almost meditative in process (the way you calmly repeat each step). I could really get into it, and save a fair chunk of cash.
My only concern is the different diameter of the Nexus 7-speed hub. Is there a particular length of spoke you can choose or do you have to cut them individually? That's the part that bothers me.

EDIT - I'm struggling to find any 26" rims (in the EU) in slightly wider sizes - around 1.5" would be ideal.
They're either slim or super fat. All the good widths come on 29" wheels which are too big.

 

[JennieDraegon]

Right now it is hard to find any rims. I would like to find a 24 inch x 100mm rim.