Should I build a bike or buy?

[Finnwantsa30"wheelcruser]

I sold my cruiser bike and I just want to get a cool cruiser with bigger wheels than 20in I know nothing about bikes, should I buy a bike or build one? If I should build one, how can I do this?

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Buy a used 26" cruiser bike. For my first, I tried to keep it as simple as possible: one speed, and simple coaster brake (pedal backwards to activate brake). Then customize it as you learn more about how it works. And then you can try to find that huge wheel bike you are dreaming of.

 

[JA331]

Facebook marketplace is a good place to start your search and this forum is
full of great people to help you build it as you like.

 

[Wildcat]

I agree. Get a good used cruiser and get some experience with it. Take it completely apart and put it back together. Ask for help here, you'll probably need it. Then get another cheap bike so you can have one to ride as the other one is torn apart. That will do more to teach you about bikes than anything, hands on is best. Most of the vids online have someone talk for hours before they actually do anything.
You'll need to get a bunch of tools and a workbench and a place for bikes. They tend to multiply as good deals come along.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

Build

 

[Mr. Monkeyarms]

Then build another.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

Then build another dozen or so.

Fixed it for you.

 

[us56456712]

Agree, get a new big box or used cruiser. Then get this book. I’ve had mine since the 1970s. It tells you how to fix everything on old or modern low tech bicycles, including the rebuilding of kick back coaster hubs. These books are cheap, one of my friends got his from Amazon for about $5.

 

[horsefarmer]

Besides right here on RRB,
Rj the bike guy on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/c/RJTheBikeGuy/videos
and Sheldon Brown, https://sheldonbrown.com/home.html
Are free treasure troves of bicycle DIY info.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

Besides right here on RRB,

and Sheldon Brown, https://sheldonbrown.com/home.html

Big Fan of both of these sources, encyclopaedic.

 

[Walter Zoomie]

Build. One piece cranks, coaster brakes, and threaded stems. Simple, rugged, reliable, somewhat plentiful, cheap, and fun.

 

[BillCigar]

Besides right here on RRB,
Rj the bike guy on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/c/RJTheBikeGuy/videos
and Sheldon Brown, https://sheldonbrown.com/home.html
Are free treasure troves of bicycle DIY info.

Don't forget about BikemanforU on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/BikemanforU/featured
While he is a bruiser, he is very helpful.
RJ is a finesse guy. Sheldon... what cannot be found on his site? Bikeman comes from a different place, 40 years of owning a bike shop. Whatever it takes, he DOES get it done.

 

[RustySprockets]

I like this guy's videos, too--especially for newcomers. His content is short and sweet.

https://www.bikeride.com/guide/