Cruisers

by Jonny Fuego, Jonny Fuego

CRUISERS OFFERS AN INSIDER'S LOOK at the latest and greatest cruiser bicycle styles and designs, and provides tips on how people can trick out their own bikes to proclaim their individuality. It also tells the unique history and development of cruiser bikes, from their pre-World War II origins to the popular California beach bikes of the 1970s to today's retro-chic bikes. Without style, a bike is just a bike, a means of getting from here to there. With style, the bikes people ride become a defining stamp of who they are. The modern cruiser-with its oversized balloon tires, solid steel framing, shock-absorbing suspension, and custom colors and modifications-is a testament to individual style. So saddle up in the seat of a classic bike and rediscover the smooth rolling freedom. Popular bike groups like the Freak Bike Militia and the Tour de Fat are spreading "cruiser love," with community events taking place across the globe. According to the National Bike Registry, approximately 1.2 million cruisers were sold last year in the United States. Hundreds of cities and towns promote bike commuting to maintain good health and enhance community spirit, and to cut down on pollution. Online marketing and promotions. Print and web advertising campaign. National broadcast and print publicity. Co-op available. Michael Ames is a freelance writer and editor of the Sun Valley Guide magazine in Ketchum, Idaho. He learned how to ride a bike at age seventeen and hasn't been off a bike since. Jonny Fuego is a mad cruiser scientist. From the laboratory garages of his Boise-based Customs and Cruisers, Fuego breathes life into scraps of metal, rubber, and leather. His smooth-rolling creations can be found throughout the country.

158 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool pictures of custom built cruiser bikes. Has a brief intro about this iconic American style of bike (along with some really abbreviated history of 20th century bike trends in the USA) and then on to what people are doing with cruiser styles. My favorite bit was Fuego talking about how a person could customize their own cruiser, either an out of box job or ground up. Cool stuff.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a coffee table book of cruiser bicycles. I enjoyed it, but it's not heavy on information.