Old School Vintage Bikes for riding around campgrounds

[Deanm]

Poll: Calling all 50+ active people ! Would you be interested in having one of these to ride around while RV camping??!!!

For a few years I was using my way too expensive mountain bike to cruise around the campgrounds while RV camping( Insert way too expensive E-Bike or new store bought bike!). I wanted a cheaper "cruiser" bike that I didn't have to worry about getting rained on or if stolen was not such an expensive loss.
I came across a "bike restoration" video where a guy was restoring an old Schwinn and it really resonated with me. Like most who get into this hobby, I was struck with the awsum memory of riding these bikes as a kid in the 1970's. So here I am now every morning searching Marketplace and Craigslist for these old bikes which actually pop up more often than you would think.

I'm just wondering if as an alternative to a costly E bike or even a regular new Beach Cruiser Bike purchase, ( both of which can have more maintenance requirements than an old Schwinn ), RV campers would be interested in purchasing one of these?

I love mine as it is an awsum ride, ( has a 2 speed kickback rear coaster brake which makes hills no problem ) , and is a great conversation stater for those that recognize classic stuff. Of course Ive customized it to be much more comfortable to ride as the old seats / handlebars can be a little small.
Here are a few of what I've fixed up for my wife and I.
Wife's Bike, 1959 Hollywood, she loves riding around with a beer in the cup holder !
My ride, 1963 Schwinn Typhoon with longer seat post , Brooks Saddle and Ape Hanger handlebars...super compfy to ride !!!

[NMWildcat]

Nice bikes! And they can be comfortable to ride and nice to look at.
The downsides we have found is that they are usually much heavier and don't have enough gears to handle hills. So we stick to our foldable bikes that store easily and have 12 speeds.
But they sure don't have the cool factor the vintage bikes have!

[Ejs4029]

I have one of these it's a Electra Vince 3i and my Wife has a Electra Hula Both are 3 speeds. Not vintage but vintage look we bought both in 2009.

[IsleDog]

Im in my 30's and love the classic beach cruisers! i have built 3 of them with gas engines. great MPG and around 30-35 mph top speed. hills are no problem unless you run out of fuel. then its a chore to ride one of these!

[GalsofEscape]

you can still buy the model like your wife has new - my sister just got one a couple of years ago. you can get conversion kits to make them into e-bikes. they can be a pain to transport though, as i don't have a truck, they don't fit easily in the camper (though it can be done) and my SUV tow vehicle can't use a hanging bike rack (but that weight plus camper tongue weight rules that out anyhow). So when she brings it, she drives separately.

[jimmarako]

Originally Posted by Deanm

Wife's Bike, 1959 Hollywood, she loves riding around with a beer in the cup holder !

I don't see the cup holder on your wife's bike. Well, unless she is calling the front basket a cup holder. If she is thats what I would call a keeper.

[Oaklevel]

I gave my Schwin Typhoon to my son a couple of years ago pretty sure when I was a kid in the mid 1960s that I put a million or more miles on it.

My wife bought a Huffy a few years ago when the boys were young. She got an idea of riding bikes at the campground a couple of years ago so I bought a used retro bike for me since our son has my Schwinn. Unfortunatually I can sill ride good but she has a had time keeping on two wheels.

[Oaklevel]

Found a picture of my well ridden Typhoon...................... other than the tires 100% factory origional. I was in 5th grade when my parents bought it for me.

[Deanm]

Thanks for the awsum replies !

[Deanm]

Originally Posted by IsleDog

Im in my 30's and love the classic beach cruisers! i have built 3 of them with gas engines. great MPG and around 30-35 mph top speed. hills are no problem unless you run out of fuel. then its a chore to ride one of these!

Killer bikes !! I have building one of these on my to do list !

[Deanm]

Originally Posted by jimmarako

I don't see the cup holder on your wife's bike. Well, unless she is calling the front basket a cup holder. If she is thats what I would call a keeper.

She is a keeper ha ha ! Yes the cup holder is inside the basket. Total stealth mode conceived by her !!

[Deanm]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Found a picture of my well ridden Typhoon...................... other than the tires 100% factory origional. I was in 5th grade when my parents bought it for me.

Awsum Bike !! Your close, I can restore that thing for you, I'm retired and love doing it if you ever get the urge !!!! I charge a bottle of Patrone !

Take a pic of the non drive drop out serial number..easy ID of manufacturing date.

[IsleDog]

Originally Posted by Deanm

Killer bikes !! I have building one of these on my to do list !

Thank you! if you ever have questions feel free to let me know.


that TYPHOON above is a tempting build for sure!

[lannieoakley]

Those are very nice. Hubby and i have 2 old cruisers that he picked up at a yard sale for $50. He gave them some tlc and we take them when we are camping on flat land. When we head to the hills we take our more expensive bikes with gears.

[RedRoverComeOver]

No pics but had a single speed beach cruiser that's free to a good home if you can find it. I left it under some coconut tree on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It's been a few decades so there's probably a bit of rust on it.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Deanm

Awsum Bike !! Your close, I can restore that thing for you, I'm retired and love doing it if you ever get the urge !!!! I charge a bottle of Patrone !

Take a pic of the non drive drop out serial number..easy ID of manufacturing date.

Thanks. The bike is currently at our sons in Wilmington NC. Next time we go I will take a picture.