Links
My links to other cruiser sites, cruiser companies, etc etc
Cruiser Bike Central
This is a Vancouver-based group who do a lot of rides. Pretty much the 'official' cruiser bike site for Vancouver.
Electra
Electra has some awesome looking cruisers and has been in the business for over 10 years. They make a great assortment of bikes with affordable prices.
Manhattan Cruiser
Manhattan Cruiser is a division of KHS, better known for their road and mountain bikes. Manhattan has expanded their product line over the last year with even MORE great bikes!
Harris Cyclery
Great source for Sturmey parts among other things. Knowledgeable staff who are more than willing to help you figure out what you need before you order. They're based in Massachusetts but they can get some stuff the local stores can't.
Dave's Vintage Bicycles
A reference picture archive containing hundreds of images of vintage bicycles, parts and literature. They also offer restoration services for your classic or antique bicycle.
Bicycledesigner.com
Lots of lowrider and cruiser parts. Mostly stuff aimed at the lowrider market but lots that works for cruisers too.
Simple
Simple is Giant's cruiser line. These bikes seem to be pretty well built - the lower end models are common with the rental places around the city and those bikes have to stand up to a lot of abuse. They also have a chopper line - check the dropdown menu on the product page.
Nirve
Nirve makes some gorgeous choppers and cruisers - they have a very full product line and make a lot of accessories too.
Sturmey Archer Service Info
This site has some general info and instructions for servicing various Sturmey hubs. Not a lot of pictures but if you're just looking for a quick refresher it'll help you out.
Hourly Weather Forecast
Really useful site for finding out what the weather is going to do in the next 12 hours or so. Absolutely critical for cruiser rides during the rainy season!
Another Hourly Forecast
This is the forecast from a US company - it's the one that the weather widget on the front page of the site uses. Seems to be SOMEWHAT accurate but not as good as the weather network.
Denman Bike Shop
Denman Bike Shop is the closest shop to Stanley Park. They've got one of the best selections of cruiser bikes and parts in the city.
3G Bikes
A new cruiser manufacturer I hadn't previously seen. Nice looking bikes, some WICKED cool fender designs you won't see anywhere else.
Yagger's
Yagger's is quickly becomming a regular cruiser hangout. Located downtown close to everything it's a great place to end the evening.
Fearless Gearless
Fearless Gearless is your fixie and single speed home. Lots of bike advocacy and probably the best place to find out what's happening in Vancouver (well, except for here!!)
Rat Rod Bikes
Very nice looking cruiser & custom forum. Lots of bikes and builders throughout North America...
Spoke Length Calculator
Handy calculator for determining spoke length when building wheels. The pre-defined rim selection isn't particularly useful for cruiser folk but the hub selection is pretty good. I've checked this against other spoke calculators and it seems to be accurate - the spokes it told me I needed for my Manhattan seem to be the right length!
Building Bicycle Wheels
Sheldon Brown of Harris Cyclery tells you how to build a wheel. I've built a couple using these directions now...
Bike Rod 'n Kustom
Wicked bad ass kustom bikes! Serge has a page up on there with his creations, lots of others too!!
CruiserKirkham
GOBS of photos, the true history of cruising in Vancouver. Rod Kirkham is the big daddy of the Vancouver cruiser scene!! Definitely one to bookmark if you're in to the Vancouver cruiser scene...
Chopper News Network
Archives all the way back to 2001! Find out what's going on in the European chopper world!
Canada Topographical Map Database
Gotta love the government of Canada... They've got this awesome map generator that will spit out topo maps of ANYWHERE in Canada, with whatever other "features" you want overlaid... The UI could use a little work, but the important thing is the data is HERE!
The Bike Kitchen
The Bike Kitchen is a project of the UBC Bike Co-op, with the support of the UBC Alma Mater Society and the Trek Program Centre. Any extra revenue raised by the Bike Kitchen is used by the UBC Bike Co-op to provide bicycle programs on campus and in the larger community
Jett Grrl Bike Studio
jett grrl bike studio was created as a way to empower women on their bicycles. we offer a series of mechanics classes, aimed at educating women about their bikes and how to take care of them. but don't worry boys, jett grrl is not just for women! it is for anyone who wants to learn. all we ask is that everyone checks their ego and their attitude at the door :o) jett grrl is all about providing a RELAXED, FRIENDLY, NON-INTIMIDATING environment
Bike Route Planner
This handy site will help you plot out how to get from A to B on your bike. It takes things like hills, traffic signals, pollution, etc in to account when suggesting routes. Seriously good stuff!
Central Valley Greenway
Translink's web site about the Central Valley Greenway, a brand-new 25 km bike path connecting Vancouver to New Westminster through Burnaby
Haro Cruiser
Haro has some great looking bikes in their 2009 catalog - they're definitely trying to give Electra a run for their money!
Wheel Building
This is a good set of wheel building instructions - I find I have better luck with this site than with Sheldon's instructions. The method is slightly different...
