Newbie with two basic questions.

Buggyman

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May 17, 2015
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Looking at a Huffy beach cruiser but it three speed. Does this mean more heartache, different hook up, etc.... as a newbe should I get a single speed bike instead.
Second is there any consensus on what 2 cycle engine to buy. I am up for any so would like to go with most reliable history.
Thanks guys... GREAT FORUM
Mike
 
if that bike has a coaster brake, I'd recommend against it. I refuse to build any of those. Cruisers with gears and REAL BRAKES are fairly cheap.
 
On the other hand, I recommend coaster brakes. With this caution; use them gently. Don't rely on the coaster brake alone. Give it good, frequent maintenance.

One reason that I like them is that then you need not have a rim brake on your rear wheel. That might not sound like much. But keeping your rear wheel as simple as possible is very desirable.

There's nothing wrong with a 3 speed hub. Nothing that I know of anyway. I've never used one, though.

As far as 2 cycle "Happy Time" engines is concerned, it's impossible to strategize how to get the best one. They're all alike. You'd do best to buy it from one of the sponsors of this site.

By the way, Huffys get my 'thumbs up'. Tough bikes and tough wheels. Important stuff there. Some components are kinda poor, though. But you can't get away from that with other brands, anyway, without spending a bunch of money.

So good luck and have fun. Tell us about your build as you go along.
 
The main reason I am against coaster brakes is that if the chain breaks, you have no brake. That's a dealkiller in my book!

Other reasons include being absolutely lousy for acting as a plant for your own suspension unless the crank is at BDC.

I would definitely look at cruisers with rim brakes, or at least be prepared to run decent drum brakes if a rim brake is not desired.
 
Using that logic there would be no single engine airplanes

True. Yet there's no harm in pointing out very basic type stuff to a newbie. Being unfamiliar, they might not think of these things. And that's okay. Part of our job is to act as guides.

I think that the error is in thinking that this applies only to coaster brakes.

No motorized bicycle should rely on one brake alone. No matter what kind of brake.
 
Using that logic there would be no single engine airplanes

Your claimed "using of logic" appears to have nothing of substance beyond being the simplest of analogies.

The "sudden loss of braking" aspect aside, what does acting as a plant for self suspension have to do with airplanes?
Nothing at all. Chain brake aside, the single most dangerous thing about coasters is pedal crank positioning.
One needs to have the cranks at ~180° to brake that wheel. Braking in turns becomes much riskier.
There may be added latency in the act of braking, and there may be unintentional braking.

If one should have to get off the seat to act as suspension (because heavy-sitting warps wheels and can get frames broke),
then doing so with the cranks in position for braking can cause the rider to brake unintentionally upon hitting a large bump.

Motorizing a bicycle will ofc get it moving at higher average speed, so using the arms and legs as suspension is almost a must.
Bicycle frames can get broke hitting big bumps at 25+MPH with little suspension at all. I've done it several times, myself.

Anyway just my views on coaster brakes and why I think they are a bad idea on anything that travels faster than ~20MPH.
I know there are many exp. riders here who have been on them for a loong time and think they do a fine job. I agree to a point.
I put over 1K miles on a chinagirl with only a coaster and never had an issue. But that bike cruised only 15-20 most the time.

a front disc brake is essential

In your opinion, of course. You see, I've traveled over 200K on bicycles and 20K on MaB without ever using a disc brake.
Most those miles on bikes with cantilever or linear-pull (v) brakes. Properly adjusted, a v-brake is a lot of brake per $.

I do agree that a disc brake is the best brake, tho. We should all be so lucky to have them :D
 
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