vintagebmx.com I need your advice.... I'll try not to write a book here and keep this short, but doubtful.

First off aside from taking my sisters mountain bike for a spin 2 years ago, I haven't' been on a bicycle in about 8-9 years. My last bike was a 97 redline 440. Just your basic 289.99 complete 20", but you know how that goes one thing leads to another and before you know it I had a $1,200+ redline 440 (which I still regret)

Fast forward to 2009..

I'm 28 years old 5'9-10" and out of shape......at a weight of anywhere between 280-290 depending on my weekly eating habits. The last time I was in any type of decent shape I was riding my redline 4-5 times a week. I sold it to buy go fast parts for my car at 19 and started driving everywhere.

I am looking for a complete cruiser. Not against buying a frame and going custom, but I also don't want to piece together a $1,000+ bike yet in case I get bored with it again.

Something I have been noticing is it seems like most of the 24" complete bikes I come across are aluminum. Now back in the day this was a no-no for the bigger guys. Has this changed are they built that much better now?

For now I Just want something for riding around the neighborhood, city etc. It won't leave the ground until I shed some weight and am in shape again even then its not like I'll be dirt jumping or anything. I would however like to add that in shape for me is 230-240 that's about as low as it gets for me. I have a freakishly strange build and am actually skinny at that weight.

Some of the cruisers I have checked out online are SE, GHP, Haro, Redline and Free Agent. But again everything seems to be aluminum.

Any of those up to the task? Suggestions?

Thank you all for your time.

I weigh 260ish and have been riding (all on the track) a Redline Proline cruiser for about 3 months and have not had any problems so far. I did switch out the hi-tensile bars for chromoly though, and I still bent those.

i asked the same questions a few months ago, and got the following answers....

The GHP complete cruiser is nice, as is the MCS cruiser. I ended up gettting a Free Agent, as that was my last bike, and I need the longer top tube.

I can't comment on the weight, as I'm 6'5", 207, so my my concern is length not girth.
But from what I do know, todays aluminum frames are very stout...

I think any of the bikes you mentioned are all acceptable to cruise around on and to find out if you're still into the idea or riding. There are lots of big guys out there racing alum bikes, they can take a good bit of abuse, but its a safe bet to say that the steel bikes will last longer and should be a bit stronger on average. I think for just a little more than the usual complete alum bike price you can build up a chromo frame that you like, and really trust when it comes time to start jumping again, S&M, Standard, Staats, Cyclecraft, Schneider, and the old school firemans bikes too are really cool, theres lots to choose from. The auction site also has some good deals now and then. Good luck.

The new aluminum bikes are plenty strong.

If you are budget concious, Diamondback and Haro offer very stout chromo 24s.

I am 6-4 290 and have been running a redline proline 24 at the trails with no problems for over a year now.

Me too, i think it won´t be a problem, if you´re going with an aluminum frame. They are pretty strong nowadays.
Also considering that there´s not much choice out there, if you´re looking for a cromoly 24" complete.

In addition to Redline, which are the best bang for the buck, you might take a look at the Supercross Icon Complete.

try this!

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....wtopic=27034842

He's 5'10 290, he'll need something in a pro size.

examples of complete cruisers, chromoly, street/ramp/pegs compatible:
FIT 24"
Mirraco Icon 24"
Haro Backtrail 24
DK Cygnus 24

and my fave out of the completes, We The People "Avenue" 24

Have you thought about a 26"? I'm a big guy (250+ lbs) and I love my SE Racing OM Flyer. It has a long tt (22.25") for lots of room ,cruising around.