Cruiser style bicycle recommendations?

[SheMonster]

Well, this post has No Moto content, but does have to do with two wheeled transportation and looking for good advice from my DMF brethren 

My sister and her husband have an anniversary coming up soon.  They are both early 40's, lead a sedentary lifestyle, and overweight.  Years ago early in their marriage they tried and tried and then they were told they couldn't have children, and while that was sad news they accepted it and got on with their lives.  My sister took a job with the local school district literally riding the short bus and caring for special needs children in their transport to and from school. She felt if she couldn't have her own, then she would take care of those who needed her.  Lo and behold, out of the blue they were blessed with a completely unexpected but extremely welcomed pregnancy at the age of 40 and had a beautiful and healthy baby girl 19 months ago.  So ... in the interest of encouraging and promoting good health and a long life (and getting off the couch and losing some weight) for them I would like to get them bicycles for their anniversary present this year, along with a toddler carrier seat for their daughter.  I am looking for recommendations for suitable cruiser (and since I want to get two, not hugely expensive!) style bikes for them.  Though David and I ride road bicycles, I know nothing about cruiser style bicycles.  Input please?

Thanks in advance!

[Kopfjager]

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Verza-City/Verza-City-Series.aspx

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Cafe/Cafe-Series.aspx

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA.aspx/Cruiser-Series.aspx

[SheMonster]

Oh, thank you!  Those are great! but unfortunately those are out of my budget for what I would like to do, which is to buy one for each of them.  I'm thinking more along the $100-$150 range for a decent bike, if such a thing exists? 

[Fresh Pants]

Nirve makes a nice cruiser, among other bikes.

http://www.nirve.com/

Reasonable prices too.

[Narflar]

Might just want to check out a local bike shop.  I got my wife a leftover Globe bike for a good price. 

[Kopfjager]

  I'm thinking more along the $100-$150 range for a decent bike, if such a thing exists? 

Honestly, in that price range you can't get more then a POS that will be broken in no time.

[pennyrobber]

For under $200 you will probably have to get something used or head to Walmart. But, there is hope. Sometimes you can find a deal on the most basic Phat Cycles bikes right around $200.

[SheMonster]

Honestly, in that price range you can't get more then a POS that will be broken in no time.

That is what I was afraid of. 

For under $200 you will probably have to get something used or head to Walmart. But, there is hope. Sometimes you can find a deal on the most basic Phat Cycles bikes right around $200.

The Schwinns and Huffys on the walmart and target sites don't appear to be very solidly built, and they are heavy people.  Doing some research it looks like I need to look at steel frames.

Might just want to check out a local bike shop.  I got my wife a leftover Globe bike for a good price. 

Thanks, although I am in AZ, they are 2000 miles from here.  Used is hard to do as I need to have them shipped as gifts (think Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, etc).

[SheMonster]

Nirve makes a nice cruiser, among other bikes.

http://www.nirve.com/

Reasonable prices too.

Oh, I like these, they look like a lot of fun!  But again, cost prohibitive.   I may have to rethink my thinking about an anniversary gift. 

[Kopfjager]

 I may have to rethink my thinking about an anniversary gift. 

Light weight Hiking boots/shoes. (?)

[SheMonster]

I'm kinda thinking they wouldn't get much use, as that is hard to do with a toddler in tow.  Plus, they are in the middle of cornfields, not many places to hike around there.  I haven't given up the bicycle idea just yet, still looking!

[Jaman]

craigslist is your friend!   maybe find some offerings in their area, and have someone take a look?

[triangleforge]

I'm kinda thinking they wouldn't get much use, as that is hard to do with a toddler in tow.  Plus, they are in the middle of cornfields, not many places to hike around there.  I haven't given up the bicycle idea just yet, still looking!

While I commend your good intentions, have they expressed an interest in riding? I've known a whole lot of bikes bought as gifts that don't get ridden: case in point, the nice Gary Fisher MTB in our shed that was a Christmas present for our daughter; if I had to guess, I'd estimate she's been on it four times in the last couple of years.*  Maybe a baby jogger type stroller? Those can be an excellent way to get parents out doing something aerobic with junior.

If you want to keep after the bike idea, as others have noted it's going to be pretty much impossible to find a decent pair of bikes in the price range you're positing if you want to buy new; Jaman's right that your best option would be to scour the Tucson Craigslist several times a day (I notice there are at least four bikes labeled "cruiser" on there from today alone). If you're going to go that route, enlist the help of a friend who knows bikes inside & out to help you vet them -- while buying a WalMart bike guarantees you'll get junk,  buying on CL without knowing your stuff merely makes it extremely likely. And be sure you budget a good chunk of change for a good quality toddler seat and helmet (and probably helmets for mom & dad, too). If it was me, I'd avoid the toddler seat route entirely and get a toddler-appropriate bike trailer (and helmet!). A trailer is going to be significantly safer than a bolt-on seat, and a LOT easier for inexperienced riders to manage -- a toddler seat puts a fair amount of weight up high, which can be no fun for new riders. I've also seen two or three instances where parents hopped off the bike and assumed that a cheesy kickstand could hold up both bike AND toddler in a bolt on seat, with very scary results.

*While I've put more miles on her bike that she has, one of her classmates borrowed it to ride the 15 mile course of the Whiskey Off-Road race here in Presskit last weekend, and she said she wants to do that next year... Fingers crossed!!

[Jarvicious]

It's so upsetting that I can't recommend a Schwinn.  They used to be such a good company.

If you do end up getting them a couple of bikes in that price range, you may think about buying them a gift card to a local shop as well, because they're going to need it.  You can get them to run well and maintain that state well, but it takes some know how and a bit of time spent wrenching.  I had a buddy that wanted to get into road cycling so he bought a $200 Fuji road bike online (cheap when it comes to road bikes) and he rode the HELL out of that bike.  Thousands of miles, but he also had to go through quite a few chains, tires, bottom bracket bearings, etc.  Cheap bikes are great, just be ready to get what you pay for. 

As far as Craigslist is concerned, it would be like someone shopping for their first motorcycle, looking at the bike, and having no idea what to look for as far as red flags and things that may need to be replaced.  Bicycle maintenance is a piece of cake, but just as in motorcycles, there are tons of little nuances that can make a "great deal" turn into a money pit. 

[cokey]

No discount bike shops? The rodie I've used for the last 11 years was 200$ royce union..  riding in this city is harsh on bikes too..