Lets see your Balloon Tire Bikes

[KilroyCD]

Hi all, I hope I'm not duplicating a previous thread. Balloon tire bicycles represent the golden age of bicycles, and they were most prevalent between 1933 and the late 1950s. A number of balloon tire retro cruiser models are still made today. What's a balloon tire some may ask? One with a width of more than two inches, such as the 26" x 2.125" found on most adult size ballooners. I've posted some photos on another thread, but I'll post them here again so you don't have to search. Below are a few from my collection.


This is a reissue of the 1941 Columbia F9T "Superb" Dashboard Bike.


This is a 1936 Elgin I restored last year.


This is a 1946 or '47 JC Higgins I restored and subsequently sold to a friend.


This is a Roadmaster of indeterminate year. It's a real "mutt" of a bike, with many non standard parts, many from other makes.
-Chris

[crazylegsmurphy]

(it wouldn't let me PM this)

Hey there,

I noticed your post about your balloon tire bikes and I have to say the first photo (the remake of the "superb") is exactly what I am looking for.

Would you mind pointing me in the right direction to find more information about that bike, where I can get one, and how much they are?

Thank you,

Jeff Walker

[Matt Noir]

Those are some sweet rides, Kilroy!

My bike is a new bike with a vintage look. I have a Felt Racing Surf City USA. It looks like a woody - I added a big, geeky basket and a huge DING DONG bell.



Here is a better stock photo with a full view:



I love Felt bicycles - I have ridden several and they all ride like a dream. I may be getting a 1903 because I love the way it looks.


1903



Let's see more of everyone's bikes!


Regards,

Matt

[KilroyCD]

(it wouldn't let me PM this)

Hey there,

I noticed your post about your balloon tire bikes and I have to say the first photo (the remake of the "superb") is exactly what I am looking for.

Would you mind pointing me in the right direction to find more information about that bike, where I can get one, and how much they are?

Thank you,

Jeff Walker

They are available new through only one source (unless you find an unused one on eBay or at a bike shop as I did), and that is "Boston Mike" Kaplan, who has the website www.nostalgiamerchants.com . He also sells on eBay as "Bac2the50s". The only color left now of the production run is "Berkshire Blue" and cream, as the "Mohawk Maroon" and cream bikes like mine are sold out. However, the maroon ones pop up from time to time on eBay. Expect to pay anywhere from $700 on up. The new ones that Boston Mike sells on eBay are $999 plus shipping. They are now out of production, and he only has a few left. Hope this helps!
-Chris

[KilroyCD]

Those are some sweet rides, Kilroy!

My bike is a new bike with a vintage look. I have a Felt Racing Surf City USA. It looks like a woody - I added a big, geeky basket and a huge DING DONG bell.



Here is a better stock photo with a full view:



I love Felt bicycles - I have ridden several and they all ride like a dream. I may be getting a 1903 because I love the way it looks.


1903



Let's see more of everyone's bikes!


Regards,

Matt

Matt, the Felt bikes are great! A friend of mine from the Minneapolis e-mailed me about his, and he loves it. He has a 2005 Felt VI (Vintage Iron) model. Nobody in my neck of the woods sells Felt bikes, so I can only drool over the website.
-Chris

[LizzieMaine]

I have two, both shown in other threads --



This is my childhood bike, a 1962 Schwinn Hollywood -- not a ballooner, technically, but its middleweight cousin. Still a very solid ride, although it's got a few dents and chips.



1946 Westfield Crescent, salvaged from the dump. A *very* smooth riding bike, and my current daily ride to work.

[KilroyCD]

I figure I'd post a pic of another one of my bikes, this time a Western Flyer (Columbia-built) that was a reissue of a 1953 model, but this bike was made sometime in the 80s. I added truss rods, a crashrail seat and mudflap.
-Chris

[KilroyCD]

I have two, both shown in other threads --



This is my childhood bike, a 1962 Schwinn Hollywood -- not a ballooner, technically, but its middleweight cousin. Still a very solid ride, although it's got a few dents and chips.



1946 Westfield Crescent, salvaged from the dump. A *very* smooth riding bike, and my current daily ride to work.

WOW! Nice Westfield! I'm rather partial to Columbia / Westfield bikes. I wish I had luck like that, finding something as nice as that at the dump. Nice original paint as well. Most of the bikes I get to restore are nicely rusted. The Schwinn is a beauty too, and I've noticed an increase in interest in the middleweights of the late 50s and early 60s. In fact, I'm in the middle of a "cost-is-no-object" restoration of a 1959 Columbia Apache 3 for a friend. It's the same model of bike he had in high school and into college (until it was stolen). He is looking to get a perfect, "as new" example when it's finished.
Below is a 1960 Ross Super Deluxe middleweight I restored for a customer.
-Chris

[Miss Neecerie]

*sighs*

I really need a bike, and currently its on the wish list of my non-existant budget.

You all are giving me bike envy.

[nobodyspecial]

Here's my oldest bike, a 1969 Raleigh Sports. I posted this earlier regarding the Lake Pepin ride. Not quite a balloon tire, but it rides very nicely, much smoother than my 1980's Trek touring bikes. The Raliegh is a great bike for around town and easy country riding.