Oh, Zach.  3 speeds.  I know at least some are inside the rear hub.  I can't say much about how that's gonna hold up.  I just know about the normal multi sprocket deal with a derailleur.  

Yeah, the derailleur is what went on my last bike. Also, I can't remember if it's the highest or lowest gear, but when we go to the skate park, in a certain gear, the derailleur drops down like 6 inches and becomes an obstacle when riding ramps etc. It hangs down too low.

As far as the 3 gears, yes, if I remember correctly, it was just three different sprockets on the back with the single on the front. So, no derailleur. 

I checked a little more.  If it's a 3 speed, it's almost for sure in the hub.  Not as wide a range as a derailleur and 7 gears, but simpler outside.  They say it's durable, but not user friendly INSIDE.  You probably won't have to fool with it, though.  I never really messed much with cruiser style hubs of any kind.  I highly recommend at least get one hand brake just in case.  Some companies won't sell a cruiser bike without a 911 front hand brake.  Your chain, etc, is the brakes if you got a coaster brake back there.  You can't stop if the chain comes off or somethin.  Unless you smoke your flops.  

I take back, or maybe modify, the brakes statement.  That depends on how much you ride.  Coaster brake (pedals) on the rear wheel is fine for puttin around.  Won't ever be goin fast enough to worry about smokin your shoes to stop if somethin happens and you can't brake with the pedals.  I've had friends that had the chain come off and crashed into someone because no brakes.  

I always liked six three zero cruiser bikes.  Of course, any bike with barrel in its name caught my attention.  😏

There's 1, 3, and 7 speed versions.  Three speed could be fun.  I know it ain't an economy model,  but it's pretty dang cool lookin. 

https://www.sixthreezero.com/products/mens-in-the-barrel-beach-cruiser-bike/?variant=412382537

Yeah, from what I "recall", I think it just acted like a normal "geared/mountain" bike, where the pedals will rotate backwards without engaging any kind of breaking system. I could be wrong, because I only rode "The Lexus" a few times, when we were going somewhere fancy....

I know it had AT LEAST one hand break, because that is what I used. I dont recall ever trying to engage a pedal break. Not sure on that one. I just "assumed" that any bike with gears did NOT have a pedal/cruise break. I thought that that would interfere with the way the gear systems work. Maybe that is only if you have multiple gears/sprockets on the front? 

Maybe you can shed light on that....

Now, at first glance, all the "3 speed" beach cruisers for sale online are in the $400-$500 range, right out of the gates. That is CRAZY.

You can get a full sized, men's mountain bike with 12-18 gears from Walmart for like $130 bucks....

Now, I like the "Style" of the beach cruiser. EVERYONE rode beach cruisers in San Diego. Everyone. I don't care if you drive a ferrari, if you lived in Coastal San Diego, you show up at the bar on a beach cruiser....

That said, the Mountain bike is the most versatile bike out, IMO. Unless you are a competitive "street cycle enthusiast" or whatever, the Mountain Bike can do whatever you want. Ride on the beach. Short distances, long distance, off road, street riding, ramps, tricks, woods. You name it....

The street bike == only good for long distance endurance riding

The Beach Cruiser == only good on flat ground for short distances. These things actually suck for "cruising the beach".... A Moutain bike is far better on sand.....

So anyway, I am semi on the market for another bike. Definitely leaning towards another mountain bike. I still have a gas dirt pike or pit bike on my list of next purchases, but I think dropping a couple hundred bucks on a mountain bike is no big deal. Dropping $1200-$1500 on a dirt bike is a touch different. 

My $1,000 tattoo from a few weeks ago is living rent free in my head. That was the cost of a new pit bike or cheap 125, or like 5 mountain bikes =)

Them geared hubs can have a coaster (pedal) brake inside there too.  I don't know a super lot about coaster brake hubs.  You can get the 3 speed bikes either way. Like the one you had that didn't use pedal brakes. Some do.

I just mentioned cruiser bikes because it's an option.  I personally like my 1x7 used to be mountain bike.  I will say a cruiser bike is a lot easier to putt around on, carry a surfboard, etc.  Oh, yeah.  California beach cruisers can get sweet and pricey. 

I rebuilt a coaster brake hub once.  There's shit inside that moves around to grab the axle.  They can stuff a coupla gears in there too.  

Here ya go, Zach.  These got everything stuffed in the hub.  Gears and the brake.  I see they got ones with more than 3 speeds, but that gets $$$.

So, your bike is now a cruiser, not a mountain bike? Is that because Moutain Bikes have to have a certain # of gears to fall into that category or something?

Technically, it's still a mountain bike. 

I just modified it to work for me here.  BMX park, pavement tires.  Shock with like half the spring value.  Took out the unnecessary front 3 sprockets and all that stuff.  Replaced the one remaining grip shifter with a thumb type.  It's nothin like the 21 speed mud knob tire bike I picked up at Academy 15 yrs ago next month. 

But, they'd call it a mountain bike.  I still got the same full suspension frame.

If I jumped off a real hill now, my rear shock would probably bottom out, or get close.  It moves around now when I roll over asphalt cracks.  That original mountain jumper spring barely moved if I pushed down on the bike real hard.  So, it's disguised as a mountain bike.  Might have a rider max weight of like 142lbs.  Haha 

Haha, nice. At first I read that wrong and thought you increase the spring tension so it was less responsive with the suspension, but you clarified that it's the opposite. That makes sense.

And like I said, I don't ride enough to get really technical or picky at this point. I think a standard mountain bike, with 12-18 gears or whatever it is, and nobby offroad tires is the call. They are all available, cheap and I have used many of them in the past. 

I still really like this Academy bike you showed me for my son. There is an Academy store up on Beaufort, the next island to our North. About a 45 minute drive, but I will go check it out. This is the one you showed me:

https://www.academy.com/p/ozone-500-shock-force-26-in-21-speed-mountain-bike?sku=26-light-beige-01

I don't think ya go wrong there, Zach.  You could easily spend way more and get Aluminum frame, etc.  That's a pretty solid bike for under $200.  Ozone 500 is an ok bunch.  Even if they gotta order it, or you do online, they set up everything as long as you pick it up at the store.  It's a great feeling not having to set up everything first.  I just rode it from the 1st day.  Everything worked.  😎🤙

My frame is around 75% Al.  Just them two silver pieces by the rear wheel are steel.  It cost me around $200, $225 15 years ago.  I think you gotta get in the $300+ range for Al frames.  Definitely way lighter, especially if you gotta hike anywhere with it.  But, a steel frame is just fine.  

Holy shit, Zach.  They got an Aluminum frame one on sale...  That's pretty cheap for an Al frame, bro.  

Need 2 pics... 1st one...

2nd pic

Link...

https://www.academy.com/p/ozone-500-mens-mottolino-26-21-speed-mountain-bike?sku=26-black-white-01

Dayum.  Both disc brakes.  Thumb shifters.  Wonder why it's on sale.  That's a pretty nice bike.

Sweet! I think that is an upgrade worthy of consideration for a $75 upcharge. I wasn't even thinking about the materials used for the bike. Thanks for the heads up... Good to know. Aluminum == Good.