The Best Beach Cruiser Bike

What is a Beach Cruiser Bike?

A beach cruiser bike is a type of bicycle that can be used by men and women of all ages. Despite the name, this type of bike is useful for more than just beach riding. However, it’s best for casual and leisurely rides.

Because cruiser bikes tend to be bulkier than other types, they are also slower and not suitable for speedy riding. They’re also not the bike to choose if you’re aiming for lightweightness — for example, if you need to carry your bike up and down stairs often.
Where these bikes shine is in their comfort and ease of use. They have high, flat handlebars for an upright riding posture. They also have wide seats. They traditionally use coaster brakes rather than handlebar brakes, and many of them are simple one-gear bikes. This makes them a low-maintenance, easy-to-ride bike.

Who Should Use a Beach Cruiser Bike?

Beach cruiser bikes are best for use on flat, paved ground, though they will work on any flat terrain. They can be used at the beach, in the city, or in the suburbs. If you need to ride up and down hills often, a beach cruiser’s weight may wear you out too quickly. If you need a bike to get to and from work, or simply to ride along trails for fun, a beach cruiser will work wonderfully for you.

These bikes are great for commuters, casual riders, and occasional cyclists.

What to Look For in a Great Cruiser

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right beach cruiser for you.

Size: The most basic aspect of your bike is the size. It’s important to buy a bike that will fit you properly, since it will soon become uncomfortable otherwise. This is especially crucial when buying a bike online, when you can’t try it on first.

A well-fitting bike should allow you to extend your leg all the way down when pedaling. The top of the frame should be about level with your crotch when standing up.
You can compare the size of the frame with your inseam measurement to find the right fit. Generally, for a cruiser bike, you’ll want the bike frame to be about 12 inches shorter than your inseam. However, some cruiser bikes will not list the specific size of the frame, but instead are listed as small, medium or large. In this case, you should refer to the bike manufacturer for more information on sizing.

Frame: Most cruiser frames are made from aluminum or steel, both of which have their pros and cons.
Aluminum frames are stiffer and more rigid than steel, which can be rough on city streets. Steel is more durable than aluminum; it’s less brittle and less prone to breaking when damaged. Aluminum, on the other hand, is lightweight and stiff, and less prone to rust.

If you choose to go with steel, there are two types to consider: carbon or chromoly. Chromoly is more high-tech and stronger, but carbon (or high-tensile) steel is also a great and durable material.

Less common materials used for beach cruiser bikes include titanium or carbon fiber.

Weight: The type of material used for the frame has a lot to do with the weight. Cruiser bikes tend to be on the heavy side due to the design and thickness of the frame, as well as the wide wheels and seat. We recommend these bikes for flat riding for this reason, but if being able to carry your bike is a concern for you, you’ll definitely want to prioritize finding a more lightweight cruiser bike.

Gears: Though traditional beach cruiser bikes have only one gear, newer models can have up to 7, which can be useful for doing a greater variety of rides. However, this may come with an added price tag. Consider whether additional gears are necessary for your lifestyle.

A two-gear bike is great if you want to be able to go faster on flat ground or when pulling off. Three gears work well if you expect to encounter any hills.
Some cruiser bikes now offer up to 7 gears, but if you expect to ride on mostly flat ground, you should be just fine with 3.

Brakes: Traditional beach cruiser bikes have only one type of brakes, but newer models are changing the status quo. Beach cruisers usually have coaster brakes, which are the type that require you to back-pedal in order to stop the bike.
Coaster brakes are easy to use, but they do have certain downfalls. Firstly, they make it more difficult to brake gradually. Secondly, they make it so that you cannot rotate the pedals backward without stopping the bike, which can make it a hassle to get the pedals into the right position for taking off again.

However, some people prefer coaster brakes simply for the ease of use, comfort and aesthetic. If you like coaster brakes, go for a traditional model. Otherwise, it’s not hard to find a cruiser bike with standard hand brakes.

Comfort: One of the main reasons people ride cruiser bikes is because of the comfort, so don’t compromise on this! A great cruiser bike should have a wide, comfortable seat and ergonomic handlebars. It should also ride relatively smoothly, without wobbling or bumping around. Cruiser bikes tend to have wide balloon tires, which add stability to the ride.

Durability vs. Affordability: This is generally the trade-off that you’ll have to make depending on your particular needs. More expensive bikes usually are made with better, more durable parts, and may require less upkeep in the long run.
However, buying a bike on a budget can work well for most casual riding purposes, as long as you make sure it’s assembled properly and take good care of your bike. Schwinn and Huffy are both popular options for affordable cruiser bikes.

Bonus features: Other add-on features can be a plus for buyers, such as included front or rear baskets, rear racks, water bottle holders and so on.

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This page about Beach Cruiser Bike was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-04-26 08:22:25 and has been viewed 12757 times.