Walking the beach can be filled with fun and adventure, but if you own a cruiser bike, the experience is more thrilling.
These bikes guarantee you comfort and pleasure as you cycle down the beach, flat surfaces or commuting within a beach town. The cruiser bike was specially created to offer riders simplicity, comfort, and style. This is what makes it an appropriate choice to ride on the beach, city streets and around the neighborhood.
There are cruiser bikes that use one gear while others have a wide range of speeds for easy shifting on long rides or when traversing flat surfaces. Depending on your taste and style, you may choose to purchase cruiser bikes that are equipped with water bottle cages and a rear rack to carry your stuff like towels and snacks.
Cruiser bikes are currently in high demand in the market. Many people are purchasing this bike style due to their simplicity, unique flowing design guarantees comfort, features complex shifters and coaster brakes.
Best Women’s Cruiser Bikes
Sixthreezero Around the Block Women’s Cruiser Bike
This women’s bike features a 17” steel frame, dual spring saddles, cruiser handlebars, reverse pedals, coaster brakes, tread tires, and aluminum wheels.
It allows an upright riding style that keeps your shoulders and back comfortable while riding around the town or neighborhood. Besides, gripped handlebars provide extra comfort while hitting the road.
The cruiser is a single speed with instant coaster brakes for adequate stopping power. Large tread tires offer a cushioned enjoyable ride with easy smooth rolling.
If you are looking for an affordable bike as a woman, this is the best bike to go for. The features and style of the bike are designed with your needs in mind and currently available in mint green color.
Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Gone are the days when it was considered a taboo for women to cycle around and enjoy the beauty of the day on their bikes.
Cycling is no longer considered a “man’s thing” and the Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser Bicycle is here to prove it!
Firmstrong is a brand that has certainly woken up to the reality that cruiser bikes are as good for women as they are men.
There is no holding back the fun and excitement where this type of bicycle is concerned.
Representing a lady’s pride served on a platter full of prestige, comfort and style, you can be certain that this bike is the companion every lady needs to cruise through the beach or in and around town.
It’s frame and structure makes it highly unique and should you opt to use it as a city bicycle, you will stand out from all other riders.
It certainly provides all the things that ladies could want from a high-end cruiser. The bike is an eye-catcher. It feels great on the grip and offers a great balance as you cruise around town. The single aspect that makes the Firmstrong Urban Lady Cruiser Bicycle different is the fact that it leaves room for customization and other options.
Huffy 26″ Nel Lusso Women’s Cruiser Bike
The Huffy Nel Lusso bike is designed with a perfect fit design, padded seats and easy to handle coaster brakes, hence satisfying the taste and preferences of most women.
Its steel frame provides more comfort, confidence, and a great ride. The handlebars are gripped to guarantee great and improved handling. Also, the coaster brakes are very useful and work perfectly to deliver an instant stopping power.
While cycling, the bike allows an upright position with raiser handlebars that eliminate leg, neck, wrist and arm fatigue. You will feel the difference while you hit the road with this Cruiser bike.
The bike guarantees more comfort, easier rolling, great momentum without additional exertion and confidence. It suits women who love to have fun with a classic looking affordable cruiser bike.
Schwinn Perla Cruiser Women’s Bicycle
Schwinn is one of the most reputable manufacturers of cruiser bikes in the whole world with years of experience producing high-quality products. It features a steel frame with matching fenders and handlebars.
Seven-speed shifters will help you in climbing hills, mountains and rough terrains with a lot of ease. Its strategically positioned linear brakes make it easy for the rider to stop even with emergencies.
Fitted with quilted seats that comes with springs and rims, the bike allows the rider to always ride in an upright position, hence guaranteeing comfort. Furthermore, the bike is available in three colors; yellow, green and mint. This means that you can never miss one that suits your taste.
Best Men’s Cruiser Bikes
Sixthreezero around the Block Men’s Cruiser Bike
This a cruiser bike that offers comfort, ease and flexibility. It has a straightforward design, low maintenance, and proper storage. It features a 19-inch steel
frame, cruiser handles, spring saddles, and aluminum wheels.
The bike allows an upright cycling position that ensures that your back and shoulders are comfortable. It has reverse pedals and coaster brakes that guarantees smooth and instant stopping. The wheels are made of aluminum measuring 26’ with tread tires that provide comfort and stable riding experience.
The reputable Shimano seven speed derailleur allows the rider to choose a wide range of gears. It is a single speed bike and perfect for riding on flat surfaces, beach and city streets.
Additionally, it is has blacked –out accessories for an extra style that comprises a rear rack to add optional stuff like panniers and baskets. The handlebars and seat can be adjusted to a particular height or tilt for maximum comfort.
Critical Cycles Chatham Men’s
If you are looking for the best cruiser bicycle, then you should consider Critical Cycles Chatham, made from a reputable manufacturer of cruiser bikes. It features an aluminum cruiser frame, 26”wheels, wide tires, single speed gearing, and upright handlebars.
The bike lacks fenders at the front, and rear sections and Critical cycles decided to exclude the rear luggage rack. However, it doesn’t mean that the bike lacks a unique and classic style. The rider has the flexibility of choosing from a wide range of speeds that includes single, three and seven gears.
It is made of steel to provide improved shock absorption and a more comfortable ride unlike the standard aluminum frames used in most bikes. Besides, wide saddles and tires offer extra comfort to the rider.
Additionally, the bike features foot-activated coaster brakes that guarantee the rider confidence, control, and comfort while riding through different terrains. It is available in four different colors and makes it easier for women a favor. Generally, the cruiser bike has excellent features that go unnoticed by novice and professional riders.
SixThreeZero In The Barrel 3-Speed Cruiser Bike
At an affordable price, the Barrel 3 speed cruiser bike comes with high quality features without busting your wallet.
Manufactured by Six Three Zero, you can rely on it for its utmost capability and wide range of features that appeals to skill level riders who love a great design. This bike is certainly a cut above all other cruiser bikes.
It is perfect if you want to shop at a very specific budget range.
In comparison to its competitors, there is no question that it is superior in terms of quality and budget.
It is definitely a purchase that you will be happy with. Today, SixThreeZero cruiser bikes are giants in the market and is a decent pick for men who are looking for a high quality bike with an affordable price tag. The Barrel 3-speed cruiser is highly unique and there are not many cruiser bikes like it.
Buyers Guide – How to Find The Right Bike?
Before you settle on the best cruiser bike, you should make a few considerations including:
Weight
Consider the weight of the cruiser bike and measure this against your strengths and the terrain you will frequently use it on. Some cruiser bikes are made specifically for some terrains like the beach, hilly area or urban commute. Each terrain type bike has a different weight and components targeted at the specific terrain.
A heavy bike will not be easy to use at the beach since it will sink in the sand. This goes to using a single gear urban bike to the hills where a bike with multiple gears would best fit. The bike should feel right in your hands even before mounting it.
Brand
Cruiser bikes are still regaining their long-lost popularity so many potential buyers do not know much about which brands to go for. There are some reliable brands with lots of promises on performance and elegance. They have tried to incorporate modern technology while maintaining the traditional bike geometry.
These have lighter construction and enhanced comfort and are easy to ride. Look for brands that have what you want in a bike. Some brands are popular while others are little known but worth investing in. Take your time and consider the features, durability, construction, and the customer reviews before going too far.
Your intended use
Even before you start looking for the best cruiser bikes, it is crucial that you clearly identify what you want to use it for. If you intend to use it in the city, then a single gear urban bike will be enough. This can be as close to the traditional bike as possible and will still serve your purposes. If you live in the countryside, chances are high that your road will have hills and depressions. This calls for a bike with gears and is light enough to ride uphill without much effort.
For beach excursions, get a bike specifically designed for that. Failing to consider these factors will result in you purchasing a bike that you cannot effectively and comfortably use.
Size
Choosing the right bike size is crucial for a comfortable journey. Ill-matching the size can cause discomfort and even pain when you ride the bike. Size is the single most important aspect to consider as you shop for your next cruiser bike. Without taking this into consideration, your riding experience will be ruined from the start.
Frame design
Decide whether you need a men’s or women’s frame design since the two vary. Men’s frame traditionally has a straight tube that goes straight horizontally just below the seating. Women’s bike frames, on the other hand, dips down to the bottom or center of the seat tube. They are also known as step through frame with a lower standover height that allows the woman to mount and dismount in dignity while wearing a dress or skirt. There is, however, no rule as to the frame one should ride, these designs are only meant for additional comfort.
Frame size
Traditionally, the cruiser bike size is determined by its wheel diameter since the frame size between two bikes of the same wheel size do not vary significantly. An adult cruiser bikes have 26-inch sized wheels. This size is intended for the woman of height 5’1” to 6’2” and men of 5’4” to 6’2”.
Gears and brakes
Before you go too far into your purchase journey, you must consider whether you will need gears. This is largely determined by the terrain you intend to use the bike on. The best cruiser bikes come in single, three, six and seven gears to serve different riding purposes. The gear you choose will depend on your riding type and whether coaster or handbrakes are preferred.
The traditional beach cruiser is a single speed bike with coaster brakes also referred to as foot brake. It is a drum brake integrated into the rear hub and engages when you backpedal. The lack of gears or hand brakes on this cruiser creates a lean stylish look. These rides are perfect on the beach and places with no hills to give you a leisurely riding experience. They are, however, not designed for long distance rides or hilly terrains.
The multi-speed cruisers are equipped with front and rear hand brakes and as many as seven gears for high-speed rides. You can ride this type of bike on any terrain without tiring yourself out or experiencing discomfort. Since they come with hand brakes, you can freewheel, backpedal and quickly stop as desired.
The six and seven-speed bikes have an external rear derailleur to shift the gears, however, the three-speed types contain a rear internal gear hub. This seals all the gears and lubricants in the hub shell. These internal gears, therefore, have a long and maintenance-free life compared to the exposed derailleur mechanism. This gear hub design allows for a coaster brake hence a much cleaner design in contrast to the numerous cables that run across the six/ seven-speed cruiser. With a three-speed cruiser, you can tackle those menacing hills and still have a stylish and clean looking bike.
The most popular gear is the Shimano 7 speed featuring SRAM twist shifters for easy shifting as you ride. The powerful gear system goes hand in hand with a reliable braking system to give you full control of the bike at any speed at all times. This helps in avoiding sudden obstacles no matter how sudden they appear to you.
Material
Cruiser bike frames are constructed from one of two materials, steel or aluminum. The steel frames are heavier and are lower quality. Steel easily rusts when exposed to water, meaning they have a shorter service life compared to aluminum. They are also less expensive compared to the aluminum frames. Aluminum frames a lightweight and are higher quality. They do not rust, hence the longer life. This makes them more expensive than the steel types. It is crucial that you consider the durability and weight issues when choosing a frame material.
Style
Everyone has a preference when it comes to the style of bike to ride. It is crucial that you only purchase that which will make you happy and fit your personal style. There are all sorts of cruiser bike styles to choose from across the brands. Even a single manufacturer can have several styles to serve its wide range of customers with varying tastes.
Performance
As you shop for the best cruiser bikes, it is best to focus on the desired performance. This is dependent on your intended use. If you need a bike for the beach, then consider a single speed bike with thick wheels. This will keep it from sinking into the sand. The other factor to consider is its overall weight, this will help you determine how much effort you need to ride smoothly and comfortably in your chosen terrain. Anything from 26” wheel size is adequate for riding on gravel, rough roads and many surfaces without using much energy.
Color
Color is very important aesthetically. The bike may be a top performer, however, if the color does not suit your personality, the ride will not be as fun as you want it to be. Colors vary among men’s and women’s bikes and you will not fail to find something that suits your taste. Consider the overall bike design up to the color for a fulfilling riding experience.
Tire size
It is crucial that you choose the right tire size when shopping for a cruiser bike. The size will determine how easy it is to ride on specific terrains. For example, if you want to ride on a sandy beach or dusty road, a wide tire will be an advantage.
Price
This may be last, but it is one aspect most people must consider before purchasing anything. Ask yourself what your budget range is and what you are comfortable spending on a cruiser bike. Consider the key features you want in a bike within a given price range and how durable your bike should be. These questions will help you figure out if the selected models are worth the money you intend to spend on them. Do not just buy without looking at the features since these determine the price.
A Few Final Words
As you shop for the best cruiser bikes, it is crucial that you consider something with high-quality construction. A lightweight material will serve you best though it does not have to be expensive. As long as the bike has all the features that make your riding experience comfortable and fun, it is worth your consideration.
There are so many models in the market to choose from and this makes the process challenging for most people. However, with these tips, you can narrow down to a few models that fit your preferences and falls within your budget. It is important that you know what you want to use the bike for before going too far in selecting one from the many models available.
Best cruiser bikes are designed for comfort with performance coming second. It is mainly for leisure riding and should not be sophisticated or full of features. People love simple machines that can take them from place to place without stress or much effort. Cruiser bikes were popular in the past and are regaining this popularity due to the leisurely riding experience it gives the rider.
If you want to ride on hilly terrains, you can get a model with gears and powerful braking systems to make it easy to ride uphill and on the plain ground as well. There are models designed for women and others meant for men though there is no rule to this except to the fact that women’s bikes have a step-through frame for dignified mounting and dismounting for dress and skirt wearers.