A guide to beach cruiser bikes and why we love them

Summer means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for many it means slowing down and enjoying life and a beach cruiser bicycle is the perfect match to that lifestyle.

What is a cruiser bike

A cruiser bicycle is generally an upright bike that is a bit more stretched out than a typical Dutch design just to the point of leaning back slightly. It’s a position that prioritizes rider comfort over everything else. It most often has a coaster brake, a single speed as well as a curvy and wonderful frame, wide handlebars, a plush seat and big balloon tires for smooth and easy riding. The frames are often made of steel so they last for a long time and provide a smooth riding experience while being relatively maintenance-free. Although there are a few slight variations, this is the general makeup of a cruiser.

Now that the cruiser is popular once again, bike brands are adding unique touches to the model, for example bold and nostalgic colorways, hand brakes, and pedal-assist electric motors.

The history of the cruiser bike

A cruiser is characterized by its simplicity and its fun, whimsical design. The whole idea can be traced back to American bicycle pioneer Frankie Schwinn who popularized the cruiser bicycle as a simple and cheap means of transportation during the Great Depression. And it stuck.

The cruiser was all the rage during the ’50s, and was often used by teenagers on paper routes, or by bicycle couriers, and was quite the American symbol at one point. But, progress took hold and new imported roadster bicycles that were lighter and faster started to get noticed and quickly muscled in on the cruiser model.

Soon many different models of bicycle were introduced including BMX and mountain bikes and the cruiser was relegated to the beach, where possibly it always belonged.

The revival

The whole idea of the beach cruiser took shaped at a Newport Beach bike shop called Recycled Cycles in 1976. The rather forward-looking shop owner’s idea was to repurpose the old cruiser bikes nobody wanted any longer to be used along the coast by surfers and other assorted beach types.

According to an article on Bloomberg, the shop was owned by Larry McNeely who trademarked the term California Beach Cruiser in 1976, after a customer came in and ask him to fix a flat on another similar old-timey bike that the rider, who was from England, called a bay cruiser.

“She brought it in to me and said, ‘Hey, I need a flat fixed.’ I go, ‘You ride this?’ And she says, ‘Yeah, it’s my bay cruiser. I can take my surfboard, go down to the beach, throw this bike down in the sand, go surfing, come back, and it’s still gonna be there because it’s ugly and nobody wants to steal it.’ And I thought, ‘Bay cruiser, huh?’ That’s clever. Beach cruiser!” McNeely is quoted as saying.

And, it wasn’t too long before bicycle manufacturers took note, and started to play with the cruiser formula once again turning out a slew of cruisers to the public in the ’80s. Even PeeWee Herman, who pedalled a classic Schwinn Western Flyer, got into the act and brought more attention to the style.

Beach cruisers were customized to carry surfboards, a six-pack of beer, groceries, you name it. And the model became forever linked to consumers who were not in a hurry to get anywhere whether on vacation or at home.

Now, a large number of bicycle manufacturers, especially those with a range of models for use in cities, carry at least one beach cruiser. And so they should.

You can also find beach cruisers at hotels and rental shops anywhere there is a beach or laid-back lifestyle from Tofino, Vancouver Island in the northwest to Key West in the southeast. They tend to opt for beach cruisers because they are so easy and fun to pedal, and they rarely break down.

Why use a cruiser bike?

Cruisers are fun to ride, and are a great and affordable style of bicycle for those with short commutes and leisure rides, often to and from the beach, the cottage or down the boardwalk promenade for ice cream.

Because of the single speed, the steel or aluminum frame and the upright position, pedalling uphill is not so easy. So cruisers are best for relatively flat areas, hence the popularity on coastlines and in communities that are more relaxed with a slower-pace of life.

What makes cruisers so popular is the ease of use, lower price tag and the negligible maintenance cost. Ideal beach cruisers have a single speed so one only needs to keep the chain greased (or better yet get one with a belt drive). There is also just a coaster brake, no expensive hydraulic disc brakes, so no expensive trips to the bike shop. Steel frames can eventually rust, but are easy to maintain, or opt for aluminum.

As a result, beach cruisers offer easy entry to the non-cyclist set who enjoy the comfortable ride, and the lack of fancy tech, not to mention the low cost.

But, they also appeal to those who are looking for that lifestyle, that vibe, and want a bicycle to match.

And why not?

Well, as mentioned, cruiser bikes don’t do well with hills. They don’t do well with long commutes or any kind of long-distance bicycle trips. But, there are elements of cruiser bikes that can be found in other models that do well in these situations. The comfortable riding position, for instance, can be found in many modern models of city and hybrid bikes. And, some new cruiser bikes have a pedal-assist electric motor so longer distances rides and hills become much more realistic. Some come with hand brakes and a few gears. It all depends on priorities.

What to look for

Although beach cruisers are a simple concept, the range in quality is still high. Some bicycles won’t last the year, others will be with you for a lifetime.

To that end, here is a list of some of our favourite bicycle brands that offer beach cruiser bikes.

Priority Coast, $599

Priority offers up a beautiful beach cruiser dubbed the Coast. This brand ranks highly thanks to its quality Gates Carbon Drive Belt, attention to detail, and approachable price point. This bike does offer a Shimano three-speed hub as well as a front hand brake, but it does also come with the traditional rear coaster brake, as well as, a sweet double kickstand. The Coast comes in a diamond or step-through frame.

Brooklyn Bicycle Co.’s Brighton Seven-Speed Cruiser, $579.99

Although we think the seven speeds might be overdoing it for a cruiser, it does give this little gem a bit more flexibility for riders. It’s also super lightweight, which is a real plus for this style of bike. The Brighton also has a very relaxed geometry perfect for cruising, awesome wide handlebars with plush grips and a plush saddle from Selle Royale. There is a rear and front hand brake as well, but no coaster brake.

Electra Cruiser 1 Step-Thru, $350

The Electra Cruiser 1 Step-Through bike is a sleek and stylish ride designed for effortless urban cruising. With its unique frame design that places the pedals in front of the seat post, this bike offers a low center of gravity, ensuring a stable and balanced ride. The step-through design makes mounting and dismounting a breeze, adding convenience to your daily commute. Say goodbye to gear complications with the simple, single-speed drivetrain that allows for a smooth and fuss-free riding experience. The rear coaster brake provides effective stopping power, with the intuitive reverse pedaling motion activating the brake. Maneuvering through turns at slow speeds is a breeze, thanks to the 26-inch wheels with knobby tires that provide stability and control. The platform pedals accommodate any type of footwear, while the full-length chainguard keeps your pant legs clean and free from grease. Enjoy ultimate comfort with the wide saddle featuring elastomer springs.

Schwinn Huron 1 26, $369.99

It wouldn’t be right to dedicated an article to beach cruisers and not include something from Schwinn. After all, the cruiser was invented by this iconic American brand, and it still turns out a few nice and quite affordable cruiser models such as this Huron. It hits all the traditional cruiser features: single speed, laid-back geometry, wide handlebars, coaster brake, and a nice padded seat. There is even a nice chain guard as well as three-speed and seven-speed options. Cannot get much better than this fetching number for less than $400.

Sole Shrine, $349

This classic beach cruiser from Sole is delightful to the eye with its gleaming white glossy frame and colorful pops of red. Like true cruisers, the Shrine is a single speed with a coaster brake, extra-wide handlebars and big balloon tires for a smooth and speedy ride. it includes a kickstand, rust-resistant components, steel frame, and a springy saddle. We also love that the Sole ships bikes out 90 percent built, making it super-easy to hit the beach for a cruise right away.

Sixthreezero Around The Block, $349

Given this cool new bicycle brand was born in the founder Dustin Gyger’s California garage, it’s no surprise they take the whole beach cruiser thing very seriously. The Around the Block model is inexpensive, stylish, and offers plenty of solid features including a swish bright yellow rear rack. This bike has two-inch thick semi-slick tires for a comfortable and stable ride, a single speed and rear coaster brakes. It’s also got a semi-step-through frame that is easy to use and a geometry design for cruising and a pedal position that maximizes leg extension. We love the very wide handlebars, the sweet faux leather grips and solid single-spring saddle.