I was always afraid of being late for my work meetings and no one likes to sit in traffic. That is when I decided to get a bike. I haven’t regretted my decision so far. One of the best things about cycling is that the bike is also perfect for exercising. Fun, exercise, and transportation – that’s what cruiser bikes offer.However, the amount of exercise and fun one gets from the bike depends on a lot on what type of bike you invest in. Be sure to choose a bike whose performance is up to speed on what you need.Cruiser bikes for men and women are very popular among vacationers and casual bikers as they are very comfortable.They are also known to merge features such as upright posture, simple steel assembly, pair o balloon tires and one-speed drivetrain.
Is there a difference between women’s and men’s cruisers?
Yes and no. Cruiser designers and manufacturers have, over the past few decades, taken to designing bikes for men as well as women. It’s, however, important to note that the only real difference between men’s and women’s cruiser bikes is one of the aesthetics.
Compared to men’s bikes, women’s cruisers are usually made from slimmer tubing and feature different curvatures in the upper frame. That’s truly the only difference. If you like the look of a man’s cruiser and are a woman, don’t hesitate to buy it.
In the past, cruiser bikes were a luxury and as such, only the rich could be seen using them. About four or five centuries ago, things started to change and it became an affordable product for everyone.
Its popularity declined a few decades ago, but it has risen over the past few years like a phoenix from the ashes. In fact, it was the inspiration for what we know today as the mountain bike. They are known for their comfort and simplicity.
Cruiser Bikes: Our Top Picks
We have done extensive research and come up with the best cruiser bikes as well as a buyer’s guide to help you choose something that suits your needs and preferences.
Firmstrong Urban Man Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Firmstrong Urban Beach Cruisers are designed for enthusiastic bikers. It offers the perfect blend of high-quality workmanship with strong style. The bike’s popularity is due to its simplicity in design, comfortable riding as well as safety. It’s also known for developing innovations in the area of modern style, durability and quality. It comes with two wheel sizes i.e. 24” and 26” for the petite build and higher people respectively.
The Firmstrong Urban Man Single Speed Cruiser bike is priced from $150 to $300, making it easier for one to choose.Something that suits their budget. It comes with a 19” durable steel frame, oversized dual spring saddle as well as swept back handlebars for an upright riding position.
This bike’s features make it a perfect fit for someone who’s looking for something that is suitable for more than just cruising along the beach. It can be used for shopping or lonely rides with friends.
The main downside of the Firmstrong Urban Beach Bike is that it doesn’t come with high-quality tires and as such, wearing may become an issue if used on rough roads. Also, the saddle may be hard and cause some discomfort.
sixthreezero Men’s In The Barrel 26-Inch Beach Cruiser Bicycle
The matte black In The Barrel bike from Six Three Zero is a little pocket of awesome that comes with 3-speed gears. It is designed to capture the exhilaration that’s found in a place that lasts a moment but feels as if all time slows down.It comes with a superior comfort, forward pedaling design and an extended frame.
A Shimano Internal Gear System powers the 3-speeds and allows you to ride, cruise or bike wherever you want with smooth, reliable shifting. Added leg extension and 26” wheels make this cruiser bike perfect for an insanely comfortable chill ride, regardless of your size.
While it is a cruiser bike, the Six Three Zero in the barrel bike can also be used in places ordinary cruisers wouldn’t including beaches and boardwalks. Features include rubber block pedals, Shimano internal 3-speed hub with easy to use Nexus shifter, as well as an 18” extended steel frame with forward pedaling design.
Kent Rockvale Men’s Cruiser Bike
Remaining attached to your roots while learning something new is the best way to sustain yourself, or anything for that matter. That’s what the Kent Rockvale Men’s Bike offers. It is modern in performance and specifications as well as classic in standards and looks. The bike comes with an 18-inch steel frame that helps with stability and improves the overall durability.
While cruiser bikes are meant to be used for casual riding on highways and paved roads, This one is also ideal for hilly terrains, unpaved roads, and other trails thanks to a sturdy frame that helps improve its performance.
It comes with linear pull brakes that provide excellent braking capabilities, thus ensuring that you can control the bike with optimum efficiency. The front and rear handbrakes also serve to provide more control over the bike.
The saddle is comfortable and can be adjusted easily with a quick release seat clamp to meet your needs.Other notable features include an enclosed chain cover for better protection, cost efficient and robust performance, dual linear pull brakes and sturdy, classic cruiser frame.
Firmstrong Bruiser Man Beach Cruiser Bicycle
This is a 26-inch, seven-speed cruiser bike that is extremely popular among casual cyclists. Its affordable price and great features are the main reasons behind the success of the Firmstrong Bruiser. It comes with an elongated frame that features a durable Hi-tensile steel material. The frame measures 19-inch, thus providing enough space to the user between the seat and handles.
This also makes your posture perfect for a comfortable ride. The Shimano coaster brakes allow you to suddenly stop your bike in front of rocky hurdles when the need arises while the aluminum coated wheels ensure that you have a smooth ride.
It comes with a large, soft seat allows an oversized person to ride without having to worry about discomfort or durability of the bike. Other notable features that the Firmstrong Bruiser Men’s Bike comes with include spring supporting seat, comfortable handles with water resistant leather coating, thick top tube, aluminum spokes, and rims, as well as an appealing black color that makes it, look attractive.
It is the ideal option for people who want an adventure on their rides.
Fito Modena II Alloy Single Speed Women’s Cruiser Bike
This is a comfortable beach cruiser that makes riding easy, fun and adventurous.It comes with a Hi-tensile steel manufactured body that makes the bike durable and ideal for riding up or down slopes without worrying about damaging it.
It also serves you with the right features needed for the ultimate adventures. Such include an extra padded seat that allows for comfort as well as firm grip handles that make it easy to use the bike. The aluminum alloy stem and the rims help improve its durability while the handlebars and pedals give a perfect body pose.
It comes with a proper structure and the adjustment of the bike is quite easy as you only have to fix the seat of the bicycle, handles and paddles.
Schwinn Women’s Sanctuary 7-Speed Cruiser Bicycle
This bike is ideal for daily cruising and lazy rides with friends. It comes with a wide padded cruiser saddle with springs that guarantees a comfortable ride.
It also features quality components including steel frame and fork, 26” wheels and strong alloy rims as well as Shimano 7-speed rear derailleur with SRAM twist gears that ensure a quick, easy gear shifting.
It also comes with a rear rack for carrying cargo and full fenders that help protect against splashes in wet weather.
The low step through design makes it easy for one to get on and off the bike. Other desirable features of the Schwinn Women’s Sanctuary bike include adjustable seat and handlebar height for a comfortable fit.SRAM twist shifters, chain guard, reflectors for safety in low light conditions, alloy linear pull brakes and kickstand.
The bike is available in cream/burgundy and weighs about 44 pounds, which is pretty light. Given that it has 7-speed gears, the Schwinn Sanctuary is a practical bike that gives you plenty of gear choice without being complicated. All things considered, it is a comfortable and easy to use bike.
Firmstrong Bella Women’s Beach Cruiser Bicycle
This is one of the most fashionable and desirable beach cruisers that depict a combination of quality as well as durability.A large range of color combinations is one of the reasons that make this the most stylish bike.
It is a single speed bike that comes with painted rims that help with resistance to rusting as well as a durable body. The durable steel frame combined with a soft leathery seat and painted alloy rims make the Firmstrong Bella Fashionista ideal to ride.
A great looking design, steel front hub, alloy seat post clamp, steel chrome plated seat post and an alloy stem are some of the most astonishing features of this women’s cruiser bike. The cushion grips are firm and ensure comfort even after hours of riding.
The front and rear reflectors ensure safety of the rider while the maximum weight bearing capacity of the bike is 220 pounds. Generally, the bike is smooth to ride and a great investment.
Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser Bicycle
This cruiser bike is ideal for all types of rides including cruising up and down the sidewalks, casual rides with your friends or quick rides to the store.
Its frame features a versatile design that makes it easy to accommodate any ride. In addition, it comes with upright handle bars that provide optimum comfort when heading or riding to your favorite destination.
The front and rear fenders are durable and so is the chain cover. Other factors that make this ladies’ bike stand out is its pastel turquoise green half paint color. The comfortable seat allows for adjustment to all sizes and shapes of riders.
The seat is also reinforced with a spring to ensure maximum comfort too. Other features that make this bike ideal for everyday cruising include durable fenders and chain covers, upright handlebars for comfort as well as comfortable spring reinforced cruiser seat. The gears are made by Shimano, a trusted brand in gear and bike manufacturing.
What should you look for when in the market for a beach cruiser?
There are many types and models of cruiser bikes out there for you to choose from. Generally speaking, cruiser bikes have a few things in common and with that in mind, it’s important that you take a closer look at the following features. Picking the correct size is also important.
Saddles
If you are anything like me, you love to ride in comfort. The good news is that cruiser bikes come with wide posteriors that accommodate saddles with springs. They are the lazy armchairs of the cycling world that help smooth out everything, except the worst bumps, without you realizing it.
Brakes
Beach cruisers often come with what many of us know as coaster brakes; where you push back on the pedal to slow down or stop, rather than pull back on the brakes with your hands. Don’t panic if you have never used coaster brakes as they are extremely easy to use.
Gears
Many cruiser bikes don’t come with gears and understandably so. After all, why do you need them when you are only supposed to be using them on flat ground in a relaxed manner and being all cool.
You may like to opt for a single gear bike because it’s simple and easy to use. In addition. it makes you more aware of your surroundings as you don’t have to constantly switch between more than 10 gears.
With that in mind, more and more designers now understanding that not everyone lives on the beach, some are taking to manufacturing cruiser bikes with 3-7 gears. This makes it easier to ride up hills and use them for traveling longer distances as well.
Pedals and handlebars
Compared to everyday bikes, the pedals and handlebars on cruisers are usually set a little further forward. This is what gives them their characteristic feature of an upright position. They encourage a more relaxed ride by exerting little to no pressure, thus giving you a more chilled experience.
Tires
Cruiser bikes often come with tires are wider, or ‘balloon tires’ as they are referred to in the biking industry. Contrary to what some may think, this doesn’t make them prone to punctures. In fact, they are thicker than what you’d find on ordinary bikes and so don’t go flat easily. These tires also excel in remaining on the sand and not sinking up to the axle.
Frames
Due to the fact that many cruiser bikes come with steel frames, they tend to be heavier than ordinary bikes. This makes them more stable and easier to handle as they are less likely to wobble.
The increased popularity of cruiser bikes have led to manufacturing aluminum frames that are lighter and cheaper. The material from which the frame is made from shouldn’t matter a lot as cruiser bikes aren’t meant for long distance traveling. In any case, the material should be strong and durable.
Conclusion
Cruiser bikes are designed to offer optimum fun on paved pathways and even along the beach. The above selections are designed that and much more.
They are durable, comfortable and safe. In addition, they help narrow down the search for the ultimate bike. The buyer’s guide also helps a great deal, so be sure to give it a look. Happy shopping.
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