Cruiser bicycles are a great choice for those who enjoy casual riding around the town or beach. If you would like to ride a bike in an upright position and do so in a large and comfortable seat, then this type of bike is for you.
In this article we are going to cover some of the best cruiser bikes, and what makes them so special and practical.
Top 8 Best Cruiser Bikes: Reviews
Now we are going to take a look at 8 really amazing cruiser bikes and what makes them specific and practical. You will be able to find at least one model that would suit your needs and preferences.
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Northwoods Pomona Cruiser Bike
Dimensions: 42 x 24 x 68 inches; 44 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: made of 26” aluminum, it has ergo fit steel handlebars with twist shifters, a comfortable cruiser seat and a Shimano rear derailleur. It comes in two colors: silver and gold.
Are you looking for a light and easy ride through your neighborhood or town? Then the Northwoods Pomona Cruiser Bike is a great choice for you because it has an amazingly comfortable seat, multi-speed shifters, and durable tires. Above all this, it also comes in two stylish designs – silver and gold. Riding this bike won’t be a chore but an adventure! You will definitely enjoy riding this model because it is made of great quality.
Kulana Cruiser Bike
Dimensions: 40 x 26 x 71 inches; 41.89 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: made of a classic steel cruiser frame and fork with an extra-large seat with springs; the full wrap steel fenders and an easy reach cruiser handlebars with a cruiser rise stem.
If you are a fan of bikes with classic or vintage design, then the Kulana Cruiser Bike might steal your heart. The sleek and beautiful design might blow you away, but it is also a durable and fantastic bike. The seat is comfortable and the brakes are coaster which means that you will be able to brake without any difficulty. Choose this bike and every ride will be pleasant. Enjoy sunny days while riding this beauty and you will definitely love the experience!
Beach Cruiser in Black
Dimensions: 72 x 27 x 41 inches; 40 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: the brakes are coaster, there are alloy black rims, and a one-piece crank and blacks pokes.
Check out the Beach Cruiser in Black by Micargi Bicycles! It is a wonderful bike, very stylish, durable and comfortable. The coaster brakes are easy to handle while the frame is made of the best steel. That is what makes it so strong and firm. It is affordable, easy to ride and you will love every minute of paddling it. There is nothing better than having a bike that is both stylish and of high quality.
Critical Cycles Beach Cruiser 1-Speed Bike
Dimensions: 8 x 26.25 x 53.25 inches; 38 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: features wide tires, cushy saddle and soft foam grips for a comfortable ride; handlebars for an upright riding position; and a hand-built steel frame for better shock absorption.
What do you say about the Beach Cruiser Bike by Critical Cycles? The black and orange design makes it look modern and classic at the same time. The cushy saddle is very comfortable while the tires are wide and durable. Your spine will never hurt and you will never wish to just stop and rest like with other heavy bikes. The bike is single-speed one and it contains coaster brakes. It is a perfect choice for daily commuting.
Kent Oakwood Cruiser Bike
Dimensions: 28 x 53.5 x 9 inches; 40 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: it is a multi-speed bike made of aluminum, has front and rear handbrakes, enclosed chain cover and a pretty design.
The Kent Oakwood Cruiser Bike is the ultimate beach cruiser that will make you more than happy. It is the perfect modern model for daily commuting or simple beach rides. It has the multi-speed gears that you can change according to your needs and a comfortable seat. Make sure to check this model out because it is a good choice for daily riding and you might fall for it. You will definitely enjoy this one because it is amazing.
Firmstrong Urban Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Dimensions: 8 x 26 x 51 inches; 40 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: it comes in a variety of sizes and contains a 19-inch durable steel frame and 26-inch aluminum wheels; the seat has dual springs for added comfort; wide handlebars have foam grips.
Firmstrong offers the Urban Beach Cruiser Bike which is perfect for smooth riding but also very durable and strong. You can ride it anywhere you want – around town, neighborhood, beach, or even to work. It is a single-speed bike made of a 26” aluminum frame. The balloon tires provide the best experience ever while the wide handle bears are firm with foam grips. Choose one of three different gear speeds and go for a ride!
Schwinn Sanctuary 7-Speed Cruiser Bicycle
Dimensions: 53.94 x 32.28 x 8.27 inches; 46.19 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: it has steel cruiser frame & fork, full fenders, and rear cargo rack; 7 speed rear derailleur with SRAM twist shifters and saddle with springs.
Take a look at the Schwinn Sanctuary 7-Speed Cruiser Bicycle. It can make your life simpler by riding it to your work, the beach or anywhere you want. The fenders will keep you clean from mud and bad weather while the rear rack will enable you to store anything you need for a trip. Schwinn is a firm established in the 19th century and famous for bikes of high quality. This model would definitely suit you perfectly.
sixthreezero Around The Block Cruiser Bike
Dimensions: 7.8 x 27.2 x 57 inches; 42.6 pounds
Best use: short-distance riding
Design features: made of a 19-inch durable steel frame and aluminum wheels; blacked-out components for added style, wide whitewall tires and black double-walled rims.
Are you looking for a bike for men of high quality but classic design? Then look no more, because the sixthreezero Around The Block 26-Inch Single Speed Cruiser Bike might be the one for you. What makes it simple and great is the coaster braking system – all you need is to pedal backward and that is it. There are also foam grips, tread tires and a wide cruiser handlebars that make this bike a great choice for anyone who is looking for a smooth ride.
What All Cruiser Bikes Have in Common?
First, let’s take a look at the properties that all cruiser bikes have in common. They are:
Frames represent the main component of a bike and they usually consist of two triangles. Having in mind that cruiser bikes are not designed for racing or climbing, you do not have to worry about the lightness of material. If they are made of steel, they are heavier; aluminum is on the other hand lighter.
Tires on cruiser bikes tend to be extra wide, which is why they are also called ‘balloon’ tires. This means that they cannot easily go flat because they are very thick, designed to give you a stable ride. This comes in handy when you are pedaling by the sand beaches.
Handlebars and pedals tend to be the same as the ones on everyday bikes; however, the handlebars are just a bit swept-back. The pedals are also set a bit forward, so you can feel no pressure on your lower back or legs. Since the purpose of cruiser bikes is for you to have a comfortable experience while pedaling, this is more than logical.
Traditional cruiser bikes tend to have no gears; however, nowadays many people go for the cruisers with 3 or 7 gears, because they travel longer distances. All in all, cruiser bikes can have gears, but many models do not need them.
All cruiser bikes are famous for having coaster brakes – you stop your bike by pedaling backward. It is very easy and practical because this type of bike is not meant for fast riding, especially if you are using your bike on rare occasions only.
Every cruiser bike has a comfortable saddle/seat with springs. The best thing about them is that you won’t even feel the irritating bumps in the road while you are riding. They are designed so you will enjoy every second of pedaling instead of regretting going for a ride in the first place.
The Most Important Features of Cruiser Bikes
Before you go and purchase a cruiser bike, you should be familiar with the most important features. Here are some of them:
Durability
Durability is one of the important features because a durable bike will last for a long time. Cruiser bicycles are made of strong materials such as aluminum and steel, which means that they cannot deteriorate easily. They can also resist corrosion and water if cared for properly.
Easy customization
Easy customization is another feature of cruiser bikes. Have you ever wanted to purchase a bike with specific accessories, but you could not find such a model? Well, this type of bikes can be easily designed as you wish, which means that you can order a bike with design, colors, and size according to your preference.
For example, you can ask for a shopping basket or a specific handle grip color. Of course, this is more expensive than just buying an already assembled bike, but it is worth it.
Comfort
Comfort is the most known characteristic when it comes to cruiser bikes. They are meant for casual riding around the town and neighborhood, not rough terrains. That is why it is very important that they have comfortable seats and handlebars; otherwise, their purpose is lost. If you are not sure which type of seat to choose, keep in mind that these bikes also have gender-specific seats; you can choose the one you prefer.
Design
Cruiser bikes come with cool designs and colors. They can be not only comfortable but also very stylish. This is very prominent with customized cruiser bikes because any accessory can be added. This means that this type of bikes can be unique and if you customize it, nobody else can have the same model as yours!
Brakes
Another interesting feature is the coaster brake. This means that you can stop the bike by backpedaling. It might seem old school, but it can be a nice and simple feature when you pedal through your neighborhood. Cruiser bikes are not meant to be ridden fast, which means that stopping a bike by backpedaling is practical and efficient.
Tires and Handling
Extra wide tires and upright handlebar provide the most enjoyable experience ever. As long as it is a short distance, you won’t be in pain or uncomfortable. Your spine will be in a natural position that would enable you to ride easily and have a nice trip.
Types of Cruiser Bikes
The factors that impact your decision on which bicycle to buy may vary, but you should definitely be familiar with the basic types of cruiser bikes because different types have different prices and purposes.
Single-speed cruisers
Single-speed cruisers represent the simplest type of bikes. They have no gears and the brakes are the traditional coaster ones. This means that this braking system involves backward pedaling instead of modern hand brakes.
This simplicity in design gives this type of bikes not only a classic vintage look but also less maintenance and cheaper prices. If you need a type of bike for short trips and beach rides, then a single-speed cruiser is the type for you.
Multi-speed cruisers
Multi-speed cruisers are more complex than the single-speed ones because they contain hand brakes and a variety of speeds. There are usually the three and seven-speed versions, while the gears are altered by the speed shifters which are fixed on the handlebars.
This means that when you are riding uphill you should use the lower gears while riding on flat surfaces requires the use of higher gears. This type of cruiser bikes is a bit more expensive due to the modern gear, extra-wide tires and spring-loaded seats; but they also offer the optimal riding experience.
Cruiser bikes made of steel or aluminum frames
Cruiser bikes made of steel or aluminum frames are both considered to be of high quality. The ones which are made of aluminum tend to be quite lightweight and resistant to rusting. The bikes made of steel are heavier but also cheaper and less durable.
They both have advantages and disadvantages, but people usually recommend the aluminum ones because they are more durable and easier to ride.
How to Choose a Cruiser Bike?
If you are wondering what to keep in mind when you finally go to purchase a cruiser bike, then make sure to consider the following tips:
- In order to enjoy a comfortable ride, you need to choose the right size. Most of the frames are unisex while some are gender-specific. Since the seats and handlebars are adjustable, you should have no problems picking the right size. The basic diameters include 16”, 20”, 24” and 29”, the last for the extremely tall cyclists. Do not forget to try out a bike before you purchase it.
- When you think of a bike’s frame, you need to consider which material it is made of. Cruiser bikes are mostly made of aluminum or steel. The first is durable and lightweight while the latter is strong, cheaper and require more maintenance since it is prone to rust.
- The seat should be wide and cushioned with ample spring action because it needs to withstand the weight of the rider’s upright seating position. Before buying a bike make sure to check out the seat specifications.
- Depending on your preference, you will be asked whether you want a single or multi-speed cruisers. Additionally, there are many other accessories that may add up to your cost such as rear and front fenders, a shopping basket, unique colors etc. If you have a limited budget, then you might want to go for a simpler model.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, we have covered the basic and most important features of every cruiser bike plus eight amazing models made of high quality. You can find at least one bike model that would suit your needs and preference, especially because all of them are unique and interesting in their own way.
Before you go to purchase a cruiser bike, make sure to check out the whole frame and seat and also decide on the accessories you wish to put on. The simpler the bike, the lower the price – so calculate according to your budget.
Cruiser bicycles are generally easy to handle and maintain, so they are a great choice for anyone who wants a smooth ride.
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below!
Mark Foster loves to push his limits when it comes to survival in the wilderness. He might go for a 30-days adventure without any food or equipment except for a survival kit and a knife. We should mention that his survival kit has 122 items in it, so he know what he is doing. Mark is working on his book to share with the world all his experience gained during those brave adventures.
I would just like to share my experience with the Northwoods Pomona Cruiser bike. For those who want a great and affordable bike, then this one is for you. It is sturdy, big and perfect for casual cruising. The wheels are large too which is nice. I highly recommend it.
We bought Kulana Cruiser Bike for my daughter and so far, she is loving it. What I like most about it is that it is stylish looking. She loves the color that we chose. It is also fairly easy to assemble. My daughter rides it everyday around our neighborhood. Two thumbs up for me!
That is great to hear!
Thanks for your review!