How We Chose These Bikes
Weve ridden as many of these cruisers as we could get our hands on. The ones that havent been tested have been carefully chosen based on what they offer. We know from experience what makes a beach cruiser desirable, so weve based our list on value, quality of parts , user reviews, comfort, our positive experience with the brand, and overall aesthetics. These are the 15 beach cruisers we recommend for laid-back bike ridesno matter where you are.
Best Womens Cruiser Bikes & How To Choose
Whats more fun than a womens cruiser bike? Nothing.
One of my fondest memories is pedaling a cruiser bike thru the narrow streets of San Francisco and out across the Golden Gate Bridge. Equally good days have been spent cruising along the boardwalk on a beach cruiser, or biking to coffee and yoga class.
That said, not all cruiser bikes for women are built equally. In fact, cruiser bikes are notorious for being heavy and difficult to pedal. This is a particular problem for women who tend to be lighter weight than men and therefore need a lighter bike to maintain a decent bike to body weight ratio.
The bikes on our best of list are lightweight , are well built, and also look cute. If youre not sure which bike is best for you or how to pick, scroll down to our comparison chart and tips on how to choose.
What Is A Beach Cruiser Bike
To some, a cruiser is just a singlespeed bicycle with balloon tires, a comfy saddle, a coaster brake, and a wide, sweeping handlebar. When youre on one, youre not constricted by Lycra or expected to keep pace. Theres a good chance youre wearing flip-flopsand maybe even a bathing suit. Hopefully youre near a beach, but you dont have to be. A leisurely cruise downtown to grab lunch can be as pleasant as an early-morning roll on a boardwalk. But not every beach cruiser settles for simplicity. Most modern-day models take it to the next level or beyond . Knowing how and where you want to use your new cruiser bike will help you determine what else, if anything, you want from it.
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Some Cruiser Bikes Now Come With E
Even though the whole idea of the beach cruiser is to slow down your fast-paced life, theres nothing wrong with speeding up your laid-back life. Pedal assist can do wonders for your downtime by letting you get to the beach sooner and cut your departure time closer, ultimately extending your day and still getting you home in time for early-evening beers and BBQ. Most e-cruisers are class 1, which means they top out at 20 mph, but some go as high as 28 mph .
Specs Of Schwinn Mikko & Huron
- Wheel Size: 26 inches
Part of the allure with cruiser beach bikes is their simplicity, and the incredibly smooth ride they offer.
The STZ Around the Block Men’s Cruiser captures the essence of what a beach cruiser is supposed to be.
Strategic design and quality components come together to form an efficient and comfortable cruiser that is perfect for casual riding.
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Frame Size And Design
Most womens cruiser bikes have a step-thru frame. This means that the top tube of the bike slopes downward and makes it easier to get on and off and to wear a skirt. Taller women may not need this stetp-thru design and may opt for a more traditional style frame instead.
The other thing to be aware of is frame size. Many womens cruiser bikes are designed to be one size fits all. This may be nice if you plan to share the bike with another rider.
That said, we still prefer womens cruiser bikes that come in multiple frame sizes. This helps ensure that the bike you pick has an appropriate saddle height and reach to the handlebars.
At The End Of The Day Would I Get A Different Bike Next Time Or Get A 7 Speed Cruiser Bike Again
Absolutely not. If I could buy another bike to use as a daily driver, Id get another 7 speed cruiser bike. A 3 speed one might do the job, but it does put some limits Im not comfortable with while Im in a hilly area. A single speed one is something that is fun on completely flat terrain. And the bike I currently have has all the bells and whistles I could ever need.
It has a comfortable ride thanks to the seat, frame and tires. I can carry whatever I want in the mesh basket, and I can park it pretty much anywhere thanks to that double kickstand. And when its time to go home, I can turn on the lights if its dark and let people know Im coming with the bell. All things considered, its a great daily driver for just about anyone. And yes, I stand by my claim that 7 speed bikes are some of the best beach cruiser bikes you can get. 21 speeds is usually too much.
And cool beach cruisers aren’t just practical, but stylish as well. A cruiser bicycle with basket, or cruiser bicycle with gears will attract a bit of attention when you roll by on one. And you can add cruiser bike accessories to make it look even better. But, get a multi speed beach cruiser first, and then make it more personal!
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Specs Of Sixthreezero Around The Block
- Wheel size: 26 Inches
- Size: 26″ / 1-speed
Alloy wheels with the high number of spokes helps provide added strength and durability to the wheel set. The alloy rims come in various colors, depending on which color scheme you go with, giving the bike a more unique and custom look. So if you looking for custom cruiser bikes for beach then this is for you.
The bike saddle includes plenty of cushioning, while also providing wider coverage. Over-sized springs under the rear of the saddle help to make it even more plush. Matching handlebar grips help to give the bike a more cohesive aesthetic.
Making Nature Second Nature
At Retrospec, we believe the outdoors are for everyone, but not everyone feels comfortable outdoors.Our mission is to help people from every walk of life enjoy the life-affirming, eye-opening beauty of the outside world. Since selling our first bike in 2009, Retrospec has helped millions of people experience everything the outdoors have to offer with expertly designed, durably crafted, accessibly priced gear.Over the years, weve expanded into a wider horizon of outdoor gear such as e-bikes, longboards, paddle boards, and more to inspire new adventures, enable exploration, and make more customers feel at home in the open-air.
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Why You Should Choose Your Best Cruiser Bike Carefully
Unlike mountain bikes or road bikes, you wont find any precision sizes and setups for cruiser bikes, but that doesnt make just any cruiser well-suited to your needs.
When a cruiser bike is intended for light riding, it probably comes with limited features and may not be long-lasting. If youre someone who enjoys short rides around the neighborhood or boardwalk, this may not be an issue. However, if you wish to use the bike frequently and along multiple terrains, it probably will be.
So, while it may be tempting just to go out and get the cruiser you are attracted to, or you can buy with the best deal, its always a good idea to first analyze your riding needs and then focus on your personal preferences as well.
This way, you can be sure of purchasing a bike that can hold up to your riding environment while being comfortable and having any certain features that may improve your riding experience.
Features Of Schwinn Mikko & Huron
- Huron cruiser bikes have an extended frame size of 17 inches, combined with the forward placement of the crankset, allowing the rider to sit back and pedal from a more relaxed position and still provide plenty of efficiency in terms of speed and power.
- The bike is available in a single-speed, 3 Speed and seven-speed beach configuration.
- It has a dual spring padded cruiser seat and classic cruiser handlebars helping it retain a more traditional look and feel.
- Riders can expect to reach speeds of around 15 mph without too much effort, thanks to both the gearing ratio and the crankset placement.
- In the single speed, the only brake option is a reverse pedal rear coaster brake setup, including retro-style full front and rear fenders, which keeps the bike more traditional, and without any complicated components that need maintenance.
- Matching fenders are included to contain any puddles that may come your way as well, keeping you clean and dry.
- The bike’s saddle is very soft and wide enough to provide increased comfort during longer rides.
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The Basket Isnt The Only Convenient Feature
I just mentioned I often stop at the grocery store on my way back home. I usually jot down whatever I need to buy when Im leaving the house, and make sure to get it when Im coming back. Its much simpler when you dont have to make a separate trip because you cant put everything in your bike on your way home. There is one big problem though, and unfortunately, its most apparent at grocery stores and supermarkets the lack of parking space. Youll find plenty of them for cars, but bikes seem to be a neglected category. This is where the next convenient feature comes in that double kickstand.
A kickstand pretty much means I can leave my bike wherever I want. I dont have to find something to lean it against, and I dont need a parking for bicycles. Its not a regular one either, its a double kickstand, something you dont see on every bike. Why is it so important? Well, first of all, your bike is completely upright. It takes up less space, so you need less space to park it. Next, since I mentioned shopping, having the 7 speed cruiser bike on a double kickstand makes it much more stable. It also makes it much easier for loading, as the handlebars are straight, and so is the basket. I can just put things in the order I want them to, and not have them mix up when I start riding. Really convenient, isnt it?
Lets Wrap The Day Up And Head Home
I had my morning coffee, I took care of my business, and I bought everything I needed for home. Theres a small problem though. This takes up a lot of my time, and its already dark outside. Im not a newbie with bike riding, but riding in the dark is a completely different beast compared to riding in the daylight. It requires much more care, and it requires a few accessories if you want to be safe. Fortunately, a good bike comes equipped with these things, so lets talk about them for a minute.
There are a few things that are crucial here, and those are lights, and a bell. Lights are something you can easily turn on and they do make quite a difference. Its not as good as riding during the day. But you know that you can easily see whats in front of you, and cars coming up behind you can see where you are. It wont be a problem for them to go around you, and leave you space. It is very important to have them, even in daylight.
The bell is another important thing. People wont always see you in the dark. And yes, Im talking about people on the bike lanes. There are quite a few of them, and they seem completely oblivious of the fact that theres a whole sidewalk for them. With the bell, you have a simple and easy way of letting them know that youre there. When you take everything into consideration, the 7 speed cruiser bike has all the beach cruiser accessories you need! And if you still want to add more, you can find some of the best beach cruiser accessories here.
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Healthy Benefits For You
Your whole body gets a workout through a bike ride, so anytime you break a sweat while riding your 7 speed cruiser you are reaping some of the benefits. Some of the best, most healthy perks from riding a bike?
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Your heart, lungs and blood all pump throughout your body more easily your heart strengthens itself and builds endurance.
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Constant motion in your legs is fantastic for your circulation, thus reducing your risks of a heart attack or stroke.
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Do you need a breath of fresh air? Foregoing a vehicle and using a bike instead will give you all the fresh air your already worked out lungs could ever ask for. Compared to being stuck in a stuffy car with the same circulated air for several hours, the alternative is a beautiful thing.
Even though a women’s cruiser bike 7 speed is not typically used for heavy-duty off-road use, your body doesnt know the difference. All it knows is that youre putting it through a workout and it loves the benefits, even if youre only pedaling for an hour every day. Thats an hour more than youve pedaled to work before.
Features Of Firmstrong Bruiser
- The Bruiser’s steel frame is an extended 19-inch size, giving you two more inches of clearance to the handlebars than you get with the more common 17-inch frame size.
- Despite the bigger size, the Bruiser still weighs around 38 pounds, which is the ideal weight range on a cruiser.
- The bigger size lets riders extend their arms for an even more swept-back ride without decreasing any steering ability.
- A wide-set, heavily-cushioned saddle provides the perfect sitting surface to compliment the bike’s feel.
- The base model of the Bruiser uses a one-speed setup and gives the bike the needed power to easily attain speeds of up to 15 mph without too much effort.
- 3-speed and 7-speed gear setups are available as well, giving the Bruiser added speed and versatility.
- A coaster brake system accompanies the one-speed models, keeping your stopping/slowing simple and easy. Multi-gear Bruiser models use tier one or two caliper hand-operated brakes instead.
- Wide balloon-style tires give the Bruiser most of its shock absorption ability while increasing traction thanks to an understated tread design.
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Why It May Be Harder To Find A Bike Right Now
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the bike industry has experienced an exponential boom in sales. It has also experienced a shortage of bikes due to factory restrictions and delays. Because of this, many bike shops and online brands are nearly sold out of bikes. If a bike on this list is sold out, you might still have the option to pre-order it or join a waiting list. Or, it might still be available at a bike shop near you, so check the dealers and retailers listed on the site.
Specs Of Huffy Men’s Classic
- Item weight: 41 lb
- Additional features: Rack, basket, cupholder, fenders, adjustable seat, and kickstand
The Huffy Classic is one of the few budget level cruiser bikes that manages to include not only a number of features, but solid performance an exceptional looks as well.
The Claasics extra features are what really makes it stand out. In addition to the fenders and luggage rack, the bike includes a front basket, and even a handlebar mounted cup holder. A black saddle and matching handlebar grips help to round out the luxury beach cruiser look.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a fully-equipped cruiser bike that places a large emphasis on style as well, the Huffy Classic is a great choice. For a reasonable price, you get about as much bike as you possibly can, and youre sure to get a few second glances from it.
We delve deeper in the unique design of this affordable bike, along with many of it’s great features in our Huffy Nel Lusso review.
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A 7 Speed Cruiser Bike Is Indeed The Right Choice Here
But when you live in a hilly area, youll want gears that are easy to ride. Especially at the end of the day, when youre a bit tired, and your basket is full of groceries. Having no gears here might mean youll have to push your bike up that hill, and waste time. With a 7 speed cruiser bike, just put it into the easiest gear and ride on. And if you happen to need a harder gear, there are 7 to choose from. You can absolutely find a suitable gear for just about any situation.
This choice you have is something you wont find on any cruiser bike, and is the exact reason why I went with a 7 speed cruiser bike instead of a 3 speed, or single speed. And if you ever have any problems with it, a rear derailleur is incredibly easy to adjust – just follow the video below.
Why Did I Get A 7 Speed Cruiser Bike And Not Something Else
There are a few people here and there who might think that a single speed is better. There are also those that think that I shouldve gotten a 3 speed cruiser bike. And both categories would be wrong. First of all, a single speed cruiser isnt that practical, honestly. Depending on the gear ratio, you either cant move slow, or you cant go very fast. It limits you in terms of choices, and forces you to ride out of your comfort zone. Therefore, you really do need a beach cruiser bike with gears.
A 3 speed cruiser bike is much better, but its for a different category of people. If you live in a hilly area, those 3 speeds wont be enough. For flatter terrain, it is absolutely great. You get both options, and peace of mind. Want to go slower, or on a slight uphill? Sure. Want to go fast and get some more exercise? You have that as well. But it pretty much ends there, and you don’t get anything in between.
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