Are you looking to buy a new beach cruiser bike but don't know where to start? 

Beach cruisers have seen a resurgence as more consumers turned to cycling for personal care reasons and have discovered the comfort, affordability, and simplicity of the beach cruiser.

With a wide, cushy saddle and long, swept-back handlebars that support an upright seating position, and wide tires to absorb shock, the beach cruiser is your ideal, laidback, shoreline rider.

There are so many different kinds of beach cruisers out there and it can feel overwhelming to sort through them, but if you get familiar with the specs, benefits, and anatomy of the bike, finding your perfect one will be easy.

Here's everything you should know about cruiser bikes as you plan to buy one. 

Evolution of Beach Cruiser Bikes

The first beach cruiser bikes were made shortly after the Great Depression era. During this period, bicycles were priced as a luxury product after their sales declined. 

Cruiser bikes were originally single-speed rides and born out of the desire to provide young people with an affordable way to enjoy cycling.

By the '70s, cruisers became extremely popular in coastal towns. They served as an economic mode of transportation for beach bums and surfers.

As the bikes continued to progress and gain popularity, many more variations of the bike were made. The newer subgenres feature lots of customization options for stylistic flair and comfort.

What Sets Cruiser Bikes Apart from Other Bikes?

Cruiser bikes combine several features to make it a stable and easy bike ride. 

The first thing you'll notice about cruiser bicycles is their curved structural features. Many cruiser bikes will come with either a top tube or a step-through frame, which means the top tube is not present.

The curvatures are elegant, but are so much more than that.

Traditionally, the top tube is added as a way to bolster support in a lengthened frame that’s designed to seat the rider back comfortably.

The step-through frame adds that same level of support but in a way that makes mounting easier and quicker.

Designed for low and moderate speeds, cruisers come with large, long steel frames, thick tires and curved handlebars that encourage an upright posture. 

Additionally, while cruisers are meant to ride slower than other bikes, they still come equipped with multiple drivetrain and brake options to adjust pedaling resistance and speed.

Unlike most traditional bikes, beach cruiser bicycles have added support in the wheels and structure in order to support the larger, sturdier frames that are easy to add accessories such as fenders, luggage racks, saddlebags, and lights.

Frame Design

Frame design is the iconic feature of the beach cruiser. Built for the purpose of comfort, the frame is longer than most bikes in order to seat the rider back and upright.

Beach cruisers are known for their comfortable, upright riding structures as they come with short seat tubes, broad, swept-back handlebars, and padded saddles.

Bikes for adults come with slightly longer, extended steel frames with a top tube running across or curving up slightly to lower the seat height (to create that upright positioning) and supply added support, while kids' cruisers are built similarly but are smaller and sport thinner, lighter frames.

Some designs come with a low step-through frame to make mounting the bike easier and have added space in the back with fenders and a rear rack.

Braking System

Cruiser bikes come with simple braking systems. Most models feature a coaster brake, which you can operate by pushing the pedal backward to lock the back wheel. Some models come with a hand brake if they feature several gears.

Coaster brakes are simple to use since they aren’t linked to any moving parts. They emulate the style of braking commonly found on BMX bikes. If you’re new to coaster brakes, you’ll need some time to get used to them.

Hand brakes offer a more controlled sense of braking. You won't have to position your feet in a certain way to make an emergency brake, allowing you to keep your legs and knees relaxed as you cruise around.

Wide tires

Beach cruisers are known for their wide, balloon tires. The purpose of these tires is to smooth out and seamlessly roll over any bumps or imperfections you may come across on the path.

Because of their width and low pressure, beach cruiser tires create a much slower ride than most other bikes.

Our Chatham cruiser bikes come with fatter, lightly-treaded 26 x 2.125” tires that grip the road and cushion your ride no matter how long you’re rolling.

Should You Opt for a Multi-Speed Cruiser?

If you prefer a more classic beach cruiser, consider the multi-speed version. The multi-speed variations are among the best beach cruiser bikes since they offer versatile options for gears, just like mountain bikes do.

Get a multi-speed cruiser if you want to enjoy the casual feel and comfort of a beach cruiser. 

You may also consider the bike for its diverse speed options to better maneuver through roads with varying inclines and declines.

Most multi-speed cruisers available in the market come in three-speed and seven-speed versions. 

The benefit of a 3-speed with an internal hub, such as Chatham-3 or Chatham-3 ST, is that the gears are inside the hub which is a sleek look and requires little or no maintenance. 

A 7-speed beach cruiser, such as Chatham-7  or Chatham-7 ST, is great if you’re riding in hilly areas or want that extra gear range to reach higher max speeds. 

Electric Beach Cruisers

Beach cruisers are meant for easy riding, so what happens when you put a battery on it? Boom. The ultimate easy, seaside ride imaginable. 

Electric beach cruisers like Chatham Rev come equipped with everything a classic cruiser has but with a twist. 

Our electric beach cruisers come with a 350W motor, pedal assist, thumb-push throttle, and handle-bar mounted control panel to provide pedal assist levels and a gentle 4 mph start-aid to your ride. 

These bikes are also great for differently-abled riders as the battery-power enables longer distances and alleviates stress on the body.

Accessories to Add to a Cruiser Bike

Beach cruiser accessories can give your bike added functionality and personality. The most common accessory you can add is headlights. 

Install a saddlebag or rear luggage rack to haul carry-on loads with you wherever you go, or you may add a front basket to the front of your bike for a more classic look.

Handlebar grips will also make the bike comfortable to ride for longer periods. 

Looking to Buy a Beach Cruiser Bike?

Getting a beach cruiser bike is a great idea if you want to ride in style and comfort. 

Not only are they eye-catching bikes, they allow you to carelessly mozy up and the down the coastline while you enjoy taking in the sunshine and beautiful surroundings 

Check out Retrospec's beach cruiser bike collection to find a beach cruiser that suits your dream ride, or find us at your local bike shop! 

Our products are designed to assemble easily, work for all levels, and last for a long time. 

We can't wait to help you find your perfect beach cruiser bike!

Unsure what type of bike to get? Consider checking out our personalized bike quiz here!