Thinking about buying a beach cruiser bike? These classic bikes are excellent for casual cycling. They’re durable, low-maintenance, comfortable, and fun to ride. At the same time, there are some drawbacks to consider. Beach cruiser bikes are heavy, slow, and inefficient.
This guide outlines the pros and cons of beach cruiser bikes. We’ll cover performance, comfort, maintenance, gearing, efficiency, ride quality, cost, aesthetics, and much more. We’ll also share a few beach cruiser recommendations.
I’ve owned a few different beach cruisers over the years and have ridden them extensively while living near the beach in Southern California. I used to ride my beach cruiser to the beach every day. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.
Key Takeaways
Beach cruisers are comfortable, durable, low maintenance, affordable, and easy and fun to ride. They are stable and offer good visibility. They also have a unique look.
There are drawbacks. Beach cruisers are big, heavy, slow, and inefficient. They accelerate slowly, they don’t climb hills well, and they are not very maneuverable.
Beach cruisers are ideal for casual riders, those who live in flat areas, beachgoers and vacationers, those who value comfort, beginner riders, short distance commuters, and those who enjoy the classic style.
Beach cruisers are not ideal for climbing, long-distance riding, off-road riding, those who like to ride fast, or those with limited space.
What is a Beach Cruiser Bike?
A beach cruiser bike is a type of bicycle that is designed for casual riding on roads and bike paths. Beach cruisers are designed to be easy and comfortable to ride.
They feature an upright riding position, wide balloon tires, a long wheelbase, a wide seat, high-rise handlebars, a heavy-duty frame, and large platform pedals. They also have classic styling. In the past, beach cruisers were referred to as cruiser bikes or motobikes.
The frame is the main element that distinguishes a beach cruiser bike from any other type of bike. Most beach cruisers feature a rigid steel or aluminum frame with a long wheelbase. This design makes the bike very stable.
The frame tubes are often thick and curved to give the bike a classic style. Beach cruiser frames are modeled after bikes from the 1930s to the 1950s. They do not have suspension.
Beach cruisers feature a simple design. Most models have a single-speed drivetrain. Oftentimes a coaster brake is used instead of rim brakes. On most models, there are no shifters, derailleurs, brake levers, brake calipers, or cables. This gives the bike an incredibly clean and simple look. There are exceptions to this. Some beach cruisers come with gears and disc or rim brakes.
Beach cruisers often have flashy or classic styling. For example, they may have chrome wheels, fenders, and handlebars. The tires may have white sidewalls. Some have handlebar streamers. Beach cruisers may also feature accessories such as a basket or cup holder.
Beach Cruiser Pros
1. Beach Cruisers are Comfortable
Beach cruisers are designed for comfort. Most models feature a large padded seat with built-in coil suspension, large platform pedals, and high-rise handlebars with comfortable grips. Beach cruisers also have wide, high-volume tires that help to absorb bumps and vibrations. This smooths out the ride.
The frame geometry also increases comfort. Beach cruisers offer an upright riding position that puts less stress on your back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. When riding a beach cruiser, your back and neck are straight. Your hands rest on the handlebars. There is very little weight on your wrists. All of your body weight sits on your bottom. You aren’t hunched over the handlebars like you are while riding a road bike. The seating position is very comfortable.
Beach cruisers also have a long wheelbase. This allows the frame to flex a bit. The frame itself can absorb some bumps and smooth out the ride. Beach cruisers do not have a suspension system. The frame is rigid. The long wheelbase and low center of gravity also increase stability.
Many beach cruisers also come with fenders. These help to keep you dry and comfortable while riding on wet roads or in the rain.
2. Beach Cruisers Look Cool
One of the main reasons people choose to ride a beach cruiser over another style of bike is the looks. Beach cruisers feature classy-looking frames with beautiful curved tubes and high-rise handlebars that sweep back. Many models also come with classic components such as whitewall tires, chrome fenders, leather grips, and a large padded seat.
Many riders also choose to customize their beach cruiser to suit their own personal style. For example, you could install chrome parts, give your bike a jazzy paint job, or install a basket or handlebar streamers. You could ride a stretched cruiser that looks like a chopper. You could install ape hangers if you enjoy that look. If you prefer a more toned-down look you can find all-black cruisers with basic components. You can customize your cruiser to match your personality.
3. Beach Cruisers are Low Maintenance
Beach cruisers use simple components that are easy to maintain. Most models are single-speed. There are no shifters and derailleurs to adjust. Many beach cruisers also use coaster brakes instead of disc or rim brakes. This means there are no brake levers and calipers to adjust and no brake pads to change. The design significantly cuts down on maintenance. You can just ride the bike.
To keep your beach cruiser running smoothly, all you have to do is clean the chain periodically and keep the chain properly tensioned. Once in a while, you’ll have to replace the tires, rear cog, and chain as they wear out. These are wearable parts on all bikes. You’ll also have to grease the bearings from time to time. It’s also a good idea to keep your bike clean and dry if you live near the beach to prevent it from rusting. That’s about it. Beach cruisers are simple bikes to maintain.
Higher-end beach cruisers require a bit more maintenance because they are more complex. Premium models feature a multi-speed drivetrain with a rear derailleur or an internal gear hub. They also have disc brakes or rim brakes instead of a coaster brake. You’ll have to keep the brakes adjusted and replace the pads when they wear out. These beach cruisers require the same maintenance as any other multi-speed bike.
To reduce maintenance, you can choose a model that uses a belt drive instead of a chain drive. These do not require frequent cleaning. Belt drives are only compatible with single-speed and internal gear hub drivetrains.
4. Beach Cruisers are Affordable
Beach cruisers tend to be cheaper than other types of bikes. You can buy an entry-level model for under $200. A mid-range beach cruiser costs around $300-$500. High-end models go for around $700-$1000.
Used beach cruisers are also commonly available. If you shop around, you should be able to find a decent one for around $100. If you don’t live near the beach, you may have trouble finding a used one. Check out my guide to buying a used bike for some helpful tips.
Beach cruisers are cheaper than road bikes and mountain bikes because they have fewer components. For example, most beach cruisers are single-speed. They don’t have derailleurs and shifters. Most models also have a coaster brake. They don’t have brake levers or calipers. Beach cruisers also tend to use cheaper, lower-end, and heavier components. They are designed for recreational use. Not racing. Weight and performance don’t really matter. This all saves money. These simple bikes are cheaper to manufacture so they can be sold for lower prices.
5. Beach Cruisers are Durable and Reliable
Beach cruisers are built to last. They feature durable steel or aluminum frames made from thick tubes. Most models have durable 26” 36 spoke wheels. They also have wide balloon tires that absorb shocks and resist punctures.
The simplicity of beach cruisers also improves durability. Most models don’t have shifters or derailleurs that can break. They are single-speed. Many models don’t even have brake levers and calipers. Instead, they have a durable and reliable coaster brake that is built into the rear hub. Coaster brakes require no adjustment and very little maintenance. You never have to replace brake pads or adjust calipers.
Because of the rugged design and simplicity, beach cruisers can take a beating. You can ride a beach cruiser over curbs without worrying about damage.
