Cruiser: Relaxed Cycling in Everyday Life
Cruisers or Beach Cruisers are bicycles characterised by a relaxed seating position, wide tyres, and a simple design. They are ideal for people looking for a bike for everyday use without sacrificing comfort and style. In this article, we will show the features of cruiser bicycles, the different models, and how to choose the right cruiser bike.
What is a Cruiser?
The cruiser is a stylish bicycle that had its heyday in the USA during the 1950s. However, due to the retro trend of the last two decades, it has become more common again. Characteristic features include the massive, curved frame, the comfortable saddle, the wide, high handlebars, and the balloon tyres that provide maximum riding comfort. The seating position on a cruiser is upright and relaxed, somewhat reminiscent of a chopper with its large moon handlebars. This seating position relieves the neck, shoulders, and wrists, making longer rides more pleasant. However, the strain on the knees is higher, as the saddle is positioned lower due to the frame geometry compared to, for example, a city bike. Cruisers often do not have gears and are designed as singlespeed bicycles. Simple chain and hub gears are also used to make the bike a bit more flexible for different routes. Those looking for a custom bike with an unusual design and stylish retro look, and who want to travel particularly relaxed and comfortably, will have a lot of fun with a cruiser.
What features do cruiser bikes have?
Since a cruiser is not designed as a sporty bicycle but rather for relaxed and slower riding, its features differ significantly from other bicycles such as city- or mountain bikes.
- The curved frame is made of aluminium or steel. They come in a men's and a women's version with a lower step-through. The frames are inherently heavier than those of other bicycle types.
- If a gear system is present, it is a low-maintenance hub gear or a simple chain gear. Otherwise, it is an entry-level gear system like that of a singlespeed bicycle.
- The tyres are balloon tyres in sizes 24, 26, or 28 inches, which optimally absorb bumps and shocks and also perform well on sand.
- As a braking system, rim brakes are used at the front and coaster brakes at the rear. The coaster brake requires significantly less effort than a hand brake.
- The handlebars are wide and mounted high, allowing for a comfortable body posture and seating position. The curved shape of the handlebars also relieves the wrists.
- The saddle is sprung and well-padded, ensuring a pleasant ride.
- A carrier is standard equipment on many cruisers and allows for the transport of luggage or the attachment of panniers.
- Wide mudguards are usually pre-installed and protect the rider from dirt and moisture.
Does a cruiser need a gear system?
A gear system is not necessarily required for a cruiser bicycle, as these bikes were originally designed as simple, comfortable, and low-maintenance bicycles for relaxed rides on flat terrain such as beach promenades and quiet streets. Traditional beach cruisers are therefore often equipped with a fixed hub or a simple hub gear with one or a few gears. However, there are also beach cruiser models that come with a gear system to provide more flexibility and comfort at different speeds and slightly changing terrain. A gear system can be advantageous if you want to use the beach cruiser in hillier terrain or for longer distances. The Shimano Nexus hub gear with 3 or 8 gears and comfortable coaster brake is often used.
Are there different types of cruiser bikes?
In addition to the common beach cruisers, there are other special cruiser types that stand out due to their sometimes very individual constructions. A vibrant scene of enthusiasts for this trendy bicycle type has developed around cruisers.
- Beach Cruisers are the classics among cruisers. Designed for relaxed strolling and riding at the beach, they offer a high level of riding comfort with their wide tyres.
- Choppers visually resemble chopper motorcycles. They have a wide rear wheel with correspondingly wide tyres for particularly good grip. The saddle is mounted directly above the rear wheel, and the protruding bicycle handlebars provide a similar riding experience to the motorised counterpart.
- Lowriders live up to their name and have a very low seating position due to their construction. This cruiser type is more suitable as a fun vehicle for bicycle meet-ups than for longer rides, as one adopts an unergonomic seating position on the bike.
- Stretch Cruisers have a heavily elongated frame and belong to the custom-built bikes. The long design (up to over 220 cm) and the very low seating position are more for enjoyable rides than for extended tours.
How heavy is a beach cruiser?
A beach cruiser is heavier than sport-oriented bicycle types due to its construction and design for comfort. Additionally, the total weight depends on the equipment and components. Typically, beach cruisers weigh between 15 and 25 kg, making them similar in weight to e-bikes. If it is a cruiser with a motor, the weight increases due to the built-in battery and electric drive.
