What Is a Cruiser Bicycle?

Cruiser bicycles are heavy-framed bikes built for flat terrain and beaches. They were extremely popular in the 1950s and are back in vogue, popular anywhere a beach can be found. They are ideal for comfortable, leisurely riding and are built with an eye toward simple riding and style. Schwinn is the largest manufacturer of cruiser bicycle models, but numerous custom shops have sprung up around beach communities.

  1. History

    • Cruiser bikes first gained significant popularity in the 1950s with the introduction of Schwinn's models that were used at the beach. Modern cruiser bikes retain the style and construction methods of the original models of the 1950s.

    Function

    • Cruisers are the ideal bikes for low-impact and low-speed biking on flat terrain. They are popular at the beach and are great for riding on wet, packed sand. Cruiser bikes are heavy and not suited to varied terrain, but they make up for that shortcoming in comfort.

    Styling

    • Cruiser bicycles have a very distinct style. They are characterized by large tires, an upright and broad seat, single-speed gears and basic construction with steel. They are often painted in bright and expressive colors and have details such as handlebar baskets and headlights/tail lights built onto the bike.

    Significance

    • With renewed interest in cruiser bikes, specialty shops have been opened that offer endless custom options for construction as well as styling of bikes. Some are bucking convention and creating seven-speed gear systems set on custom frames, along with custom paint jobs. Cruiser bikes have also gained popularity in urban environments, because their large tires and heavy construction allow riders to tackle terrain that a road bike might have trouble with.

    Warning

    • Even with the advent of customization and gear-shifting models, cruiser bikes are still at a distinct disadvantage on hilly or mountainous terrain. They are made for flat terrain and leisure riding, and their heavy construction will make riding them uphill a chore. It is best to stick to flat terrain and beach environments, where these bikes shine.