Beach Cruiser Bikes

Beach cruiser bikes are not like any other ordinary cruisers bicycles.

They are renowned for their simple but durable construction that allows them to withstand the salt, sand, and spray of a beachfront. It also helps that these bikes are more comfortable (and more affordable) than their mountain or racing counterparts, which is a definite draw for most anyone.

These cruisers were conceptualized and first introduced way back in the early 1930s and got out of style in the 1960s, but their simple and easy-to-use design brought them back into the public consciousness as early as the 1990s.

Tips For Buying Beach Cruiser Bikes

Not all beach cruiser bikes are made equal, especially when you’re looking for one that you can ride along the beach. Here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for your first beach cruiser bike:

Tip 1: Look for a High-Quality Paint Job

If you look at the close-up pictures of the new Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser Bicycle, one of the first things you’ll notice is the thick and solid paint job on the cruiser.

This is an absolute must for beach cruiser bikes since the air is salty and you’ll most likely kick up sand that can abrade thinner, less substantial paint jobs.

If you can physically inspect the cruiser you set your eyes on, lightly scratch a discreet section of the bike with your fingernails. If the paint comes off, you can forget about bringing it to the beach.

If you can’t physically inspect the cruiser and do your shopping online, then make sure to look for close-up pictures, or read all related bicycle reviews that will give you a better understanding of how solid (or how flimsy) the paint job is.

Tip 2: Examine the Tires

A wide and thick set of tires is the mark of a good beach cruiser. These kinds of tires can make your ride much easier when riding through more tightly packed stretches of sand, without grinding to a halt.

Take for example the Schwinn Ladies Legacy 24″ Cruiser Bike. The wide tires allow the woman rider to cruise through the sand with ease. Make sure that the tires of the beach cruiser you set your eyes on are at least 2 inches wide to produce the same effect.

Tip 3: Test the Bike Seat

Unlike when you’re riding on your road bike where you have to raise your buttocks off the seat for most of the time, with beach cruiser bicycle you will plant your behind firmly on the seat as you ride.

The Schwinn Fairhaven is a good example: look at this close-up shot of the seat, and you’ll notice that the cushion is nice and thick. It’s also protected by a rather rugged-looking synthetic leather cover. Make sure that the seat is:

Comfortable enough to ride on.
Springy enough to adjust to minor bumps on the road.
Durable enough to withstand salty conditions.

Tip 4: Check That The Parts Are Easily Disassembled

If you take a look at the close-up shots of the new Micargi Black Falcon GTS, you’ll notice that all the moving parts can be easily removed with a screwdriver and a wrench.

This minor feature is vital for beach cruiser bikes as sand and salt have a nasty habit of getting into places where you don’t want them to. Being able to conveniently disassemble your cruiser will let you clean out the sand and lubricate the moving parts as needed, so make sure that everything is attached by screws and nuts – not welded or sealed in place.

Buying Beach Cruiser Bikes Online?

Yes – you can! Many online stores are selling beach cruiser bikes. I can recommend buying from one of my favorite online stores:

Beach Cruiser Bikes on eBay

	Schwinn Vintage Lady's Bike "Caliente" Pink, Custom Beach cruiser. Pirate bike! (Used - 5000 USD)
	Step Thru Mini 20X4 - 52V Beach Cruiser Electric Bike (New - 3142.99 USD)
	Electric Fat-Tire Beach Cruiser eBike 26" (Step-Over) w/7 Speeds (New - 2595 USD)
	New GWP Lilly Pulitzer & Martone “Kir Pink” Beach Cruiser/Urban Bicycle (New other (see details) - 2950 USD)