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The Beach Cruiser had the following features-single speed, upright comfortable seating, simple steel construction, and balloon tires, and a quite stylish look. On the downside, it was known for being quite heavy. But, the heaviness meant reliability. In a nutshell, the Beach Cruiser Bicycle excelled in getting you, comfortably, from A to B, provided you were driving on paved and flat roads.
History Of The Iconic Beach Cruiser Bicycle
In 1933, Schwinn was the first bike manufacturer to make what is now known as the “Beach Cruiser,” with the Schwinn’s World B10E. The B10E had balloon tires and a cantilevered frame. The 1933 model only lasted only one year before being replaced by the Aero cycle, which added a battery-powered headlight.
The Original Schwinn Aero Cycle-Courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/people/turbojams/
In the 1940s and 1950s Cruiser bicycles were very popular, and Schwinn Bicycle company was the industry leader. (They were said to have sold 25% of all bikes sold in the US) Huffy and Roadmaster also started manufacturing them and they added stylish additions like saddlebags and chrome plating to their bikes. Huffy even made a novelty cruiser bike, modeled after Donald Duck., and a Gene Autry, and Hopalong Cassidy cruiser that had an included plush saddle bag.
Huffy 50’s Radio Beach Cruiser-Courtesy of https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Huffy_Radio_Bike.jpg
In the ’60s, BMX bikes and the 10-speed overcame the cruiser’s popularity. The Cruiser bike did not start to did make a comeback until the 80s.
The Beach Cruiser Bicycle Comeback
As stated, during the 60 to late 70s the Cruiser bike was not in vogue. In the 80s cruiser bikes though began a new wave of popularity where they were valued as collectibles and restored. Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure film also helped the Beach Cruiser bike make its resurgence.
Schwinn in 1979 introduced to the market a new cruiser. However, it was not until the 1990s, that the Beach Cruiser became popular upon Schwinn taking a gamble and manufacturing a new cruiser bicycle, that was designed to have the look and feel of a fashionable cruiser bike of the 1950s.
The first of these comeback models was the retro Cruiser Deluxe. It featured, white-wall balloon tires, a shiny steel rear rack on the back, and a two-tone black or white paint job. Schwinn also manufactured a Cruiser celebrating their 100th anniversary.
This cruiser upsurge was so intense that even Harley Davidson allowed a cruiser bicycle to be licensed. The Harley Davidson Cruiser Bicycle featured the Harley Davidson logo and had the trademarked classic Harley Davidson look.
Why Did The Beach Cruiser Bike Make A Comeback?
Retro Beach Cruisers made a comeback for several reasons, some of which were nostalgia, stability/safety, comfort, and fun!
Nostalgia
The aging baby boomer population and hipsters have increased the popularity of cruisers. A Cruiser was quite likely the first bicycle ever owned by the baby boomers. (1946 to 1964 ) As a result, many baby Boomers became nostalgic about the bikes from their childhood. And as these bikes are built for comfort, this style of bicycle is a great fit for the aging boomer wanting to relive memories from their childhood. And hipsters like them, because they are, after all, hipsters!
Stability and Comfort
A beach cruiser’s wide tire means extra stability and an overall comfortable ride. (The stability is based on the assumption that they are driven on flat paved roads) Also, Cruisers are built for comfort. One example of this is the back-saving, sweptback handlebars which allow for an upright riding position.
Fun
Frankly, the beach cruiser is simply a fun way to get from A to B. It is a comfortable easy to ride bicycle, that is perfect for the average man or woman who is wanting to sightsee and at the same time get some exercise.
The Modern Beach Cruiser
The modern beach cruiser, with its classic beach cruiser wide handlebars, durable bike frame, and heavy construction, looks quite similar to the earlier models. The modern-day Cruiser now has been modernized for the 21st century. For example, most cruisers, nowadays, have options for multiple speeds. I.E. Even the sub-$500 bikes, like the Schwinn Mikko & Huron Adult Beach Cruiser Bike, (Shown Below) offer cruisers with one, three, five, and even seven speeds.
Some lesser-known, but highly respected bikes are the independent bike maker Micargi and Firmstrong.
Downside
The Beac Cruiser does have a few downsides, such as its weight and speed. For example, the Mikko and Huron, Schwinn Perla, and most modern-day Cruiser bicycles, with their steel frame, are quite heavy. (Mikko and Huron are around 45 pounds, which is 16 pounds heavier than the average mountain bike.) The Cruiser though is designed for comfort. As a result, you cannot expect a heavy beach cruiser to outrun even a lower-priced road bike.
Schwinn’s Miko and Huron Beach Cruiser Bike
Price
You can though purchase a highly rated and vetted Beach Cruiser Bike for under $200. And the top-of-the-line models, on Amazon, are under $1,000. So, Used ones can also be purchased for under $100 The difference between the prices differ based upon some of the following:
A Beach Cruiser is designed for the casual weekend rider or bicycle commuter who rides on city streets and whose number one concern is comfort. And, the Beach Cruiser bike, with its comfortable seat, upright handlebar, and balloon tires provides that comfort. So, if you want comfort and are not in a hurry; a classic beach cruiser bicycle can suit your needs well.
Appendix
Electric Beach Cruiser Bicycles
The E-Bike is a bicycle with an integrated motor that can allow the rider to get to speeds up to 25 MPH. There are two types of electronic bikes-one with pedal assist tech that helps you go faster when you are peddling, and also E-Bikes that emulate a moped, and do not require any human intervention. The E-Bike is an excellent option for a commuter bicycle. There are numerous electric cruiser bike models available. Examples are the spendy Six Three Zero’s Hybrid Electric Cruiser bike and Schwinn even has a Beach Cruiser Electric Bike.
Depending upon where you reside, you may not even need a driver’s license.
Electronic Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Hybrid Bicycle
The hybrid bike resembles and has some of the same wanted features like a vintage cruiser bike. It is called a hybrid bike though because it also can ride like a mountain bike in that it can ride over reasonably rough terrain and off paved roads.
