The choice of the Beach Cruiser
A bike right from the United States
The Beach Cruiser appeared around the 1930s. After the economic crisis of 1929, the bicycle was considered an expensive object with very reduced utility which caused a decrease in sales. Indeed, at the time, a bike wasn't thought of as a means of transport ande it essentially remained a sports item or a children's toy.
The manufacturer Schwinn therefore decided to create an affordable and resistant bike: the b-10E Motorbike. Essentially aimed at the market for teenagers and young adults, success was immediate. Despite its heavy weight (more than 20kg at the time), the cruiser quickly imposed itself as an attractive means of locomotion with a certain class.
Having become a true symbol of American culture, Beach Cruisers were a real success until the 50s.
However, the cruisers weren't present outside the United States for very long. It wasn't until the 90s that they landed on European beaches as a vintage bike . More modern versions are lighter and less imposing than the Beach Cruiser of the 50s.
Brands such as Electra Bike now offer bikes with varied looks and reasonable weight. Thanks to its simplicity of use and its quality/price ratio, the Beach Cruiser invades the big cities again and is no longer merely considered as a collection bike.
The unique design of the Beach Cruiser
You will not go unnoticed with a Beach Cruiser. Indeed, this type of bike is easily identified thanks to some specificities :
- A straight and seated position
- Balloon tyres
- A single-speed transmission with a built-in hub sometimes
- Oversized frame tubes or an upper double tube
- A large wheelbase
- A fake tank and a headlight on some models
What to do with a Beach Cruiser?
The Cruiser is above all a sturdy bike. It is ideal for practitioners who do not want to worry about the regular maintenance of a bike. Indeed, the transmission with integrated gears can stand the worst treatments and doesn't require a maintenance as regular as a conventional transmission with a derailleur. The Beach Cruiser is oriented primarily for urban and leisure activities. With its very comfortable position, it isn't conceivable to provide long efforts.
We advise you to move toward a city bike if you wish to make quite demanding regular journeys. The Beach Cruiser is also not meant for an all-terrain practice as can be a hybrid bicycle, its favorite medium is the city or the beach shores.
Is the American way of life tempting you? Check out the Beach Cruiser!
