Definition of a Cruiser Bike

Cruiser bicycles are also known as beach cruisers.

Originating in the 1930s, cruiser bicycles (also known as beach cruisers for their utility and subsequent recreational use) are distinct from other types of bicycles in their tires, seating, handlebars, overall weight, drivetrains, construction, styling and function. Cruisers became popular in the early and mid-1950s and had a resurgence in the mid-1990s because they are affordable, and their style appeals to adults for nostalgic reasons and younger people for "retro" hip factor.

Cruiser Tires

Criuser tires are capable of handling sandy terrain the best.

Cruisers have balloon tires, which are usually about 2 inches wide and don't have very high pressure. These tires were used on early models of the mountain bike, which was inspired by the cruiser, and can easily handle riding on sand, hence the cruiser's association with the beach.

Seating & Handlebars

Traditional bicycles have handlebars that make the rider lean over toward the front more than on a cruiser.

The seats on cruisers are lower, cushier and longer in size than standard bicycles, with the handlebars typically curving stylistically upward to reach an above-eye-level point. When seated on a cruiser, the posture is more upright when compared with any other standard bicycle.

Overall Construction and Heavier Weight

The frames of cruisers historically have been made of steel, meaning an overall heavier weight. The heavy weight (some models weighing more than 50 pounds) and durability of cruisers made the,m both rise to popularity and fall from grace. The cruiser design was conceived in the 1930s with the aim of creating a more affordable, long-lasting bicycle for postwar American youth of the time. By the 1950s, thrift and durability were no longer the biggest priorities for a prosperous United States, and subsequently, the slimmer, taller, lighter and faster European racers of the late 1950s and early 1960s became the more popular bicycle type.

Speed Drivetrains

Mountain bikes, having various speed options, are better suited for rough terrain.

Cruisers have a single-speed drivetrain, meaning there is only one possible speed. Most other types of bicycles have at least three speeds, making them a bit more versatile and much easier to pedal uphill. However, because they have only one speed and therefore fewer parts than regular cycles, cruisers tend to be a bit easier to maintain.

Aesthetics and Overall Function

Cruisers are commonly used bikes for riding on boardwalks and beaches.

In the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, cruisers were popular among newspaper boys and bike messengers. Today, because cruisers force the rider upright, have wider tires, often feature a basket, are generally slower than other bikes and have what we perceive now as a retro aesthetic, they're associated more with recreation. Whether it be riding along a boardwalk, at the beach or going on a casual ride in the neighborhood, the cruiser's function can now be seen, as the name suggests, as a bicycle you can "cruise" in.

References

• Sun Valley Guide: Summer 2006: The cruiser cometh
• New York Times: Beach Cruisers
• The Bicycle Museum of America

Resources

• NBHAA: Natuional Bicycle History Archive of America