What is a beach cruiser bike?

“Typically, a beach cruiser is a bicycle with big, wide, almost balloon-like tires, and a relaxed upright riding position. They usually have single speed (although this can vary), perfect for cruising along flat pathways common around beaches,” Palter says. Regular bikes feature thinner tires and a more horizontal riding position.

Are cruiser bicycles easier to ride?

Compared to mountain bicycles, cruiser bikes can be easy to ride, especially when biking on flat terrain. This is because they usually have wider tires, more comfortable seats, and wider handlebars. You’re also biking in an upright position which is comfortable and feels easy to ride for most people. However, if you’ll be riding on rough terrain often, a mountain bike may feel easier to ride because it offers the stability and variety of gears you’ll need to tackle hills.

Can beach cruisers ride on sand?

Unless you have a beach cruiser bike that has fat tires, like SOHOO’s Fat Tire Beach Cruiser Electric Bicycle, beach cruiser bikes generally aren’t designed for riding on sand. Pavement or unpaved biking trails are better places to ride your beach cruiser bike.

Is a beach cruiser bike good for exercise?

Cycling, even on a beach cruiser bike, can be an excellent way to stay active. Beach cruiser bikes are easy to use, and you can choose how intense your workout is. Riding a beach cruiser bike is usually considered low impact exercise, which is great for your joints, bones, and muscles.

The 10 Best Beach Cruiser Bikes of 2023

Whether you’re looking for a bike for your next vacation or for your daily commute to work, beach cruiser bikes can do it all. “Beach cruisers are relaxed and fun. They aren't built for speed or trails, but for overall comfort on the road. We consider these our comfort and fun bikes. But make no mistake, we can still get where we want to go in good time—we just feel great getting there,” Chad Buchanan, founder of BiKASE, says.

Beach cruiser bikes come in a wide range of sizes, weights, and brake styles, and may offer different accessories. To find the best beach cruiser bikes on the market, we first asked experts for their opinion on what makes a quality beach cruiser bike. Then, we researched over 40 beach cruiser bikes and evaluated them for comfort, style, price, and more.

Based on our research, here are the best beach cruiser bikes on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Men's Overall:

Electra Electra Townie 7D Step-Through Bike at REI

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Best Women’s Overall:

sixthreezero EVRYjourney Hybrid Cruiser Bike at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Huffy Fairmont Cruiser Bike at Amazon

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Best Electric:

Schwinn Mendocino Step-Thru Electric Bike at Amazon

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Best Single Speed:

Firmstrong Bella Fashionista Single Speed at Amazon

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Best with Gears:

Electra Cruiser 7D Step-Over at Mikesbikes.com

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Best Fat Tire:

SOHOO Fat Tire Beach Cruiser Electric Bicycle at Amazon

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Best Aluminum:

Chatham Plus Aluminum Beach Cruiser Bike at Retrospec.com

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Best with Cup Holder:

Huffy Panama Jack Men’s Beach Cruiser Bike at Amazon

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Best for Kids:

Micargi Jetta Beach Cruiser Bike at Walmart

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Fit

4.8

REI

View On REI

Pros

Ergonomic saddle
Low center of gravity
Wide range of colors

Cons

Assembly required
Expensive

Our top men’s overall pick is Electra’s Townie 7D Step-Through Bike because it has a sleek, user-friendly design. This bike features an ergonomic, shock-absorbing saddle that offers a comfortable ride. And we love that Electra’s beach cruiser bike has a low center of gravity, ensuring that you stay upright while riding and that you can touch the ground with both feet when stationary.

Note that you will need to either assemble this bike yourself, or bring it to an REI store to be assembled. It’s also more expensive than other bikes on our list. Choose from five bright, modern colors.

Price at time of publication: $630

^{Key Specs:
Style: 7-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 34.5 pounds | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Colors: Five}

4.8

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Academy.com

Pros

Wide tires
Customizable
One-year warranty

Cons

Assembly required

SixThreeZero’s EvryJourney Step-Through Bike is our other top pick because it’s designed to go just about anywhere. It features wider tires, which makes it great for riding on different types of terrain, including rougher trails. The handlebars are easy and comfortable to hold, thanks to synthetic leather grips.

We also like that the bike comes with a one year warranty—or, you can purchase a lifetime warranty for an extra $29.99. Although you’ll have to assemble this bike yourself, it’s fully customizable. Choose your desired color, number of speeds, and accessories to create a cruiser you’ll use for years to come.

Price at time of publication: $600 for cream w/ brown seat/grips in 26''/7-speed without expert assembly

^{Key Specs:
Style: Hybrid | Height Capacity: 5'0” to 6'4" | Weight: 36.5 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Colors: Five}

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Low center of gravity
Comfortable, padded saddle
Raised handlebars

Cons

Assembly required

For a budget-friendly beach cruiser bike, we recommend Huffy’s Fairmont Cruiser. It comes with a low center of gravity and raised handlebars, which helps you sit upright while pedaling for an effortless ride. And we love that the saddle is padded—a bonus when taking your bike for a spin on a long or bumpy route.

Note you’ll have to assemble this cruiser yourself. However, Huffy includes all of the tools you’ll need to get the job done. Choose from classic gray or royal blue with pink accents and floral details.

Price at time of publication: $200 without expert assembly

^{Key Specs:
Style:Single-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 47.7 pounds | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Colors: Two}

Schwinn Bikes

View On Amazon

Pros

Lasts up to 45 miles per charge
Pedal assist motor
Durable

Cons

Expensive
Assembly required

Looking for an electric beach cruiser bike? We recommend Schwinn’s Mendocino Step-Through Electric Bike. Made from aluminum, we like that this beach cruiser bike is built to last. You can ride it for up to 45 miles on a single charge, and the bike can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour with the help of its pedal assist motor.

One charge takes just four hours, so you can be confident this cruiser will always be ready for your next ride. Shift between six different speeds to tackle hills, slopes, and rougher terrain. However, this bike is significantly more expensive than other models on our list, and you’ll need to assemble it yourself.

^{Key Specs:
Style: Electric | Height Capacity: 5'4" to 6'2" | Weight: 49.9 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Colors: Three}

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Firmstrong.com

Pros

Wide range of colors
Extended frame for taller riders
Durable

Cons

Some assembly required

Firmstrong’s Bella Fashionista Single Speed Bike is our choice for a sturdy, well-designed, single-speed beach cruiser bike. We love the wide range of bright hues, especially because Firmstrong adds an extra pop of color to the rims. The extended frame is made from durable steel, to better suit taller riders.

Since the frame is painted, this bike is resistant to rust. It does require some light assembly, but it’s less expensive than many other models on our list.

Price at time of publication: $400 for burgundy in 26" / 1-speed without expert assembly

^{Key Specs:
Style: Single-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: 5'0” to 6'0” | Weight: 43 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Colors: Nine}

Electra Bikes

View On Mikesbikes.com View On Trekbikes.com

Pros

Two sizes
Wide tires
Customizable

Cons

Only two colors

The Electra 7D Step-Over Bike is our top choice for a beach cruiser bike with gears. If you’re going to be riding on hills often, a single-speed beach cruiser bike may not have the power you need. With Electra’s bike, it’s easy to change gears simply by twisting your wrist.

Plus, we like that it has wide tires, so you can bike on sand or gravel with ease. Although it only comes in two colors, this bike is fully customizable. Add accessories like a bell, a handlebar or phone bag, a front basket, and more.

Price at time of publication: $440

^{Key Specs:
Style: 7-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: 5'3" to 5'11" or 5'6" to 6'2" | Weight: 40 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Colors: Two}

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Pros

Digital LCD display
LED headlight and rear light
Two-year warranty

Cons

Expensive

If you’re searching for a fat tire beach cruiser bike, we recommend this electric version from SOHOO. Fat tires make it even easier to ride on sand. Plus, this cruiser features a pedal-assist mode and can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour. And we love that it has a digital LCD display, so you always know exactly how fast you’re going and how far you’ve traveled.

SOHOO’s cruiser also has additional safety features, like a bright LED headlight and a rear light. You can also choose to ride it without the motor, if you prefer. It’s one of the more expensive bikes on our list, but it has all the features and durability you’ll need.

Price at time of publication: $1,499 in step through-black without expert assembly

^{Key Specs:
Style: Electric | Height Capacity: 5'9" to 6'8" | Weight: 67 pounds | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Colors: Three}

Retrospec

View On Retrospec.com

Pros

Budget-friendly
Durable
Comfortable, padded saddle

Cons

Lower weight capacity
Assembly required

If a rust-resistant frame is your top priority, we recommend Chatham’s Plus Beach Cruiser Bike. The frame and double-walled rims are both made from durable aluminum, to help you get the most out of your bike. And we like the budget-friendly price point, which comes in at around $300.

But because it’s single-speed, this bike isn’t recommended for rougher terrains. You’ll also have to assemble the Chatham Plus yourself, and it has a lower weight capacity compared to others on our list.

Price at time of publication: $430

^{Key Specs:
Style: Single-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: 5'0” to 6'4" | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: 250 lbs | Colors: Three}

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Huffybikes.com

Pros

Low center of gravity
10-year frame warranty
Comes with accessories

Cons

Only two colors
Assembly required

Huffy’s Panama Jack Beach Cruise doesn’t just come with a cup holder—it also has a cooler bag, a bottle opener, and a rear rack for carrying all of your beach day essentials. A 10-year frame warranty comes standard with this bike, so you can ride confidently. And since it’s made from aluminum, this beach cruiser is both lightweight and durable.

You will have to assemble parts of this bike, and it only comes in two colors (black and dark blue). But we love all of the added accessories, which make this cruiser the ideal oceanside ride.

Price at time of publication: $520 for single speed in denim blue without expert assembly

^{Key Specs:
Style: Single-speed or six-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: 5'0” and up | Weight: 48.6 pounds | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Colors: Two}

Walmart

View On Walmart View On Bikesxpress.com

Pros

Wide range of colors
Budget-friendly
Comfortable handlebar grips

Cons

Steel frame, not aluminum
No accessories included

The Micargi Jetta Beach Cruiser Bike wins our top spot for a kids’ beach cruiser bike because it comes in a wide range of retro colors and offers a durable design. Handlebar grips make riding easy, and with coaster brakes, stopping is a breeze. Plus, we like that this bike is budget-friendly—always a plus when shopping for items kids can grow out of.

However, the frame is made from steel, not aluminum like other bikes on our list. It also doesn’t come with any extra accessories, like a helmet, so you’ll need to purchase those yourself.

Price at time of publication: $252 in purple

^{Style:
Key Specs: Single-speed cruiser | Height Capacity: 4'0” to 5'0” | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Colors: Four}

Electra’s Townie 7D Step-Through Bike is our top pick because its range of gears makes cycling smooth and simple. Plus, a shock-absorbing, ergonomic saddle means a comfortable ride every time.

We also recommend SixThreeZero’s EvryJourney Step-Through Bike. Its wide tires give you more control while riding on different types of terrain, and customization options can help you design a bike that’s truly yours.

How We Selected the Best Beach Cruiser Bikes

When choosing the best beach cruiser bikes, we first spoke with Jeffrey Palter, owner of Cycle Loft bicycle shop, and Chad Buchanan, owner of BiKASE, a bicycle accessories manufacturer. They shared their expert opinion on the important features every beach cruiser bike should have.

Then, we researched over 40 different beach cruiser bikes from the most trusted brands and picked the best ones based on comfort and value. We also considered size, weight, brake style, and additional accessories.

What to Look For in a Beach Cruiser Bike

Size

Beach cruiser bikes usually come in one universal size, but can be adjusted based on your height and riding preferences. “Most of the fit can be accomplished with the adjustable seat or slight handlebar adjustment. I'd suggest setting the handlebars and grips to allow a more upright and comfortable back position,” Buchanan says.

Weight

When shopping for beach cruiser bikes, it’s important to note that they usually weigh more than traditional bicycles. This is because they’re designed with features that stand up to daily wear and tear, like wider tires and curved handlebars. Most beach cruiser bikes also have a weight capacity, so make sure to read all information from the manufacturer carefully before purchasing to ensure your bike will be the right fit.

Brake Style

Beach cruiser bikes usually come with either coaster brakes or hand brakes. Coaster brakes are triggered by pedaling backward and generally offer a softer stop. Hand brakes are similar to the brakes on traditional bikes—they’re attached to the handlebars and can be squeezed to quickly stop the bike.

Accessories

Some beach cruiser bikes come with additional accessories like cup holders, baskets, headlights, cellphone holders, bells, and more. Others don’t come with any, but you can usually purchase and fit most of these afterward if you feel that your beach cruiser bike is incomplete without them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a beach cruiser bike?

“Typically, a beach cruiser is a bicycle with big, wide, almost balloon-like tires, and a relaxed upright riding position. They usually have single speed (although this can vary), perfect for cruising along flat pathways common around beaches,” Palter says. Regular bikes feature thinner tires and a more horizontal riding position.
Are cruiser bicycles easier to ride?

Compared to mountain bicycles, cruiser bikes can be easy to ride, especially when biking on flat terrain. This is because they usually have wider tires, more comfortable seats, and wider handlebars. You’re also biking in an upright position which is comfortable and feels easy to ride for most people. However, if you’ll be riding on rough terrain often, a mountain bike may feel easier to ride because it offers the stability and variety of gears you’ll need to tackle hills.
Can beach cruisers ride on sand?

Unless you have a beach cruiser bike that has fat tires, like SOHOO’s Fat Tire Beach Cruiser Electric Bicycle, beach cruiser bikes generally aren’t designed for riding on sand. Pavement or unpaved biking trails are better places to ride your beach cruiser bike.
Is a beach cruiser bike good for exercise?

Cycling, even on a beach cruiser bike, can be an excellent way to stay active. Beach cruiser bikes are easy to use, and you can choose how intense your workout is. Riding a beach cruiser bike is usually considered low impact exercise, which is great for your joints, bones, and muscles.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a qualified personal trainer and health and fitness writer, Ravi Davda understands how important quality product recommendations can be. He recommends products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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