For the casual bicyclist, there may not be a big discernable difference between different frame materials and so, may not play the largest role in your new bike purchasing decision. That said, there are differences and it can be helpful to understand why you might choose one type of frame material over another. Disc brakes are considered the safest style of brakes, with hydraulic disc brakes being the absolute best in bike braking technology. Both of these brakes are beefy options that will overall weigh your bike down and may take away too much from the maneuverability benefits of beach cruisers for you. They are also more expensive and will require more routine maintenance.
A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ’s Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. schwinn dealers Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks. There are, unfortunately, bicycle manufacturers out there who do take shortcuts in things like component quality. Other brands might include features or components that are highly specialized and thus hard (expensive) to replace or repair should you have issues in the future.
The CTY 1.1 is offered in two colors, five sizes for the standard frame style, and three sizes in a step-through variant. This is your ticket if you want a fantastic deal and a well-featured bike. Just as there is no one type of commute or commuter, there is no singular type of commuter bike. It used to be that a typical city bike had upright geometry, flat pedals, minimal gearing, skinny tires, and a relatively comfortable seat. But thanks to new technology and a greater demand to live a two-wheeled lifestyle, the category of commuter bikes is sprawling.
You can find beach cruisers at prices to meet just about any budget, but it is still important to consider your price range before you go out shopping. Setting a budget or a price range you want to shop in helps to make it easier to prioritize what you want, and better dismiss those bikes that don’t offer the value you want or are priced out of your range. Do your research, both online and at local bike shops, to get the very best deal on vintage bikes or to restore your Schwinn to its original condition. We love Specialized as much as the next bike mechanic; the company has solid components and highly accessible parts that make it easy to work with and tune. The Sirrus X 4.0, a slightly high-priced hybrid bike, is one of the brand’s best bikes for commuting over potholes and gravel—if you can swing the price.
Its range is pretty far at up to 50 miles per charge, and including fenders, a rack, and integrated lights is a nice bonus. Plus, the 27.5 x 2-inch-wide proprietary tires, along with a front-suspension fork, provide comfort on pavement and bumpy bike paths. This excellent e-bike combines utility with the sleekness needed for the city. The very first thing you should look at when purchasing a new 2023 beach cruiser is whether you want it to be electric or you want it to be traditional, as in only operating via the power of your two feet. For example, traditional bikes, particularly traditional cruiser bikes, are going to generally cost less and be more lightweight overall.
It boasts the company’s proprietary Future Shock, a coil shock positioned above the head tube that provides 20mm of suspension to eat bumps and bobbling gravel, reducing rider fatigue. We deem this an upgrade due to its better-than-most components, but if the Sirrus X 4.0 is too steep for you, check out one of the brand’s other 20+ Sirrus models. If, however, you plan on taking your beach cruiser to hillier schwinn beach cruiser locations, or if you want to go faster than just one speed, then consider buying a beach cruiser with more gearing options. Even a cruiser with just three sprockets, or three gearing options, in the rear can offer a cyclist a nice array of options to tackle different road and path gradients and conditions. Of course, these physical differences are all general differences and there will be outliers.
You might even score a good used cruiser at an exceptionally reduced price at your local bike shop. The Vado 4.0 is one of the best commuter bikes on the market. Exceptionally well-designed, the Vado 4.0 has an SRAM NX, 11-speed drivetrain, powerful SRAM Level brakes, and an SR Suntour Mobie A32 suspension fork for a smooth feel. Power settings are adjustable via an easy-to-manage phone app, plus all of the needed accessories for commuting—rack, fenders, and lights—come standard. While the Vado is pricier than some other bikes in the class, it has a refined feel, a strong global dealer network in case of motor issues, and is a thrilling e-bike to ride. That said, electric bikes like Around the Block from sixthreezero have some pretty massive advantages that may very well swing those sitting on the fence between traditional v. electric over to the motor side.