Cruiser bicycle

Schwinn AeroCycle in Longmont Museum & Cultural Center
1950s Huffy Radio Bicycle
Schwinn advertisement from 1946

A cruiser bicycle, also known as a beach cruiser or (formerly) motobike, is a bicycle that usually combines balloon tires, an upright seating posture, a single-speed drivetrain, and straightforward steel construction with expressive styling. Cruisers are popular among casual bicyclists and vacationers because they are very stable and easy to ride, but their heavy weight and balloon tires tend to make them rather slow. Another common feature is their ability to be customized with accessories including fenders, lights and saddle bags.[1] They are designed for use primarily on paved roads, low speeds/distances, and are included in the non-racing/non-touring class and heavyweight or middleweight styles of the road bicycle type.

The bikes, noted for their durability and heavy weight, were the most popular bicycle in the United States from the early 1930s through the 1950s,[2] and have enjoyed renewed popularity since the late 1990s.[3]

  1. ^ Shumpert, Max (8 August 2017). "Guide to Cruiser Bikes". Bikesreviewed. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  2. ^ Crown, Judith, and Coleman, Glenn, No Hands: The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, An American Institution, New York: Henry Holt (1996), p. 122
  3. ^ "05/19/97 RETRO BIKES WITH '90s PIZZAZZ". Businessweek.com. 1997-06-15. Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2012-08-20.

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