Bike cruiser: description and selection

How to move around the city, everyone chooses independently. Someone is comfortable just walking, someone riding a private car, and someone prefers to ride a bicycle. There are a huge number of types of bicycles - electric bicycles, mountain, children, BMX, city and so on. Each has a number of features that determine its functional purpose. Consider the features and subtleties of choosing a bike cruiser.

For many, a bike cruiser is known as a pleasure cruiser. It was created on the basis of motorcycle design more than 100 years ago. Today, bicycle cruisers are one of the most popular city bikes. This type of transport is used for city walks.

It is preferred by a contingent of people who love a measured comfortable ride around the city. Throughout the history of its existence, bicycle cruisers have been assistants to both soldiers and couriers, then occupying their niche in the category of urban bicycles. Now many Europeans ride such “iron beauties”, even some Russians use them for a quiet walk around the city.

Bicycle Company founded by Ignaz Shwin - German by birth, but who lived at that time in the United States. And in 1895, the first model of a bicycle cruiser - Schwinn. By the time the bike entered the market, the founder of the company was no longer alive. During the Great Depression in the USA (1933), the state was in a deep economic crisis, which was reflected in all spheres of human life.

During this period, a completely new bike design was released - Schwinn B-10E, radically different from its previous models, not only with new accessories, but also with the size of the tires and the layout of the frame. The new bicycle “blows up” the bicycle market, which eventually leads to the start of the production of a whole series of bicycles of this class.

Initially, the production of bicycle cruisers was aimed at the younger generation, but with the growth of popularity, thanks to ease of use and good technical characteristics, the model begins to be in demand among the working population. For a long time, the Americans associated these bicycles with newspaper peddlers, as they often used them for work.

Referring to the technical features of bicycle cruisers, we can say that this is a female version of the bicycle. They do not have such characteristics as sports models, but are perfect for trips in parks, squares, city streets. And thanks to the low-mounted saddle, you can even move around in a dress. A significant advantage of such a bicycle is that the back when moving on it practically does not strain.

Mention should be made of the variety of bike cruisers - cycloopper. Their name is associated with the distinctive shape of the frame and steering wheel, which are typical for motorcycle choppers. Outwardly, they resemble Stels Cruiser - a chopper that was released jointly by Russian and Chinese manufacturers. This cruiser has become a male version of walking bike models.

Any type of bike has its own design features, which are a hallmark of each. Cycling cruisers have such a number of characteristics that emphasize the uniqueness of this class.

• Design features of the frame. The unusual decision of cruiser bicycles immediately attracted the attention of buyers. They have a lot of similarities in appearance with a motorcycle - an elongated frame, a low comfortable seat, a high steering wheel, wide wheels. In combination, all these elements create an image of comfortable transport for moving around the city. Also, cruisers do not provide depreciation on the front fork. Of the disadvantages, the weight of the product can still be noted. The creators do not think about how to make frames of a lighter material - carbon fiber, plus the individual details of cruiser models are quite massive when compared with similar ones in sports bikes.

• Design features of the transmission. For a long time (up to the end of the 20th century), only one speed mode was provided for bicycle cruisers, moreover, with a closed system and chain. This made it possible not to smear clothes and shoes. With the growth of planetary hub production, everything has changed. Today, in stores you can see many models that provide the ability to switch multiple speed modes. However, the innovations did not increase the volume of sales of bicycle cruisers. This is due to the high price of products with a planetary hub, as well as its weight, which has become even greater.

The emphasis on aesthetic appearance and comfort determines the availability of many additional accessories. Buyers note that the factory assembly of cruisers is replete with an abundance of additional elements, namely:

• installation of two roof racks (front and rear);
• special coating of the chain and clutch system with a casing;
• wings as a necessary component of additional protection;
• the presence of a stand for a phone or a navigator is an innovation related to the growing popularity of the use of gadgets.

Now many classic bicycle models are called cruisers, although this is not right. To understand what kind of companies are involved in the production of bicycle cruisers, let’s consider the best of them.

• Schwinn. The pioneer of bicycle coolers, engaged in the production of top quality cruisers. Products are imported to the Russian Federation at a rather high cost.

• Electra. One of the most famous manufacturers of bicycle cruisers today. The American company has existed in California since 1993, and thanks to a good marketing company, it occupies a leading position in this market segment. She has a wide range of models of various price categories. There are both premium products and more budget options. In Russia, the products of this brand are in great demand and are considered one of the best imported bicycles.

• Stels. An American company engaged in the production of various types of bicycles, including cruisers. Cruiser models are a combination of good build quality and a reasonable price for the goods. All bicycles are equipped with large wheels and a sturdy aluminum frame. A spring seat and a high steering wheel provide a comfortable ride on a flat road. Metal wings will help prevent dirt from getting on your clothes.

• Nirve. One of the global bicycle manufacturing brands that has existed on the market for more than 30 years and creates stylish and original models of bicycles. The company combines the latest technological solutions and a special design approach to each product being created, resulting in unique bike transport options. In the cruiser class, almost every year new models of both female and male cruisers are released, differing in their style and geometry.

• Stinger. The brand is part of Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer Yung Grand. The company's developers create bicycles cruisers of special quality based on carefully selected components and strict control over the assembly of products. Products of this company are distinguished by high wear resistance, soft management and aesthetic appearance. In the Russian market, cruisers of this brand can be purchased at the best price, while receiving a good guarantee with the ability to contact a service center in case of breakage without any problems.

• Forward Russian manufacturer of various types of bicycles and all its components. The company has existed since 1999. The first activity of the company was the import of foreign bicycles into the domestic market. Later, the company began its own production of bicycle transport, which is now based in Perm.

When buying a cruiser bike, there are a few important things to consider. Nevertheless, when choosing a walking bike, it is not the technical features of the product that are paramount, but its appearance and how convenient it is in use. Therefore, when choosing a cruiser, you must pay attention to the following criteria:

• product weight - almost all bike cruisers are quite heavy, so when buying such a vehicle a woman needs to select models made of lighter materials - aluminum, carbon fiber, but finding them is very difficult;
• transmission - the number of speeds must either be limited to one, or a planetary hub must be installed;
• frame - for women, bikes with an open frame will be most comfortable, but for the male half - closed;
• chain and transmission system must be protected, most often this is done with the help of a casing;
• saddle should not only be soft and have a comfortable shape, but also be firmly fixed; and also the shape of the handlebar and its height are important, so you should always “try on” the bike for yourself.

See how to choose a bike cruiser.