If you’re thinking of burning calories on a casual and comfortable cycling ride this summer, then you should consider getting yourself one of those beach cruisers or cruiser bicycles.
Using your cruiser bike to shed some pounds while enjoying the summer breeze and sunshine sounds fun.
The more vigorous and challenging the ride, the more calories get burned. You can easily monitor this through a heart monitor.
According to Mayo Clinic, if you are bicycling leisurely for an hour at less than 10 miles per hour, you’ll burn about 292 calories if you weigh about 160 pounds.
To lose more calories, you’ll need to increase your speed or cycle uphill. Cycling at 12 – 13.9 mph for an hour will increase calories burned to about 576.
You’ll need to burn about 500 calories per day in order to lose a pound per week.
You might want to check out Bike Your Butt Off if you wish to follow a cycling plan to lose weight. You’ll end up being a better cyclist too.
You can try cycling to work if possible or at least for errands. Bicycling is low impact aerobic exercise. It is gentle on your joints, benefits your heart and blood vessels as well as strengthen your hip, thigh and butt muscles.
Cycling uphill will give your arms and upper body a workout as you have to cycle in a standing instead of sitting position.
Cycling can be fun and benefits your health at the same time.
When cycling in the country side, you get to see the scenery while working out at the same time.
So, what is your main motivation for cycling? Fit and slim? Enjoying the scenery? A casual ride to the stores or the beach?
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Cruiser Bikes For Beginners – Casual Riders
If you’re looking for a mechanically simple fun bike, then the cruiser bikes or beach cruiser bicycles would be just fine. They are also known as lifestyle bikes as it reflects your cool lifestyle with its bright colorful look and accessories.
For beginners, the single speed cruiser bicycle is easy to ride with no gears to change.
Beach cruiser bikes are all about comfortable joyful rides at your own leisurely pace of life.
They are comfortable, stable, heavy duty, come with an upright seating position and are popular among casual cyclists. They are more for flat terrain cycling.
The cruiser bicycle comes with a retro look. You can get them in bright colors of pastels, blue, green, pink, orange, red or wood grained designs etc.
You can add accessories such as a basket, cup holder, a bell etc.
The beach cruiser bike has typical 26″ extra wide wheels which is suitable for most adult riders. However, they do come in 24″ or 29″ wheels.
The wide balloon tire cruiser bicycle has a steel or aluminum frame. Steel frames are durable, heavier and cheaper.
However, aluminum frame bike is a better choice if you intend to cycle along the beach often. The anti-rust aluminum frame cruiser can withstand the salty ocean air better.
Whether single speed or multi speed cruisers, low cost entry level cruiser bikes or high end cruisers, they offer a cool and comfortable ride.
Single speed beach cruiser bicycle is more of a recreational bike and is great for riding to the beach or around town with a flat terrain. For a more hilly ride or longer distance, the 3 speed or 7 speed cruisers with gears perform better.
Typically, the single speed and 3 speed cruiser come with coaster brake at the rear wheel . You pedal backwards to slow down. The coaster brake is considered low maintenance. There are no cables to worry about.
The 7 speed beach bicycle has both front and rear hand brakes which you can control through levers in the handlebars.
The typical beach bicycle comes with a wide padded saddle with springs. This ensures a smooth ride over a bumpy road.
The classic curved upright long handlebars with a cushy grip allows you to sit comfortably in an upright position with hardly any strain on your back.
The beach cruisers for women and men are slightly different in designs. Cruiser bikes for women have low top tubes with a step-thru frame. This makes it easy to get on or off the bicycle even when wearing a skirt.
Women’s cruiser bikes with a 26″ wheel are meant for those with a height of 5′ – 6′ 4″. If you’re between 4′ 3″ and 5′ 3″, then you should go for the 24″ cruiser bicycle.
For the men’s cruiser bikes, a 26″ wheel would be suited for those with a height of 5′ 4″ – 6′ 2″.
3 Top Rated Beach Cruiser Bikes For Men
Firmstrong Bruiser Man Beach Cruiser Bicycle, 26-Inch
This 26″ men’s cruiser bike is available in single speed, 3 speed and 7 speed gear options.
The single speed and 3 speed cruiser bike comes with back pedaling coaster brakes while the 7 speed model has front and rear handbrakes operated via levers on the handlebar and a Shimano 7-speed derailleurs.
It has all the cool features of a good beach cruiser bicycle such as wide adjustable handlebars for upright seating and a wide adjustable saddle seat with padded suspension for a cushy ride.
It has all black components, an elongated frame and a thick top tube design for the modern macho man. This bike comes with a 4″ extended frame length.
Its 26-inch aluminum wheels come with 2.125-inch wide all black tires and stainless steel spokes.
Fenders are sold separately.
The 26″ wheels cruiser fits men who are 5′ 4″ – 6′ 4″ tall.
This steel frame bruiser man beach cruiser weighs 43 pounds.
It is delivered 80% assembled.
Firmstrong Urban Man Beach Cruiser Bicycle
The 2.125-inch wide white-wall tires 26″ wheels Urban Man beach cruiser bike features a 19″ steel frame.
Simple pedal backwards coaster brake is easy to operate, no complicated gear system or cables to stress about.
This fits men between the height of 5′ 4″ and 6′ 2″. If you’re between 4′ – 5′ 2″, then the 24″ wheel cruiser is the recommended option.
You can get the 26″ cruiser in single speed, 3 speed or 7 speed. However, the 24″ wheel model is only available in single speed.
Cool features include comfortable oversized seat with dual springs, wide handlebars with synthetic leather grips, waffle tread tires and a chain guard for a relaxed comfortable riding experience.
You have to buy the optional matching color fenders separately.
It is available in 13 colors.
The cruiser with the steel frame weighs 38 pounds. If you want a lighter model, you can go for the Urban Man 19″ Aluminum frame 26″ single speed cruiser bike. This aluminum model weighs 33 pounds.
The bike comes 80% assembled. You”ll still have to assemble the handlebars, screw in the peddles, attach the seat and put in the front tire.
sixthreezero Men’s In The Barrel 26-Inch Beach Cruiser Bicycle
This comes with an 18″ extended steel frame with thick tube and a forward pedaling design.
You can get it in single speed, 3 speed and 7 speed gear options.
The extra-wide comfort bubble saddle with dual-springs absorbs bumps allowing for a more comfortable ride.
The bike comes with typical smooth slick mesh tread tires for on-road use and rubber block comfort pedals.
The bicycle comes partially assembled just like other cruiser bike brands. You’ll have to assemble the front tire, seat, pedals and handlebars.
Fenders are sold separately.
This 26″ cruiser bike fits the 5′ 4″ – 6′ 4″ rider.
3 Top Rated Beach Cruiser Bikes For Women
Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser Bicycle
This is a 26″ women’s single-speed cruiser bike with with 17″ durable steel frame and aluminum wheels.
It does come with a model that has a lighter 19″ aluminum frame that is rust resistance.
As with all single speed cruiser bicycles, this comes with coaster brakes that stop the bike when you pedal backwards.
The wide handlebars come with rubber grips.
Oversized seat with dual springs allows for a comfortable ride when going over humps.
2.125″ wide white wall balloon tires with pink rims add to its aesthetic appeal. It is available in 13 colors, a favorite color for every one.
You can also buy separately optional matching color fenders.
The cruising speed is from 3 – 15 mph and the recommended riding distance is up to 20 miles on pavement or flat terrain.
The 26″ wheel cruiser is for women from 5′ – 6′ in height. If you are getting for someone from 4′ – 5′ in height, then the 24″ wheel model is recommended.
The bike weighs 38 pounds.
It comes 80% assembled. You still have to assemble the front wheel, seat, handlebar as well as the chain.
Schwinn 26″ Ladies Perla 7 Speed Cruiser Bike, 26-Inch, Blue
This Schwinn 7 speed women’s cruiser bike comes with a steel frame with limited lifetime warranty for the original purchaser. It has a low top tube that makes it easy to get on and off.
It has full fenders and a welded rack at the back for your saddle bags. You can attach a basket (not included) onto your handlebars for your groceries.
The Schwinn rear derailleur with its multiple gears allow for a range of least resistance with its first gear to greatest resistance with its 7th gear. Lower gears are great when facing strong wind resistance or cycling uphill. Engage the higher gears when going at a faster speed on a flat terrain.
The handle brakes activated with a squeeze of your hand is good for a quick stop.
The bike comes with the frame and back tire assembled. You’ll still have to assemble the front tire, adjustable padded seat and handlebars.
sixthreezero Women’s 26-Inch Beach Cruiser Bicycle
The sixthreezero Women’s 26-Inch Beach Cruiser Bicycle is available in single speed, 3 speed and 7 speed.
The 26″ wheels 17″ classic 1-speed steel frame cruiser comes with matching color fenders and coaster brake.
Cool comfort features include a rubber block comfort pedals and the classic bucket saddle as well as a kickstand.
Its wide chrome plated handlebars make for a relaxed and comfortable sitting position.
With no complicated gear system, this single speed women’s cruiser bike can be maintained at a consistent cruising speed from 3 to 15 mph and a riding distance up to 20 miles.
For a longer distance of up to 30 miles, you should go for the 3 speed cruiser. You’ll get to cycle at the faster speed of up to 30 mph.
As for the 7 speed cruiser bicycle, you can ride up to a distance of 40 miles at a speed of between 3 – 30 mph.
This 26″ wheel cruiser bicycle is suitable for riders who are 5′ 2″ – 6′ 3″.