What a cruiser is, and what it is not
A cruiser is built for short, flat, comfortable rides. Seaside promenades, flat cycle paths, pottering around town at a leisurely pace. The geometry is deliberately relaxed. You sit upright, the pedals are slightly forward of the saddle, and the bars sweep back towards you. Everything about the bike says slow down.
This is not a bike for hills, for long rides, or for cycling to work if your route involves more than a mile or two of flat roads. The gearing is low, the weight is high, and the geometry is not designed for efficiency. Most cruisers in the UK are bought for leisure rides at the coast, for looking stylish, or as a summer second bike.
Styles and configurations
The classic cruiser is a single speed with a coaster brake. You pedal to go, and you pedal backwards to stop. Simple and reliable. The coaster brake takes a little getting used to if you have never used one, because the pedal position when you stop is not always where you want it to be.
A three-speed cruiser, typically with a Sturmey Archer or Shimano Nexus hub, adds a modest gear range for gentle hills. Still a beach bike, but with enough range to tackle the slopes of a British seaside town without walking up them.
Seven-speed cruisers with derailleurs are more versatile. Wider gear range for real hills, but more maintenance than a hub gear, and the aesthetic is a little cluttered compared to the clean lines of a classic cruiser.
Electric cruisers are a growing category. Pedal assist takes the sting out of any hill, and the upright position is ideal for older riders. Prices on the used market are starting to soften as more new electric cruisers come to market.
Prices on the used market
Under two hundred pounds you are in basic cruiser territory. Older single-speed beach bikes, often with some surface rust and tyres that need replacing, but fundamentally working bikes. Fine for occasional seaside rides.
Two hundred to four hundred pounds buys good quality used cruisers from Electra, Felt, Sun, Firmstrong and the other established cruiser brands. Chrome finishes, good tyres, clean paintwork. Most bikes in this range will need minimal work before being ridden.
Four hundred to seven hundred pounds covers the higher-end cruisers. Electra Townie models, boutique brands like Villy Custom, and the better Felt cruisers. Often with three or seven speed hubs, integrated lights, and leather saddle and grips.
