A beach cruiser bike makes for a relaxed, fun ride. However, riding one for the first time can be a bit jarring, especially after using other bicycles. Once you learn to ride one, you’ll never forget how to do it.
Beach cruiser bikes feel different compared to other types of bikes. You’ll want to read through this guide if you’re just learning. Let’s begin!
1. Balance on the Beach Cruiser
Since the shape of a beach cruiser is different from other bikes, you need to learn how to balance yourself on it. You’ll feel like you’re leaning back a bit, but you mustn’t lean your upper body forwards.
You should feel comfortable when sitting on the bike. You can practice balancing on the cruiser by straddling the seat and keeping only your toes on the ground. Then, slowly lift your feet for a few seconds.
It’s easier to remain balanced while pedaling. Still, you should try this a few times before riding around others to see how it feels different from keeping your balance on a regular bike.
2. Grip the Handle Bars
Photo by Josh Duke on Unsplash
Next, you need to learn how to grip the handlebars. You don’t need to squeeze them, but you should have a soft, comfortable hold on the bars. Beach cruisers offer a comfortable ride, so keeping your hands relaxed is essential.
Your elbows should be bent slightly. You’ll need to readjust your seat or handlebars if your arms are stretched out fully to grab them. You can even change the saddle angle and handlebar angle on some models, allowing you to customize the cruiser bike to fit you.
3. Pedaling on a Beach Cruiser
When you’re ready to move, push yourself forward with one foot, then move it back onto the pedal. Start pedaling by pushing forward and down on the pedals. You’ll need to keep moving to keep your balance on the cruiser.
Learning to pedal and keep balanced on the beach cruiser bike is the hardest part for most people. Pedaling isn’t quite the same as doing it on other types of bikes.
You’ll feel like you’re leaning back on the cruiser, so you’ll need to push your feet at a different angle. Plus, beach cruisers are heavier than other bikes, so pedaling takes more strength.
Overall, you’ll want to practice pedaling before you take the beach cruiser out into crowded places.
4. Learning To Turn the Beach Cruiser
Beach cruiser bikes are great for riding along straight, flat paths, but they’re harder to turn than other bikes. These bikes focus on a relaxed ride, prioritizing comfort over precision steering.
You need to keep your body straight without leaning forward when you want to turn. Then, turn the handlebar and lean in the direction you want to go. You don’t want to make any jarring movements, or it becomes harder to turn. If you try to turn too quickly, you can fall over easily.
Turning can feel strange at first, but you’ll get used to it with enough practice!
5. Using the Brakes
Beach cruiser bikes usually have one of two brakes: coaster or hand brakes. Each requires you to stop differently, so you’ll want to check which you have before getting on the bike.
Hand brakes are easier to learn. You squeeze the trigger on the handlebar that controls the rear brake first, followed by the front brake. Then, to move again, let go of the brakes in reverse order. Knowing which brake to pull first will prevent you from accidentally flipping the bike.
Coaster or back-pedal brakes are harder to learn on a beach cruiser. To use them, you need to pedal backward. It can feel strange if you’re used to other types of bikes, even if they also have a coaster brake on them. Back-pedaling too quickly can make your bike slide, so you must apply gentle pressure on the brakes.
You also shouldn’t squeeze the brakes until you stop unless you need to stop on the spot. It’s better to “pump” the brakes to come to a gradual stop. It makes braking gentler and won’t wear out your brakes as quickly.
After you hit the brakes, you’ll need to remove a foot from one of the pedals and set it on the ground to stay balanced while still.
6. Practice Riding Your Beach Cruiser Bike
It takes a lot of good practice to ride your beach cruiser bike. You’ll want to spend most of your time learning how to turn and brake because the cruiser can feel stiff. You must learn to stay in control so you don’t get into a crash.
Many people like to practice riding on long paths, including sidewalks or driveways. Although, anywhere that has a flat stretch is usually a good option. The best place to ride your bike is along the beach. Many have boardwalks that are excellent for beach cruisers!
If you already know how to ride another type of bike, then it won’t take you as long to feel confident on a beach cruiser. It takes about two good practice sessions for most people to get the hang of riding on these bikes.
An hour-long practice session can make a huge difference in learning how to maintain control over it. You’ll also get stronger each time since these bikes offer an excellent low-impact workout.
Where Can You Ride Beach Cruiser Bikes?
You can ride beach cruiser bikes along most paths, although you won’t want to take it off-road or on a mountain trail. These bikes are solely for relaxed riding, so it’s even harder to steer them on uneven terrain. They’re also not great for riding in hilly areas.
Most cyclists enjoy riding their beach cruisers on pavement or gravel or at the beach. The more you use your cruiser, the more comfortable you’ll feel riding on more surfaces.
Practice Makes Perfect!
The only way you’ll get more comfortable on a beach cruiser bike is to spend a lot of time practicing. It’s fun, so you won’t notice how much time passes.
Overall, cruiser bikes are unique in that they can offer a more relaxed ride than other bikes. If that’s what you’re looking for, then the beach cruiser is perfect!
Feature photo Tower Electric Bikes on Unsplash
