*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
When summer comes, we become more outgoing, wear lighter clothes, take more cold drinks and even go on beach vacations or take a quick trip to the beach. When we go to the beach, we often don’t want to just sit all day, normally people will want to find something to do. In comes the beach cruiser to the rescue!
Beach cruisers are an amazing bike to use on the boardwalk or just cruise along the paths near the water while soaking up the sun and scenery, but have you ever wondered what happens if you leave the hard surface and hit the sand?
Can you ride your beach cruiser on sand? It really depends on what you mean when you say “sand” if you are referring to the soft sand that is far away from the water’s edge then all bikes will have problems when used on that. As you get closer to the water the sand gets harder and you can certainly use your beach cruiser there.
There are a variety of types and models of beach cruisers so if you intend to ride on the sand it is important to plan ahead when you buy or rent your bike. For riding your bike on the sand you will want to have the wider tires on your bike. This will allow you to sink less into the sand so you don’t go as slow.
In this article I will cover some important things to know when taking your beach cruiser on the sand as well some information about beach cruisers in general.
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
When you take your beach cruiser on the sand you will of course be near the water (surprise surprise, right?).
Because of the material that Beach cruisers are made from, they are highly prone to rust and require special care to make sure that your bike lasts as long as possible. A lot of people ask if the can ride their beach cruiser on the sand, and there are always different points of view to this question.
If you are at the beach, feel free to ride your cruiser on the beach sand as much as you like. Steel will rust over time, whether it comes in contact with moisture and sand or not, but when it comes in direct contact with wet surfaces it can speed up the process. This is especially true if your bike has some paint peeling or rust issues already.
This is why a lot of people are wary of riding their beach cruisers on the sand. I personally feel like riding on the sand is where wide tire beach cruisers shine! Yes, riding your bike near the water (especially if it is salt water) could cause some issues with your bike in the future but those can be avoided with the proper maintenance. If you can’t take the time to do some extra maintenance on your bike I would suggest you avoid being near the water entirely not just avoid the sand.
Here are some tips to help you care for your beach cruiser:
- Do not leave your beach cruiser outside overnight or in the rain. Instead, find space for it indoors to keep it from getting rusted prematurely.
- While riding on sand, be careful to not allow the sand in the chain and gears of your beach cruiser as this might cause unwanted friction and damage your bike.If possible don’t lay your bike down on the sand as this will allow more sand to get into the gears and chain.
- Lubricate the chain and gears as well as the seat springs regularly to lengthen the lifespan of the bike’s parts, and also make the bike easier to ride.
- After you get home from a day at the beach, take some time to wash your bike. Yes, it is an extra headache but washing off the sand and salt water will help your bike last a lot longer.
Doing these simple things will make your beach cruiser last longer and you can have fun with it for much longer. Beach cruisers are usually affordable compared to other bike types and come in a variety of different styles but you certainly don’t want to be buying a new one every few years because you didn’t take care of it.
So, whether you are going to the beach with it or not or whether you are going to the beach and avoiding sand while you are there, it is important to take some precautions to ensure your bike stays in tip top shape.
WHAT ARE BEACH CRUISERS?
If you came across this article looking for bikes that you can use on the sand but have never heard of a beach cruiser before then don’t worry. I will give you a bit of information about beach cruisers in general as well.
Originally known as and referred to as “motobikes”, beach cruisers are bicycles that are fitted usually with balloon tires, a single-speed drivetrain, upright seating designs, and are quite beautiful to look at.
Beach cruisers are the top choice of vacationers and casual cyclists due to their stability and ease of use. These bikes are usually heavy and slower as they are designed to be used on paved roads, and for riding for moderate speeds and distances. They are not suitable for races or for use on hills or other rough terrain.
Beach cruisers are gained popularity in the United States in the 1930s through the 1950s, before making a come back in the late 1990s. The design, comfort and affordability of beach cruisers are what helped it regain some of its popularity in recent years.
FEATURES OF BEACH CRUISERS
- Frame: Beach cruisers usually have wide handlebars, laid back geometry, big tires of around 26 inches and so on. Some beach cruisers have two to three top-tubes similar to the classic versions. They are normally made from steel, and this makes them very strong while still remaining affordable.
- Accessories: Beach cruisers are fitted with accessories like mudguards, chain guards, kickstands as well as baskets and other decorative accessories.
The mudguards protect your bike from water that might be on the road after rainfall and help keep your bike dry.
The chain guard helps keep your clothes from touching the chain, making sure they stay clean and don’t get damaged by the chain.
The kickstand is meant to help stand your bike upright and on its own, instead of the usual way of leaning bikes against walls or other items.
- Brakes: Beach cruisers are installed with different types of handbrakes. here are the Dual pivot caliper brakes and the V-brakes. Any of these two types of modern brakes are much more reliable and safer than traditional caliper brakes. Some single speed retro beach cruisers can be fitted with coaster brakes or back pedal brakes instead of handbrakes.
- Gears: The gears on beach cruisers come in different forms. The single-speed gears are an easy, low maintenance option. There are however other options like a three speed or 7-speed. The higher speed bikes allow your beach cruiser to be used on rougher terrain and even some decent sized hills.
- Wheels, tires and rims: Most beach cruisers are usually fitted with 26 inches wheels, like mountain bikes. The wheels are usually wide and tough, which makes them great for a smoother ride. The tires of most beach cruisers are also puncturing resistant, while the recommended rims are normally alloy double-wall rims because they are stronger and lighter than single-wall rims.
- Colors: Beach cruisers come in many different colors and styles. Some of the nicest looking bikes are often the ones that are matte black or a raw silver color. There are all sorts of different colors to meet all of your style needs.
CONCLUSION
When it comes to bikes a beach cruiser is an excellent option if you ride on flat terrain very often. Whether you choose to ride on the sand or not is a personal preference but it is a great way to enjoy the water while also getting some good exercise.
Also don’t be deterred by the name beach cruiser. Even if you don’t live near a beach, a cruiser can be an excellent bike for you if you mainly cycle in flat areas or don’t have many hills in your town.