The Huffy “RadioBike”® featured an electron-tube radio built into the tank and an antenna and battery pack on the rear carrier. So “cruiser” may have originated as one model name used by one distributor of the motorbike style of bicycles. Both the Huffy Nel Lusso and Electra Cruiser are single-speed bikes. They both have 26-inch wheels that are stable for riding at slow speeds. The beverage holder is convenient for having your favorite drink nearby wherever you go riding.
“A cruiser bike is for when comfort, not speed, is the goal,” says Jeff Shyman, founder and owner of Confederacy of Cruisers, a New Orleans bike tour company. Their classic cruiser frames found on all of their bikes come in a great array of colors and styles, offering a sturdy ride. The Huffy cruiser saddle seat offers the comfort of springs and thick, foam padding to make you feel like you are sitting on a cloud. The sturdy fenders offer a timeless look while keeping you clean from dirt and debris.
During the early stages of their build, the duo began by cutting out cardboard templates to mock up the frame mods. They would cut, add it to the bike, and then make the necessary adjustments until it was to their liking. From there, the bike along with the templates were sent to California to have Albert De Alba Jr. sand blast the frame. From there he did the metalwork based off mongoose bicycles the cardboard templates, prepped the frame, and followed it up with some primer before shipping it back. By 1972, a new wave of lightweight derailleur-equipped bicycles led a wave of new consumer interest in recreational bicycling, resulting in the bike boom. Derailleur-equipped sport bikes or ten speeds inspired by European racing bicycles soon dominated the adult market.
This is more than understandable, as many buy cruiser bikes with gears to use as a secondary bike. If you want to avoid saddle soreness on and during your ride, we have you covered. Hello – I’m producing a story on the history of the beach cruiser huffy beach cruiser and would love to chat with someone about what they know. Schwinn makes quality bikes, and this is a quality bike indeed. One of the most impressive virtues of the S1 is the very low top tube which makes it really easy to get on or off.
Not only does it look stunning but it’s also extremely comfortable to ride. In future history, they may reference the saddle on this bike when they talk huffy beach cruiser about cushiness. If Cruisers are designed to turn heads and be a joy to ride, then the ‘SixThreeZero In The Barrel’ has to be one of the ultimate rides.
The Electra Townie 7D offers an upright riding position like the Huffy Nel Lusso cruiser bike. This position results in a lower center of gravity and allows you to place both your feet on the ground when you stop. The wire basket at the front of the Nel Lusso cruiser bikes is hollow and spacious for carrying items like your phone or sweater when riding around town. If you plan on carrying more than you expected, you can enjoy extra storage space with the large rear rack.
The classic “retro” looks, reliable mechanical performance, comfortable ride, and relatively low price of cruisers also appealed to young Gen Xers. Nearly every major bike manufacturer now offers at least one cruiser model, if not an entire line. Some notable contemporary manufactures include Electra Bicycle Company and Felt Bicycles. Cruiser sales have continued to rise over the past decade and today many towns have clubs sponsoring regular cruiser rides as a way to promote the low-tech, high fun aspect of cycling. The Panama Jack cruiser bike by Huffy makes heads turn with its colorful, beach-vibe style.
In 1934, Schwinn successfully re-styled the B-10E, renaming it the Aero Cycle. While the Aero Cycle featured no technical improvements over the original B-10E, its streamlined frame, faux gas tank, and battery-powered headlight came to define the cruiser ‘look’. Modern cruiser bicycles retain these design elements, (except sometimes for the tank and/or light accessories). This single-speed bike also features an easy-to-use coaster brake to pedal back to a stop when needed quickly.