The Bad Boy is Cannondale’s fast-riding city and urban commuter. Sporting the brand’s signature Lefty fork, the Bad Boy 3 stands out from the crowd, featuring a fully blacked-out look designed to blend in. Other features include a Shimano Altus 2×8-speed drivetrain with a wide gear range, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and 650b wheels that blend durability and speed. However, if you are considering an electric beach cruiser bike, a multi-geared beach cruiser bike, or are otherwise planning on taking it in hillier terrains, then we recommend looking for a model with a better braking system. Because while cruiser brakes are effective at low speeds and in flat terrain, if you try to slam backward and brake when going at high speeds or down a hill, the momentum risks you skidding out in a dangerous fashion. So, for these cases, we recommend looking for a beach cruiser model that either pairs the coaster brake with a front v-brake or disc brake, or one that completely swaps the coaster brake for a full set of v-brakes or disc brakes.
When on it, you’ll find that you sit upright, with your arms at barely a bend and your knees pedaling just before you. This is a rising position that won’t afford you a lot of power when trying to push up hills or race down a street. Similarly, it would be dangerous to take this style of bike on a downhill mountain path. Yet, it is a fantastic choice for those who want to enjoy an easy ride around the neighborhood. Which type of wheels you want on your future beach cruiser bike will largely depend upon where you want to take that bike.
For the casual bicyclist, there may not be a big discernable difference between different frame materials and so, may not play the largest role in your new bike purchasing decision. That said, there are differences and it can be helpful to understand why you might choose one type of frame material over another. Disc brakes are considered the safest style of brakes, with hydraulic disc brakes being the absolute best in bike braking technology. Both of these brakes are beefy options that will overall weigh your bike down and may take away too much from the maneuverability benefits of beach cruisers for you. They are also more expensive and will require more routine maintenance.
This means there is a chainring in the front where you pedal, and that chainring connects via chain with one freewheel sprocket that turns the back wheel. Single-speed bikes are simple but effective and, generally, are all one needs in flat or mostly-flat terrains. Old Roads specializes schwinn beach cruiser in vintage bicycles from several different brands, including Schwinn. You can browse their selection online, and they also offer a great deal of helpful information about assessing a bike’s condition. Before they are sold, all the bikes are tuned up by professional bicycle mechanics.
You’ll see many of the models Schwinn produced in the last half of the 20th century, along with some older models from the earlier part of the company’s history. If you’re buying a vintage Schwinn on eBay, be sure to ask lots of questions about the bike’s condition. Also keep shipping costs in mind, since packaging and transporting a bike can be costly. From across the street you might easily mistake the Loft 7D for a 1970’s vintage Schwinn or Raleigh, but when you get up close you will see it is a thoroughly modern around town bike. Electra combined retro styling and modern parts into one heck of a package. The springer saddle is comfortable, the mustache bars put your hands in the proper position, and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain shifts smoothly.
The cruiser’s wide 38mm tires guarantee a smooth experience on bike paths or the boardwalk, ensuring that this dignified emerald bicycle makes you look as effortlessly stylish as you feel. The powerful and straightforward, RadCity 5 Plus is a city bike with commuter potential. Strapped with a 750w geared hub motor, this e-bike moves along at a comfortable 20 mph with a throttle to help you get up to speed or the top of punchy hills.
Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. Although the selection of merchandise is constantly changing, Craigslist can be a great place to score a deal on a vintage Schwinn. This isn’t the place to go if you need a bike immediately, but if you’re patient and watch the listings carefully, you may just find the vintage bike of your dreams.
Often, vintage bikes are not in great condition when you find them. In fact, this can be a great way to purchase an old Schwinn for an affordable price. If your vintage Schwinn needs some restoration, you can buy parts on eBay or from VintageSchwinn.com, a site devoted to Schwinn enthusiasts. Although shopping online for a vintage Schwinn may net results, you may have better luck if you look at local shopping resources. Bicycle stores and repair shops often carry used or vintage bikes, and they may have some beautiful Schwinn models available.
To determine the condition of your bike, examine the paint, tires, spokes, and all equipment. The more you know about the bike and its condition, the better your estimate of its value will be. From cargo-hauling e-bikes to office-friendly fixies, we’ve got commuters for any budget and any space.