Cruiser bicycle
A cruiser bicycle is a
bicycle designed for
riding on roads and
paths in comfort and style over performance.
Handlebars are straight or curved back, facilitating an
upright riding position. Large, padded seats are the norm. Shock
absorbers are common, both on the wheels and on the seat post.
Cruisers have either a
single gear or simple and minimal gearing, often through
hub gearing. Instead of lever-operated
brakes, they are often equipped with coaster brakes.
Typical examples include the Schwinn Stingray, the Orange Krate, and the Apple Krate. These bikes are becoming increasingly popular today as a faster-than-walking way to get around town. A couple of interesting variations on cruisers popular right now (at least on the San Francisco Peninsula) are the retro Schwinns, which are designed to look like they came straight out of the 1950s, and weird little fixed-gear bikes with tiny wheels and very long posts.
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