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Cruiser
"Cruiser" is the currently popular name for what used to be called a "balloon tire" bike. This style of bicycle was most popular in the '40's and '50's. They are usually characterized by 26 x 2.125 tires (if they have 1.75 or 1 3/4 tires, they are considered "middleweights".)
The upper top tubes and stays are usually curved for a "streamlined" look. Older cruisers usually had a straight lower top tube, later models were cantilever frame designs. Cruisers are built for ride comfort, not efficiency. Classic cruisers were spectacularly heavy, had only one gear, and a coaster brake.
This type of bike is quite impractical for hilly country, due to the weight, the lack of gears, and the low saddle position of older models. For this reason, cruisers traditionally were most popular in very flat places, such as Florida and the Souther California coast and became associated with beach resorts.
As a reaction to the gonzo image of mountain-bike marketing, cruisers seem to be making a comeback in popularity, even in places far from the beach. The new generation of cruisers is much lighter, thanks to modern materials and manufacturers who care about reducing weight. They are also now avaialable with multi-speed gearing. The "neo-cruiser" appeals to aging baby-boomers who have nostalgic memories of the balloon-tire bikes or their youth.
The classic balloon tire bike, before it was known as a "cruiser" was also quite important to the history of cycling because it was in many ways the precursor of the mountain bike.
Another usage for the word "cruiser" refers to an adult-sized BMX bike, typically with 507 mm (24 inch) wheels.
See als my article on Singlespeeds.
vélo typique des années 30, 40
Le beach cruiser est un vieux grand-père.
