| As a Beach Cruiser enthusiast I'm often ask about the | | | | Cheaper bicycles show weld puddles at the joints and |
| difference between an Aluminum Beach Cruiser and a | | | | do not have the smooth fine welds made on your |
| Steel Beach Cruiser. This article will highlight the | | | | quality models. Second, (and maybe this is just me) I |
| differences in various beach cruisers and make some | | | | have observed that bicycles produced in mainland |
| recommendations. | | | | China do not have the same quality controls |
| Years ago most bicycles were made in the United | | | | implemented as beach cruisers produced in Taiwan. |
| States. Beach Cruisers by Schwinn, Electra, Nirve and | | | | Although, controversial as to the reasons I have |
| many others held a strong presence in the United | | | | attributed this to the relatively new introduction of the |
| States Beach Cruiser Market. Those days are gone. | | | | mainland Chinese to free enterprise markets. Hopefully, |
| Almost all bicycles are made in either China or Taiwan. | | | | in a few years Chinese manufactures will implement |
| The same plant that is making baby buggies today | | | | quality controls so that all "runs" of beach cruiser |
| may be retooled and making beach cruisers tomorrow. | | | | bicycles will be quality controlled and not just a few. |
| This has had two dramatic effects on the USA Beach | | | | For now buyer beware. |
| Cruiser Market. First, the price of Beach Cruiser | | | | As to the difference in steel and aluminum beach |
| Bicycles has fallen dramatically over the last thirty | | | | cruisers you can expect to pay slightly more for an |
| years when adjusted for inflation. Unfortunately so has | | | | aluminum beach cruiser. If you are looking for a light |
| quality. Today's market is very much a "buyer beware" | | | | weight beach cruiser that will be rust resistant then |
| type of market and is full of bicycles that years ago | | | | aluminum beach cruiser may be exactly what you are |
| would not have passed quality control standards. Part | | | | looking for. People living on the beach or who take |
| of this is due to the throw away nature of our society. | | | | their beach cruiser to the beach regularly will benefit |
| Few people anticipate keeping their bike more than 1-2 | | | | from this technology. The downside is that most |
| bicycle seasons. Most beach cruisers will see a usable | | | | manufactures have a far wider selection of steel |
| life cycle of 1-2 seasons and then set in the back of | | | | beach cruisers than aluminum beach cruisers. As a |
| the garage or carport until discarded. | | | | result most customers who have a limited life |
| However, for those looking for quality I suggest two | | | | expectancy for their beach cruiser will be happier with |
| approaches. First, examine the welds on the bicycle. | | | | the greater selection of steel beach cruisers. |