Beach cruisers, which some people simply know as cruiser bikes, were the standard American bikes for decades. Anytime you see a bike in an old movie from the 30s, 40s, or 50s, you’re probably looking at one of these classic beach cruiser bicycles. Schwinn created the cruiser back in the 30s, as a sturdier alternative to existing bikes; the construction was actually based on motorcycles of the day. Add a pair of fat tires for stability, and you’ve got the recipe for a wave of popular biking.

By the 50s, cruisers were everywhere, often loaded with chrome and accessories. But soon, imported European racing bikes began to chip away at the health and fitness-oriented part of the bike market, while our beloved lowrider bikes overtook the cruisers in the customization sweepstakes. Soon, cruisers were considered old-fashioned, and many ended up rusting in garages all over suburbia.

1956 Schwinn Black Phantom

However, the story has a happy ending. In 1995, the Schwinn Company marked their 100th anniversary with a reissue of their Black Phantom cruiser. Its success inspired other vintage manufacturers to release their own classic reissues, and newer companies to create their own beach cruiser bicycles. As all things retro regained popularity, cruisers became a regular sight on the streets…and things came full circle.

Today, beach cruiser bicycles are a huge part of the bike market – just take a look at the bike department in any major retailer and you’ll see cruisers and cruiser-influenced bikes throughout. With their smooth ride, comfortable seating, low center of gravity, and classic styling, beach cruiser bicycles are popular with lowrider fans, kids, hipsters, families, and just ordinary folks.  And this time, they seem here to stay. Cheers, cruiser fans!

The latest beach cruiser stuff for sale (click here for more):

Cionlli Beach Cruiser Bicycle Bike Seat Saddle - Black US $15.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:25:51 PST   | Watch this Item

Cionlli Beach Cruiser Bicycle Bike Seat Saddle - Brown US $15.96 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:27:55 PST   | Watch this Item

Cionlli Beach Cruiser Bicycle Bike Seat Saddle - Brown US $15.97 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:30:27 PST   | Watch this Item

UNIVERSAL MOTORCYCLE MIRRORS CRUISER SPORT BIKE CHOPPER MOTORBIKE REAR VIEW SET US $12.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:52:20 PST   | Watch this Item

Reflective Wheel Rim Stripe Stickers Naked Bike Cruiser HD US $9.46 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 2:28:27 PST   | Watch this Item

XLC Fingerplug Bike Bicycle Grips Sparkle Gold Cruiser US $8.95 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 3:53:45 PST   | Watch this Item

Schwinn Pillow Top Cruiser Bicycle Seat Bike NEW US $26.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 5:00:35 PST   | Watch this Item

50 pieces(SHARE THE ROAD)BICYCLE LICENSE PLATE,fixed gear,road,cruiser,ALL BIKES US $98.98 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 6:13:35 PST   | Watch this Item

UNIVERSAL 14x15 CLASSIC WINDSHIELD STREET CRUISER BIKE US $56.98 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 6:31:17 PST   | Watch this Item

CUSTOM STICKER RAT FINK ELECTRA CRUISER LOWRIDER BMX CHOPPER CYCLING BIKES US $16.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:13:29 PST   | Watch this Item

26” Inch Rear Silver QR Mountain/ Comfort/ Cruiser Bike Wheel Freewheel Aluminum US $29.50 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:20:29 PST   | Watch this Item

LED Indicators Harley Chopper Trike Cruiser Custom Bike US $32.93 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:27:44 PST   | Watch this Item

Roof Mount Road Bike Beach Cruiser Bicycle Car Top Rack Rooftop Upright US $32.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:28:19 PST   | Watch this Item

TWISTED SPARE TIRE KIT BIKE 20 OR 26 '" BMX CRUISER US $32.95 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:35:45 PST   | Watch this Item

Bicycle Electra Bing Bong Bell Bike Cruiser NEW BH054 US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:37:26 PST   | Watch this Item

1999 blue Schwinn Stingray bicycle Reproduction bike cruiser kids NEW! US $600.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:38:55 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Carlisle Whitewall Bicycle Tires 24 x 1.75 NOS bike cruiser made in USA US $199.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 7:41:50 PST   | Watch this Item

New Bike Midnight Blue Ladies 26" Beach Cruiser Bicycle US $189.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:01:23 PST   | Watch this Item

New Bike Black w/ Pink Ladies 26" Beach Cruiser Bicycle US $189.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:01:23 PST   | Watch this Item

New Bike Baby Blue Ladies 26" Beach Cruiser Bicycle US $189.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:01:24 PST   | Watch this Item

New Bike Burgundy Ladies 26" Beach Cruiser Bicycle US $189.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:01:24 PST   | Watch this Item

New Bike Pink Ladies 26" Beach Cruiser Bicycle US $189.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:01:24 PST   | Watch this Item

Cruiser - Smart Balance Bike US $89.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:06:31 PST   | Watch this Item

Bike Motorcycle Kawasaki Yamaxa Honda Suzuki Chopper Cruiser Magnetic Tank Bag US $49.95 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:12:04 PST   | Watch this Item

Bike Motorcycle Kawasaki Yamaxa Honda Suzuki Chopper Cruiser Magnetic Tank Bag US $39.95 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:12:06 PST   | Watch this Item

UNIVERSAL MOTORCYCLE MIRRORS CRUISER SPORT BIKE CHOPPER FREE M8 M10 BOLT ADAPTER US $14.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 8:52:21 PST   | Watch this Item

DELUXE MOTORCYCLE COVER-Harley-Honda-CRUISER BIKE (CL-73877) US $53.09 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 9:24:11 PST   | Watch this Item

Pacific 26" Oceanside Men's Cruiser Bicycle/Bike US $134.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 9:30:03 PST   | Watch this Item

Steel Blade Chrome Motorcycle Mirror Scooter Custom Cruiser Dirt Enduro Bike ATV US $19.08 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 9:35:15 PST   | Watch this Item

★Silver Skull Claw Chrome Motorcycle Mirror Custom Cruiser Scooter Dirt Bike ATV US $17.07 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 9:35:42 PST   | Watch this Item

[Click here to see all beach cruiser stuff for sale]