Electric bikes come in many shapes and sizes. Each type of electric bike serves a specific function. Some are designed for rough terrain, while others are designed for city life.
The electric bike that you’ll benefit from depends on your needs and your location. Considering the amount of e-bike options available, finding one that fits your every need is typically easier said than done.
This article provides a detailed insight into a few of the most popular options so you can make an informed decision. Learning this information will be beneficial for both current owners of e-bikes and those seeking to purchase their first one. Therefore, here are the biggest differences between two popular e-bike types: cruisers and hybrids.
What Is a Cruiser E-Bike?
Also known as beach cruisers, these e-bikes can be frequently observed whenever vacationing in tropical locales.
Cruiser e-bike’s frames, tires, and wheels are typically a little larger and heftier in weight. These are cruising machines that will get you from point A to point B at a slow, relaxed pace. They’re commonly referred to as beach cruisers because you’ll typically see tourists riding them along beaches and other waterfronts. However, they’re popular off the beach, too.
If you’re a casual rider, beach cruisers are an ideal fit. They’re fun for quicker rides at a slow pace, and they prioritize comfort and relaxation over everything. While you might be sacrificing speed, you certainly aren’t losing comfort or style.
A cruiser’s size, weight, and design contribute to its lack of speed, but it helps create the comfort that cruisers are so well-known for. If you are in search of a leisurely, relaxing, and comfort-oriented e-bike, then this type might be the ideal choice.
What Is a Hybrid E-Bike?
A hybrid electric bike is a happy medium that combines some of the best aspects of commuter and fat tire e-bikes.
A commuter bike is meant for travel, specifically to work or school, while a fat tire bike is meant for outdoor trails and rough terrain.
A hybrid combines bits and pieces from both to make something new. Its tires, frame, weight, and power are slightly smaller than a fat tire but larger than a commuter, placing it squarely in the middle of the e-bike spectrum,
This bike is designed for riders who want the best of both worlds. A hybrid bike can be beneficial for those requiring it for woodland activities as well as routine tasks in urban environments. It’s the ideal option for getting plenty of exercise outdoors but also serving the practical function of helping you commute to work or class.
Hybrids have terrific steering control and powerful handbrakes, both of which are essential for commuting and trail riding.
What Are the Differences Between Cruisers and Hybrids?
In a way, you already know a broad overview of how cruisers and hybrids are different; one is mostly for relaxing, and the other is for more practical purposes such as exercising and commuting. Still, this basic definition doesn’t tell the whole story.
Our goal is to promote exploration, which demands the right tools and knowledge. This section will dive a little deeper into the key differences you’ll want to consider when buying your next e-bike.
Terrain
An extremely important rule when buying an e-bike is to always keep terrain in mind.
If you’re planning to take your bike almost exclusively on trails, you aren’t going to buy a commuter bike. If you’re planning on using your bike to commute, you don’t want a fat tire bike.
The same concept applies when comparing cruisers and hybrids; you don’t want to buy a cruiser for urban biking or a hybrid for only cruising.
Think about where you live. Are you in the middle of a city? In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by beautiful trails? In the suburbs or a college town and need to commute to work or school?
Once you have that answer, you will automatically know what type of terrain you’ll be riding on: Pavement or dirt?
Cruiser
Cruiser bikes are not meant for trails.
If you buy a cruiser for the sole purpose of trail riding, you’ll likely be in the market for a return sooner rather than later. Cruiser bikes are meant for the smoothest of surfaces like sidewalks, bike lanes, hard sand, and other types of paved paths.
For anyone looking to relax and temporary respite, there’s nothing quite like cruising down some solidly-paved concrete and taking in the ambiance of the city or town you’re in. For traveling on other types of terrain, you’ll be better off looking elsewhere.
Hybrid
Hybrids offer more versatility, suitable for both light trail workouts in natural settings and running errands in urban areas.
Hybrids are meant for urban and country life. While it doesn’t excel in one specific area, it covers all of your bases if you plan on using your bike on multiple terrains.
Still, remember that they’re meant for lighttrail biking. Anything off-road or remote is probably not a good idea with any bike other than a fat tire.
Other than that, you’re safe to take this e-bike on plenty of terrains.
Functions
Of course, any high-quality e-bike has its specific functions.
Basically, every bike typically excels in certain categories while sacrificing attributes in others. Hybrids are an exception because of their middle-of-the-road nature.
Some bikes are meant strictly for exercise and high-intensity workouts, while others are built for getting to and from a location as quickly as possible. Whatever it is, every bike has a function. Think of this section as us describing each bike’s purpose.
Every bike and e-bike serves a specific purpose; the key is to determine the purpose before you make a purchase.
Cruiser
We can keep this section short and sweet: cruisers and meant for cruising. The seats are typically bigger, handlebars are spread wider, and their overall feel is slow, steady, and relaxed.
If a calm, leisurely ride is what you’re looking for, you won’t have to look any further.
Hybrid
Hybrids are versatile e-bikes, so their purpose is a little more difficult to define.
For some, they’re primary function is related to exercise and helping facilitate high-intensity workouts in a more enjoyable way. For others, it’s merely a means of transportation to access nearby locations without requiring a vehicle or having to walk.
Hybrid bikes are the best of both worlds. You can take one out for a high or low-intensity workout, run errands, get to work or school, or zip around the neighborhood for a relaxing ride.
Whatever you think you can use a bike for, a hybrid can probably do it.
It’s important to remember that you might need to relinquish certain features found on cruisers, but you’ll be gaining a more diverse set of functions.
It’s not the fastest, lightest, or most comfortable, but it can do everything exceedingly well. It just doesn’t have a primary function, unlike plenty of other bikes on the market.
In short, this type of e-bike can be utilized in a variety of settings and for numerous activities.
Get Riding With Velotric
At Velotric, we aim to provide all the necessary tools for you to explore and experience as much of this beautiful planet as you can. There’s a lot to see in our vast world and using efficient modes of transportation such as biking can help you experience more of it.
Whether it’s a cruiser, hybrid, fat tire, or another form of e-bike, all that matters is that you’re outside doing what you love. Hopefully, this article has helped you discover which type of e-bike will suit your needs best. The next step is to simply venture out for a ride.
Sources:
The California Beach Cruiser Built a Bike Movement | Bloomberg
Health Benefits of Cycling and Do’s and Don’ts | Cleveland Clinic