Best Cruiser Electric Bikes of 2020
We’ve done the research to identify the top five Electric Cruiser Bikes of 2020. These recommendations provide the best combination of features and value on the market today, but you can see all 141 of our detailed electric cruiser bike reviews listed here. Reviewing electric bikes is our specialty, and EBR has the most wide-ranging and impartial reviews in the industry. Since 2012, we’ve helped millions of people discover the best ebike for their needs and budget. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents:
- Best Premium Cruiser Electric Bike
- Best Value Cruiser Electric Bike
- Best Affordable Cruiser Electric Bike
- Promoted Cruiser Electric Bike
- Honorable Mention Cruiser Electric Bike
Electric Cruiser Bikes Offer:
- Comfort. These bikes are designed for comfort, frequently offering step-thru frames and forward pedal positions designed for full leg extension to reduce strain on your knees, hips, and ankles. Large seats, upright, relaxed handlebars, and longer frames engineered to keep your body properly aligned to prevent stress and soreness in your back, shoulders, and wrists. Upright riding with a wide view of the road and surroundings makes cruising a joy.
- Style and Fun. Electric beach cruiser bikes have a distinct vintage style. Curvy swooping frames vs. hard angles, extra long handlebars, and paint matched fenders and chain covers are all hallmarks of this category. They’re designed to be easy to operate with large shifting mechanisms, twist throttles, and large LCD displays.
- Economy. Electric Cruiser bikes are some of the most affordable ebikes since they generally use entry level components and few to no gears. One downside is that the larger frames and simpler parts tend to be heavy. Cruiser bikes are built for fun rides in nice weather, so they may have a rack or front basket to carry things.
Things to Consider:
- Intended Use. Electric cruiser bikes are great for fun, short rides in nice weather, however, there are other categories of ebikes that offer improved performance, durability, or value that are worth considering. For off-road or light trail riding, mountain and fat tire models are a great choice. If you plan to ride more frequently and need lights, fenders, and more durable parts, consider commuter ebikes. If you aren’t locked into a cruiser style bike, but still but want to save money and get something simple, consider our list of affordable ebikes. Finally, if you have limited space or need to carry your bike upstairs, you could consider a folding electric bike
- Total Cost. Remember to consider the costs of accessories and assembly if you buy direct. Add-ons can be expensive… so focus on total cost. A fully equipped already assembled ebike might be cheaper. For assembly, paying the professionals at a local bike shop can save time and money vs. the tools and mistakes of DIY.
- Frame Style. Our list of in-depth reviews below showcases many high-step cruisers, but some of these companies also sell step-thru versions… We point it out in the short descriptions and on the full review pages under “frame types”. Furthermore, we’ve created a dedicated shortlist of winning step-thru cruisers here that you can explore for more ideas.
Best Premium Cruiser Electric Bike for 2020
The Electra Townie Path Go! 10D EQ is far and away the best cruiser electric bike available right now. That’s a strong statement, but I say it confidently because it can be measured. This is one of the only cruiser style ebikes that comes with the Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor. Most competition either uses a hub motor or weaker Active Line drive system. Furthermore, it features a beautiful in-frame battery pack vs. bolt-on or rear-rack. This makes the bike look almost like it isn’t electric at all! Many cruisers only offer one gear, or a very limited set of seven speeds. The Townie Path Go! 10D EQ has a 10-speed drivetrain with extra wide 11 to 42 tooth cassette! This is the kind of setup usually reserved for touring or mountain bikes because it helps with climbs but is still comfortable at higher top speeds. Of course, it also comes with premium hydraulic disc brakes that have adjustable reach levers (to fit different sized hands) and large 180mm rotors that offer a powerful mechanical advantage and cooling properties. This is exactly what you want for steep hills, heavier loads (using the included rear rack), or if you simply weigh more. The rear rack uses standard gauge tubing for use with trunk bags, panniers, or child carriers. There’s even a bungee loop at the base of the rack for simple lightweight items. Finishing touches include sturdy paint-matched fenders and chain cover, a large comfortable saddle (as you’d expect from any cruiser), and premium integrated lights. That list of components and design feature is great, but Electra also boasts one of the biggest bicycle dealer networks in the world, because they are part of the Trek Bicycle Company. This insures you’ll be able to touch, test ride, and get service for the bike. Did I mention that it comes in a wide range of colors, two frame styles (high-step and step-thru), AND two frame sizes? All this for $3.7k USD. That’s really incredible, in my opinion. Perhaps it’s overkill for many individuals who don’t need the fenders and want a hub motor with a throttle vs. the fancy mid-drive from Bosch. Electra offers complimentary cruisers that cost a bit less, including the Electra Vale Go! 9D EQ, a 9-speed equipped cruiser for $3.3k USD. I think they’re definitely doing something right, however, because it appears that many size/color combinations are currently sold out. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Electra Townie Path Go! 10D EQ Review
A premium cruiser style ebike that comes feature complete with paint-matched aluminum alloy fenders to keep you dry, sturdy rear rack for transporting gear or a child seat, top-of-the-line integrated Supernova lights (front and rear), key-alike ABUS frame lock for convenient secure stops, and puncture-resistant reflective tires to reduce flats and keep you visible to cars. Bosch SmartphoneHub is extremely versatile and unique. It works on its own as a simple…...
Best Value Cruiser Electric Bike for 2020
If you’re interested in saving some money but still want a great cruiser that doesn’t make too many compromises, the Tower Beach Bum is an excellent choice. This is a classic cruiser electric bike that skips on the fenders and rack, but does offer lights and a basic 7-speed drivetrain. That means, you’ll be able to start from standstill and climb a bit easier than a single-speed… as long as you shift gears thoughtfully ;) Compared to some other cruisers, this one offers great balance and handling because of the mid-frame battery positioning. Unlike the Electra, this ebike only comes in one frame size and one color: black. For me, that takes some of the fun away, but you’ll be spending less than half! It uses a hub motor and cadence sensor vs. the multi-sensor mid-drive from Bosch, and that means that starts and stops aren’t as smooth and dynamic. The big upside here is throttle mode, which can help you get started from standstill or zip home without pedaling. The Tower Beach Bum has done a great job with their design, positioning the kickstand far back so it won’t lock the pedals, choosing tires with high-visibility white sidewalls to keep you safe, and matching the brown grips and saddle. The biggest miss for me is the lack of bottle cage bosses for transporting water. There are many aftermarket accessories such as these handlebar mounted cup holders which may be better looking and more convenient given the wide cruiser bars that come with the bike. Overall, it’s a great option with a few nice upgrades that ranks high on our list. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Tower Beach Bum Review
A true beach-neighborhood cruiser ebike with a lot of comfort and style to go around, a lot of cushy touch points, relaxed riding position, capable hill climbing motor, and a twist throttle. This really is a comfort bike, thanks to these swept back yet long handlebars, angled…...
Best Affordable Cruiser Electric Bike for 2020
If you’re looking for the most affordable, but still great, cruiser style electric bike. I highly recommend the Electric Bike Company Model X or step-thru Model Y. These cruisers are amazing because the company that makes them is so supportive and willing to customize everything from gearing to frame color. You can add matching fenders and racks… if you need them, or save money with the base level offering. For me, this ebike almost deserves to be the value and affordable category winner here because it offers everything that the Tower Beach Bum does, except for a multi-speed drivetrain. The Electric Bike Company chose a single-speed drivetrain for simplicity, because most people are just cruising on their cruiser electric bikes. Not climbing or racing around at higher speeds. Now, the powerful battery and motor do offer high-speed operation, but pedaling to keep up might not feel as comfortable as the 7-speed drivetrain from Tower. Instead, you get a chain that probably won’t ever fall off or break, reduced weight, and way less squeaking and need for tune ups because there’s no derailleur. Now, what the high-step Model X and step-thru Model Y excel at are component upgrades. Those include integrated lights, reflective tires, an adjustable angle stem, a balanced mid-frame mounted battery pack (only for the Model X, the Y has it in the front basket), a paint matched chain cover, included handlebar mounted cup holder (though still no bottle cage bosses), hand-build wheels with paint-matched rims, a super premium saddle, and to top it all off… hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable reach levers (to fit different hand sizes more comfortably). Seriously, this is one of my top pics for any value/affordable electric bike category that involves neighborhood and city riding, whether you want the cruiser look or not. They’ve just done such a great job and are such a friendly company to work with. I recommend them without reservation. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Electric Bike Company Model X Review
A value priced entry from EBC for just $1,499, available in 24 custom colors with an adjustable quill stem, bike can be made to order with other options for color and accessories. Powerful 48v 11.6ah battery pack mid-mounted for weight and removablet, powerful Tektro hydraulic brakes, impressive…...
Promoted Cruiser Electric Bike for 2020
Magnum pays us to promote their Low Rider electric bike here on EBR, but it’s worth noting that this is an invitation-only service. That means, we only invite companies that have a great value proposition and with whom we’ve worked for many years. The Magnum Low Rider is an outstanding choice if you’re looking for a cruiser electric bike with rear rack, fenders, and approachable frame. While it only comes in one color, the company has done an exceptional job matching accessories. Black is an easy color to match, but everything is satin vs. a mix of gloss and matte. Magnum chose fenders that hide the support arms, so you won’t get snagged and they won’t require balancing and adjustment the way that cheaper ones occasionally do. Notice the minimalist chain cover, that will help protect pant legs and dress ends from the chain. The rear rack uses standard gauge tubing to maximize compatibility with trunk bags and panniers, and they’ve even included a bungee strap. This electric cruiser also comes with lights, but unlike some of the premium offerings, these lights do not run off of the main battery pack… so you’ll have to recharge them independently or use disposable cells. What really sets it apart from the competition is an adjustable suspension fork! This, combined with the adjustable angle stem, will help to reduce wrist, arm, shoulder, back, and neck pain on bumpy terrain. The suspension they chose offers preload adjust, to “pre-load” the spring for light and heavy riders as well as a compression lockout. That means, if you only ride on perfectly smooth streets and want to eliminate bobbing, you can! As with many of the others on this list, you also get large hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable levers. The Magnum Low Rider offers pedal assist, throttle mode, and was designed to be sturdier than some of the deep wave step-thru designs that other cruisers are built around. This reduces frame flex, helping to eliminate wobble, and provides a sturdier platform for heavier riders and cargo on that rear rack. I think it also looks really cool. Unlike some other cruisers, this model does come with a multi-speed drivetrain. You get eight gears and the range is above average with 11-32 tooth cassette vs. 14-28. Topping it all off, Magnum is sold online direct and through a vast network of independent bike shops in the US and Canada. That’s wonderful if you prefer to visit and test ride before purchase, or just get help with assembly. This is really a great option, and another top contender for the value spot on the list. You pay a bit more, but you get a lot for it. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Magnum Low Rider Review
A comfortable, powerful, and approachable step-through style low and long cruiser bike with brand name components and utility like lights and rear rack. Great features like front suspension fork, stitched grips, wide comfort saddle with rubber bumpers, and…...
Honorable Mention Cruiser Electric Bike for 2020
Rounding out this list of best cruiser electric bikes is the Specialized Turbo Como 5.0. I haven’t reviewed all of the Como models, but they are each worth considering individually as the components and exact pricing varies. This is a winning ebike in the hybrid/cruiser category for several reasons. Specialized is a premium frame designer, they have one of the largest dealer networks in the US and Canada, and they offer a range of sizes, colors, and frame styles. For example, the Como 5.0 comes in five frame sizes and two styles (step-thru and high-step). Here’s a review I created for the Como 4.0 step-thru version, which also comes in five sizes! This is a cruiser that you’re going to pay more money for, but it offers the same refined pedal assist performance as the premium winner. Specialized has chosen Brose vs. Bosch, and they’ve custom tuned the motor to feel smooth and be extra quiet. Highlights include reflective tires, mounting points for a rear rack and front rack (the front rack actually comes included), two sets of bottle cage bosses, sturdy thru-axles for both wheels (improving handling and load capacity), premium hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable levers and large 180mm rotors, one of my favorite saddles (super plush and comfortable), an 11-speed drivetrain with extra wide 11 to 42 tooth cassette, super high-end integrated lights, and a beautifully integrated downtube battery that improves balance and handling. The Turbo Como 5.0 definitely deserves to be on this list and is nearly tied with the premium winner listed above. I think I chose Electra because their Townie models look a bit more like cruisers than a hybrid mashup, and I like the straight integrated battery more than the triangle downtube here. I also trust Bosch a bit more than Brose because they’ve been around longer. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 Review
A great top of the line model for Specialized, starts at $4,150 and has relaxed cruiser riding position, hydraulic brakes, front rack, a smooth mid-drive motor, 28mph top speed, and a lot of great little features. Features a custom Brose S ALU mid-drive motor that was tuned just for Specialized, high…...
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