2014 Big Cat Long Beach Cruiser Review

The Long Beach Cruiser is one of my favorite Big Cat electric bikes. It’s well balanced with a centrally located battery pack. Has an emphasis on safety with front and rear LED lights and brakes that cut power to the motor. For me it was comfortable to ride having a suspension fork, padded saddle, oversized tires and swept back hendle bars. And it’s very affordable at just under $1,500. The basket and rear rack add a lot of utility (even though the rear rack uses larger gauge tubing that doesn’t work with all panniers) and I just think it looks good with the wires and cables all run through the frame. With seven gears to choose from when riding (and both pedal assist and throttle mode) this bike is comfortable on streets, dirt paths and going up moderate sized hills (or pedaling in off-mode).

The motor used here is a standard 350 watt geared design with decent torque and efficient freewheeling. It’s light weight (compared with most gearless designs) and small so it doesn’t stand out. Geared motors produce a bit of noise and can wear out faster than gearless but should last several years. This one is modular with a quick disconnect plug on the right seat stay for wheel maintenance or motor replacement. It’s powerful enough to move most riders but may struggle to climb moderate hills or reach the 20mph top speed without a bit of pedaling help.

The battery pack on this bike offers 36 volts of power and 8 amp hours of capacity. It’s not the largest configuration so range is a bit limited but replacements are only ~$249 so you could potentially buy a second one to keep at work. The pack is removable which is great because it makes charging and storing inside much easier. It also reduces the weight of the bike if you need to lift it up for transport. The cells inside are Lithium-ion which are known for being light weight and long lasting. To maximize their lifespan I’ve been told it’s best to discharge to ~50% the first few times but always avoid completely depleting. Store them in moderate temperatures (avoid extreme heat and cold) and top the pack off when finished riding with refills every couple of months if you haven’t gone out.

The cockpit area of this bike is relatively simple and easy to use. After inserting the key into the battery pack and turning it to on, the bike is automatically set to pedal assist. That said, at any time you can twist the grip throttle for an extra boost but this drains the battery faster. A basic LED battery indicator gives you some idea of how much capacity is remaining and there’s a separate button on the display to activate the lights. It’s a simple design that doesn’t show your speed or distance but keeps the price low and seems pretty well sealed against water. In order for the bike to operate the keys have to be left in the pack (so they can jingle around a bit when riding) but this reduces tampering when the bike is parked if you take the keys with you.

I appreciate how balanced this bike is with the suspension fork in the front balancing out the hub motor in the rear and the battery pack right in the middle. At ~68 pounds it’s nice that the battery is removable because this makes transporting it much easier and extends the range if you get a second pack. You really get a lot of value with the Long Beach Cruiser… the disc brakes, lights and suspension are kind of basic but they look good and do their job well. Little extras like the basket and chain guard really set this bike off and I like the color options.

Pros:

• One year warranty covers covers the motor and battery pack against factory defects
• Battery uses higher end Lithium-ion cells and is removable for easier charging and transport
• One of the more affordable cruiser style electric bikes I’ve seen at under $1,500
• Basic suspension fork, oversized tires and padded saddle add comfort
• Includes both twist throttle and a basic pedal assist mode (for extended range, climbing or exercise)
• Comes with a front and rear LED light that run off the main battery pack
• Solid 160mm mechanical disc brakes with brake levers that cut power to the motor
• Plastic chain guide on front ring keeps the chain on track when riding over bumpy terrain
• Nice basket on the front and rear rack (though the tubing is a bit larger than standard)
• Step-thru design is easy to mount and stand over when waiting at stop lights and stop signs
• Chain guard protects pants from snagging and getting dirty in the chain

Cons:

• One of the heavier cruiser ebikes I’ve tested, removable battery helps for transport
• No braze ons for adding a water bottle cage, consider using a CamelBak
• No LCD display showing speed, distance or precise battery capacity
• Only available in one frame size (kind of medium) with low-step configuration