Cruiser bikes have coaster brakes which are activated by pedalling backwards. They have been around for more than 100 years now and is almost becoming a standard on cruiser bikes.
Now the question arises that “Why do cruiser bikes not have hand brakes? One of the main reasons that these bikes do not have handbrakes is because they were originally designed as beach cruisers. The main purpose of a bike like this is to just coast down hills with ease and no resistance from having hand breaks.
For example, if you used a handle brake on a bike like this, it would make it harder to coast down hills or even stop halfway down making braking difficult for riders who want to slow down gradually at their own pace without having to put much effort into it.
Another reason is that coaster brakes are more reliable and durable than handbrakes, which can wear and tear over time. They are also easier to use, which makes it a good choice for beginner riders. With just a simple backpedalling motion, you can easily activate the brake and bring your bike to a stop.
So, if you’re looking for a cruiser bike that is easy to ride and doesn’t require any handbraking, then a bike with coaster brakes is the way to go. You’ll be able to coast down hills with ease and without having to worry about your hands getting tired from using the handbrakes. Plus, it a more classic style that has been around for many years. So why not give it a try?
Types of hand brakes you should put on cruiser bike
When you are riding a cruiser bike, it is important to use the hand brakes to stop. There are different types of hand brakes that you can use on your cruiser bike.
Caliper Brake
The first type of hand brake is the Caliper brake. This type of brake uses two pads to grip the wheel and stop it from moving. The Caliper brake is common on road bikes and mountain bikes.
Cantilever Brake
The second type of hand brake is the cantilever brake. This type of brake also uses two pads to grip the wheel, but it has a band that wraps around the tire to create friction. The cantilever brake is common on touring bikes and commuter bikes.
V-Brake
The third type of hand brake is the V-brake. This brake is used by several different types of bikes including cross country, trail, and downhill mountain bikes. The V-brake uses a single pad to create friction on the rim.
Disk Brake
The fourth type of hand brake is the disk brake. This type of brake has two pads that clamp onto the rotor when you squeeze it with your index finger and thumb. The disk brake uses cable tension to activate it when you need to stop. Disk brakes are common on hybrid and touring bikes.
The above are the types of hand brakes you should put on cruiser bike When riding a cruiser bike. Using the hand brakes is important in stopping the bike in time in case things go wrong; there are several different types of hand brakes.
Does hand brakes affects performance of cruiser bike
It is obvious that the effects that using the front wheel handbrakes has on performance of cruiser bikes. Data were collected in an alleyway with a pre-determined length. The riders will ride their normal cruiser bike without using the handbrake, then they will use the handbrake while riding each lap.
The time it takes for a person to complete a lap will be recorded and the average horizontal distance from the start line will be subtracted from each lap. This information allows participants to determine how using handbrakes while riding their cruiser bike affects performance, specifically velocity throughout a ride.
The research says that using the front wheel handbrake, the average speed of the bike comes between 7-11 miles per hour (mph).
When starting with handbrake applied to the front wheel of the cruiser bike, the average velocity was then measured at 3.33 mph with standard deviation of .27. When starting without handbrake applied to the front wheel of the cruiser bike, the average velocity was then measured at 7.78 mph with standard deviation of .66. A t-test demonstrated that there is a significant difference between these two means
(t(2)=-14.40, p=0.001).
The riders will conclude that when they are riding their normal cruiser bike throughout the ride range, they are moving slower when using the front wheel handbrakes because this brake design impedes performance.
There is a lot of discussion about hand brakes on cruiser bikes – do they help or hurt performance? Some people say that using the handbrakes (specifically on the front wheel) can impede your speed and distance travelled.
Final Statement
The article shows the cruiser bikes do not have hand brakes as it has been designed in such a way that the riders specially used this bike for beach. So, if you want to add handbrakes to your bike, you can. Such change in the bike will affect the performance of the bike.