Firmstrong Urban Lady Alloy Single Speed Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Quick Summary:
One of my favorite things about the Urban Lady is how many different varieties it comes in. From size to speed to color, there are options galore with this bicycle.
The 26″ is the standard height for women’s cruisers, and while the Urban Lady does come at that height, it also comes in a smaller 24″ style. For women 5’2″ and under, this is the one to choose.
The Best Women’s Beach Cruiser for Casual Weekend Pedaling
Picture yourself casually pedaling down the beach boardwalk or hopping on your bicycle to run errands in the downtown shopping district. To make these dreams of casual riding come true, I recommend investing in a cruiser bike.
Casual Cruisers
Unlike road bikes or mountain bikes, cruisers are designed for relaxing, short-distance riding, rather than intense speed-chasing over long distances. With cruiser bikes I often consider them to be in the same class as adult trikes, they are made for smooth and stable riding which takes priority over making quick time. Now, that’s not to say that cruisers are perpetual slow-pokes. No, even these bicycles are capable of getting riders from one place to another post-haste–or at least quicker than your own two feet would get you there. They simply convey more of an air of a lazy Sunday morning than their more race-inspired cousins in the bicycle world.
So what gives cruisers their casual feel? First of all, they sport wide tires, just right for stability. While they’re not the best for off-road adventures through the woods, they’re just right for in-town sidewalk jaunts. One of these days, I might even be brave enough to try out the most idealistic dream of cruiser biking: pedaling down the beach without sinking into the sand. No tires other these super wide ones are in a position to make this dream come true.
Another feature that defines the cruiser category is its upright frame, usually made of steel. Riders aren’t in the classic, hunched-over position associated with racing. Rather, sitting upright, with your hands on the swept-back handlebars, you look positively leisurely. I think your back will thank you, too.
It’s about Comfort, not Performance.
Granted, the steel frame will be fairly heavy. This, coupled with the wide tires, gives riders good stability. However, it’s something to keep in mind if you have to lift your bike very often or pedal on terrain that requires a light frame to maneuver. If this is a concern, it doesn’t mean that you should rule out cruisers entirely. I’d just recommend one with an aluminum frame, or at least aluminum wheels, instead of the traditional steel frame.
Most cruisers are one speed. Having no gears to shift makes the riding easy. Instead of keeping your brain engaged with when to switch speeds, you can fully take in the scenery around you. For those riders who want a little more control, I’ve found a good compromise: Some manufacturers make cruiser bicycles that come in three- or seven-speed options.
There are two other features typical of cruisers: coaster brakes and wide seats. Coaster brakes are like those on kids’ bikes; to stop, the rider pushes back on the pedals. These old-fashioned brakes add to the easy, days-gone-by feel that comes with a cruiser. As for seats, cruiser bikes typically go for comfort, with large, padded seats. Trust me, your derriere will be appreciative.
Urban Lady Cruiser Bike is the Best Pick.
If like me, you’re now daydreaming about pedaling your very own cruiser bike to the corner cafe for a cup of steaming coffee and a fresh-baked pastry, it’s time to get shopping. Of course, if you’re going to spend a few hundred dollars, you want to get the most bang for your buck. That’s the Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser.
I recommend the Urban Lady for three reasons: comfort, price, and customization. This cycle boasts a comfortable ride at a competitive price, with unmatched variations to meet everyone’s demands.
I’m a sucker for comfort, so let’s start there. Like most women’s cruiser bikes, this one has a wide, cushy seat, and it sits on springs to treat my backside awfully nice. The whitewall tires are wide, too, offering the benefit of even greater comfort and stability. When you’re on riding this baby, you’ll sit tall and secure, with no worries about toppling over. The only downside to cruisers is because of the unique shape of the frame (being not only a cruiser but also a women’s bike), it can complicate attaching it to a car bike rack carrier. If you plan on bringing it with you on trips with a bike rack, you may want to consider buying a bike frame adapter bar.
As far as price goes, the Urban Lady features a competitive, but not the bottom-of-the barrel, price tag. Starting at about $200, it’s not the lowest-priced model in the cruiser bike category, but, as the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” suggests, there’s something to be said for not buying the cheapest item out there. However, the Urban Lady also gives you plenty of bang for your buck when compared to higher-priced models, such as the sixthreezero Beach Cruiser, which runs nearly $300. Consider the Urban Lady the halfway point between too cheap and too pricey.
For that $200-or-so price tag, you’ll get a single-speed Urban Lady. I like this because there are no gears or wires to contend with, and you’ll be able to ride up to 20 miles on it at three to 15 miles an hour. For those of us who want to go faster, ride longer distances or travel up and down hills, there are two other options available: three-speed and seven-speed. The three-speed is for rides up to 30 miles long and goes up to 20 miles an hour, and the seven-speed is best for rides as long as 40 miles and whizzes along as quickly as 30 miles an hour.
Most of the Urban Lady models have steel frames with aluminum wheels. This is the best of both worlds: the strength of steel with the load-lightening of aluminum. However, for those looking for a lighter option, there’s a 26-inch all-aluminum variety, as well. See what I mean about options galore?
Last but not least, for those of us who like to accessorize, the Urban Lady has one more feature that I love. It comes in more than fifteen vibrant color combinations. There’s a variety to match everyone’s personality. The three and seven-speed styles have a fewer options to choose from, but even there, there are still seven shades to pick between.
No, the Urban Lady doesn’t come with fun extras, like a bell or a basket or my favorite… a “beverage” holder, but that’s no reason to turn this one down. Accessories can always be purchased separately to customize your ride. With as many good features as this bicycle does have, it would be a shame to pass it up over an accessory or two that you can add yourself.
Picture yourself pedaling down the boardwalk, with beachy curls in your hair and the smell of saltwater in the air. You might live too far from the ocean to make this particular vision a reality, but even without the nearby lapping of waves, a Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser will give you that feeling of breeze-in-your-hair freedom that you so very much deserve. Give yourself a break from the grind of ordinary life by adding an Urban Lady bicycle to your life. I have no doubts that, as you’re pedaling around town this weekend, you’ll be glad you did.
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