Firmstrong Bruiser Man Beach Cruiser Bicycle

Rarely do I write product reviews but this purchase warrants a full write up. Having just returned from New Orleans after having rented beach cruisers I decided that it was time to enjoy the full comfort of an easy riding bike. I looked at review after review (thank you product owners) and ended up with the Firmstrong Three Speed beach cruiser. Shipping was timely and all of the pieces and parts were well protected and undamaged. Assembly was a breeze. After literally 20 minutes I was riding around my neighborhood at night. The brakes were very responsive and the chain was attached firmly and securely. Shifting through the gears is a breeze and while a little more noisy in 2nd and 3rd gear it is still very quiet. I'm glad I opted for the three speed version as I do have some hills here in ABQ and the lone cable makes for a really clean look. The It did take some time to adjust the handlebars and seat height but once set this is one of the most comfortable bikes you will ride. Not only is it comfortable but it looks bad ass. The green rims really stand out against the matte black finish. I completed the bike with a rear rack and basket and matte black fenders and I get so many compliments on the bike. I have been riding nearly everyday to work since I purchased it and the few days that I haven't, I just rode around the neighborhood at night. This bike is a joy to ride and brought me back to cycling. I couldn't wait to post my review and picture. I'm very happy with the purchase. VERY HGHLY RECCOMENDED.

I come from a mountain biking background, but have recently been leisurely cruising the rails to trails bike paths with my wife. I didn't really need a mountain bike, and the hybrids didn't really catch my attention much, but when I saw this bike I decided to order it. I was torn between it & the three-six-zero which was out of stock for like 6months.I was going to buy directly from beachbikes.com, however for some reason the shipping was cheaper on Amazon so I bought through Amazon. The sellers were very helpful throughout the process with email updates, and even instructions/videos on how to assemble your bike. I used to work at a bike shop, so assembly was a breeze on this especially since there were no handbrakes to adjust.I'm about 5'8, 185#, and the bike is perfect for me, or guys plenty bigger. When i straddle the top tube, there's not much clearance - but this is a tall & long bike. The "Chief" model would definitely be nice for BIG guys.It's about impossible to find a bike that's not made in China these days, so after trying to find one made in USA I opted for the Firmstrong. There's not many cooler looking cruisers, and it's nice to have the 1 top tube so you can put it on a car bike rack easily. Other brands/models have a second top tube that can get in the way. I was very impressed on how well the bike was made - very solid construction and seems like it'll last for years to come. The 3spd is nice - it shifts flawlessly from one gear to the next smoothly with no grinding. Low gear for intermediate hills - I wouldn't want to go up very steep hills for long periods of time. 2nd gear cruises around 10-12mph on flat ground with minimal effort, and you can really get moving in top/3rd gear maybe 20+mph zipping along. It's tough getting used to using coaster brakes like back when you were 9yrs old, so that's a transition. Seat is comfortable.I tried to hold out for the 7spd, but I couldn't find it in stock anywhere. I like the look of the 3spd more since it's got less cables, however the 7spd seems like the best deal since it's the same price, but has hand brakes & 4 more speeds. You can't really go wrong with either. Mine gets looks galore especially in a rustbelt city where you don't see many beach cruisers.Cons: No water bottle screws in the frame, so you've got mount one on the handlebars, use a backpack, or a basket. It'd also be nice if there was a quick release on the seat and front wheel - but you can add one to your seatpost if you were deadset on it.The bottom line: If you can find this in stock, buy it from beachbikes - they've got great customer service based on my one experience with them.

** 5/2016 UPDATE, the wheels are really bad. As stated below I am big, I only ride my Bruiser on the street. At about 2 months in I broke about 6 spokes on the rear wheel. Dustin had his service desk replace the spokes promptly. I replaced them, trued up the wheel and was off. Within 3 weeks I busted 4 more. I put on about 30 miles per week. I have been a avid rider my whole life and I can say with no hesitation this should never happen. A wheel on my mountain bike after a year or two, maybe. But not a beach cruise at 2 months. Though I won't dump my bike (it is beautiful), I cannot in good conscience recommend this product to others. Though I already have and wish I had shut my mouth. At this point the manufacturer has informed me there is no "upgrade" option. They had no comment on the issues or quality of the current wheel. **I would not recommend riding anyone on the handlebars.Ride Free, Have Fun, Ride Safe.Original Post: I am blown away by my bike. I am 6'4", 260 lbs. I needed a daily work rider and didn't want to spend a ton. I have ridden my machine every day since it arrived. It fits me perfect, is comfortable and rides incredible well. I would consider myself a bike geek. I have/had lots of really nice bike brands from mountain to road and I would put my cruiser up against any cruiser manufacturer out there. Simple solid design and easy to work on. I added fenders, awesome.