Beach Cruisers

In our comprehensive beach cruiser buyer guide, we break beach cruisers down to their core and show you have to navigate through all the options out there. From finding the right style to making sure it's comfortable and safe to ride, we'll teach you how to find a high quality cruiser that won't break your budget.

But in order to understand what to look for, it's important to understand what you're looking at. So let's start this journey out with the basics.

Beach Cruisers 101

So the first aspect of beach cruisers we'll look at is the definition: what is a beach cruiser?

A beach cruiser is a bicycle known for its single speed drivetrain, coaster brakes (aka pedal brakes), oversized frames, wide tires, and an upright seating position.

They're the most simple bikes to use, but that's just one reason riders choose cruiser bikes over other styles:

1. They're Comfortable: The comfort on a beach cruiser comes from three aspects: the saddle position, its handlebars, and the tires. The saddle and handlebars keep you sitting straight up in a relaxed position, compared to other bikes that force you to hunch over while riding. Moreover, cruiser tires are so large they can absorb bumps and cracks on the road, compared to skinny tires where a rider feels every bump in the road.
2. They're Easy to Ride & Maintain: Beach cruisers are stripped down to the essentials. And while you may not like a lack of shifting or hand brakes, you don't need to do any maintenance on cables, extra sprockets, or complicated bike components.
3. They're Inexpensive: Because of their simple construction, manufacturers don't have to outfit beach cruisers like other bikes. Thankfully those savings are passed down to us. Cruisers run at least $200-300 less than other styles of bikes, like mountain and road bikes.
4. They're fully customizable: With most other bikes, your upgrade options are limited to wheels and accessories like grips and handlebars. But with beach cruisers you have a blank canvas to build with. You can overhaul a cruiser into any bike you want, from a motorized racer to an electric commuter, to a show-stopping low-rider bike.

Now, let's take a look at how beach cruisers stack up against other bicycles on the road:

• Cruisers vs Road Bikes: The skinny wheels on road bikes don't have as much road coverage as cruiser wheels, which makes going over cracks, grates, or lips on the road dangerous. Cruisers have wider handlebars for more comfort and control over your bike, too, compared to road bikes that keep you scrunched up on the road.
• Cruisers vs Mountain Bikes: Mountain bikes may seem like the more comfortable choice, but you're still forced to hunch over while you ride. With beach cruisers you get to sit up, making it more comfortable to ride for long periods. Plus, with all the gears, cabling, and heavy duty components on mountain bikes, cruisers are much lighter and easier to control than MTB's.
• Cruisers vs BMX Bikes: With BMX wheels (usually 20"), you're forced to stand while riding, or sit down without the ability to pedal. With beach cruisers, 24-26" wheels are perfect for adults to pedal and coast comfortably while sitting. Moreover, each crank out of a cruiser bike has more power than a BMX bike, which means you don't have to work as hard on a cruiser as you will with a BMX going the same distance.

Consider This...

One thing holds all riders back from getting the bike of their dreams: there are too many options. And if you're not prepared, you're going to pick one that's either too expensive or simply doesn't work for you.

That's why it's vital we consider the type of cruiser you want, its size, how safe it is, how comfortable it is, and its potential for customization (the fun part). Put these factors together and you have a profile for your perfect beach cruiser. So let's start with the toughest part of finding your bike: choosing the type.

Types of Beach Cruisers

Let's start by exploring the five types of beach cruisers out there to see which is the best style for you:

Classic Beach Cruisers

These are the foundation of all beach cruisers, and perfect for any rider. They're known for their oversized frames, balloon tires, wide saddles, extra wide handle bars, single speed drivetrain, and coaster brake wheels. Combined, these make for a simple, comfortable, and affordable bike that's easy and safe to ride.

Classic cruisers are great for leisurely rides, learning how to ride, and customization. Their single speed drivetrain is great for cruising flat surfaces for miles. Moreover, its large tires, upright seating position, and wide handlebars give new riders more control over their bike compared to road and mountain bikes. And because of their simple design, they can be created into a show bike or even a motorized bike with ease.

If you're looking for a bike for casual riding or you want to build a custom show-stopping bike, a classic beach cruiser is the best option.

Commuter Beach Cruisers

These are an improvement over the classic style cruisers, and great for long distances. Commuters have the same makeup as their classic counterparts, but with three big improvements:

1. Multi-Speed Drivetrains: This style lets you change gears to help you ride up hills and inclines easier than single speeds.
2. Hand Brakes: These brakes give you superior and safer stopping power than coaster brakes. This is perfect for sudden stops, downhill speeds, and fast speeds in general. Bonus: brake pads are much less expensive to replace than an entire coaster brake wheel.
3. Lighter Frames: While still high quality, commuter frames tend to be lighter than classic cruisers. This makes them easier to ride longer distances, as they're not so heavy.

So if you love cruisers but need a bike you can take from point A to B to C and back, you'll want to go with a commuter cruiser bike.

Fat Tire Beach Cruisers

Fat tire cruiser bikes take your favorite cruiser style and makes them extra large. You can tell a fat tire bike from any other by its 4" wide tires that command more of the road than any other style of bike. Their frames are around 1.5x larger than standard frames, and their forks are about twice as wide.

This extra wide setup is designed for off-road use. The extra wide tires are able to take rockier, bumpier terrain than standard cruiser tires. In addition, the wide frame also helps disperse the riders weight across a larger surface area. That means you have more command and stability on soft surfaces, too, like sand and snow.

They come in single- and multi-speed options, as well electric, stretch, and chopper options, too.

So if you love cruisers but need one that you can take off-road, a fat tire beach cruiser is what you need.

Chopper Beach Cruisers

This style of cruiser bike is modeled after motorcycles, and are some of the coolest looking bikes around. They're known for their large frames, horizontal pedaling, laidback triple-tree forks and handle setup, and their wheel setup: 3-4" tires in the back, 2.5" tires in the front. They also sit much closer to the ground than other bikes, which makes getting on and off a lot easier than other cruisers- especially for shorter riders.

Choppers come in three distinctive styles:

1. Standard Choppers: This style has all the markings of a chopper, only it's about the same height as other cruisers. These are great for riders who want the look of motorcycles but the height and dimensions of a regular cruiser.
2. Fat Tire Choppers: Unlike other choppers, these bikes have fat tires in the front and back of the bike. These are perfect for people who want to take an eye-catching chopper off road.
3. Stretch Choppers: These take the chopper and stretch its frame and/or fork for an extra-long bike. They're also much closer to the ground than other choppers.

So if you want a bike with the look and feel of old school chopper motorcycles, chopper cruiser bikes for you.

Electric Beach Cruisers

Take your favorite style of beach cruiser, throw an electric motor on it, and you've got an electric beach cruiser. The awesome part about these is that they require little to no work on your end, and let you ride all kinds of distances and ranges. You either hit the throttle and go, or there's a pedlilic that'll read the cadence of your pedaling and give throttle assistance as needed.

When it comes electric beach cruisers, there are two factors you need to look out for: the wattage of the motor and the position of the motor on the bike.

• The wattage determines the overall speed you want to go using the throttle. higher the wattage, the faster the motor should go. 250w motors, for example, can reach speeds of 5-10 MPH, vs 1000w motors that can get 20-25 MPH or faster.
• There are three styles of motors electric cruisers use, and each come with their own set of advantages and challenges:
• Front wheel motors are mounted inside the front wheel of the bike, and have great acceleration at take-off's. They do, however, tend to slip at high speeds, turns, and on loose terrain. These are best for riders that need a little assistance to finish off long rides and don't need high speeds.
• Mid-drive motors are mounted inside the cranks, and give your bike the most even throttling that won't slip or be weighed down by the rider. However, they are the trickiest motors to work with, because when they need maintenance you have to disassemble your entire crank system. These are great for commuters who have experience working on bike cranks.
• Rear wheel motors are mounted inside the rear wheel, and area great for riders who want a pedal-free riding experience. They won't slip like front wheels, and are much easier to work on than mid-drives. They are, however, weighed down by the rider and cargo. That weight will hinder the full performance of the motor, which will affect the top speed of your bike.

Electric beach cruisers are perfect as a pedal-free commuter or effort-free cruiser.

Sizing

Once you find the perfect style beach cruiser, the next thing you'll want to do is find the right size for you. A bike can become dangerous if it's too big or doesn't feel comfortable. So to make sure you're safe while riding, let's talk about finding the most comfortable size for you:

Frame-to-Inseam Sizing

This is an important measurement to ensure the best control and fit on your bike. Frames are measured by the length of their seat tube, which runs from the cranks all the way up to opening for the saddle. Your inseam runs from the bottom of the ankle up to the crotch, which is where your saddle sits.

When you combine these measurements, you'll be able to find a frame that's not too tall and hard to ride, or too short and uncomfortable:

• 12in. Frames are great for riders with 19-25 Inch inseams
• 15in. Frames are great for riders with 23-25 Inch inseams
• 18-21in. Frames are great for riders with 25 Inch inseams
• +22in. Frames are great for riders with 28+ Inch inseams

Wheel-to-Height Sizing

In the case of stretch choppers where frames are generally around 12-15" or smaller, it's better to go by the wheel-to-height rule. This will show you that a certain size (diameter) wheel on a bike should be comfortable for a rider of a certain height:

• 20in. wheels work best for riders 3-4.5ft tall
• 24in. wheels work best for riders 4-5.5ft tall
• 26in. wheels work best for riders 5-6ft tall
• 29in. wheels work best for riders 6ft and taller

Safety

Now that you know the style and size you're comfortable with, it's time to start looking into the all the components that make a beach cruiser safe on the road:

• Frame Type- Bikes frames come in top tube and step-through options. Top tubes frames are lighter than step-through's, making them easier to control. Step-through frames, however, are much easier to mount and dismount than top tube frames.
• For safer maneuvering while riding, consider a top tube frame.
• To stay safe when mounting and dismounting your bike, go with a step-through frame.
• Brakes- Cruiser bikes use one of two types of braking systems: hand operated brakes and coaster brakes. Coaster brakes are engaged by pedaling backwards, whereas hand brakes use levers and calipers to stop your bike.
• For casual riding, we suggest using a coaster brake.
• For inclines, hills, off-road, and commuting, it's best to go with hand operated brakes.
• Tire Size- Most cruisers we'll see come in two sizes: 26x2.125-2.5in. or 26x3-4in.
• For city streets and sidewalks, we suggest going with 26x2.125-2.5in. tires.
• For off road and trail riding, we suggest going with 26x3-4in. tires.
• Tire Tread- Beach cruiser tires also come in three main types of tread: standard, knobby, and slick. Standard tread is laid in an even brick-like patters and can get decent traction and speed. Knobby tires are like mountain bike tires with big knobs, giving you maximum traction but limiting speed. Slick tire tread has minimal treading and offers maximum speed, but little traction.
• For sidewalks and smooth surfaces, we recommend going with standard and slick tire tread.
• When you have to ride on soft, rough, or uneven surfaces, we recommend going with knobby tread.

Rust Warning

To avoid major rust around your bike, consider getting a cruiser with aluminum components. Humidity will cause premature rust on steel components, which can cause a bike to be unsafe to ride. Aluminum is less prone to corrosion, helping bikes last longer and stay safer.

Comfort

Now we're in the test drive portion of choosing your perfect beach cruiser: making sure it's comfortable to ride. So we'll look at three points of comfort vital to for the ideal riding experience: the drive train, forks, and the saddle.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain of your beach cruiser will determine how much work you can put into pedaling your bike. Cruisers come with one or two drivetrains: single-speed and multi-speed.

• Single speeds have a single crank sprocket and one sprocket on your rear wheel that the chain rides along. For comfortable riding, we recommend single-speeds for flat land riding and 3-5 mile trips. Otherwise, you'll be struggling up hills or riding long distances.
• Multi speeds have a single crank sprocket with multiple gears on the rear wheel. This drivetrain is good for hills and 10+ mile trips, as you'll need to vary your gearing to make it easier to handle.

Forks/Suspension

Your cruiser bike's forks absorb the impact from your ride. From curbs to rocks to bumps in the road, it's important to make sure the impact doesn't harm you or your control over your bike.

• Cruiser bikes with suspension help absorb that impact of the road. This reduces the stress on your body and maximizes stability while riding on dirt, sand, or rocky trails.
• Beach cruisers without suspension feel the full impact of the road. This is no problem for flat surfaces with minimal bumps. On rougher terrain, the rockiness of the road can harm your wrists or cause you to lose control of your ride.

Saddle

The goal with a cruiser saddle is to maximize comfort while sitting. The ideal cruiser saddle consists of a wide cushioned seat and shock absorbing springs beneath the seat.

• Wide cushions are made to be as comfortable as possible and ideal for upright seating. Thin seats- like the ones found on road bikes- are made for crouched seating, which is for maximum speed.
• Shock absorbing springs help stabilize you while riding. They do so by taking some of the impact from the road and ensure you're bouncing with bumps, not against them. This is the reason you can take a bump on a bike without flying off the saddle.

Customization

Now that you know which style of beach cruiser you want, the size that's best for you, and made sure it's both safe and comfortable for your needs, the last part is customizing your new cruiser.

While the cruiser you choose will come with everything you need to ride, upgrades and add-on's will take your ride to the next level. So if you want to take the safety, speed, or style of your cruiser to the next level, check out these add-on's every rider should consider:

• Brakes- Adding or upgrading the brakes on your cruiser will make it that much safer to ride. When considering brakes there are two options: caliper brakes and disc brakes.
• Caliper brakes use brake pads to clamp onto the rim of your wheel. They're compatible with most beach cruisers, because most cruisers have front and rear brake ports. These are perfect for any cruiser bike that needs extra stopping power.
• Disc brakes use a much smaller caliper that squeezes against a disc rotor mounted directly to the wheel. While these offer superior braking over caliper and coaster brakes, not all wheels and bikes are disc-brake compatible. So if your wheels are disc brake compatible (like mag wheels) and you want the best stopping power possible, upgrade your bike to disc brakes.
• Wheels- Upgrading your wheels will give your ride an extra bit of safety and style. Most cruiser bikes come with simple 14g spoked wheels, which is fine for simple riding. But if you want a stronger and better looking wheel, you'll want 12g spoked wheels, mag wheels, or custom wheels.
• 12g spoked wheels are thicker than 14g spoked wheels, which makes them stronger than stock wheels. This is perfect for longer rides, higher speeds, and carrying more weight than stock wheels. So if you're a commuter, a heavier rider, or carry a good amount of cargo, these are the wheels your cruiser needs.
• Mag wheels are heavy duty and hold as much weight as other wheels- if not more- with significantly less spokes. They're also slightly thinner than other wheels, making them more aerodynamic for faster speeds. Bonus: they're outfitted with disc brakes, so they also have superior stopping power over other wheels. So if you're looking for a wheel that's ultra tough, super safe, and a bit stylish, you need mag wheels.
• Custom wheels- like 72 spoke low rider wheels- are great aesthetic upgrades for a bike. Most times they're the same specs as stock wheels, only with upgraded looks. So if you love the feel of your stock wheels but want a head-turning ride, custom wheels are what you need.
• Lights- Whether you need to see in front of yourself at night or you want riders/drivers to see you on dark rides, adding lights to your cruiser bike will make it much safer for you. There are three types of lights riders use: head lights, tail lights, and wheel lights.
• Headlights are made to help riders see the road on dark rides. They also help on-coming drivers and riders see you from a distance. We recommend these for night and low-light riding.
• Tail lights help you stay visible to riders/drivers behind and on the sides of you. These are helpful any time of day, and we recommend them for riding at any time of day; but especially at night.
• Valve stem lights attach to your tire valve stem and create a circle of light while you ride. These offer some of the best visibility of any light because they make your bike visible from virtually any angle. If you ride at night, we recommend wheel lights.
• Storage- From tools to cargo, adding storage onto your cruiser will take that weight off your shoulders for a more comfortable ride.
• Roller bags are compact, mount to the handlebars, and are perfect for carrying tools and essentials on the road.
• Racks help carry heavy cargo, large bags, and cargo you just can't carry on your back.
• We recommend roller bags for commuters and hobby riders. If you plan on transporting large cargo like saddle bags, we recommend outfitting your beach cruiser with a rack.
• Forks- Upgrading your forks can increase your bike's ability to absorb the terrain you're riding on, from rocky trails to bouncy flat land rides. Not to mention, they can add a bit of style to your ride, too.
• Springer forks have a large spring and curved legs to help take the pressure off your bike when going up sidewalks, speed bumps, and small inclines.
• Monarch forks have dual springs and reinforced legs to keep your bike stable on rough roads and high speeds.
• Triple tree forks offer extra thick and extra long tubing to help minimize the impact of rough terrain.
• Note: While exchanging forks can give you extra safety on the road, they will take a lot of experience to install. We recommend upgrading your forks after you get the hang of fixing and maintaining your bike.

What Riders Recommend

Now that you have a roadmap of how to find the best beach cruiser for you, let's talk recommendations.

Below are the top five rider-approved bikes that'll give you the ride you want with the comfort, safety, and price you need:

Editors Choice: SWITZ CRUZ 26" BEACH CRUISER BIKE $299.95 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (25 Reviews)

When you're looking for a cruiser bike with the perfect combination of looks, performance, and comfort, this is the one you need.

Its 26" Hi-Ten Steel cruiser frame has a modern design that sets it apart from any bike in its class. Meanwhile, its stainless steel rims offer steel CP 36H hubs. And with a 44 tooth crank and 18 tooth rear sprocket, this cruiser comes together to give you the perfect gearing for easy pedaling on the streets, trails, and your favorite bike path.

Complete with 2" wide tires, strong fenders, extra wide handle bars, and an extra large saddle, this beach cruiser gives you optimal comfort and control on your rides.

Features:

• Modern heavy duty hi-ten steel cruiser frame
• Perfect for riders 5-6ft tall
• 44:18 single-speed gear ratio, perfect for cruising flat surfaces
• Available in Matte Black, Deep Pacific Blue, Diamond White

Best Value- MICARGI 26" TOUCH BEACH CRUISER BIKE $319.95 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Reviews)

When you're looking for a tough beach cruiser at an incredible price, this is the bike you need.

Its shock-absorbing saddle, padded moon handlebars, and comfortable 18.5" size make this is one of the most comfortable cruiser bikes around. Meanwhile, the strong hi-ten steel frame and forks are built to withstand everything from short trips to long rides. And rounded out with 26" alloy rims, this bike's ready to take as much damage as you can dish out.

Most cruiser bikes with these features cost well over $400, but this bike's under $320. So if you're looking for high quality at a low price, this is the ride for you.

Features

• Simple, lightweight, high quality design
• The go-to for motorized bicycle builders
• Available in step-through model (only $279.95)
• Available in 9 different colors

Best Premium Cruiser Bike- MICARGI 26" ROVER GX BEACH CRUISER BIKE $299.95 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Reviews)

If you're in the market for a premium bike without the premium price tag, this is the cruiser bike you're looking for.

This bike comes stock with chrome cranks and a chrome top end, compared to other bikes with plain black accents. Its matching fenders also come with a rear reflector for a touch of safety when your rides go dark. And with its knobby white wall tires and colored alloy rims, this bike's a head turner for under $300!

Rounded out with high quality coaster brakes, this beach cruiser is just what you need to cruise your favorite spots in style without breaking the bank.

Features:

• High quality chrome parts and accessories (most are cheap black)
• White wall tires and fenders included
• Step-through model available here (only $299.95)
• Available in 18 different colors

Best Multi-Speed Cruiser Bike- MICARGI 26" ROVER 7 SPEED BEACH CRUISER BIKE $319.95 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (11 Reviews)

When you've got serious rides in mind, this is the beach cruiser you'll need to get the job done.

Its 26" alloy wheels come with a Shimano 7 speed gearing system, allowing this cruiser bike to go from flatland to incline seamlessly. Unlike others, this bike also comes with front and rear brakes to make sure you're safe down hills and on your commutes.

Meanwhile, its frame offers a tapered oversize top tube and forward pedaling geometry for a sturdy riding experience. So if your rides take a hilly (even off-road) turn, this bike can handle nearly any terrain safely- rain or shine.

Features:

• 7 Speed Shimano gearing helps you up inclines
• Front and rear caliper brakes included for maximum stopping power
• Step-through model available here (only $319.95)
• Available in 10 different colors

Best Fat Tire Cruiser Bike- MICARGI 26" ROVER 7 SPEED BEACH CRUISER BIKE $559.95 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2 Reviews)

When you need a cruiser bike that can take sand and paved roads like a champ, this is the one for you.

Equipped with huge 4" wide tires, this bike can ride comfortable on dirt, sand, gravel, and pavement with ease. It also has a 44t front gear and 22t rear sprocket for an optimal cruising gear ratio. Backed by heavy duty wheels, a springer saddle, and padded moon handlebars, you'll have complete comfort and control over your ride no matter what terrain you ride on.

So if you want a beach cruiser you can take to the beach, the mountain, the city, and back, this is the bike you need.

Features:

• 4 inch wide tires give this bike better control on sand, dirt, gravel, and snow
• 44:22 gear ratio, perfect for riding on loose surfaces
• Carrying capacity of over 300 LBS
• Available in 4 different wheel/frame color combinations

FAQ's

1. How do I choose a beach cruiser?

When it's time to shop for a new beach cruiser, you'll want to consider four factors: the type of cruiser, its size, how safe it is, and how comfortable it is to ride.

1. The type of bike you choose should depend on how it fits your style of riding. For example, if you're a casual rider who wants a bike with style, a classic or chopper beach cruiser would suit your needs. For long distance rides or off-roading, a commuter or fat tire cruiser bike would be the best fit.
2. The perfect beach cruiser has to be the right size. That all depends on the size of the frame, the size of the wheels, and your height. You can tell you have the right size by sitting on the bike. You should be able to rest one foot on your pedals and the other foot on the ground with your knee slightly bent. If you're struggling to touch the ground, the bike is too tall; and if your standing knee is bent more than 45°, the bike may be too small.
3. The safety of your cruiser is vital to your safety riding. This includes making sure you the best frame for your needs, the right brakes for your style of riding, and the best wheel and tire sizes for the terrain you ride on.
4. Of course, no bike is worth riding if it isn't comfortable, too. So it's important to make the saddle is comfortable to sit on; that your forks have the suspension you need to take impact from your rides; and that your drivetrain helps you ride at a comfortable pace.

2. Which beach cruiser is best?

There's a beach cruiser for every rider, style, and budget. And while we won't say one type of bike is better than another, there are definitely some that are better suited for certain riders than others:

• Classic beach cruisers are best for casual riders that want an economic way to ride, or start a new custom project.
• Commuter beach cruisers are better suited for riding long distances and heavy commuting.
• Fat tire cruiser bikes are best for off-road riding and riding on soft surfaces like snow and sand- all the places you can't normally take a bike.
• Stretch choppers are the perfect weekend bike for the rider with a little extra money to spend.
• Electric cruiser bikes are great for any rider- from casual to commuter- with an open budget and a need for pedal-free cruising.

3. What are beach cruisers good for?

There are three key reasons riders choose beach cruisers: easy transportation, exercise, and customization:

1. Transportation- There's a cruiser bike for any commute, whether it's around the block, down the boulevard, or all around town.
2. Exercise- Beach cruisers are surprisingly great for exercise. They have 1-3 speeds, which forces riders to work a little harder to ride than bikes with 5+ speeds. That means more calories burned each ride.
3. Customization- If you want to build a head-turning of a bike, the beach cruiser is the best canvas to start on. From motorized bikes to electric bikes to lowriders and beyond, cruiser bikes are the best- and most economical- way to start out.

4. Where can I ride a beach cruiser?

Beach cruisers can be ridden on any surface- it all depends on the type of cruiser you're riding.

1. Classic and chopper beach cruisers work best on paved roads & surfaces.
2. Commuter beach cruisers are best on city streets and urban trails.
3. Fat tire beach cruisers are best for off-road and trail use.

5. How much should I spend on a beach cruiser?

When you're shopping for a quality beach cruiser, you'll be looking at a price tag of around $200-1000 depending on the type of cruiser you're looking for.

• Classic and commuter cruisers run in the $200-400 range.
• Fat tire and chopper beach cruisers are in the $300-600 range.
• Electric beach cruisers are in the $500-1000 range.

6. What are the best upgrades I should add to a beach cruiser?

If you plan on upgrading your beach cruiser, the first add-on's you should think about are brakes, lights, and wheels.

• If your cruiser only has coaster brakes, consider adding caliper or disc brakes for the stopping power you need. Coaster brakes aren't the best for sudden stops or fast speeds. 
• If you plan on going on rides at night, or you commute through congested areas, you need to be using head and tail lights. Staying visible and the ability to see in the dark are vital for the safety of you and your bike. 
• 12g spokes are a great upgrade to stock wheels, and fit exactly the same as 14g wheels. Mag wheels are tough and usually come with disc brakes for maximum stopping power. Stock 14g spoked wheels are fine for casual use, but if you're planning on riding for miles and miles, consider upgrading your wheels.