I just unboxed my brand-new Huffy Sanford women’s cruiser bike, put it together and took it for a spin! I think I’m in love!
Disclaimer: I’m happy to share my thoughts about this product which was sent to me by Huffy for review purposes. All opinions are my own and very honest!
Overview of the Huffy Sanford Women’s Cruiser Bike, 26-inch
The Sanford cruiser is built for comfort and leisure! This vintage-inspired classic allows you to ride in a relaxed, upright position so you can enjoy the scenery and keep up with your kiddos. It’s a fantastic mom-bike or classic ride for teen girls.
Key Features at a Glance
- Perfect Fit aluminum frame
- Extended wheelbase
- Padded spring saddle for comfortable seating
- Rust-resistant chain
- Dacromat-coated hardware
- Textured, ergonomic hand-grips
- Alloy rims with stainless steel spokes
- Stainless steel weather-resistant fenders
- Water bottle
- Phone holder
- Basket
- Built-in rear rack holds 22 lbs.
- Wheels 26 in. for ages 13-adult (at least 60 inches tall)
- Brake type – Coaster
- Kickstand
Sanford Cruiser Bike Design and Aesthetic Appeal
Classic Cruiser Style with a Modern Touch
Cruiser bikes are inspired by the classic, vintage bikes of the past combined with modern functionality. With a trusted household-name brand like Huffy who’s been around for over 100 years, I knew they would be able to pull off a classic -inspired bike with all the modern features and perks that make for such a great ride. And they did!
This bike is so pretty but rides smoothly, too, for the perfect , casual ride around the neighborhood.
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What colors are available?
The Sanford comes in two beautiful options for women: lilac purple and a dreamy turquoise blue. Each one has a slightly different look to it, depending on your style! For men, the Sanford is available in green and gunmetal gray.
I have the blue– which I really love! It’s actually a dark turquoise that fades into a lighter turquoise with strong summertime, beachy vibes!
Comfort & Ride Quality
Is a cruiser bike good for daily use?
Yes, cruiser bikes are ideal for daily exercise and cruising around the neighborhood – not just the beach! Cruisers are designed to keep you relaxed, comfortable, and in an upright position while riding. This allows you to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace!
Are beach cruiser bikes good for long distance?
While you certainly can cover long distances with a cruiser, they are not designed for that purpose. Cruiser bikes have only one speed and limited gear. Cruisers are made for casual cruising, not for competitive or hard-core biking.
What size beach cruiser for my height?
The Sanford beach cruiser bike has 26-inch wheels and is designed for women over the age of 13. This bike should work for you if you are at least 5 feet tall. If you’re close to that mark, you may want to consider a bike with 24-inch wheels instead.
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Assembling the Sanford Women’s Beach Cruiser Bike
Unboxing
The 26-inch Sanford beach cruiser comes mostly pre-assembled and only requires a few simple tools to put together. Out of the box, we only had to attach the front wheel and fender, the seat, front basket, and cup/phone holder.
Setup Tips
My teen son got started immediately, without reading the instructions, but mounted the front wheel backwards. Ha! That didn’t work, so starting over – reading the manual this time – slowed us down a bit.
Even with that hiccup, it took us about an hour or hour and a half to assemble the Sanford cruiser bike and it was pretty simple! I’m not the most mechanically minded individual, so it helped to have my son around who understands nuts and bolts better than me! And it is definitely easier with two people.
But my #1 assembly tip? Read the manual! It actually helps and will speed up assembly!
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Tools You’ll Need
The only tools we needed were a hex wrench, a Phillips screwdriver, and a regular wrench. A socket wrench came in handy, too, but any wrench for tightening nuts and bolts will work. Pretty basic!
Performance on the Road
Braking, Pedaling, and Stability
The Sanford women’s cruiser rides very smoothly and easily. The bike is sturdy and stable. It pedals easily and has good brakes that are activated by simply pedaling backwards – no hand gears needed!
Compared to my older Huffy cruiser, it has a much stronger kickstand and seems very stable.
Ideal Terrain
In my neighborhood, we have a combination of pavement, sidewalks, gravel paths, and grass. My Sanford cruiser bike handles all four terrains really well. As with any bike, you have to pedal a bit harder in grass, but it’s definitely doable.
Pros and Cons of the Huffy Sanford Cruiser
Pros
- Casual & pretty
- Comfortable
- Relaxed, upright position
- Allows you to enjoy the scenery
- Large, comfortable, cushioned seat
- Simple and classic design
- Designed in the USA in Dayton, Ohio
- Sturdy & stable
- Great storage: back rack, front basket
- Comes with a water holder
- Has a strong, secure phone holder
Personally, my favorite features were the super comfy seat and the combo cup holder with tight phone holder. I love having those right at my fingertips when I’m out and about. The cup holder could even hold my favorite water bottle, the Ello!
Cons
- The handlebars are very wide
- Not for covering long distances
- Not suitable for off-terrain
- Single speed, limited-gear
Overall, I didn’t find any glaring negatives about this bike. My biggest complaint is that the handlebars on the Sanford cruiser seem very wide, even compared to my older Huffy cruiser, the Cranbrook. As far as maneuverability, I adapted quickly to driving with the wider handlebars and it was comfortable.
But it does make it harder to store in the garage!
Sanford Women’s Beach Cruiser, 26-inch
Is This the Right Beach Cruiser for You?
The Sanford women’s cruiser bike is the right bike for you if you’re interested in biking just for leisure and fun around your neighborhood, park – or maybe a beach! It’s a simple, stylish bike at a competitive price point that’s perfect for on-the-go moms to keep up with their kiddos in family bike rides or early-morning exercise. The added perks like the baskets, water holder, and phone holder at a competitive price point make it a no-brainer choice for any woman looking for a casual ride!
I love it and I think you will, too.
