Retrospec Chatham Plus Beach Cruiser Bike Review

Is summer even summer without a beach cruiser to ride?! I think not.

If you agree and are looking for a new bike to pedal off into the late evening sunset, let me introduce you to the Retrospec Chatham Plus. It’s a budget-friendly cruiser bike that’s also pretty, fun, and low-maintenance. It might just be the perfect warm-weather companion.

Unfortunately, I don’t live anywhere near a beach, BUT I have been using the longer, warmer days to test the Chatham Plus on trips to the ice cream trolley (yes, we really have one in my neighborhood), and to meet my sister for patio drinks.

Getting there was a delight. Pushing it back up the hill to my house afterward? Less so. But more on that in a minute.

Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

• Affordable
• Cute, feminine design with pastel colors and faux leather details
• Simple, low-maintenance build
• Comfortable, upright riding position
• Fun for flat beach or city cruising

Cons:

• Not suitable for hills (upgrade if you have any inclines)
• No fenders or rack included

Price: $359

Video Review

Pretty In Pastels

Let’s start with the obvious: this bike is adorable. It looks as good leaning against a café wall as it does rolling down the boardwalk.

The Retrospec Chatham Plus comes in several soft, feminine pastel colors with a shiny paint job that is undeniably pretty. The faux leather saddle and matching grips add a charming, retro aesthetic that makes me smile every time I ride it.

Low Stepover And Swept-Back Bars Make For A Comfortable Ride

The Chatham Plus has a very low stepover, making it easy to mount and dismount even in a skirt or dress, no gymnastics required. Once you’re on, the swept-back handlebars put you in a relaxed, upright position that’s easy on your back and shoulders.

For short, casual rides, this geometry is great. You feel comfortable and in control, and there’s no hunching over the bars like you’re racing.

Simple, Low-Maintenance Build

The version of the Chantham Plus I’ve been testing is the single-speed. In other words, it has no gears.

One of the best things about a bike with a single-speed coaster brake is that there is almost nothing to maintain. No gear cables to stretch or snap, no brake pads to replace, no derailleur to adjust. To keep the Chatham Plus happy, you really just need to lube the chain occasionally and add air to the tires. That’s it.

The build is sturdy and feels durable for casual use. The wheels are solid and the overall construction holds up well–just don’t go jumping curbs with it.

The kickstand also deserves a special mention: it’s super solid and kept the bike upright even on uneven, non-paved surfaces. Small thing, but I noticed and appreciated it.

Now About Those Hills

The single-speed version of the Chantham Plus is not designed for hills. Why?

The single-speed drivetrain means you have no gears to make pedaling easier when the road pitches up, and the coaster brake (you brake by pedaling backward) is sketchy at best on a steep descent. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden a bike with a coaster brake rather than hand brake levers, and it definitely tested my nerves a bit.

I live at the top of a hill, and the Chatham Plus made that hill feel like a punishment in both directions. Both uphill and downhill I had to walk when the pitch got steep.

If there’s any chance your rides will involve meaningful elevation change, do yourself a favor and look at the slightly pricier version of the Retrospec Chatham that comes with hand brakes and gears. Your legs on the way up (and your nerves on the way down) will thank you.

The Saddle

The saddle on the Chatham Plus looks incredibly comfortable. It’s wide, plush, and covered in faux leather. One of my friends rode it and loved it! As for me, I thought it was comically wide, and it’s definitely not the saddle I’d want to pedal long distances with, BUT for short cruises, it was fine.

Wide Tires

The wider tires on the Chatham Plus add some nice volume and help absorb road chatter on bumpy pavement. They have a smooth tread so are best for fast-rolling paved surfaces, but they can also handle a little bit of loose sand.

A Note On Sizing

The Chatham Plus is sold as one size fits most, with a stated fit range of 5’0″ to 6’4″. The extremely low standover and adjustable saddle height mean that riders across that range can get their feet on the ground comfortably.

That said, the reach to the handlebars may feel a touch long for shorter riders and slightly cramped for the tallest ones. At 5’5″, I felt right at home, but if you’re at either extreme of that range, keep it in mind.

The quick-release seatpost collar is a thoughtful touch. You can adjust saddle height without any tools, which makes it easy to share the bike between two riders of different heights.

What’s Not Included (And What You Might Want To Add)

The Retrospec Chatham Plus is a bit bare-bones when it comes to extras. There are no fenders included, which you’ll miss on wet roads or damp beach paths. There’s also no rack, which limits your ability to carry much of anything–a bummer if you’re hoping to bring home a bag of peaches from the farmer’s market.

The good news: there is a mounting point on the rear for a rack if you want to add one after the fact. Fenders can always be added too.

One more note: the wheels bolt on rather than using quick-release skewers. That means you’ll need a wrench to remove a wheel if you get a flat. This is a minor inconvenience at home, but more of a hassle if you’re far from your garage.

Bottom Line: The Perfect Bike For Flat, Casual Riding

The Retrospec Chatham Plus is purpose-built for one thing: flat, casual riding. Think boardwalks, bike paths, beach towns, and lazy neighborhood loops. If that’s your primary use case, it’s a fun and cheerful bike at an accessible price point.

It’s particularly well-suited for riders who want something low-maintenance, easy to get on and off, and pretty enough to feel good riding. If you want to run errands, do longer commutes, or live somewhere with hills, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Or at minimum, upgrade to the geared version.

More Help Choosing A Bike

• Best Women’s Cruiser Bikes & How To Choose!
• Types of Bikes & How to Choose
• Ultimate Guide To Women’s Bike Sizes & Size Chart

About The Reviewer