The Around The Block E-Bike | EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Buying the BEST Low-Cost EBike!

The Sixthreezero Around the Block Electric Beach Cruiser: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

There is a certain kind of bike that never really goes out of style: the beach cruiser. Wide handlebars, an upright seat, a relaxed riding position, and just enough flair to make a trip to the coffee shop feel like a small vacation. The Around the Block electric beach cruiser from Sixthreezero takes that timeless silhouette and quietly adds a motor, a battery, and a seven-speed drivetrain, turning a nostalgic classic into one of the most approachable electric bikes on the market. Priced to sit under many competitors, it is designed for riders who want the charm of a traditional cruiser with the range and ease of an e-bike.

Electric bikes have surged in popularity because they lower the barriers that keep people off two wheels: distance, hills, headwinds, and the fear of arriving somewhere sweaty and spent. What sets the Around the Block apart in a crowded field is that it delivers those benefits inside a package that feels familiar and unthreatening. There is no steep learning curve, no aggressive riding posture, and no need to look like a cyclist to enjoy it. It is a bike that a lifelong rider and a nervous first-timer can both climb onto and immediately understand.

This guide breaks down what the Around the Block actually offers: how it is powered, how it rides, how it compares to its non-electric sibling, and who it suits best. Whether shopping for a first e-bike or weighing an upgrade from a standard cruiser, the goal here is a clear, honest picture before purchase.

A Classic Cruiser, Reimagined With a Motor

The first thing most riders notice about the Around the Block is that it does not look like an electric bike. That is intentional. The motor is tucked into the rear hub, the battery sits neatly on a rear rack, and the cabling is routed to stay out of sight. The result is a bike with the honest, classic proportions of a beach cruiser rather than the bulky, tech-forward look of many e-bikes. For riders who want the assistance of a motor without announcing it to the entire neighborhood, the disguise is part of the appeal.

The cruiser is offered in two frame styles. The higher top-tube design is marketed as the men's frame, while the lower, step-through design is marketed as the women's frame. In practice, the step-through geometry suits anyone who prefers not to swing a leg high over the saddle, which makes it a natural fit for shorter riders, taller riders with limited flexibility, and anyone easing back into cycling. Both frames share the same ergonomics, the same components, and the same ride feel, so the choice comes down to how a rider prefers to mount and dismount. Sixthreezero groups these under its women's electric bikes and men's electric bikes collections, and the step-through option also appears among the brand's electric step-thru bikes.

Color is where the Around the Block really leans into its cruiser heritage. The lineup includes matte black, steel cloud, teal, mint green, and lilac, several of them paired with offset colored rims, cream rims, or coordinated rear racks. Matching bags and accessories are available in black and brown to round out the look. It is a genuinely fun catalog of finishes in a category where most bikes arrive in a single utilitarian shade, and it reflects the playful spirit that beach cruisers are supposed to have in the first place.

None of that styling comes at the expense of capability. The frame is built around 26-inch wheels wrapped in 2.125-inch tires, wide enough to smooth out rough pavement and hard-packed trails while keeping the ride stable and planted. It is a cruiser first, but it is a cruiser that is ready to actually go places.

Motor, Battery, and Range: What Powers the Around the Block

The 500-Watt Rear Hub Motor

At the heart of the bike is a 500-watt rear hub motor. Because it lives inside the rear wheel hub rather than at the pedals, it delivers power smoothly and quietly, with none of the mechanical drama some riders expect from an e-bike. Sixthreezero also offers the Around the Block in a 250-watt version for riders who want a gentler boost, but the 500-watt model is the one built for confidently climbing hills and covering ground.

Sixthreezero lists a top speed of roughly 20 miles per hour under motor power. In real-world riding, pedal-assist speeds can nudge slightly higher because the rider's own effort adds to the motor's output, while full-throttle speed on flat ground is governed at around 20 miles per hour. On a downhill, gravity naturally carries the bike faster, but on level ground the motor eases off once it reaches its governed limit. For a cruiser meant for beaches, bike paths, and city streets, that speed range is comfortable and practical rather than intimidating.

The Battery and Charging

Power comes from a removable 48-volt, 10.4-amp-hour battery, which works out to roughly 500 watt-hours of capacity. It mounts on the rear rack and slides out with a key, so it can be locked to the bike when parked or carried indoors to charge. A full charge takes about four to six hours from a standard wall outlet, and the battery can be charged either on the bike or off it, whichever is more convenient.

The removable design is one of the bike's most practical features. A rider who wants to leave the bike locked outside can bring just the battery inside, and a rider who wants to shed weight for a purely human-powered ride can pull the battery out entirely. Sixthreezero notes that the battery on current Around the Block models is certified to the UL 2271 safety standard, which is worth confirming on the product page for the specific configuration being purchased.

The Display and Controls

A compact LCD display sits on the handlebar and keeps the essentials in view. Held for a couple of seconds, it powers on to show the current pedal-assist level (one through five), speed in miles per hour, distance traveled, elapsed ride time, and, most importantly, the battery's state of charge. The layout is deliberately uncomplicated, which suits the bike's approachable character; there is no menu-diving or app pairing required to simply get on and ride. All of the primary controls fall naturally to the thumbs, with assist level and throttle on the left and gear shifting on the right, so a rider can manage speed, power, and cadence without ever taking their hands off the grips.

Real-World Range

Sixthreezero advertises a range of up to 50 miles per charge, and that figure is achievable under the right conditions: moderate pedal assist, flat terrain, a lighter rider, and conservative use of the throttle. It is important to read that number the way any e-bike range claim should be read, as a best case rather than a guarantee.

The brand's own ride testing makes this refreshingly clear. In one filmed test, a 230-pound rider rode roughly five miles over significant hills while running the motor at its highest assist level the entire time, including on trails, and finished with well over half the battery remaining. That is a demanding scenario, and the bike handled it comfortably, but it also shows how much aggressive throttle use and steep climbs draw down a battery. A rider who leans on the throttle and stays in the top assist level will see noticeably less range than one who pedals actively in a lower assist level. The honest takeaway: expect strong everyday range for typical rides, treat the 50-mile figure as an upper limit, and plan longer trips with real terrain in mind.

One quirk worth knowing is that the battery gauge can appear to recover. During hard climbing, the indicator may drop as the battery works hard, then climb back up once the demand eases and the cells settle. Watching the gauge dip on a hill and rebound on the flats afterward is normal e-bike behavior, not a fault.

Three Ways to Ride: Throttle, Pedal Assist, and Pure Pedal Power

One of the Around the Block's greatest strengths is flexibility. It can be ridden three different ways, and a rider can switch between them at any moment during a trip.

The first mode is full throttle. A thumb throttle on the left side of the handlebar sends power to the motor with no pedaling required. Press it, and the bike simply goes. It is the easiest way to pull away from a stop, get moving up a hill, or rest tired legs on the way home.

The second mode is pedal assist. Here the motor adds power only while the rider pedals, amplifying each stroke. The system offers five levels of assistance, adjustable on the fly with a thumb control, and a clear handlebar display shows the current assist level alongside speed. Level one provides a gentle nudge, while level five delivers a strong, hill-flattening push. Because assist scales with the rider's own pedaling, it feels natural and intuitive.

The third mode is pure pedal power. Turn the motor off, and the Around the Block behaves like a traditional seven-speed cruiser. This is where the removable battery and the real drivetrain matter, because the bike is genuinely rideable without any electric assistance at all. That combination of options is exactly what makes the Around the Block versatile: there is nothing a standard bike can do that this bike cannot, plus a great deal more.

Gearing and the Seven-Speed Drivetrain

Many entry-level e-bikes are single-speed machines that rely entirely on the motor. The Around the Block is different. It uses a Shimano seven-speed derailleur, shifted with a simple twist grip on the right side of the handlebar, giving riders a proper mechanical drivetrain in addition to the electric assist.

The gears and the motor are independent systems. The motor's assist level is controlled by the left thumb, while the right-hand twist shifter changes gears exactly as it would on a conventional bike. That independence is useful. On a long climb, a rider can drop into a lower gear to spin comfortably while the motor adds power, keeping cadence relaxed rather than grinding. On flat ground, shifting up to a higher gear allows faster pedaling and higher speeds. Matching pedaling cadence to the assistance from the motor is what makes an e-bike feel smooth instead of jerky, and the seven-speed range gives riders the room to find that sweet spot.

This also means the Around the Block rewards riders who like to pedal. Someone running a low assist level, or riding with the motor off entirely, still has a full gear range to work with. It is an e-bike that respects the fundamentals of a good bicycle.

Braking and Control: Disc Brakes at Speed

Because an e-bike carries more weight and reaches higher speeds than a traditional cruiser, braking is not an afterthought. The Around the Block is fitted with front and rear disc brakes, which provide strong, consistent stopping power in a wide range of conditions.

This is a meaningful upgrade over the caliper brakes found on many standard cruisers. Caliper brakes are perfectly adequate for a lightweight, human-powered bike, but on an electric bike that can cruise at 20 miles per hour or descend a hill even faster, disc brakes are close to essential. In Sixthreezero's own ride testing, a rider descended long hills and reached the high twenties in miles per hour on the downhill, then brought the bike back down to a safe speed smoothly by easing into the brakes rather than grabbing them. That kind of controlled, progressive stopping is exactly what disc brakes deliver, and it is a big part of what makes the bike feel secure at speed.

The practical advice from that testing is worth repeating: on a descent, ease into the brakes gradually to control speed rather than slamming them at the bottom. Combined with the wider 2.125-inch tires, which add grip and stability at speed, the braking setup gives the Around the Block a confident, planted feel on fast sections.

Comfort and Fit: The Upright Cruiser Position

Comfort is the entire point of a beach cruiser, and the Around the Block is engineered around it. When mounted, the rider sits in a relaxed, upright position with the back straight and the arms loose rather than hunched forward over the bars. That posture reduces pressure on the back, wrists, shoulders, and knees, which is a large part of why cruisers appeal to riders who find aggressive, leaned-over bikes uncomfortable.

The fit is adjustable in the ways that matter. The handlebars can be tilted, raised, and lowered, and the seat height adjusts easily thanks to a quick-release clamp, so most riders can dial in a comfortable position at home with simple tools. Sixthreezero designs the Around the Block to fit riders roughly five to six feet tall, and pairs it with a wide, heavily cushioned saddle and soft synthetic-leather grips to keep longer rides comfortable.

For riders who are unsure which frame or size suits them, Sixthreezero offers a BodyFit fitting process on its website that asks a few questions about body dimensions and riding habits and recommends a configuration. It is a sensible first stop for anyone new to the brand or new to cycling in general. Riders with mobility considerations, in particular, may want to compare the step-through Around the Block against the brand's dedicated electric bikes for seniors to find the easiest possible mount.

Standard vs. Electric: Is Upgrading Worth It?

Sixthreezero sells the Around the Block as both a standard beach cruiser and an electric model, and one of the most common questions from shoppers is whether the electric upgrade is worth it. The honest answer from the brand is that the electric version can do everything the standard version can, and more, but the decision still comes down to how a rider plans to use the bike.

Weight Considerations

The most obvious trade-off is weight. A standard Around the Block weighs in the mid-thirties of pounds, while the electric version, with its motor and battery, weighs closer to the high fifties to low sixties depending on configuration. Sixthreezero's own weigh-in put a standard model around 37 pounds and an electric model around 59 pounds, a difference of roughly 22 pounds, most of it accounted for by the rear hub motor (about 10 pounds), the battery (about 8.5 pounds), the sturdier rear rack, and the disc brakes.

That sounds like a lot on paper, but it matters less than expected in practice. On flat ground, the weight difference is barely noticeable while riding, because the bike carries its mass low and centered. Over a long ride it may tire the legs slightly more if the motor is off, and it is certainly harder to haul a heavier bike up a hill under pure leg power, but that is precisely where the electric assist earns its keep. And for riders who want to shed weight for a stretch of pure pedaling, pulling the roughly 8.5-pound battery drops the electric model down to around 51 pounds and closes much of the gap.

Go Farther

The clearest benefit of the electric version is range confidence. Many riders on a standard cruiser stop short of where they would like to go, turning back early out of fear of being too exhausted to make it home. The electric Around the Block removes that anxiety. A rider can pedal as far as they want under their own power, then flip on the motor to get home when their legs give out. It functions almost like having a ride waiting: a rider can push past their usual limit, knowing the bike can carry them back if needed.

Go Faster

With the motor engaged, the Around the Block simply covers more ground in less time. A two-mile trip that takes ten minutes on a standard bike might take five on the e-bike, and the routes available to a bike are often more direct than those available to a car. For errands, commutes, and campus rides, that speed can be the difference between choosing the bike and reaching for the car keys. The bike becomes a genuine mode of transportation rather than purely recreation, and it slots naturally into Sixthreezero's broader lineup of commuter-friendly electric bikes.

Tackle Hills and New Terrain

Perhaps the most liberating benefit is access to terrain that would otherwise be off-limits. Hills that felt impossible on a standard cruiser become manageable with the motor engaged, and routes a rider previously avoided open up. Add electric assist, and inclines that once demanded a dismount can be climbed while seated and relaxed. For riders who live in hilly areas, or who simply want to explore farther afield, this is often the single feature that justifies the upgrade.

Carry More

The extra power also makes the Around the Block far more practical for hauling. With the motor's help, loading up panniers or bags and adding a front basket for a grocery run becomes genuinely easy, even when carrying 30 or 50 pounds of cargo. The same goes for towing a child trailer, where the assist takes the strain out of climbs that would be daunting on a standard bike. The sturdier rear rack is built to support the load, and the motor does the heavy lifting.

The bottom line: a rider who is comfortable tackling every route they want under their own power, and who values a lighter bike, may be perfectly happy on the standard cruiser. But for riders who want to go farther, climb more, carry more, or replace short car trips, the electric version opens up possibilities the standard bike simply cannot match, while still riding identically when the motor is switched off.

On the Road: How the Around the Block Performs

Specifications only tell part of the story, so it is worth looking at how the Around the Block behaves in real riding. Sixthreezero's ride testing, conducted with a 230-pound rider across pavement, hills, and trails, offers a useful window into the bike's character.

From a standstill, using the throttle to pull away is smooth and effortless; the bike takes off cleanly without requiring the rider to pedal first. Cruising in a low pedal-assist level on flat ground settles the bike comfortably around 12 miles per hour, and cranking the assist up higher brings speeds close to 20. The transitions between throttle and pedal assist are seamless, letting a rider blend the two, for instance holding the throttle while pedaling to summon maximum power on a demanding climb.

Climbing is where the electric assist shines. On a long, steep hill that the tester described as genuinely tiring without a motor, the bike maintained a good pace in a high assist level even with a heavy rider aboard, and dropping into a lower gear made the pedaling easier still. A strong headwind on the same climb barely registered with the motor helping. This is the scenario that sells riders on e-bikes: hills that would end a ride on a standard cruiser become almost trivial.

The wider tires also let the bike venture off pavement onto hard-packed trails. On dry, firm ground the Around the Block cruises comfortably at trail speeds, though the tester was candid that these are not aggressive off-road tires, and a muddy or loose trail would be a different, more difficult story. On dry hard pack, however, the bike handles dips and mild terrain with ease and remains genuinely fun.

Descending is handled with the disc brakes doing exactly what they should. On steep downhills the bike reached the high twenties in miles per hour, and easing progressively into the brakes brought it back to a controlled speed without drama. The combination of confident braking and stable, wider tires makes fast descents feel secure rather than sketchy.

The ride test also underscores the honest range picture. After roughly five miles of demanding riding, much of it at the highest assist level and up significant hills, the battery still showed more than half its charge, and even appeared to recover slightly once the hardest climbing was done. The clear lesson is that throttle-heavy, top-assist riding drains a battery faster than steady pedaling in a moderate assist level, and riders can stretch their range considerably by easing off the throttle and letting their legs share the work.

Assembly: What to Expect Out of the Box

The Around the Block ships mostly assembled, but a few steps remain for the buyer, and it helps to know what to expect. Because of federal regulations on shipping lithium batteries, the bike and its battery arrive in two separate boxes. The battery has its own dedicated setup video, and the main bike assembly is straightforward with basic tools.

Sixthreezero recommends having a few common tools on hand, including Allen wrenches, standard wrenches in a range of metric sizes, a utility knife for the packaging, and a pump for the tires. A second pair of hands is genuinely helpful, since an e-bike is heavier than a standard bicycle. The core steps involve installing the front wheel, mounting and aligning the handlebars, attaching the pedals, fitting the seat post and saddle, and installing the front fender.

A few details are worth flagging. The fork ships reversed for packaging and must be turned 180 degrees to face forward before the front wheel goes on, otherwise the wheel sits too close to the pedals. The pedals are threaded differently for each side; the left pedal is reverse-threaded, so it tightens counterclockwise rather than clockwise, and both are marked with stickers to prevent mix-ups. Fenders are not precision parts and almost always need a little gentle bending and adjustment to sit straight, which is completely normal. And when inserting the seat post, attach the saddle first so the post does not slip too far down into the frame.

The disc brakes and gears may need minor adjustment out of the box, and Sixthreezero provides separate videos covering brake alignment, gear tuning, and battery installation. Setting the disc brake involves seating the caliper over the rotor, squeezing the lever to self-align the pads, then backing off any rubbing until the wheel spins freely with a firm lever feel. Riders who are not comfortable with this can also have a local bike shop finish the setup. Installing the battery is simple: line it up with the guide rail on the rear rack, slide it in until it clicks, and use the key only when removing it.

One useful safety note from assembly: the rear hub is stamped with the bike's voltage, either 36 volts or 48 volts, and the battery and charger must match that voltage. It is worth confirming that the voltage on the hub, the battery barcode, and the charger all agree before the first charge.

Everyday Ownership: Storage, Security, and Care

Beyond how it rides, the Around the Block is designed to be easy to live with day to day, and a few ownership details are worth understanding before buying.

Battery security is handled through the removable, key-locking design. When the bike is parked in public, the battery locks to the rear rack so it cannot simply be lifted off, and when a rider wants to charge indoors or reduce the risk of theft, the battery pops out with the key and travels easily. Because the battery is the single most valuable and most portable component on any e-bike, this flexibility is a genuine convenience rather than a gimmick. Charging can be done with the battery on or off the bike, so a rider with a garage outlet and a rider who charges at a desk are equally well served.

Maintenance is largely conventional bicycle upkeep. The seven-speed Shimano drivetrain benefits from occasional chain cleaning and lubrication, the disc brakes may need periodic cable tensioning as the pads wear, and the tires should be kept properly inflated for the best range and ride quality. None of this requires specialized e-bike knowledge; a local bike shop can service the mechanical parts exactly as it would any other bike, and Sixthreezero maintains video guides for the tasks owners are most likely to handle themselves. Keeping the drivetrain clean and the tires firm are the two highest-value habits for preserving both performance and range over time.

Battery care follows the same common-sense rules that apply to most lithium e-bike batteries: charge with the supplied charger, avoid leaving the battery fully depleted for long stretches, and store it somewhere temperate rather than in extreme heat or cold. Following those basics helps the pack hold its capacity across seasons of riding. As always, the current product page and owner documentation are the authoritative sources for handling and storage guidance on a specific battery configuration.

Who the Around the Block Is For

The Around the Block is best understood as an approachable, do-everything electric cruiser rather than a specialized performance machine, and that is exactly its strength. It suits first-time e-bike buyers who want something familiar and unintimidating, riders returning to cycling after time away, and anyone who values comfort and style as much as speed.

The step-through frame makes it especially friendly for shorter riders, riders with limited flexibility, and those who simply prefer an easy mount. Riders looking to replace short car trips will appreciate how quickly it turns errands and commutes into pleasant rides, while riders in hilly areas will value the motor's ability to flatten climbs. And because it rides like a normal cruiser with the motor off, it also suits households where one bike needs to serve both electric and traditional riding.

For shoppers whose needs point in a slightly different direction, Sixthreezero's catalog extends well beyond this one model. Those wanting extra stability may prefer an electric tricycle, riders short on storage space can look at folding e-bikes, and anyone planning to ride sand or rougher terrain regularly might consider a fat tire electric bike. Riders focused purely on all-day comfort can also browse the brand's comfort electric bikes. The Around the Block is a strong starting point, and as Sixthreezero likes to put it, it is just the beginning.

Value: A Capable Electric Cruiser Without the Premium Price

One of the most compelling arguments for the Around the Block is where it sits on price. Many electric bikes with a 500-watt motor, disc brakes, a seven-speed drivetrain, and a removable battery command a significant premium, yet Sixthreezero positions this cruiser as an affordable option, frequently landing under the thousand-dollar mark. For riders who have been curious about e-bikes but hesitant to commit to a high-end purchase, that pricing lowers the risk of trying one considerably.

What makes the value proposition credible is that the specification list does not read like a bike built purely to hit a price point. The disc brakes are the same category of component riders would want on a far more expensive e-bike, the seven-speed Shimano drivetrain gives real mechanical range rather than relying on the motor alone, and the removable, key-locking battery is a feature often reserved for pricier models. The bike keeps costs reasonable through its classic, uncomplicated design rather than by cutting the components that actually matter for safety and usability.

It is also worth factoring in the total cost of ownership. An e-bike that can genuinely replace short car trips offsets fuel and parking costs over time, and one that riders actually enjoy tends to get ridden, which is the whole point. Sixthreezero backs the purchase with a 30-day test-ride window and a one-year warranty on parts and labor, which further reduces the risk of buying online without a test ride first. For a shopper comparing electric cruisers on value, the Around the Block makes a strong case: capable hardware, a comfortable and stylish design, and a price that leaves room in the budget for accessories and rides.

Around the Block Electric Cruiser: Specifications at a Glance

The table below summarizes the key specifications for the 500-watt Around the Block. Figures reflect Sixthreezero's current published specs; always confirm details on the product page for the exact configuration and color being purchased, as specs can vary slightly between the 500-watt and 250-watt models.

Final Thoughts

The Sixthreezero Around the Block succeeds because it does not try to reinvent the bicycle. It takes a beloved, comfortable, classically styled beach cruiser and adds just enough modern engineering, a quiet 500-watt motor, a removable battery, disc brakes, and a real seven-speed drivetrain, to make it dramatically more capable without losing its charm. It is comfortable, versatile, genuinely fun to ride, and priced to be one of the more accessible electric cruisers available.

For riders weighing the standard model against the electric one, the electric version offers a compelling proposition: go farther, go faster, climb more, and carry more, all while retaining the option to ride it as a traditional bike whenever the mood strikes. For first-time e-bike buyers especially, it is an easy, low-intimidation entry point into electric riding. Explore the full range of Sixthreezero electric bikes to compare frames, colors, and configurations, and find the one that fits the way you want to ride.

Details, specifications, and pricing are subject to change; confirm current information on the product page before purchase. Sixthreezero offers a 30-day test-ride policy on its e-bikes and a one-year warranty on parts and labor. For questions, fit guidance, or the latest specs, visit sixthreezero.mom.