I love my vintage Schwinn Suburban for country roads and moderate-speed riding, but lately I've been doing low-speed urban sightseeing rides on Sunday mornings, and the Schwinn beats me up too much. I've been researching pedal-forward bikes; anyone know of any others beside these:

Electra Townie
Giant Suede
Trek Sole Ride
Raleigh Gruv
Rans Vision
Cadillac L-3

Of the bunch, I like the Suede the best in terms of seat, grips, and ride. Anyone know anything about the L-3? I would consider changing its Shimano Nexus Inter-3 to a 7 or 8 speed setup if the frame spacing is wide enough. Because of wrist injuries and cruddy pavement on my rides, I really want both front and rear suspension; only the Suede and the Cadillac have both. On the other hand, my LBS only carries Electra; for the sake of a good relationship with them should I just bite the bullet and get a Townie? I hate replacing the seat and seat post on a bike which already costs more than the Suede. I've read all the Cadillac bashing but the Cadillac bikes I've seen are nicely made and ride well at a decent price.

I would appreciate any thoughts anyone can share.

Marty

I love my Townie3. Since I got it, it has seen more miles than any of my other bikes. Likely more than the others combined. If I were able to do it over again, I would have bought the Townie8. Still an IGH, but more gears. The gears on a 3 are kind of far apart.

I don't have any experience with the other bikes on your list.

Have you read this nice, long discussion?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=39627
I have a Trek Sole Ride. It's comfortable but not really designed for speed or long journeys.
Del Sol Lowboy http://www.delsolbikes.com/3i.html

Have you read this nice, long discussion?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=39627

Yes, read it several times. I've also test ridden a Townie and I think it's overpriced for what you get. That's why I'm looking for alternatives.

I have a Trek Sole Ride. It's comfortable but not really designed for speed or long journeys.

Del Sol Lowboy http://www.delsolbikes.com/3i.html

Thanks, I forgot about that one. Though, like the Townie, it has no rear suspension or suspension seat post.

Marty

My wife, who is NOT a cyclist by a long shot, tried an Electra Towine 3 and a Trek Sole Ride 3speed. (She wanted a 3 speed.) The Trek felt like a better quality ride with better brakes, with a rear drum brake on the Trek which she could freewheel at a stop, the Townie had a coaster brake. the Trek has a front suspension fork. Since they both were the same price, she bought the Trek. My problem was getting it on a bike rack, as that required me to buy a fake top tube to clamp on the frame, as my ususal trick for putting a step through frame on a rack wouldn't work. The shop did give a 20% discount on the bit as it was for a new bike purchase.

Have you seen the Giant Revive?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11418

How about the Rans Fusion?
http://www.ransbikes.com/fusion26x26.htm

See http://www.crankforward.com/