[daver42]

Hi, I'm planning on getting an Electra bike for my wife and would like to hear your opinions on the Electra Coaster 7.

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[That Guy]

Is the Coaster 7 new for '08? There's only one Electra dealer in my area, the local REI. But the bike looks a lot like the Townie from the pictures. I rode a Townie around the 'lot for a while because I was looking for a comfort bike. Personally, I didn't care for the geometry of it since it was completely upright and felt a little awkward riding it, a bit like riding a 'bent for the first time. In the end, it was a little too comfy for me.

[donnamb]

Electra makes good, solid bikes for a reasonable price. If she tries it out and likes it, go for it. Speaking for myself, I would not want a bike I did not try out first.

[rodtermaat]

my wife has a pink 3 speed cruiser with flowers. It is a super cool bike to ride around, I would not ride it mile after mile, but to the coffee shop and just out having fun it can not be beat. Did I mention it is pink, and I still don't care. I love to ride that bike.

[donnamb]

If I had the money for a second bike, it would either be the Gypsy or the Black Betty. :)

[daver42]

Thanks for the responses. We picked up a used '06 Coaster 7 and took it for a ride this morning and she loved it. The 7-speeds will be perfect for the type of riding she wants to do (bike lanes/trails to the grocery store, and scenic rides). Immediately, she loved the upright position, the comfy seat, and the easy pedaling. Looks like the 2006 and beyond Coasters/Cruisers employ the flat-foot tech (or crank forward) design of the Townies.

[donnamb]

That's great to hear! :)

[Velo Dog]

I've never ridden an Electra, but I'm up on the Oregon coast this week, and in Tillamook I stopped for lunch and parked next to a couple in their 50s or 60s who were both on some kind of high-end Electras. I talked with them for a few minutes, and it turned out they'd both settled on the bikes after trying to ride some conventional "10-speeds" (their term; I dunno what they had) for exercise. The guy said he'd cycled quite a bit in his 20s but not since then, and his wife had ridden only as a child. They'd both done 25 miles this morning, and were on their way back to their motel, another 12 miles away. They said that was a long ride for them, and they'd never considered going that far until they got their Electras.
I was hoping to wow them with my Rambouillet, but they weren't impressed. Far as they're concerned, it's just another uncomfortable 10-speed.

[donnamb]

:roflmao: I love it!