View Full Version : Hitch Rack for Electra Townie Commuters
olderbiker
06-30-08, 05:37 PM
Hello,
I'm hoping someone can help me with the purchase of a hitch type bike rack for our two Townie Commuters. As you know Townies are a bit longer wheel base, Commuters have fenders on both wheels and the flat foot design results in sloping frames.
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
bab2000
06-30-08, 08:50 PM
For a hitch rack, a platform type is likely your best option for the Townies.
I saw a man loading his four bikes on to a Thule at LBS a few weeks ago and was impressed by the ease of the load and secure for his variety of bikes, including wife's Townie. http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=990
He added an extension for bikes three and four. If only two required, then the setup is comparable in price to other like designs.
I have a Thule 914, because of the design allowing the single unit to fit either a 2" or 1-1/4" receiver. And it is worth considering for this newer platform style rack.
I am certain there other makes available, all the best.
HauntedMyst
07-01-08, 11:46 PM
I'm not sure you need a special rack for the Townie. I just use my Allen 4 bike and Saris Bones as I would with any other bike and strap te bike in on the top bar. Sure it makes the rear sit higher but its stable.
olderbiker
07-06-08, 05:56 AM
Thanks to all - I'm still trying out various model (Thule, Xport, Yakima,etc) but haven't select one yet. Let you know what works for us.
sunflowerflyer
07-07-08, 09:10 PM
You can buy custom racks for the townie's direct from Electra. My wife has one on her 700c Townie, but we haven't used it enough to give a real opinion. Seems solid enough.
Bobd20011
07-10-08, 03:45 PM
I just purchased a sportrack hitch rack from etrailer for my two townies. I will let you know how it works. It should arrive on Monday.
Bobd20011
07-28-08, 12:09 PM
I just used the Sportrack to transport my wife's Townie 21 and a men's Townie 21 up to Tahoe on Saturday. It worked flawlessly. The bikes do not touch each other and they are held securely in place. I highly recommend this rack to townie owners. This is my first bike rack ever, so I was a little nervous, but it worked like a charm.
ff72lamb
07-28-08, 07:10 PM
I have delivered townies and other bikes with a long wheelbase. I use the Saris Cycle-On ( http://www.saris.com/p-303-cycleon.aspx ) and have no problems at all. It is a bit pricey but is also very secure & stout.
electrafreak
07-30-08, 12:29 PM
My wife and I both have Townie 21s -- I have the "normal" one, and she the female model. The female model has a slightly shorter wheelbase.
They have been something of a pain to transport due to the frame geometry, as I have a cheap old trunk rack.
However, I have been able to use the Saris Bike Beam (http://www.saris.com/p-170-bike-beam.aspx) to transport them sucessfully.
It requires using the beam in a slightly unorthodox way. I put it on normally, but when i load the bike, I put one of the rack arms under the Bike Beam, and the other under the bike's frames - which results in the bike being fairly level on the rack.
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.