Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.FarHorizon
01-10-05, 05:15 PM
I'm considering the purchase of either the Giant Suede 8-speed, the Trek Sole Ride 7-speed, or the Electra Townie 3-speed. The local dealer carries all three (but not in stock). Of the three, I like the price of the Giant best (<$300). The Trek is next at $350, and the Townie the most expensive at $420. My questions are as follows:
Is the front suspension on the Trek an asset or a liability? I'll be riding on pavement, not off-road. Of the three bikes, the Trek is the only one not to have a braced seat tube extending above the top tube. How far can I extend the stock Trek seat tube before it wants to bend with my 260# weight on it?
Is the internal Shimano 3-speed hub on the Townie durable enough to stand up to long use? If the outboard gears on the Giant or Trek give up the ghost, a new changer or gear wheel is easy to do. A new internal hub with a wheel is expensive..
Are the aluminum frames on these three going to be durable enough for me? I'm currently riding a steel Dyno-Glide cruiser and a steel frame Bianchi road bike. The Bianchi is FAR less prone to flex than the Dyno, but I can flex them both when pumping uphill.
Finally, is there any other bike available in the style of the above that I should consider? Opinions appreciated.
Thanks!
Is the front suspension on the Trek an asset or a liability? I'll be riding on pavement, not off-road. Of the three bikes, the Trek is the only one not to have a braced seat tube extending above the top tube. How far can I extend the stock Trek seat tube before it wants to bend with my 260# weight on it?
Is the internal Shimano 3-speed hub on the Townie durable enough to stand up to long use? If the outboard gears on the Giant or Trek give up the ghost, a new changer or gear wheel is easy to do. A new internal hub with a wheel is expensive..
Are the aluminum frames on these three going to be durable enough for me? I'm currently riding a steel Dyno-Glide cruiser and a steel frame Bianchi road bike. The Bianchi is FAR less prone to flex than the Dyno, but I can flex them both when pumping uphill.
Finally, is there any other bike available in the style of the above that I should consider? Opinions appreciated.
Thanks!