big scholar

Went bike shopping with my wife today, and ended up getting a Manhattan Green. She test rode a few bikes, including a Marin Muir Woods, an Electra Townie, and one of those low-end Treks with the step-through frames. She wound up liking the Manhattan the best, and we got the 14' step-through model. It seems like a solid bike; comes equipped with a sturdy-seeming rack, full fenders, and an 3-speed internally geared hub. Here are the full specs: https://www.manhattancruisers.com/08_green_m.htm

Anyone else ride one? Just curious about folks' long-term experience with them. She's going to be using daily to commute, and run errands, so it should see a lot of use.

micksweet

I have been using one for a 10 mile roundtrip daily commute for about a year. Mostly on a path. It has been very solid and reliable this far. I love the coaster brake.

big scholar

Good to hear, micksweet! She took it on a grocery run tonight, and it looks like she's getting motivated--she came home talking about how much fun she had. Since we live near the city center, it's really easy for her to use public transit to get around for work (her job takes her all around town), but I'm hoping that she'll eventually become confident enough to rely on the bike as her primary means of transportation

The most important thing is that she feels secure and able on the bike. It's comfortable for her, and the upright posture jibes with what she's used to--she used to ride a lot before she moved to the States, always on this sort of bike.

I'm curious if anyone ever taken their Manhattan on a longish ride. We went out this weekend and did a couple of park and beach circuits for a total of about 20ish miles. She was fine after all was said and done, but I'm wondering if any longer trips are viable with this style of bike. Anyone got any 3-speed coaster experiences to share?