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.

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 

I love it!