randya

sukispop

Points well taken...My reservation in getting a Townie 8(the $720 model with the Nexus 8 internal hub) is not a complaint about its weight, but rather an acknowledgement of it. At a little over 30 lbs, the Townie 8 isn't overweight, given the type of bike it is and its purpose by design, its solid, tig-welded chromoly frame, its high quality but somewhat heavy Shimano Nexus 8 hub, or its other good quality parts/components. But for the type of riding that I would want to take this bike on, I think I'd be pushing the envelope on what it was meant to be used for. If I lived in a very flat area, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. It's about $100 cheaper than the other bike I'm looking at, the semi-recumbent Rans Fusion. The Fusion may be a better fit for my riding needs, as it's a little lighter at 28 lbs, and some people who own one say that it climbs pretty well...and it too is a very cool looking bike!

lobo

You guys are right I feel foolish to complain of it's weight. But hey I can dream can't i?

sukispop

ABSOLUTELY, lobo!!!

It's your very dream that drives bike designers to find efficient and innovative ways to create lighter and even stronger bikes! Keep on dreamin'!

froze

I haven't rode the Breezer but did see the Breezer Uptown and in my opinion it seemed to be a very well thought out bike for commuting purposes only. The 8 speed gear housing is in the hub thus conceiled from the elements, it has chain guard to prevent pants from tangling with the chain, came with a generator headlight and battery tailight, a rear rack to carry your crap and full fenders with mud flaps. It seems like it would be a fairly low maintenance bike and hopefully that Shimano 8 speed internal hub will be as reliable as the old 3 speed hubs I had as a kid and those were bulletproof as long as oil stayed in it.

That said, I don't think I would buy one, but for a commuter looking for a commute specific bike that would be the ticket.

sukispop

Correction! The Townies do NOT have chromoly/steel frames! Their frames are made of aluminum!!!

DOH! 'Sorry for my goof!

rudy8

I have tested the townie and, even though the price was high, I would have bought one. It was impossible to find the 8 speed ladies in stock local stores. So, I ordered one and was told that it would take two weeks. After two weeks that changed to the end of June (this was in April). I found that unacceptable. It appeared that your company was not that eager to even try and accommodate the consumer, so I decided to buy a different bike.

mrdoright0405

Electra make some strange looking bikes. But Oh so Cool.......... If I were a kid. I would have to have the Harley Chopper bike.

mrdoright0405

OOPPSS!! The bike Im referring to is a Scwhinn (Spell check)

campkev

Uhmmm sorry, but in my humble opinion the townie is just.......
Fuhhhhhhhhhhg-Leeeeeeee!

Grandon

My wife and I bought two new Townie 21's this weekend ($350 each/Modesto, CA). They are perfect for our needs. We both need to lose weight, have grandkids, enjoy bike riding, but our old dept store mt style bikes were no longer comfortable. The Townie is easy on the back, easy on the wrists, and easy on the butt. We now get home from work and look forward to riding the Townies around the local 10 mile bike path in town. I would recommend the bike to anyone looking for a bike that is fun to ride.

Ginny

I bought a Townie today, in fact.
The one problem I have with cycling is the saddle.
I have tried many saddles and they all make me feel like I'm sliding off when i ride.
So I tip the front of the seat up, making it so uncomfortable and 'those parts' actually go numb
while I'm riding.
With the Townie, as I ride, I get pushed back onto the seat so I don't feel like I'm sliding off.
Problem solved!
Since I'm not a 'real cyclist' but someone who wants to ride for the pure pleasure of it, this is
a fine bike to fit my needs.

ginny

sukispop

Hi Ginny,

Congratulations on getting your Townie!

Isn't it a great thing to find a bicycle that just seems to be made for you? All of the comfort you hope for, and none of the aches, pains, and numbing that all your other bikes seem to put you through?

My only question to you is: You're a person who likes to ride a bike for the pure pleasure of it. Why on Earth do you think that disqualifies you as a "real cyclist"???

If anything, I think that qualifies you as THE real cyclist!

Ginny

Thanks Geoff!

I went riding last night for over an hour (the first time in 5 years!) and though I was tired, it felt great to have the wind in my ears again.
I can tell I'll be riding this bike (and talking it up to all who'll listen) for a very long time!!

Go, run, try this bike, everyone!

Ginny

debby912

Hi Ginny,
I too have purchased a Townie. Mine is a 3-speed. I have really enjoyed the ride, comfort and the security of being able to put my feet on the ground while still being seated in the saddle when I stop. I liked this bike enough to buy another one when the first one was stolen only 3 weeks after my original purchase. Great to hear that you are also enjoying your new bike.
Debby

sukispop

Hi Debby,

Congratulations to you, too, for getting and enjoying your Townie...and kudos to you for remaining so positive after having had your first Townie stolen(and so shortly after you bought it)...you must be a really nice person...I, personally, would want the jerk who stole any bike of mine to be arrested, convicted, forced to perform 400 hours of weeding and clearing off his town's bike paths, and then thrown in the slammer for 1 long and wicked year!

Velo Dog

They're not for me, but a friend bought two and loves them. He's a late-40s guy who hasn't had much exercise the last few years, and he tried one at some bike expo. He's had them five or six weeks, and he's still riding places he used to drive.
I've tried to get him to ride with me for a couple of years, and he wouldn't do it because of "those hard seats and stupid handlebars." I'm hoping that once he gets the habit, I can sell him on a "real" bike. But if not, he's still using these, and that's good for him AND the sport. One less SUV on the road.

sukispop

Hi Velo Dog,

You're a good friend for being supportive of your friend's re-entry into cycling, and it's great to hear that your friend found the Townie; it sounds like it's been a very good fit for him and his needs.

If your friend's anything like me, I would guess that all of his riding and enjoyment of his Townie probably won't put him in a place where you'll be able to sell him on a "real" bike(BTW, and, IMHO, there are some of us here who consider bikes like the Townie--cruisers, as well as comfort bikes, hybrids, recumbents--"real" bikes). Once your friend discovered how comfortable it is to ride his Townie, I don't think there will be any going back to a "real" upright bike.

My wife is very comfortable with her road bike and mountain bike, but I've always walked away from my upright bikes with a sore lower back and butt, and numbing in my hands/wrists and "nether" region. I even once bought an expensive Calfee Luna Pro Carbon Fiber road bike, thinking it would solve my comfort problems--great and beautiful road bike, but...wrong. It got to where I simply couldn't ride bikes with my wife anymore...that is, until I discovered the comfort in recumbent bikes. Once I got my recumbent bike(s), I was able to go riding with my wife again...and that was very important to me. I'll never go back to regularly riding an upright bike(I do own a city/comfort upright bike, but I ride it very rarely, and never more than just a few blocks to the store)...they're just too uncomfortable to me.

Just a suggestion--go riding with your friend on his Townie...wherever he likes to ride it...and see the joy in his eyes that comes from the simple pleasure of riding a bike...but uplifted with comfort. Who knows? Maybe you can get a comfort-oriented bike too(there are comfort bikes that have a performance edge too--like some of the models that Jamis makes)...and find the joy in riding alongside...your friend.

Take care....

lotuseyes

Don't knock it 'til you try it. I test drove a Townie last week and found myself sporting a wide grin when I was done. I felt like a kid again; riding for the sheer pleasure of it, imagining places I could go while leaving my SUV in the garage. As a slightly overweight mother of two, I need to get back into shape doing something with my sons. I don't have time to wedge into spandex and ride for an hour, alone and feeling the Zen spirit of the road. What I do need is a comfortable, well made bike, that I can get on easily with my kid carrier seat strapped on. I just bought a Van Dessel Straight Up 7, which as nice as it rides just isn't right for my needs. I am going to sell it on ebay, or maybe use the Nexus 7 speed to upgrade a 21 speed Townie then part it out. So isn't it better that my fat a** is on a bike like a Townie than not on one at all? If it's not a "real bike," I can say I am fine just pretending then.

GP

I haven't rode a Townie but my wife and I have owned 3 Electras cruisers and think very highly of them. They are a very popular brand of bicycle in the San Diego beach area. For the past year, I have ridden a Sunny Garcia model with the 7-speed Nexus hub. Great bike for the flats and small hills on the coastline.

sukispop

Dennis Comer

Just to let you know...my wife and I just bought 2 Townie 21's and love 'em. They are just great. We are also motocyclists that travel. 61,000 on mine and over 30,000 on her's. All we wanted to do was to bum arouind on bicycles different places...and these really fit the bill perfectly. If speed on two wheels is your only concern, go buy a motorcycle! Thanks for buiding a great BIKE!

BUT WHY CAN'T WE GET FRAME BAGS?

PS: Both of our motorcycles are big, and we travel all over the country...love all our bikes!

Mcbengie

BUT WHY CAN'T WE GET FRAME BAGS?

Thank you for your support. I am very happy you like the Townie. We have more
frame bags coming in, so please keep on checking with your dealer or online:
www.electrabike.com


Benno

Mcbengie

I am sorry to hear this and I apologize for your trouble to find a Townie. It has been quite a challenge to keep up with the demand. Most dealers will not give us a forecast on what they will order, they only order what they need today. Shimano has a 6-10 month delivery time on the Internal 8-Speed Hub ...!
It is quiet difficult to forecast the success of a new product. We are happy that the Townie is so well received but on the other hand it can be difficult to keep all customers happy. I am sorry.

Benno

melody_mom

This was exactly me! I was just grinning ear to ear by the end of the test drive. I am in love! I am not an athletic person, but I live in an area with lots of flat bike trails, lots of biking destinations, and I need to lose some weight. This bike is so comfortable, and fits my needs and comfort level perfectly. I feel so at ease riding this bike, and felt equally at ease pulling my kids behind me in our two seater Burley trailer. The ride was smooth, the seat was comfy (unlike the Walmart bike I had that left me unable to walk afterwards), and most of it all, it was just so much fun. The only thing is, it is SO easy to ride that I wonder if I'll even lose weight riding it. We went about 2 miles, and I never broke a sweat.

DH bought a Raleigh SC40 and an Adams starter (pedal trailer). We have three kids ages 6, 4, and 3, and we had a blast taking them for our first family spin tonight! We are thrilled.