RodT

QUESTION....I am considering a ride for charity next year, it would be a 25 mile ride....would the Townie be ok for that?

phooey

When I ride my townie, I will typically go more than 25 miles on it. I know that some will say that it isn't a serious racing bike and that is true, this bike is not built for racing or going off road. It is however perfect for riding on bike paths or streets. I love the way I feel on the bike and I feel like I could ride forever. I also own other bikes, but this is my favorite because it makes riding fun. I don't care if people pass me on thier bikes, I am into the ride, not the race. I have mentioned it in a previous post, I would replace the seat that the townie comes with, with a more cushioned springy seat. While the bikes seat looks good, it really isn't made for longer rides.. especially with the fact that you sit upright, placing all of your weight on that seat, you want a comfy one.

BDK

A 25 mile ride will be fine on the Townie. However, if you often cover longer distances, the seat can become uncomfortable. I recommend trying a narrower seat.

randya

Brooks B-130 Saddle.

https://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/Sof...265+1116092167

https://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/Sof...265+1116459952

Joe Gardner

My grandma had the B-130 on her old 3-speed, it was one of the most comfortable bikes i ever spent time on.

khuon

Wow... with one of those, you could compete in both the cycling and trampoline events at the Olympics. Yes, there is Olympic Trampoline...

tomsanborn

Suggest padded cycling shorts, but you should be fine.

tomsanborn

The spring on the front looks dangerous.

dagomike

Iwent to my LBS today. He had about 8 various Townies on the floor. They are kinda cool. I liked them. He said the 8 speed is discontinued and no longer available. I may get a 3 speed for friends and relatives to ride. I like the simplicity of em. Coaster brake, 3 speed, no shock,no derailler, life is good.

jamesjjcj

I wonder about that information. I know they are very difficult for bike shops to come by because of demand but I don't think they are discontinued. We just got ours two months ago, but had to call many shops (got names from Electra's website) to find ours. The Townie 8's are still on the Electra website.

dagomike

I was surprised about the 8 speed too. I e-mailed Elektra about availability.

Roger B

An update. After a month I have now advanced from a mile a day to 5. My heart rate went from 143 to 127 average on a five mile ride. Butt is a bit sore, will consider a new seat/saddle after another 50 miles. At 55 y/o I think I am doing ok, at least I am having fun. Put a radio on the bike handle and enjoying myself. Two questions. Should I take the bike back to the LBS for tune up (it is free but means driving to the store and spending a day there) bike is still running great. Also, when do I need to lubricate the chain, Only have 50 miles on the bike now. (living in Maimi I was stopped by a few hurricanes and think we might have another to prevent my riding.) My Townie 3 is GREAT FUN,
Roger

dagomike

I wonder what wuld be a good saddle upgrade for the Townie?

randya

See post 130...

pmmartin

Good News! I wrote to Electra and here is the reply that came today!

"Thank you for your interest in Electra Bicycles. The Townie 8 is still being made and I have the mens model in stock right now. The ladies model will be back in stock in a few weeks. Most of this confusion comes from Shimano (the company making the 8speed internal hub) having limited availability on some of their products this year. That caused our Townie 8 to be limited for about a month this summer. Our 8speed model is the flagship of the Townie line and is a strong part of our 2005 lineup also. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me at anytime.

Thanks,

John"

Rowan

Remarkable.

This is the first time I have looked here for ages. Gee, so many enthusiastic converts to cycling. Very few complaints. One size fits all. Gosh, why do we so-called cyclists bother answering questions on fit and cycling technique when Electra has solved every conundrum in the book?

Question, though... Why is it that there are so many new names who have posted here, but they don't ever seem to venture into other forums?

Gross and indecent self-promotion is probably a bit over the top. Or is it? I hope you're making a good commission out of all this, Joe G.

royalflash

This thread has a sort of morbid fascination though I think

Rowan

Yes, you're right. The PR people at Wheaton College who were in the audience and the "lucky" recipients of a new Pontiac G6 on the *prah show could learn a few things here, too

randya

You guys certainly are cynical. Maybe Electra just has a good product, wuddaya think? I certainly don't work for them, but I own one (not a Townie), and it's a pretty decent bike ~ not perfect, but decent.

confidential to Rowan - Exactly which forum do you 'hang out' in???

Dahon.Steve

Holy Cow!

I started this thread a while back and it's amazing how long it's become! I agree on the Brooks saddle with springs with one exception. I would choose a less aggressive model like the Champion flyer.

I purchased the B130 for my Bianchi Milano and it was overkill. Although it worked very well, the saddle was very heavy and you need a fairly large seat post in order for it to work. I purchased the Champion Flyer for my Dahon Speed 8 and it's excellant. The Dahon folding bike has a straight up geometry like the Electra and you really need a saddle with springs. Why?

The geometry of the bike like the Electra (or Dahon) will prevent you from standing on the peddals when going over bumps, ruts, potholes and man hole covers. You would actually have to lift your entire body off the saddle to avoid these obstructions. As a result, you will hit all of those with your rear end dead on the saddle. Not very comfortable at all. With the Brooks Champion flyer, you bounce over those ruts softening the ride giving you the ability to go much longer and farther.

BDK

Rowan,

I ride a townie and I enjoy all (well almost all) of the other forums too. I just bought a light and computer that I learned about on the other forums. Lighten up dude...

Rowan

I honestly don't think I am the one who needs lightening up...

Rowan

Ahhh, randya... it's not perfect. But the general gist of the thread is that it is! And perhaps the most telling thread is the one that follows from Dahon.Steve about its fundamental flaw... plus all those posts about replacement seats.

Which forum do I hang out in? Well, I'm not so narrow-minded to just reside in one forum.

boilermaker1

This thread looks hinky to me.

Roger B

I am just some newbie that happened to buy the Townie 3 because of something I read on the Bicycle NG in goggles. Seems like you guys have a big thing going here. Is this a new bike design or new bike company? I have seen many articles about Trek and nobody talks about planted articles. Personally I bought a townie because it was user friendly. After a few weeks I realized any bike is user freindly. But I am happy with my purchase. It seems to be good qulity at a low price. Once I get more proficient in my riding I do plan on a different style (perhaps a road bike). What goes here? BTW I am interested in a better saddle. What is the opinion on a Ergo or Cloud nine?
Roger