randya

While a B-130 Brooks might be overkill, I don't think the Brooks Champion Flyer is an adequate substitute. A Brooks B-66, B-67 or B-73 is probably a better choice - all of these models are an intermediate compromise on weight and springyness between the B-130 and the Champion Flyer. I also like my Champion Flyers, B-66's and B-67's in the short model better than the standard.

https://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/Sof...909+1117988505

randya

So you're for judging the overall quality of a bike by it's factory seat???

Seats are personal (as are bikes). I've replaced the factory seats on almost all of my bikes; and I don't think it means the bikes themselves are no good...

If you don't like the Townie, then don't get one....but there's no need to disrespect those people who do like it...

royalflash

if anyone DOESN´T think that this thread looks hinky then maybe you could pass on your E-mail address to me. There is a guy in Nigeria who would like to have it. Due to an unfortunate coup he was left with 250,000,000 dollars in gold bars. All you have to do is untraceably wire him 10,000 dollars for bank charges and the money is yours .

tomsanborn

Not sure if you realize that if your search for “Electra Townie” on Yahoo the first link is to this page. That is how I found this forum and it is why I joined last month. I think a lot of the posts in this thread are from people who join so they can post. Perhaps the posts in this forum are from folks who are less jaded.

Rowan

Oh dear, fanaticism is wonderful isn't it? Along with those dismissive "rolling-eyes" emoticons with which you appear to be so enamoured.

The seat is only part of the fundamental problem with the frame design alluded to (probably accidentally) by another poster. But fanatacism probably wouldn't let you see that relationship.

The simple facts of the matter are:

1. There are no other threads on these forums that focus specifically on one brand of bike let alone a particular model. This immediately draws attention to the specific motives of the thread and those who post to it.

2. As I stated earlier, there are many people who have posted on this thread who have not posted anywhere on these forums. Does this mean Electra has answered every single question on bike riding they could ever possibly ask? I think not. It leads me to conclude that the majority of people who post here have no real interest in cycling, but have a great interest in promoting the commercial interests of a particular bike brand. That in turn leads to the question: Do the majority of posters here, many of whom seem to have registered in only the past month, actually exist? Or are they stooge names for Electra.

tomsanborn

Well..... I guess this forum is no different than most. See my post above for a possible explanation. I have seen enough negativecynical posts to know that I do not want to be part of this community. Have a good life bikeforums.net. Glad I didn't contribute $25. One last question - did you actually cross check the other forums to confrim your contention? I've posted 40 times in various threads THAT INTEREST ME. Get some medication for your paranoia.

Rowan

Ooooh... did I say something nasty specifically at you? Paranoia, jaded? You use some strange words to debate the subject... seems as though you prefer to attack the individual rather than the matters being debated.

Maybe it's a good thing you're pulling the plug.

randya

'e's right, mate, ya know...

boilermaker1

Randy----Funny that you cite the MC5 and yet see nothing suspicious about this thread. Is irony the right word? Some White Panther you are.

I've seen companies do this kind of thing before on hi-fi forums, call-out the troops so to speak to tout or defend their products. Maybe it's organized here and maybe it's not. But any worldly person would at least be suspicious.

davefarb

Sometimes a post is just a post. Then again, maybe the aliens are coming for us...

randya

Well, IMO, the ringer was ID'd and outed early in the thread, and these forums are full of other threads and posts where people gush about other bikes they own or are considering buying, so why is this thread any more suspicious than any of those other threads???

I'm not an Electra employee, but I am an Electra owner, and I think Electra makes nice bikes, the Townie being one of them. Just because you personally may not like the company or the bike, why must you insist that I or any other current or prospective Electra owner has any ulterior motives? If you're paranoid and thinking this way then Trek, Giant, Specialized and every other manufacturer whose products are discussed in these forums must also be paying people to post good things about their products.

It's very simple - If you don't like the Townie, you don't have to buy one. If you are considering buying one or are the owner of a Townie, then this thread is where you can discuss and post your experiences, questions, etc.

And no, I'm not stupid enough to think "I read it on the internet so it must be true" I know as well as anyone else that there's a lot of stinking garbage on the internet, and that advertainment and carpet bagging are pervasive in our society. I just think you're barking up the wrong tree here...

BDK

Good post - if you you are suspicious, no one is making you read it - unless you're drinking the "hinky townie" kool aid. I'm interested in what other Townie owners think but these posts are filled with the black helicopter crowd. Go read the other posts you're interested in - I do!

PaulH

The thread starter was scheptical about the whole Townie concept, and is a respected, long-time member of these forums. I am not inclined to dismiss the whole thread as simply steath marketing.

Disclaimer: I don't have a Townie, don't work for Electra, don't plan on getting a Townie, do wonder about whether the "feet flat on the road" seating might be a benefit when riding on ice. I did ask the same question of a recumbent rider one winter -- he fell over before he could compose an answer. Maybe the Townie is better.

Paul

Roger B

I bought a Townie for the flat foot concept, as I was new to bicycling (at 55 y/o) and feared falling. After a month and 50 miles I find myself raising the seat more and more. Still can touch the ground with both feet, although not flat, just the balls and toes of the feet. The only problem I have is that mine is a three speed and I still do not have the endurance to go above 15 miles and hour for an extended time. Would a more "normal" design bicycle be faster. I am riding on flat paved roads, very few cars.
Roger

Grasschopper

Pretty for sure yes. More gears, lighter with thinner tires is all going to get you more speed. But if you like the ride and the safety of being able to put your feet down as you do then why do you have to go faster?

Roger B

After thinking about it I do not need to ride faster, just looking for a justification for riding at that speed. My ego would suffer less if I could blame the bike. BTW I am very happy with the Townie 3. I prefer the intenal hub for less maintanence, rather than the 21 speed (which is the same price). What I can not justify is more than doble the price for the 8 speed internal hub. Is this 8 speed a new design? Why so much more$$$. 3 speed is $350, 8 speed is $720.
Roger

JupiterGuy

Although the 8 speed hub is probably a big part of the price difference, it looks like you get more than just that. You also get better brakes, a better headset and those nice looking fenders...

alanbikehouston

I am about twice as old as the models featured in most bike ads. Of my friends who are over forty years old, maybe 10% ride bikes on a regular basis. When I "con" one of my friends into trying to ride a bike (after maybe twenty years of NOT riding a bike) they are nervous and uncomfortable.

My best "success" in getting my "elderly" friends back unto bikes has been with one speed beach cruisers, with the saddles set too low. My friends just have to turn the pedals and steer. When they become more skilled, and more confident, I begin raising their saddles toward the correct height.

But, in the inner city, there a stop signs and stop lights every hundred yards or so. New riders are not comfortable with trying to get their foot down from a proper saddle height. So, my friends all ride with their saddles way too low for proper leg extension.

The Electra Townie is the terrific bike for folks riding in the inner city. It is designed for slow, confortable riding. Easy to stop and chat with the neighbors. Easy to put a foot down at a stop sign. And, it seems ideal for slow cruising across a college campus, going slow enough to talk with friends who are walking the same direction. Perfect for a two block run to the coffee shop. Riding slowly and comfortably is just as valid as riding fast, and then bragging about "suffering" and "pain".

Not a real bike? Its riders are not real bike riders? Bike riding should be for everyone, of every age. There is room in biking for people who ride fast, or for people who ride far. There should also be room for folks who just want to ride around the block and say "howdy" to the neighbors.

OneTinSloth

i hate the townies. i work in a bike shop and have to assemble them they frequently ship to us with radically out of true wheels, damaged parts and are in general, a pain in the ass to assemble. i think we've had more warranty issues in a short time than with any other company that we deal with. and they're snooty as hell over the phone and they take FOREVER to ship us replacement parts. it took them 3 months to get us a new fork, and when we got it, it was the wrong color. it also took them a month and a half to ship us a replacement seat.

the townie concept is something i like. i like anything that gets more people on bikes. i just think it's been poorly executed.

as far as riding them, all of the ones that i've test rode have felt uncomfortable for me. i end up having to either curl my back way up to reach the handlebars, or have the handlebars super low and at a crazy angle that makes the steering too twitchy. it's a weird position for me...i have to have my hips tilted forward to allow for the pedals being way far forward, and then i have to curve my spine to reach the handlebars, so i end up feeling like i'm being folded in half.

like i said, it's a good concept, but the people at the company are jerks, and there are a lot of issues that just shouldn't be happening. they sell like hotcakes though....so i guess i'm in the minority.

LoriF

I bought a Townie last year. I love it. I ride a Trek for my long road rides and I use my Townie for doing my errands. I ride with the kids to school and to the store. I put on a rack with Grocery bag panniers. It beats paying $2.50 for gas. It is very comfortable for me. I'm 6ft and had to buy the mens bike although I like the women's bike colors better. I think it serves its purpose just right.

cycletourist

The local bike shop recently ordered several bikes from Electra and they sent him the wrong bikes. Now he is trying to get it straightened out over the phone and having no luck. Electra will probably lose his business over this.

Rowan

I thought this thread had been dead and buried.

bjc97

I bought a Townie 21 a few days ago for my wife, she freaks if her feet can't be planted firmly on the ground, and the Townie takes care of this problem so hopefully, it will get her into biking. Anyway, I decided to take it for a test ride on a local bike path. Regretably, I did not take any tools with me. The ride was so comfortable, I went much farther than I had planned. After 15 miles, I turned around for the return trip. One mile later, the left crank became loose. I found that it was attached to the bottom bracket spindle with a hex-head bolt, instead of the usual allen head. I attempted to hand tighten it, and was limping along for about another mile when the right hand crank began to wobble- it was loose too. So, I was now stuck, one hour before dark and about 13 miles from my car. I pushed the bike a few miles to the nearest trail access and happily a fellow biker gave me a ride back to my car. The next day, the LBS replaced the bolts with allen heads, and applied locktite. After several test rides by the mechanic, he found the bolts continued to loosen. So, he replaced the crank arms and bottom bracket, this should fix the problem.
I find the Townie to be a nice bike, and very comfortable. The riding position is just great- no numb wrists afer riding this one. However, keep the bottom bracket problem in mind. Replace the bolts with allen heads, and carry a 9 mm allen wrench with you. Better yet, replace the bottom bracket entirely.

randya

I had to replace the bottom bracket on my Electra Commuter 7, as the original supplied by Electra was constantly loosening with or without locktite.

scottogo

I have greatly enjoyed reading all your letters. There is nothing like personal experience for learning but sharing experiences can help one's understanding immensely. I am still trying to decide on a bike. Bike Forums and Cyling Forums have helped me narrow the field. Thank you.