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Dumb question for enquiring minds . . .
How do you go up hills? Can you stand on them??
Can they even be ridden in hilly areas?

Thanks in advance!

tim24k

I have a Electra Ghoastrider same as RatFink. It's a very nice bike, not the best for going up hills though. It's only got three speeds and you can't stand on the petals. But that isn't what this bike was made for, it's a cruiser made for just that, cruising.

mconlonx

Yes. Downhill...

Philphine

i have similar bikes, but neither of those. a seat with a backrest or turned up in the back helps a lot with hills.

Rollfast

I've seen quite a few Electras and Nirves and just don't like the looks of their build anyway. The fender braces are chintzy to me and the fenders don't take much to really mess up. The Schwinn Westwind next to that last description in the repair queue at the LBS the other day was still a ride to me.

tim24k

? What are you saying here?

Rollfast

The chain path is way too long, your hind end is too low vs. your arm position, which is too far forward and keeps your neck in an uncomfortable position for your eyes to see well and your head to turn to see traffic.

What it needs is better geometry, or at least some real handlebars that sweep back and allow you to sit up straighter.

It looks cool and sounds like an orthopedic and safety nightmare. It's not a good cruiser and it's not a BMX bike either...it's a hipster thing.

I'd have bad shoulder pain laid out like that, just the same as with apehangers. And the chain is just too exposed to do anything but go slow.

Not a bike I'd ride all day-that's what I mean.

tim24k

My wife and I own three Electras. The quality build is as good and in many ways much better than any Trek, Specialized, Felt, KHS, Globe, Surly, Santana, Bridgestone, Rivendell, or Easy Racer that I own. Yes I own all of them and more.

I've also have ridden my stock Ghost Rider (same as Rat Fink) all day long as-well. How long? How about 40 to 55 and more miles in a day and I'm over 55 years old. Am I going to tour on it? No I have a Trek 520, Bridgestone 700, Bridgestone 500, or a Surly LHT I use for that. The Electra Rat Fink/Ghost Rider is a very comfortable cruiser made for all day cruising.

Rollfast

Well, I think you were asking why I wouldn't ride it, and I explained. The looks of the riding position don't look like they would agree with MY physical condition and I don't like to rake forward with my arms outstretched. It's not comfortable for me. That is why I have changed the handlebars on a few of my bicycle over the years-to allow a shorter reach.

When you weigh 240 lbs at 5'8" it doesn't make sense to bend forward if it will hinder the stroke. I weighed 285 in the attached picture prior to my near kidney failure in last summer's heat (I lost over 40 lbs in the hospital and going to insulin instead of pills helped me keep it off).

And I'm a tank bike fan...plain and simple. It's missing a bar or two for me as well. Captain Kangaroo taught me well. I dig that you like it but I'm not crazy about it personally.



PS That may be me or somebody else that rode it for me outside the bike shop, can't fully tell but you can get the idea.

thebigorangecat

I had this one for a while, just sat back and enjoyed the ride

Gravity Aided

I like the Electra, and have a Townie 21D with an old Jim Blackburn Rack on the back, made adapters to have that fit correctly. I've carried 22lbs on it and not noticed the weight . I would have on a bicycle with a higher center of gravity, not much, to be sure, but it would be noticeable for me. I've also taken it for longer trips, and simply love it. Gives me a lower ride, which is nice for a guy who is 6'4" and 280 lbs. The problem with single speeds in the crank forward style is that they are like any other single speed, limited as much as the rider. If the rider is stronger, there are less limitations on riding.

Rollfast

Well, I suppose, but I DID see one on Boise, Idaho's Craigslist with a seat post that must have been half as long as the rider's inseam, so my theory may not be too farfetched...