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Day 6 vs Drifter vs Townie

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Day 6 vs Drifter vs Townie

Old 06-21-08, 06:17 PM
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Day 6 vs Drifter vs Townie

Wife loves her Townie in Florida - she wanted similar in Ohio and I thought I'd try one too. On internet, I ran across a Day 6 semi-recum, similar to Townie flat-foot, but with a wide seat with a back. Called Day 6 dealers but none stock it to try it; you can buy a Day 6 on internet from factory but it costs $150 to "restock" if you ship it back.

One Day 6 dealer, who also sells Townie and Sun, discouraged me from it, saying everybody prefers the Sun Drifter over either Day 6 or Townie. Now, I'm torn between the Townie and the Sun Drifter with aluminum frame. Has anybody compared these?
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Old 06-22-08, 03:11 PM
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I am not sure why anyone would discourage you from a Day6. My shop carries the Day6, Sun bicycles, and Giant Suede's. The Day6 is not comparable to the townies, suede's, and so on. It is closer to a recumbent bike. That being said, they are not for everyone. You really need to ride it. The reason that most dealers don't stock it (my assumption) is that the Day6 is pricey and has very low margins. Nevertheless, it has it's niche.

Not to confuse your quest for a new bike, but you should also look at the Giant Suede series & KHS Smoothie. Both are foot foward bikes. Townie, Giant, KHS, and Sun all have quality products. Then find the bike among those manufacturer's which meets you needs, ie. fit, finish, price, and a local shop you trust. If considering a Day6, make sure you get a chance to ride one.
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Old 06-22-08, 05:50 PM
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If your down to an Electra Townie or Sun Drifter, get the Townie. The Drifter is a low quality piece of crap. I can say this with vast experence, as I had Sun Drifters for rentals bikes at the slick urging of a J&B Importer's sales rep. The bottom brackets failed within a month and the handlebar padding was worse then wet newspaper, and these were the heavy duty rental fleet models, not the retail consumer products. Every Townie I've assembled and tuned has been an very well made bike with high quality components.

I also would recommend a Day 6.
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Old 06-22-08, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ff72lamb
I am not sure why anyone would discourage you from a Day6. My shop carries the Day6, Sun bicycles, and Giant Suede's. The Day6 is not comparable to the townies, suede's, and so on. It is closer to a recumbent bike. That being said, they are not for everyone. You really need to ride it. The reason that most dealers don't stock it (my assumption) is that the Day6 is pricey and has very low margins. Nevertheless, it has it's niche.

Not to confuse your quest for a new bike, but you should also look at the Giant Suede series & KHS Smoothie. Both are foot foward bikes. Townie, Giant, KHS, and Sun all have quality products. Then find the bike among those manufacturer's which meets you needs, ie. fit, finish, price, and a local shop you trust. If considering a Day6, make sure you get a chance to ride one.
What shop in Bluffton carries Day 6? Mine doesn't, and there is only two shops in Bluffton.
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Old 06-23-08, 12:20 PM
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Bluffton Bicycle Shop (formerly Jonathon's) has carried Day 6 for over a year now. We only sell about 10 per year. Also, I would 2nd your notion on the Sun. The Townies are much better made.
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Old 06-25-08, 10:15 PM
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If I wanted to get my wife on a bike again I believe the Day6 would do the trick. I don't care for the drifter but I did like the Suade and Townie.

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Old 06-28-08, 08:36 PM
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don't forget Rans

The best built crank forward bikes come from Rans, but are priced accordingly. I'd love to have one, but just out of my budget. If you have the cash, they are probably the best built crank forward bikes on the market.

My wife loves her Townie 700c 21spd. I've upgraded it to 700c road wheels, lightweight 32mm folding kevlar tires, and SRAM 9sp x.7/x.9 trigger shifting. Not a road bike, but reasonably fast.
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Old 07-08-08, 05:38 PM
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Thank you all for your replies. They were very helpful. Since everyone says you MUST ride the Day6 and it's hard to find a LBS to do that and since Day6 charges more than $120 restocking fee plus shipping if you order from them and decide not, our test drives will be Townie vs Suede. Thanks again, EB
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Old 07-09-08, 09:26 AM
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If you haven't already purchased . . .

I would also recommend that you try out the Trek Pure series of bikes. I purchased a Trek Pure Sport after trying out the Giant Suede, a Townie, a couple of Specialized models, and some recumbents. However, you will find that it is a little more money than the Suede or the Townie. Very nice bike, quality components.
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Old 07-09-08, 08:49 PM
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Trek Pure

Thanks for the suggestion. I did try to see a Pure at Eddy's Bike shop here in OH. They have an acre of bikes, mostly Treks and several stores but no Pures anywhere. Perhaps I'll wait til we get back to FL and try there.
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Old 07-14-08, 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by EBunny
Thanks for the suggestion. I did try to see a Pure at Eddy's Bike shop here in OH. They have an acre of bikes, mostly Treks and several stores but no Pures anywhere. Perhaps I'll wait til we get back to FL and try there.
While in Florida you may find a Day6 dealer there. You can check here to see if one is close to where you are staying, https://www.day6bicycles.com/dealers.html#
BTW, I forgot about the Pure, a very nice bike as well.
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Old 07-24-08, 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by EBunny
Thanks for the suggestion. I did try to see a Pure at Eddy's Bike shop here in OH. They have an acre of bikes, mostly Treks and several stores but no Pures anywhere. Perhaps I'll wait til we get back to FL and try there.
I don't know if it is too far for you to make the trip, but Ernies Bike Shop in Massillon stocks the Pure. https://erniesbikeshop.com/

Bring your bike and enjoy the Ohio Erie Canal Trail for the afternoon
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Old 07-26-08, 12:29 PM
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The Day 6 is worth seeking out a dealer. I drove a considerable distance to test ride one, and then traveled to a trail rental and rented one for a few hours. I have now ordered one from my local bike shop. I traded in my townie which for me was never comfortable. The Day 6 is in a completely different class. I rode virtually every crank forward type bike before deciding on the Day 6.
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Old 07-28-08, 08:21 AM
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Ernies

Thanks, I'll call. Wife and I did stop in at an Ernies because they were listed as a dealer but they said none in stock at any store.
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Old 07-28-08, 08:23 AM
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jasperwhippet

Very very useful, thanks --
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Old 07-28-08, 10:40 AM
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"I" purchased a Pure for my wife there. The pedal forward design takes a little getting used to.
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Old 07-31-08, 08:31 PM
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Day 6...........the most comfortable bike seat I have ever sat on. The backrest and the semi recumbant style allows you to take some weight off your rear and onto the small of your back ( I think.........)
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Old 08-02-08, 07:53 PM
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you gonna let us know what you got her?
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Old 08-03-08, 07:33 AM
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I've had two Townies. Liked them both! Just sayin'...
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Old 08-03-08, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by sunflowerflyer
The best built crank forward bikes come from Rans, but are priced accordingly. I'd love to have one, but just out of my budget. If you have the cash, they are probably the best built crank forward bikes on the market.
+1 on the Rans CFs. New prices start just under $1,000, but worth every penny for a rider who is going to get some major hours of transport and enjoyment.
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Old 08-05-08, 12:35 PM
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I too will also "plug" the Rans crankforward. I have a Cruz. Best bike I've EVER ridden ( excluding recumbents of course )
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Old 08-09-08, 09:34 PM
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Rans

We have 2 Rans Fusions and a Dynamik. Wonderful bikes and higher performing than other crank forward designs.
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Old 08-20-08, 08:12 PM
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will you tell us decision?

Probly beawhile, till we get back to FL where there is more in stock choices
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Old 08-25-08, 12:12 PM
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I have a used Day 6 available, lightly used. It is a Dream 21 model. Message me for more info
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Old 08-26-08, 06:54 AM
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passage4.0, please tell us more at tomnaud@hotmail.com
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