Electra Townie bike?

[georgina]

I have had a couple of friends tell me they love this step-thru bike, that it is very comfortable. Unfortunately they do not live nearby so I can't try theirs. Online reviews are good, but no stores near me have them in stock so I would have to order it online. Just curious if any women here have ridden one and have an opinion to share.

 

[lisaviolet]

Just so you know a Townie is a pedal forward bike, meaning your legs do not go straight down like a regular bike.

I found the bike very awkward in that position. And it impacts speed. Plus with a lot of the cruisers I personally hate the handlebars for maneuvering.

However, it is a very popular bike for comfort, being closer to the ground - flat feet ability, and wider wheels. And it allows you to remain in a very comfortable upright position.

I know it is extremely difficult during this time but I strongly suggest a test ride for bikes. Maybe consider buying used for now to do that. Because it really is a feel for a bike.

When I bought my latest bike about three years ago, it is a step-through as well (I often bike in skirts), I took over a month and was no, no, no for many weeks. Until I shouted "Yes! Finally!" with joy. Mine is a Specialized Roll Sport Step-Through. It is a tad pedal forward, but nowhere close to the Townie I ADORE my bike. But I see it is difficult to find in stock these days. It can also be challenging as hell for repairs.

 

[SueInBoston]

I'm a casual bike path rider. I bought the Electric model of the Townie Electra and I love it. I used to ride a Trek step thru but find the Townie to be much more comfortable. I have short legs and my feet can be flat on the ground and I found it easier to start peddling. I ordered mine with my local bike shop and they told me i can test ride it when it arrives and they will refund if I don't like it. REI also told me the same but they were out of the model i wanted.

 

[smokeyblue]

My mom loved the one she bought at her winter home so much that she bought another for home. There is some way that you can turn the handle bars around "backwards" that may be more comfortable for some. One of here bikes has this the other does not. I've ridden it and it's fun to ride. If you're just going to cruise around for a few miles on a path, it's a great bike. The only problem is that they are extremely hard to get because of Covid. My mom had to travel 4 hours to get hers and she didn't get the color she wanted. The price has also jumped quite a bit.

 

[lisaviolet]

I ordered mine with my local bike shop and they told me i can test ride it when it arrives and they will refund if I don't like it.

How wonderful.

There you go Georgina, the bike is so popular it is not like they are not going to sell it in an instant. Ask for that, test riding is that important.

 

[georgina]

Appreciate the feedback! I had seen the pedal forward look of it and will look for something to test ride.

 

[JoeA]

I bought them for both my wife and I. We use them just to cruise around the neighborhood and they are very good for casual riding. I took a longer, more aggressive trail ride once and thought I was going to die. Stick to cruising.

My wife has a bad back and neck so the higher handlebars are more comfortable for her than other bikes.

 

[georgina]

I bought them for both my wife and I. We use them just to cruise around the neighborhood and they are very good for casual riding. I took a longer, more aggressive trail ride once and thought I was going to die. Stick to cruising.

My wife has a bad back and neck so the higher handlebars are more comfortable for her than other bikes.

Thanks. I have to do some thinking about what type of riding I will be doing I guess! Probably mostly casual cruising around. And now I have bike ads in this thread.

 

[SueInBoston]

Not sure where you are located, but I was at Storm King Art Center (500 acres) New York Hudson Valley area. They have Electra Townie for their bike rentals.

 

[snappy]

I bought a non electric Townie Electra a few months ago. I was in luck as they had 2, but the bike store manager said don’t wait to come in. I was able to try it out for as long as I wanted it the parking lot which was basically deserted. I really like the step through feature. One of the reasons I wanted a bike is that I am trying to do physical activity that doesn’t involve as much pounding on my knees, since arthritis hit me. I can get my leg over so much easier to get on and off. Also, because my feet touch the ground when having to stop, I feel more confident. I noticed when I bought mine they were also available on REI, but I do think it is good to try out the bike before buying. Good luck!

 

[georgina]

I bought a non electric Townie Electra a few months ago. I was in luck as they had 2, but the bike store manager said don’t wait to come in. I was able to try it out for as long as I wanted it the parking lot which was basically deserted. I really like the step through feature. One of the reasons I wanted a bike is that I am trying to do physically activity that doesn’t involve as much pounding on my knees, since arthritis hit me. I can get my leg over so much easier to get on and off. Also, because my feet touch the ground when having to stop, I feel more confident. I noticed when I bought mine they were also available on REI, but I do think it is good to try out the bike before buying. Good luck!

Thanks. I've got some knee issues also and the step-thru is very appealing. REI seems to be completely out but there is a store around here that has a similar model from a different brand I may try out for the feel of the bike style while I am researching.

 

[JoeA]

I bought ours about 2 months ago. I stopped by the bike store on a Friday afternoon and they had a good selection of these and other bikes.

I took my wife back Sat morning and a lot of bikes were gone.

I went back a few days later to pick something up and they were about out of ALL bikes and he said it would be around fall time frame before they got more.

Its a crazy market!

 

[snappy]

I bought ours about 2 months ago. I stopped by the bike store on a Friday afternoon and they had a good selection of these and other bikes.

I took my wife back Sat morning and a lot of bikes were gone.

I went back a few days later to pick something up and they were about out of ALL bikes and he said it would be around fall time frame before they got more.

Its a crazy market!

Wow! I guess I sure am lucky then I got mine back in March!

 

[MamaMermaid]

Absolutely ADORE my Townie!!! It is such an enjoyable ride and super cute.

 

[momz]

I will throw out a completely different thing to think about. I ride a recumbent tadpole style trike. It is fantastic! I need it over a 2 wheel diamond frame bike because of some health issues I deal with. But, let me tell you...this is easily the best decision I have ever made concerning exercise for me. I absolutely love it. Plus, my husband likes it so much that he bought one for himself even though he doesn't have health issues. There are many models. We have Terra Trike brand. I ride an older model rover and my husband rides a newer model rambler. They are a good match for each other, we don't have any trouble matching speeds.

I major bonus to a trike is that you can look around while you ride. No need to focus only on the area just ahead where you are going, you can look all around, head up. Love love love it.

https://www.terratrike.com/leisure/rambler/

 

[mouschievous]

I've had my non-electric Electra Townie for..15 years? Somewhere in there. a very long time! I love it, but I hate the way road bikes and mountain bikes are set up. I love sitting more upright, and being able to be flat foot on the ground when stopped. Mine is a 21 speed, and I live in a hilly area and have no problems.

 

[johnsontrio]

I have spent a couple years looking at step-thru bikes before finding one I love, but then again, maybe I'm picky, picky? My go to bike is a beach cruiser by Del Sol, very heavy, one speed with shock absorbers and very comfortable to ride unless there are hills and/or wind involved. Also, it's so heavy that I can't really get it up on the car carrier by myself. I rode many models including the Townie and did not like the fact that when riding the Townie, if I turned the handlebars, I could easily hit my foot while pedaling. This may be due to my height, 5'9" or the size of my feet, 10.5. I also did not like the fact that you were flat footed on the ground from a seated position.

During Covid, we have taken 2 trips in which we did a lot of biking, Vermont and Palm Springs. In Vermont I rented a Suede model by Giant and loved it. Still upright, but light weight and multi gears but not too many. Those bikes with 20+ gears, you don't use them all anyways! When we came home I called my bike shop to inquire about ordering one as I already knew nobody had any bikes. They told me the Suede was discontinued but advised me that a comparable bike would be the Vida Momentum. I ordered it, site unseen and it finally came in 6 months later. It has 8 gears and is an upright bike, step thru and very light. It's been great so far. I can easily lift it to place iron the car carrier or on the storage rack we have in the garage. One side note, even though I measured for the Medium, the Medium felt too close in the arm reach for my liking and I took the Large frame instead. Luckily the bike shop had a Large coming at the same time that was unsold. I ordered the Teal and it's beautiful.

Good luck picking a bike!

 

[JoeA]

I have spent a couple years looking at step-thru bikes before finding one I love, but then again, maybe I'm picky, picky? My go to bike is a beach cruiser by Del Sol, very heavy, one speed with shock absorbers and very comfortable to ride unless there are hills and/or wind involved. Also, it's so heavy that I can't really get it up on the car carrier by myself. I rode many models including the Townie and did not like the fact that when riding the Townie, if I turned the handlebars, I could easily hit my foot while pedaling. This may be due to my height, 5'9" or the size of my feet, 10.5. I also did not like the fact that you were flat footed on the ground from a seated position.

During Covid, we have taken 2 trips in which we did a lot of biking, Vermont and Palm Springs. In Vermont I rented a Suede model by Giant and loved it. Still upright, but light weight and multi gears but not too many. Those bikes with 20+ gears, you don't use them all anyways! When we came home I called my bike shop to inquire about ordering one as I already knew nobody had any bikes. They told me the Suede was discontinued but advised me that a comparable bike would be the Vida Momentum. I ordered it, site unseen and it finally came in 6 months later. It has 8 gears and is an upright bike, step thru and very light. It's been great so far. I can easily lift it to place iron the car carrier or on the storage rack we have in the garage. One side note, even though I measured for the Medium, the Medium felt too close in the arm reach for my liking and I took the Large frame instead. Luckily the bike shop had a Large coming at the same time that was unsold. I ordered the Teal and it's beautiful.

Good luck picking a bike!

I have a nice road bike and a townie. Come to Colorado and ride with me. All those gears are welcome and used!