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Any opinions on Electra Townies? |
I just want a bike to go to the store or errands. Maybe short leisurely bike trails around town. Any recommendations? Thanks Electra Townies are rather wonderful. Those models that are aluminum and have 7 or more gears provide great fun and performance for urban cycling. Electra also makes an alloy cruiser with at least 7 gears. Either of these can be equipped with an aluminum rack and pannier bags to make errands a breeze without adding much weight to the bike. A rear "blinkie" red light and a front LED headlight, like the Cateye EL400 can extend your range into the evening. You can also add an under-the-seat miniature tool bag to contain an inner tube and a miniature aluminum multi-tool gizmo from the bike store. A frame pump (miniature pump that fits on the right side, underneath the water bottle cage and directly in front of the chainrings) allows you to get a minimum safe amount of air into a flat tire, so there's no walking. Of course, don't forget the aluminum water bottle cage for when you get thirsty. The Electra Townie appears to be a short distance leisure ride bike, but if you get one in just the right size to fit you, it will be so comfortable that distance or even long distance rides are no bother at all. Why? The Townie is a European style bike of a design that replaces a car in many countries. Most of this price range comes with medium-grade derailleurs. Every few months, some cable adjustment may be necessary until all of the new parts get stretched out to fit each other. While you're at the bike store getting fitted for the appropriate size, DO have them demonstrate to you how to align a rear derailleur. It goes like: "Adjust the cable lenth by turning this little dial/collar until all of the middle gears shift right, next adjust the L screw until the smallest one shifts right, and lastly adjust the H screw until the biggest one shifts right." Eventually, the economy factory shift cable will become a stable length and only mis-behave during near-freezing temperatures. If you don't want to put up with shift cables that stretch as with any bike in this price range, there's no need to pay an extra $1000 for a less comfortable bike that just happens to come with a better cable. The first time it happens, just have your shift cable replaced with high-performance cables that don't stretch. This is inexpensive. Another issue that faces bikes priced under $1000 is that the brake pads can eat right through the rims in the first year. At $22 for all 4 pads, Kool Stop brake pads will give you trouble free performance without eating the rims. So, have your economy brake pads replaced with Kool Stop MTB (MTB version is very quiet) before you leave the store. So, the only flaws of the Townie are shared with most bikes of its price range and most bikes that are double its price. Brake pads that eat rims and a shift cable that stretches when new are both inexpensive and easy to replace. So, do it and enjoy the bike. Similar bikes are also available from Schwinn and Raliegh/Diamondback, while Trek offers several much slower alternatives. Above all, get yourself sized and fitted before purchasing a bike. A basic sizing is usually free from the store that would sell you a bike. Lastly, test drive the correct size Townie and several similar products before making the purchase. Get the one that is the most fun! they are a great idea. should make cycling a bit easier for you. |
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