Description I purchased the Electra Amsterdam a week ago, and just love it. It's like a lazyboy on wheels. Shifts are very crisp, and stops with plenty of meaning. The paint job is perfect and the handlebars and ...
Bike Setup: just added lights on it and went for a night time ride.
Summary: Got sick of mountain bikes and not riding as much,time for an upright I thought,I was about to buy a townie 21d I had test ridden in another shop but luckily went into Rage cycles in Scottsdale and saw the 'Amsterdam balloon 8d' on sale,what a beautiful looking machine,reminded me of my bike when I was a teenager,I'm 52 now,got a test ride from Peter and I was hooked.
It's a 2009 model,great upright European cycling,the balloon tires certainly iron out the bumps and add to the looks,saddle is very comfy.
I've so far been riding 8 mile each morning just for fun and to get healthy as I'm now 270 pounds,no problems whatsoever so far.
I've read that Amsterdams are also flat foot technology,I'd strongly disagree.I'm 5'8",still OK to get both feet down but certainly not flatfoot,more really halfway between the ball of your feet and almost flatfoot.I really love riding this bike,it just seems to glide along and is a pleasure to ride,as time goes on I'm sure I'll start riding farther afield as it's so comfortable.
It's also the first bike I've owned that has nexus roller brakes that work from the hub,they seem to work perfectly and add to the bikes uncluttered look.
I know some people don't like the fact it isn't a true Dutch bike but who cares? Electra doesn't claim it is,it does what I want and looks the part and that's good enough for me.I'd certainly suggest don't buy if your looking for speed.
Strengths: upright position,just peddle away and enjoy the scenery,brilliant black paint job with gold pinstriping so really looks the part.wheels rims are also painted and pinstriped.roller brakes work perfectly.
Weaknesses: none yet
Similar Products Used: my last bike was a Marin indian fire trail.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: This is a beautiful, smooth-riding bike. After riding mountain bikes for a while, this one rides "like buttah"--smooth, with clean shifting. Coaster brakes take some getting used to. The paint job is pretty and quite able to withstand your typical knocks--I took a nasty fall and only got a small scratch on the back rack! Add a back basket or fit one on the front and you've got the perfect bike for those in-town errands!
Strengths: Very strong frame, smooth ride, good visibility (high seat and big tires), smooth shifting, beautiful looks
Weaknesses: Tires slip on anything but smooth asphalt or concrete--beware of sand or loose dirt! Coaster brakes take getting used to.
Similar Products Used: None, last bike was a Mongoose mountain bike.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Stock at this point. Plan to add a cool leather bag like an Acorn and replace the light.
Summary: I purchased this bike because I needed to get back in shape, I wanted to save some money riding to work, and I wanted to start trying to live a little "greener". I found it after doing some searching online and visiting my LBS. I have always been a little different when purchasing things. The looks grabbed me instantly. It's just oozes "cool". I had Jim at Bike Town order me one-which was just after the recall was over. I purchased it without even a test ride. But now after riding it a few weeks- the comfort has taken over the cool factor. Even my guys at work thought the bike was "the stuff!".
Strengths: Comfort, looks, simplicity
Weaknesses: Seems a little cheaply built. Paint job not that great after really studying it. Rattles a lot. Light is REALLY cheap. I have already had to re-rivit the light on the mount. The gearing seems a little off.
Similar Products Used: None
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I just bought the Amsterdam Classic 3. it is like riding a cloud. I have fallen in love with this bike. i have just started riding a bike, have not ridden since a teen. i am in my early 50's. i can't wait to ride my Amsterdam. i highly recommend the electras
Strengths: easy to ride
comfortable
solid
just perfect
Weaknesses: none
Similar Products Used: none
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: great bike, haven't had any major problems with it yet. it's a really comfortable ride. the skirt guards can pop off easily for maintenance, but as far as riding it's only come off once after a large bump and it isn't a big deal, a small piece of tape can fix that. shifting is smooth, the guards and fenders are great and keep you clean while riding. steel frame feels solid.
it is a little pricey, but overall i feel it's worth what you get and i recommend it.
Strengths: looks great
shifts fine, the three gears are plenty as long as you aren't riding up any hills that are too steep
very, very comfortable
Weaknesses: fenders don't feel as sturdy as they should
Similar Products Used: none
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.