Electra Bicycle Company Townie 3 Rigid

Price Paid:  $375.00 at Ken's Bike & Ski, Da

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Electra Townie 3

Summary:
This the best bike I have ever owned! After three years it needed absolutely nothing in the tune-up and when I rented a loaner Raleigh I could hardly ride it. The pedals felt like they were in back of me! This bike is great around town!

Strengths:
Sturdy; mine sits out all the time in all weather and takes it! The flat foot technology makes riding effortless. I love the coaster/hand brake option. She can carry three bags of heavy groceries and still steer.

Weaknesses:
The middle fabric in the seat allows moisture it. I have to cover the seat with a shower cap over night.

Similar Products Used:
Other "normal" bikes.

Price Paid:  $375.00 at REI

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock except the pedals

Summary:
I just picked up my 2008 Townie 3 and love it more than any bike I have ever owned. This is the most comfortable and easy to ride bike I have had. I got the 3 speed model because I like the simplicty and clean looks of a single cog drivetrain. I also don't want anything to do with a suspension fork. The laid back position allows me to relax and enjoy the ride. I am considering selling my mountain bike because it is not comfortable compared to this.

Strengths:
Comfort, easy to ride, fits most anybody for real

Weaknesses:
I would prefer a freewheeling hub with a rear v-brake

Similar Products Used:
beach cruisers

Price Paid:  $400.00 at bicycle connection m

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
none

Bike Setup:
Stock but going to put fenders on it because it rains a lot down here in new orleans

Summary:
My townie is acctually any 08 but i purchased it just for joy riding and to start exercising more. I am 6'5" and any ex offensive lineman colegate and it hard for me to find a bike that was comortable, and could support my weight At 375 lbs. The townie is the only bike i found that i didnt look like a bear on a little kids bike at the circus.

Strengths:
Size adjustments
Feels like a lazyboy w\wheels

Weaknesses:
Comes with no reflectors or anything, and in my town its a law that you need at least frontand rear reflector.
No other problems yet

Similar Products Used:
Old shwinn 10 speed

Price Paid:  $370.00 at REI, Phoenix

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Townie 3

Bike Setup:
none

Summary:
Bought this bike for use in our office - riding to the mailbox, bank, lunch, etc. Everyone loves it and wants to get their own. Very flexible design and easy to use.

Strengths:
- comfort
- ease of use
- adjustability
- upright seating

Weaknesses:
Can't find any, but based on the previous reviews, I will keep an eye on the bottom bracket.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Corvallis Cyclery

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
3-speed Nexus hub
Rear rack

Summary:
I bought this bike for for my wife to commute to work on, 2 miles each way. She loves it. Very comfortable, and the frame--and bright yellow fenders--really turns heads. My wife has neck problems, and the design of the bike allowed me to set it up so she can ride with no neck strain. The Townie is one of the few cruisers I could find with a front brake. It rains a lot here, so I wanted the extra braking power.

I love it too. The "flat foot" design really works, it almost feels like riding a Harley...or pedaling a lawn chair. I'd really like to get one for myself eventually, it's really fun to cruise around on.

While the design rocks, Electra made a couple choices I don't understand. The one I bought is silver, and the paint has kind of a matte finish that easily smudges and is very hard to clean. Why not use a nice, smooth, glossy finish? I can ride my mountain bike over 20 miles of muddy trails and after five minutes of cleaning it looks better than the Townie!

My other complaint is the cheap no-name bottom bracket they put on this bike. It started making noise about 10 months after we bought the bike, but the shop claimed the chain just needed adjusting. That seemed to help, but eventually the clunks in the drivetrain got worse and by then it was out of warranty. I pulled the bottom bracket and it's a cheapo with loose ball bearings on one side. Replaced with a decent Shimano cartridge BB and no problems since.

I figure my wife had about 800 miles on the bike when the BB started dying. I do the same commute on a 20-year old bike and its BB is still going strong.

I can't see why Electra chose to skimp on such an important component. These bikes are mostly sold to non-enthusiasts, and they're not going to be very happy when the bike they dropped four hundred bucks on starts clunking like an old Huffy. It could certainly dampen their enthusiasm for cycling.

C'mon Electra, for the good of the sport spend a couple bucks on a low-end Shimano BB, it won't kill you!

I give the bike a 5 because it's a great design and fun to ride, but a 4 for value cause you'll need to replace that bottom bracket soon. And stay away from the silver.

Strengths:
Very comfortable
Looks good--except the paint
Flat-foot design is the bomb for cruising!

One size does fit all--my wife is 5'2" and I'm 5'11, and I can ride it comfortably

Has front V-brake, hard to find on a cruiser

Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket belongs on a Huffy, not a $300+ bicycle. Should be a Shimano, any Shimano!

Silver paint shows smudges and is very hard to clean.

Due to unique frame design only expensive Electra rack will fit. It is a very nice rack though.

Similar Products Used:
None