The temperature at my home in Connecticut was just about zero. Great time to visit San Diego, where it was a balmy 80 degrees when I visited the Electra bike offices to try out the company’s only e-bike, the Electra Townie Go!
Unlike many of the e-bikes that we’ve looked at that are well suited for trail riding or daily commuting, the Townie Go! is clearly made for comfort cruising. It comes in two frame styles – a step over frame, which I found less challenging than traditional diamond frame designs, and a very comfortable step through design. It uses a 250 Watt Bosch drive system that is crank mounted. The battery is mounted on the downtube. The combination of the crank mounted motor and battery gives the bike a lower center of gravity, providing a very stable ride. Because of the drive location, the motor is very efficient in comparison to some hub driven bikes, meaning that 250 watts proved to be more than adequate in dealing with some pretty serious hills heading down to the beach.
The control system provides a visual display of battery power remaining, power level (four steps) as well as speed and distance. The bike is entirely pedal assist, there is no throttle. Electra claims the battery will last anywhere from 20 to 100 miles depending on the weight of the rider and the amount of power assist you demand.
But what separates the Townie Go! from just about every other bike we’ve tried is the level of comfort. Even though the bike does not have a front fork suspension, it does have big fat tires, a wide and comfy leather seat, and high upright handlebars. So at the end of the ride there was no pain in the wrists, the back, or the backside.
One of the other unique features of the Electra bike line is what’s called the Flat Foot Technology. Electra has re-engineered the traditional bike frame geometry to move the pedals forward. That way the rider doesn’t have to stretch to put his or her feet on the ground and can sit in a more comfortable upright position. I found it a real pleasure to ride this way.
The bike’s style has a distinctive retro feel, but it’s solidly built and again it’s a very comfortable ride. At $2730, you are paying a premium price for the comfort build and the Bosch drive system. But for a ride on the beach or a leisurely day on the trail, you may well find it worth the price.
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