Electra, anyone?

[SouthernBelle]

I've been looking diligently for a commuting bike. My commute is less than 2 miles. I can ride anywhere in town in under 5 miles for errand purposes.

I've been looking at vintage roadbikes, but I'm getting discouraged. I want a mixte/women's style bike. I often wear skirts to work.

Has anybody ridden an Electra Amsterdam? REI has 15% off bikes this weekend.

I could do the whole Copenhagen girls thing. :p

[Blueberry]

Haven't tried an electra (wasn't sure how the whole flat foot thing would make my knees feel), but I did try a Breezer. I'm trying to decide if I *need* it, but the U-Frame Uptown 8 could probably fit your purpose nicely.

Good luck!

CA

[yael]

Hey
I love love love the Amsterdam. I like the flat foot because it allows you to stand flat footed on the ground while stopped but gives enough space to get full leg extension when peddling. Well your mileage may vary, but I have found the FFT to be comfy.

Are you going with one of the bright colors or classic black? Good luck to you.

Yael

[F8th637]

My friend has one and she loves it. She never rode a bike in her life before getting that one. She rides it along the beach. I would love to have one of those too but doubt I'd ever really use it. Unless of course I had a 2-mile commute as well. ;)

[SouthernBelle]

Actually less than 2 miles! The advantage of living in a small town.

I like the black, but if I go there, would consider whatever is in stock.

I also like that it comes pretty much fully equipped, racks, fenders etc.

[Harley]

I am in the similar situation, and tried the Bianchi Milano Parco. Very fun to ride, I felt like a little kid.
But check these bikes out... would be really fun for a short commute.
They are so pretty.
http://www.phatcycles.com/Designer/aloha.htm

[ehirsch83]

The Amsterdam's are awesome! And they are a lot faster then the Townies. They are also NOT meant to be flat foot technology like the Townies. They rock and you can order racks that match the bars, very cool

[F8th637]

I drool over a Copenhagen-esque bike! :D

[SouthernBelle]

If I can get out of the office early enough today, I may go looking. There is a bike shop that carries both Electra & Phat.

[GLC1968]

I really considered one when we moved here. My commute is also less than 2 miles, so it would have been a good choice. They really would have exactly suited my purposes! My only difficulty was parking a beautiful bike like that on a bike rack in the rain....I just couldn't do it!

Plus, it's likely that my commute will only be this short for about 6 months and I really couldn't justify the cost if it was going to end up in a garage unridden eventually.

I ended up finding a local mixte bike that is set up with an upright stance. I added a front basket and fenders and except for a chain guard (which would be nice), she's good to go. :)

[SouthernBelle]

GLC, that's pretty much what I have been considering up til now. I'm just not having any luck finding that bike!

Raining now, so not a good day for bike shopping anywho.

[SouthernBelle]

I bought a commuter. It's not vintage. It's not an Electra.

I went to my regular LBS to look around, but they didn't have anything like what I had in mind.

So next I headed to Eastside Cycles (http://www.eastside-cycles.com/index.html). They had some pretty Electras. But the guy suggested that for our hilly area, not enough gearing.

So I test rode and bought a Schwinn World GS Commuter. Here's what it looks like from the website:

http://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/bike_large_2006.php?img=21.1.S8WORGSF.jpg

I actually test rode it in heels! I need to mess around with the setup some. I'm used to my legs being more stretched out when I pedal.

I'll let you know how it goes. I'll probably need some advice too.

[F8th637]

She's pretty and looks like what a commuter with a ride of less than 2 miles should be. Can't wait for a ride report on its maiden voyage!

[Harley]

OOhhh very pretty, good choice, and looks like it will be a nice ride with the shock forks and seat.

She needs a wicker basket on the front to carry flowers and a bell...

photos please, we must have photos.

[Zen]

Oh rats.
I didn't get to show you this Pashley (http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/princess-classic.html)
The Schwinn does look nice, though.



.

[SouthernBelle]

Oh, that pashley is nifty. But at least I have a kinda local dealer.

Hopefully I can provide pics later today. It's stormy out right now.

[SouthernBelle]

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9709/1000035ij0.jpg

This is Baby Blue. S/he has been welcomed home by Black Beauty and Old Blue. We have not decided gender yet.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/8596/1000036ps9.jpg

Here s/he is dressed up for commuting. Note the careful inspection by Miss Kitty who thinks air is needed.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6585/1000038vw1.jpg

She approves.

[F8th637]

Susan, I'm glad you found a commuter. You're kitty cracks me up. I really think you made a good choice. I suffer from a bad case of "I want that!" on this board. :p

[redrhodie]

Oh rats.
I didn't get to show you this Pashley (http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/princess-classic.html)
The Schwinn does look nice, though.



.

The Phantom is GORGEOUS. I've never heard of Pashley before. I can't have another bike that's too nice to put on the bus rack :( so I have to stop drooling right now!

[Zen]

I think Miss Kitty hears a slow air leak. Cats know these things.


.

[SouthernBelle]

I think Miss Kitty hears a slow air leak. Cats know these things.


.

She is sharp for an old girl. But I've now been on a ride (a practice commute) with no flat, which is good because I don't have a spare tube that size.

[Geonz]

I luv the cat :)

Sweet bike too.

The 7.2 &7.3 etc treks are really popular around here for commuting. A friend has been looking at a "Pure," which has the 'flat foot' angles and is basically really comfortable riding, too.

For commuting I think comfort and the right accessories are the key. I love my Gazelle - http://www.resourceroom.net/pcc/gazelle1.jpg ... but I also love the Dahon and the Xtracycle ;)

[NbyNW]

Nice Schwinn. I love hearing about everyone's shopping experiences, especially when they bring something home!

On my way to work this morning I was keeping pace on my Dahon with another woman on her Electra. We were in a crosswalk (we had the light) when a driver turning right in front of us yelled at us (and gestured) for some reason -- couldn't hear him, as he had his windows closed, but it seems he thought he had the right of way.

The other cyclist and I looked at the driver like he had two heads, then proceeded to complement each other's bikes. Good vibes exchanged. Couldn't have thought of a better start to my day.

[Tri Girl]

Beeuuutiful bike! It looks ready to take you to work, social gatherings, grocery shopping, vet with kitty. :eek:
Thanks for posting your pic- I was anxious to see it!

[SouthernBelle]

Beeuuutiful bike! It looks ready to take you to work, social gatherings, grocery shopping, vet with kitty. :eek:
Thanks for posting your pic- I was anxious to see it!

Well, everything but the vet. Miss Kitty would have a hissy fit.

I think she approves only if she doesn't have to ride it.

[aussie]

Those Gazelle (http://www.gazellebicycles.com.au) bikes are beautiful. That is the real Dutch bike. :)

[malkin]

Nice that you have Kitty to kick the tires for you!