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.

[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!

[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. 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...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
The Schwinn does look nice, though.



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