Green Bike Effect, Townie clone

spinningmagnets

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Depending on the exact moment you search for these on Amazon, GBE is selling them from $1,250-$1,400...perhaps the lower price is to clear out unpopular frame colors? http://www.amazon.com/GBE-GTO-Beach-Cruiser-Electric/dp/B007322JE8

Green Bike Effect (GBE) "seems to be" another China bike wholesale importer, who is branding generic Chinese E-bikes (if you look at the rest of their product line). The one bike that caught my eye is an E-bike that looks like an Electra Townie clone.

From what I've read, it's quite possible that "if" Townies are made in China (made to the buyers spec, Electra demands higher quality from suppliers, than the generic wholesalers), then it's possible the clones are even made on the same assembly line....even if they are made to a different level of quality.

I haven't seen one in person, so I have no evidence that these are good or bad. it's just that...I am a big fan of the Townie, so I am familiar with some of its peculiar features. These two bikes are not exactly identical, but they are so close as to be clearly on purpose. The battery needs to be moved to the frame triangle, and it needs a Thudbuster seat-post.

$1995 (I have seen them for $1,400 on Amazon), 500W geared rear hub (Bafang BPM?) 36V, 10-Ah, LiFePO4, 7-speed derailleur, dual mechanical disc brakes, Aluminum frame.

http://www.facebook.com/GreenBikeEffect
I don't have an address, but they appear to be based near San Francisco.
For general inquiries: info@greenbikeeffect.com

http://greenbikeeffect.com/?p=762
GBE3.jpg

For comparison, here is an authentic Electra Townie (pic is flipped so they both face the same way)


edit: here's the similar Geoby "Steven" cruiser (notice battery in the frame, even if the pack is too small)
http://www.geobyev.com/en/Products.aspx
GeobySteven.jpg
 
One nice thing about the Townie design.. there is room to install a mid drive on the chain line.

dick
 
Also, you can use a large-diameter 60T chainring if you want, and it won't hit the fronts of the chainstays (it might hit curbs though when jumping...).

The gap between the chainring and the chainstays caught my eye, and also the sloped angle of the seat-tube (made famous by Rans Bicycles) means that as a different-height persons adjust the seat lower/higher so their feet are the correct distance to the pedals, they are also adjusting how their feet will reach the ground.

Here's the bike that clued me in to how great the Townies are: Nicobies Black eTownie
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23701
 
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