MikeSSS
1 kW
Saddle height that gives proper leg extension on my bikes also prevents more than left toe contact with the ground when stopped. The right ankle got Kawasaki’d a long time ago and has little flex up or down. This becomes more of a problem when following the 2 year old grandson who stops and starts a lot on his Strider, or when stopping or starting on a steep incline when waiting for a traffic light. I’ve fallen over a few times which is not a good thing at my advanced age. Seat height can’t be reduced on my ebike, the Trek 920 I have has easily adjustable seat height but I have to choose between knee risk or fall risk, or change the seat height for various purposes.
Enter the Electra Townie, its crank is farther forward of the seat and the seat lower than conventional bikes. I can adjust the seatpost to get proper leg extension for pedaling and still touch the ground with both feet when stopped. Several times I’ve tried standing over bumps and that is easy to do when riding a Townie, not as easy as on a conventional bike but very doable. I like to unweight over speed whales or bumps, so this is important to me.
Seatpost is 27.2mm, so my suspension seatposts will fit. I might be able to fit a Thudbuster Long Travel, but that needs almost 6” space. I’ll try 6” post extension before buying a Thudbuster LT.
Because the cranks are farther forward and higher with respect to the seat, a wider seat can be used with less problem than on my normal bikes.
Frame is aluminum but the townie fork is steel. A front hub motor would be mounted in steel dropouts, but Townies carry less weight on the front than normal, front wheelspin is some problem on my wife’s Townie. My direct drive hub has less starting torque, so front wheel spin should be less problem. The aluminum rear dropouts are pretty thick, with a torque arm(s) a rear hub motor should work but would put more unsprung weight just behind the seat. A very light geared rear hubmotor would probably be best.
I’m looking for a Townie 21D or even 7D in or near San Antonio, it will be the host bike for a hub motor. If anybody knows of one, please give me a heads up.
Enter the Electra Townie, its crank is farther forward of the seat and the seat lower than conventional bikes. I can adjust the seatpost to get proper leg extension for pedaling and still touch the ground with both feet when stopped. Several times I’ve tried standing over bumps and that is easy to do when riding a Townie, not as easy as on a conventional bike but very doable. I like to unweight over speed whales or bumps, so this is important to me.
Seatpost is 27.2mm, so my suspension seatposts will fit. I might be able to fit a Thudbuster Long Travel, but that needs almost 6” space. I’ll try 6” post extension before buying a Thudbuster LT.
Because the cranks are farther forward and higher with respect to the seat, a wider seat can be used with less problem than on my normal bikes.
Frame is aluminum but the townie fork is steel. A front hub motor would be mounted in steel dropouts, but Townies carry less weight on the front than normal, front wheelspin is some problem on my wife’s Townie. My direct drive hub has less starting torque, so front wheel spin should be less problem. The aluminum rear dropouts are pretty thick, with a torque arm(s) a rear hub motor should work but would put more unsprung weight just behind the seat. A very light geared rear hubmotor would probably be best.
I’m looking for a Townie 21D or even 7D in or near San Antonio, it will be the host bike for a hub motor. If anybody knows of one, please give me a heads up.