Electra bike weight limit. Performance Comparison Townie Go 7D vs 8D

Review Of Electra Townie 7D

If you are looking for a head-turner bicycle to do flat cruising around town, commute, and get things done, you’re in for a treat with this cheap and authentic two-wheeler.

Let’s find out more about the good and the bad!

Quick Overview

Electra Townie 7D is a bulky cruiser bicycle intended for urban settings and short to moderate rides. It’s characterized by original design, tubes flowing into each other, low price, and a comfortable riding geometry.

This bike is built with urban practicality in mind. That’s why it comes with a kickstand and a chainguard. You can easily park it wherever you want and don’t have to worry about ruining your trousers by the chain before an important meeting.

electra, bike, weight, limit, performance

Main Specs for Geeks

Here’s a quick list of everything you’ll get with your Electra Townie 7D:

Frame: Townie 6061-T6 Alloy Flat Foot Technology® Fork: High Tensile Steel Uni-Crown, Straight Blade Tires: Semi-Slick Street 26″ X 2.0″ Crankset: Electra Custom Alloy 3-Piece 170mm Chainrings: 44T Chain: Taya Octo Nickel Plated Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tourney TX-35 Cassette: Shimano 7-Speed 14-34T Shifters: Shimano Revo 7-Speed Twist Pedals: Resin Platform w/Non-Slip Tread Saddle: Ergonomic w/Shock-Absorbing Elastomers Accessories Extras: Internal Cable Routing, Alloy Kickstand, Stainless Steel and Anti-Rust Hardware

Note that to ensure proper assembly Electra bikes cannot be shipped to your home or other address. Instead, you should choose your preferred REI store and pick the bike there. It will be ready to ride and enjoy!

Men’s Women’s Version

Beautiful women’s Electra Townie 7D in Arctic Blue color.

Electra Townie 7D comes in two main versions: men’s and women’s. At least that’s what the manufacturers call them. The truth is, from what we’ve learned about this bike, we’d just call them “step-over” and “step-through.”

The only difference between these two versions is in the size and the shape of the frame, as well as the colors. The men’s version is slightly bigger than the women’s and the frame is a step-over.

Therefore, we recommend choosing the bike relative to your height, the preference for the type of the frame, and the colors, rather than relative to your gender.

The Frame Fork

Townie 7D comes with a lightweight aluminum frame and a strong steel fork. Its weight is around 28 lbs, which is pretty low for a cruiser of this size.

Talking about size, due to its geometry, this bicycle is around one foot longer than a standard city bike. That’s something to consider if you plan to keep it in a small apartment.

Sizing

Unfortunately, Electra does not have a size chart for Townie 7D. However, we contacted the company’s support team regarding sizing and got this response:

“There is not a set height recommendation for those bikes as each rider’s body is different. Inseam and torso length play a big factor in sizing a bike. That said, most people from 5’0″ tall all the way through 6’3″ will fit on Townies. For people over 6’3″ we recommend the tall frame size, and for people under 5’0″ we recommend they look at 24″ bikes.”

So, if you are between 5’0″ and 6’3″, feel free to choose the standard model!

Flat Foot Technology®

Electra Townie Flat Foot Technology.

The idea behind Electra Townie is to allow you to easily plant your feet on the ground when you come to a stop. That is achieved thanks to Electra’s Flat Foot Technology. The pedals are positioned in front of the saddle and slightly higher than on other bicycles which allows you to get full leg extension without raising the saddle too high up.

The men’s version comes in three colors: matte black, matte khaki green, and silver. The women’s model is available in SEVEN colors: light blue, blue, red, purple, green, yellow, and turquoise.

The frame also features internal cable routing for a clean appearance and plenty of eyelets to mount racks, mudguards, lights, water bottles, and more.

Components

Electra Townie 7D comes with a straightforward 1×7 drivetrain with a large 44T crankset and a 14-34T cassette in the back. You’ll shift gears with a Shimano Tourney TX rear derailleur and a Shimano Revo grip shifter.

Nothing too impressive, but it will definitely get the job done. Just make sure not to shift gears under pressure or you will not like the sound the derailleur makes.

These seven gears make the bike suitable for flat riding with some moderate hills in-between if you want to feel a burn in your legs.

The Tires Brakes

Townie explores the city on 26″ wheels and 2″ semi-slick tires. The rims are double-walled, which means they are strong and won’t get damaged if you hit an occasional curb or a pothole. The 2″ tires are generally wide enough for a comfortable and confident ride.

This bike brakes using standard aluminum V-brakes which can be adjusted pretty well. Considering the bike is intended for flat riding, disc brakes would definitely be overkill.

Electra Townie Go! 7D

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Townie models have electric models too. Namely, the Go! indicates that the bike has a lot more to offer.

The Townie Go! models are a bit pricier than the original Electra Townie bikes, but they also offer a bit more value.

Electra Townie Go! 7D has been supported with a Hyena 250W motor. The 250Wh battery offers 16-40 miles of range, which is perfect for commuting.

Bike Weight Limit – Why Should We Care?

The first rule to enjoy this wonderful sport is to be safe.

The reason why manufacturers share information about bike weight limits is to inform users about the capacities of their products and their limits of use. Beyond these limits, the rider puts himself in danger because riding an overloaded bike can cause premature deterioration of the machine, even its breakage.

Obviously, we agree that we would like to avoid the risk of injury by falling after a break while cycling. Therefore, it is important to be informed about the capacity of your bike in order to enjoy it fully, without any risk to your health.

The financial argument is also added to the list, buying parts regularly to repair and replace the ones that keep breaking is a good way to lose a lot of money.

Why Do Some Bikes Have Heavier Limits?

Let’s remember one thing: there are many different types of bikes. Each of these types meets a particular need, use or performance. So each type of bike will have a different shape and structure to meet the right criteria. The geometric and structural changes in our frames will change the overall strength, solidity or maximum load.

This difference will therefore be partly responsible for the existence of several bike weight limits.

It is also necessary to take into account the limits imposed by the materials used to manufacture the bike, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber or even titanium have very different properties.

Furthermore, to test the resistance of a bike, there are no standardized tests that each bicycle manufacturer must perform. It is the responsibility of each brand to carry out its own tests in its own laboratories in order to determine and calculate the maximum admissible load on its products. We can therefore consider that the conditions under which these tests are carried out can influence the final result.

Snowy E-bike Review. 2020 Electra Townie Go 7D Electric Cruiser

Components Affecting Bicycles Weight Limit

Some elements of your bicycle are the main factors in the determination of a weight limit.

I have listed the 6 most important ones here :

The Wheels

The wheels of a bicycle are under constant stress and are therefore a limiting factor. If I simplify, the larger the wheel diameter, the less weight the wheel will be able to support. For example, 26” or 27.5” wheels are generally more resistant than 29” wheels.

So it’s important to think about wheel size before you buy your new baby.

The number of spokes can also be important in the strength of your wheels, count 32 or 36 spokes per wheel to ensure maximum resistance.

over, when you are overweight, you must avoid jumps and sudden shocks on the wheels, which could bend and put you in danger.

The Tires

When choosing a bike, tire size is key. Keep in mind that wide tires are more suitable for an overweight person. The contact surface with the ground is larger and the mass distribution is then applied on a wider and more uniform surface, which is not the case with thicker tires like those of a road bike for example.

It will also be more comfortable to ride with wider tires, as stability is also more important.

The Frame

As for the frame, the material of this one will be determining. Three choices are generally possible:

Steel is clearly the most suitable material for overweight people followed closely by aluminum, both of which have higher mechanical strength properties than carbon.

A carbon frame is very light and is intended for people who want to reduce the weight of their bike for performance purposes, I don’t think that this concerns overweight people.

Compared to steel, the advantage of aluminum is its lightness and resistance to rust.

Suspension

The bike suspensions can be only on the fork or on the front and rear of the bike (full-suspension bike).

Very practical to make your ride smoother, the suspensions will absorb the roughness of the road, the obstacles that you will meet.

The problem with suspensions is that they are rarely designed for an overweight person. In this situation, the suspensions will be strongly affected at each obstacle and the violent pumping can unbalance, make the ride unpleasant and even put you in danger if it causes a fall.

In my opinion, it would be best to avoid a full suspension, a stiffer bike will be more suitable. 7

It is also possible to choose a bike with a fork suspension that can be locked. This way, in the future, you can use a bicycle suspension.

2022 Electra Townie Go 7D walkaround with specs and actual weight of the bike fully built

Brakes

The heavier the rider, the harder the brakes will have to work to provide proper braking and safety.

I strongly recommend disc brakes, which will be much more efficient than rim brakes in all weather conditions (hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes are both good).

Handlebars and Seat

The handlebar is also an element to take into account for your comfort, between a drop handlebar and a flat handlebar, the heavier riders will have a more comfortable position with a flat handlebar, this one allows a higher body position and thus less load taken by the back. The drop handlebars will force you to bend more (especially when using the low position) and in the long run can cause more pain.

Depending on the type of bike, the size of the saddle may vary, but it is often thin (see picture above). Some city bikes are equipped with a wider and a more comfortable saddle for heavier riders. In any case, it is possible to change the seat by buying the part separately.

Above all, for your rides, don’t forget to invest in a bike short, it is essential for a comfortable sitting position, it will make all the difference.

Factors Influencing the Weight Restrictions

Several factors can influence weight restrictions for Cruiser bikes. They include:

The Type of Cruiser Bike

One is the type of bike you have.

Different types of Cruiser bikes are designed for different types of riding, and this can affect the weight limits they can handle.

For example, a full-suspension enduro bike may have a higher weight limit than a hardtail cross-country bike due to the additional suspension components and the fact that it is likely to be ridden more aggressively.

Materials The Bike Is Made Of

Another factor that can affect weight restrictions is the material the bike is made from.

Bikes made from lighter materials, such as carbon fiber, may have lower weight restrictions than those made from heavier materials, like aluminum or steel.

This is because lighter materials may not be able to handle the same amount of stress as heavier materials.

How are the Restrictions Set?

It’s important to note that weight restrictions for Cruiser bikes are typically set by the manufacturer, and they are based on extensive testing and engineering to ensure the safety and performance of the bike.

Exceeding these weight limits can put extra strain on the bike and its components, leading to decreased performance and even the risk of failure.

If you’re planning to load up your Cruiser bike with a lot of gear or you’re a heavier rider, it’s a good idea to check the weight restrictions of your bike before hitting the trails.

This will help you ensure that your bike is up to the task and will allow you to ride with confidence, knowing that your bike is capable of handling the weight you’ll be asking it to carry.

Weight Limits For Different Cruiser Bikes

I’ve just taken a look on Amazon and found the weight limits of some popular cruiser bike brands. All of these are relatively low (as bikes go).

I found these weight limits by going to the bike’s product page, scrolling down to the Questions and Answers section, and typing ‘weight limit’ in the search bar.

The three results I found were these:

So from this minimal sample test, it appears popular cruiser bikes have a weight limit between 250 lbs and 275 lbs.

Does Electra Townie Have A Throttle?

Yes, the Electra Townie has a throttle. This is one of the features that sets it apart from other electric bikes on the market. The throttle allows you to get up to speed quickly and easily, without having to pedal.

This can be a great option if you’re looking to get around town quickly or if you just want an easier way to get up hills. The throttle can also be a great option for those who may not be able to pedal a bike for an extended period of time.

One thing to keep in mind is that the throttle only works when the battery is charged. So, if you run out of juice, you’ll need to pedal the old-fashioned way. But, all in all, the throttle is a great feature that can make riding an electric bike a breeze.

Does Trek Own Electra Bikes?

Yes, Trek does own Electra Bikes. They acquired the company in 2015 and have been working to grow their electric bike offerings ever since. While Trek is best known for its mountain and road bikes, they see electric bikes as a key part of its future growth strategy.

The average Townie bike can hold up to 250 pounds. However, some models have a higher weight limit, so it is important to check with the manufacturer before purchasing if you are planning on carrying heavy loads.

There are also special cargo bikes available that have been designed to carry heavier loads, up to 500 pounds or more.

In conclusion, the Electra Townie Go 7D is the better choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly ebike. It has a more powerful motor and battery, making it ideal for longer rides.

If you can afford to spend a little more, the 8D is worth the investment thanks to its increased range and higher top speed.

s:

My name is John and I am an avid cyclist. I started cycling when I was a child and never stopped.

I have been riding bikes for over 20 years now and have never gotten bored with them.