New Electra Townie Questions

[SmileAtSusan]

Hi Folks! I'm hoping some of you experts out there can help me out.

I'm a very excited new owner of what I hope will become an old friend
My main goal was to find a bike that I could ride like a regular bicycle, but could also help me when I hit an area that has an incline too much for my 58 year old body.
I first tested a Pedego, which felt a bit cumbersome. I was impressed after riding a Liv, and really enjoyed trying out a Specialized.
I ended up choosing the Electra Townie because of the ease of the mount. (I should point out that I'm not terribly heavy, weighing in at 125, and standing at a whopping 5 feet tall.) The Townie also has nice price point.

After having my new bike home for a couple of days, I do however have a couple of concerns.

First off: When I hit a rough patch of road I feel as though the back end of my bike is wobbling, or swinging either left or right. The wheel is properly tightened. I will admit to avoiding keeping my rear on the seat on the big bumps when I'm going fast, but even when I slow down and try to stay seated, I get the same sensation of the back of the bike leaving the ground and pulling to the side. It's a little scary, and I feel as though I'm losing control.


Next, is a feel of rubbing and vibration when I'm pedaling a bit hard without the assist. I The resistance is only on part of the rotation, but is on every rotation taken on all speeds. Is this normal? I have absolutely no problem keeping up speed, and can climb any hills heading back from the river here in RVA.

Don't get me wrong: I love my new bike. it has changed my whole life for the better! It makes me feel like I'm flying!

I appreciate your insight. Thanks for reading!

Susan

 

[jbizzybiker]

Congrats on your new bike! I’m a Townie fan, although I’m not qualified to diagnose your issues and respond as well as you need.

Did you order through a local bike shop that took delivery and did final set up? What do they say? They’d be the folks through which Electra would want to handle official complaints or warranty claims.

BTW: Have you registered the warranty online with Electra? I breezed the web site, but apparently they like that.

 

[AHicks]

What model Townie did you get? Does it carry it's battery on the rear rack, or on the down tube (near your knees)?

If on the rear rack, that location may be at least part of your problem. Bikes set up that way are not particularly well known for great handling....

 

[SmileAtSusan]

What model Townie did you get? Does it carry it's battery on the rear rack, or on the down tube (near your knees)?

If on the rear rack, that location may be at least part of your problem. Bikes set up that way are not particularly well known for great handling....

Hi AHicks,

I do have the model with the battery on the back I didn't know about the problem with the handling of this type.

https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/new-electra-townie-questions.35013/

 

[SmileAtSusan]

Congrats on your new bike! I’m a Townie fan, although I’m not qualified to diagnose your issues and respond as well as you need.

Did you order through a local bike shop that took delivery and did final set up? What do they say? They’d be the folks through which Electra would want to handle official complaints or warranty claims.

BTW: Have you registered the warranty online with Electra? I breezed the web site, but apparently they like that.

Hi JBizzy!

Happy to meet a Townie fan!
I purchased my bike from a local regular bike shop, that only had a couple of ebikes, both Townies. This one had just come in, and I was probably the first person to ride it.My next step will be to call the bike shop where I purchased the bike, but wanted to see if there were any people who may know if something sounded "off" before I called. Honestly, the salesman didn't seem to know a lot about the bike, and wasn't overly informative. He basically just let me take off on the bike and I decided to buy it, based on my own research and the other comparisons.

Also, I have already started the registration, just need someone to help my turn my bike over to find the number. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[jbizzybiker]

Hi JBizzy!

Happy to meet a Townie fan!
I purchased my bike from a local regular bike shop, that only had a couple of ebikes, both Townies. This one had just come in, and I was probably the first person to ride it.My next step will be to call the bike shop where I purchased the bike, but wanted to see if there were any people who may know if something sounded "off" before I called. Honestly, the salesman didn't seem to know a lot about the bike, and wasn't overly informative. He basically just let me take off on the bike and I decided to buy it, based on my own research and the other comparisons.

Also, I have already started the registration, just need someone to help my turn my bike over to find the number. Thanks for reminding me!

OK, sounds good. Your Model may be identified on your receipt; mine is, tho I don’t think the receipt lists the numbers registration requires.
Does your bike look like the attached photo Townie Go? It has a battery above the rear wheel and a derailleur?

 

[Dewey]

Hi Susan, from your description it sounds like you have the Townie Go! 7D model? I was pleased to see Trek bring an affordable Townie Class 1 with a torque sensor for this year, my local Trek dealer in Arlington put one in his window. Court did a video review and mentioned a little frame flex and speed wobble due to the battery. The rubbing could be the tire or more likely the brake rotor, I agree with others suggestion you take it back to the shop for them to check.

 

[jbizzybiker]

Ditto @Dewey! Hopefully the bike mechanic is different from the salesperson.
BTW; you aren’t the first to revisit the shop to make sure the rotors aren’t rubbing, the bike is put together properly.

 

[SmileAtSusan]

Hi JBizzy!

Happy to meet a Townie fan! I do plan to call the bike shop where I purchased the bike, but wanted to see if there were any people who may know if something sounded "off" before I called. Honestly, the salesman didn't seem to know a lot about the bike, and wasn't overly informative. He basically just let me take off on the bike and I decided to buy it, based on my own research and the other comparisons.

Also, I have already started the registration, just need someone to help my turn my bike over to find the number. Thanks for reminding me!

OK, sounds good. Your Model may be identified on your receipt; mine is, tho I don’t think the receipt lists the numbers registration requires.
Does your bike look like the attached photo Townie Go? It has a battery above the rear wheel and a derailleur?
View attachment 56491

Yes! I'm sorry, I thought I had posted a link. It is an Electra Townie 7D Ebike. I did locate the serial number and registered my bike, so we're legit, now

 

[SmileAtSusan]

Hi Susan, from your description it sounds like you have the Townie Go! 7D model? I was pleased to see Trek bring an affordable Townie Class 1 with a torque sensor for this year, my local Trek dealer in Arlington put one in his window. Court did a video review and mentioned a little frame flex and speed wobble due to the battery. The rubbing could be the tire or more likely the brake rotor, I agree with others suggestion you take it back to the shop for them to check.

Thanks Dewey,
Yep, it's a Townie Go 7D. The brake rubbing makes sense. With my very limited knowledge and research, I did wonder about the rotors! As for the wobble, I I will definitely take a look through the video reviews and see if I can't find the one you are referring to. I previously did a site wide search before my first post, but I must have missed that. It sounds like it would help me identify what may well be an inherent unavoidable issue.

 

[Ron H]

Thanks Dewey,
Yep, it's a Townie Go 7D. The brake rubbing makes sense. With my very limited knowledge and research, I did wonder about the rotors! As for the wobble, I I will definitely take a look through the video reviews and see if I can't find the one you are referring to. I previously did a site wide search before my first post, but I must have missed that. It sounds like it would help me identify what may well be an inherent unavoidable issue.

Hi Susan, I have a 2021 Townie Go 7D step thru. I experience the same side to side frame flex. Adding saddle bags and weight to rear worsens the problem. I may fabricate some reinforcement from the handlebar tube to the battery rack. I'll post an update if I proceed to do so.

Ron

 

[tomjasz]

Rear mounted batteries on longer wheel base frames like the Townie don’t present a balance issue like non flat foot frames. I have several.

 

[tomjasz]

I have a 2021 Townie Go 7D step thru. I experience the same side to side frame flex.

Wow! That’s unfortunate. Thanks for posting!