Comments on: Same revolution, different day

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:47:04 +0000

As a really late addition, it’s really simple to put a front caliper brake on this bike, and possible to put a front roller brake hub in (though much more expensive).

I found a used front caliper brake really cheaply, and the lever and cable and everything probably totaled less than $50. Pads are easily replaceable by anybody (just one screw and it’s off, one screw and it’s back on), so it would be easy for anyone to maintain. Front roller brake is a hub brake like a coaster brake, so there is basically no maintenance involved in taking care of one.

I think the Amsterdams are a really good value, though some of the components (like the light and the generator) are a bit flaky, and argue heavily for replacement if the bike is used regularly. Though, they seem to have recently switched to using different lights and generators, so they are perhaps better now than on the one I got this last summer.

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:46:46 +0000

I’m just catching up and wondering if anyone has ridden one of the Electra Amsterdam’s yet? Looking into buying and could sure stand to save the difference in price between one of these and an actual Dutch Bicycle. How do they match up? I’m a complete novice.

I’m also concerned re: solely having a coaster brake. I live in Manhattan and think I should play it safe as I’ll be driving in high traffic (car and pedestrian). Is it costly or difficult to throw a front brake on a bike like this?

By: Bruce Alan Wilson

Bruce Alan Wilson — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:18:57 +0000

Val, do you mean Charlie South or Charlie West? I live in Charlie West. And not Charles Town, but Charleston. I’ve seen topographic maps of Seattle and of Charleston, WV. I’m not an expert geographer, but Charlie West looks a lot hillier than Seattle, although I will concede that Seattle isn’t as flat as (say) Lawrence, Kansas.

By: Val

Val — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:25:22 +0000

Three speeds are just fine for even radically hilly terrain, as long as they are the right three speeds. I have ridden a three speed for many years in Seattle, which is far hillier than Charleston (I have this in categorical terms from some long time Charleston residents who had spent a couple of years in Seattle). The key is to choose a chainring/cog combination that allows you to get up the steepest hill you are likely to ride on a regular basis, and to realize that your high gear will not win any time trials. Also, I have been using the Sturmey drum/dynamo front hub for several months now, and I love it. In normal usage, the drum brake should provide at least 15 years of service on one set of pads, and responds exactly the same wet or dry, and (in case anyone didn’t know) generator hubs rule.

By: Bruce Wilson

Bruce Wilson — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:59:19 +0000

Three speeds might be OK if you live in Iowa or Kansas or some other flat part of the country, but they aren’t enough for around here in the Mountin State. (When I lived in St. Paul I have a three-speed and it was OK, but we didn’t have hills there like they have here in WV..)

By: Todd

Todd — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 16:18:28 +0000

Unconfirmed/rumor pricing is ~$550.

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 04:56:25 +0000

Tbone- What do you mean by gamble? This bike isn’t made for bombing through traffic at 30 mph in the rain or screaming down tight technical singletrack. Why on earth would you need disc brakes? For bike people, this won’t be an ONLY bike, it will just be a fun one to have in the collection. It might be enough to make a non bike person break into bike love though!

Well said Todd-I agree and like and admire electra because they make fun/comfortable/relaxing/social/”cool” bikes. I have a number of electras(5), and whenever we have company over, riding the cruisers is mandatory and everyone always has a great time. They are bikes you can go out and hop on without changing clothes, “gearing up” etc. It doesn’t matter if you are in great shape or totally out of shape it’s still fun. It’s also really great to see (without exception so far) non bike people get excited about riding a bike. It just wouldn’t happen with my (fully functional) mtn/road bikes.

I also share your sentiment in hoping they price low and go for quantity.

By: Texas T-bone

Texas T-bone — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 21:48:32 +0000

If the price is right, I’ll buy one. But simplicity and effectiveness of the coaster brake isn’t a gamble I’ll take. I’ll add a front brake even if it means a mandatory annual checkup at the shop.

Too much to ask that the wheels might be disc-compatible, eh?

By: Mauricio Babilonia

Mauricio Babilonia — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:31:02 +0000

Hey Bill,
I haven’t tried one myself yet, but this would kill a couple of birds with one stone:
http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=2177
(Sturmey-Archer Dynamo Drum brake Front hub)

By: Erik Sandblom

Erik Sandblom — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:14:00 +0000

Oh that was good, Todd.

I would like to make some points though. It may be a low-maintenance bike, but the bottle dynamo will need adjustments, the shifter and cable are not eternal, and neither is the lighting cable.

Someone using their bike for everday transportation will not be above letting a repair guy look it over as necessary.

It may not be a sporty bike, but three speeds are enough to make you go 20-25 km/h. A good front brake lets you pass crowds of pedestrians at say 18 km/h rather than say 15. I appreciate that, I think others would too. Even civil town bikes are fun to go fast on.

The front brake is nice to have, and if it breaks or wears out, you don’t necessarily have to care. You just let the repair guy look at it whenever the opportunity arises.

If it were a one-speed, I could see how you would skip the front break since that would mean half as many cables. You could then also integrate the front light with the dynamo and use a battery LED at the rear. Then you have no cables, and even a non-technical person could do all the maintenance him/herself for the lifetime of the bike. I think that’s closer to the ideal of a no-fuss bike which is several times faster than walking.

But this bike has three speeds and can go fast. I would put a front brake on it.

I also applaud bikes that are practical for everyday use. I hope it can be made to fit the bus racks.
http://bikeportland.org/2005/09/26/electra-townies-dont-fit-on-busses-or-max/