Sometimes, a stroll down the beach or a walk through the park is just the kind of therapy you require to relax. But if you’re not keen to tire your legs, then a cruiser bike is the one thing you want to bring along on such an adventure.
Now imagine how much more fun it will be if you added an electric motor to the cruiser, ensuring that you barely break a sweat to get around. That’s precisely what you get from the Trek Townie Go! It is an amazing electric bike that oozes comfort, serene, and fun riding!
This Townie Go Review examines the different features and overall performance of the bike!
Frame
The Trek Townie Go comes with a strong 6066-T6 aluminum frame that keeps the bike stable, yet lightweight for an easy-to-manage ride. It uses the traditional step-through design of beach cruisers, which reduces the stand-over height and makes it convenient to get on or off the bike.
The Townie also features a special Flat Foot Technology . With this technology once you start pedaling, you'll experience proper leg extension because the seat angle has been relaxed and the pedals are moved forward. This incredible design taps into new-generation technology that serves to make riding life even easier for cruiser bike enthusiasts, basically it means you sit in a very upright position.
The frame ensures that the bike has an easy-going geometry that results in maximum comfort and control. You will enjoy an upright and relaxed seating posture with plenty of room to extend your legs.
This allows you to plant your feet firmly on the ground whenever you want to stop the bike and take pleasure in the scenery around you. It also implies that taller individuals won’t be able to enjoy this as their posture would probably end up being awkward.
The custom Townie saddle used on the bike is wide and comfortable to prevent you from fidgeting on your bike. Meanwhile, the ergonomic handlebar grips enhance your level of control while keeping you comfortable at all times.
The Townie boasts a plain and seamless look thanks to internal cable routing. All the clutter of wires and cables has conveniently been concealed inside the bike’s frame so that you have no impediments to distract you when you’re enjoying your cruise.
Finally, the bike comes with a range of accessories that make it perfect for a casual weekend ride. It has front and rear rack compatibility, ring lock mounts, and an alloy kickstand that will come in handy when you want to give the bike a rest and stretch your legs with a brief stroll.
Engine
For a beach cruiser, I didn’t really expect anything out of the ordinary as far as motor power is concerned given that this bike is designed for casual and leisure riding. My suspicions were confirmed when I tested the 250W Hydrive motor.
You don’t get much power from the motor, although it can propel you to a maximum speed of 20mph, which I doubt you’ll be cruising at on a laid-back day in the outdoors. The torque will not take you up a steep hill, but it’s strong enough to flatten out mounds of sand along the coast with relative ease.
The motor will allow you to ride longer distances that were once out of your comfort zone. The Hydrive LED display on the Townie Go allows you to monitor the level of support from the motor, as well as the battery charge so that you’re always in control of the ride.
Considering that it’s a rear-mounted motor, the weight of the bike is shifted a little more to the back. You might have to get used to this and learn how to balance it off whenever you’re riding.
The LED display is relatively simple, and shows just two aspects; the battery charge on a 1-5 scale and the pedal-assist mode, which includes just three simple levels. I get that this may not look fancy for some people, but I feel there’s practicality in this simplicity. After all, who wants to keep on scrolling through controls when they’re supposed to be enjoying a relaxed weekend at the beach.
Battery
Just like the motor, the battery is not the best in the market, in fact, it is among the least powerful on the Trek e-bike models. The Lithium-ion battery comes with a modest 309Wh that will offer you a maximum range of around 40 miles on an average cruise.
The Townie Go is fitted with a torque-sensing bottom bracket with a more natural and dynamic feel. The more effort you put into pedaling, the more power you get! This allows you to manage battery usage and possibly extend your range by a few miles.
There is a two year warranty, or 500 charge cycles, on the battery ; meaning it will be a while before you have to worry about a faulty battery.
Brakes
The Townie Go uses a pair of mechanical disc brakes, which cannot be compared to hydraulic brakes, but provide decent braking power when riding the bike. The manufacturer chose large 180mm disc brake motors on the Townie Go, which dissipate heat while providing greater leverage for braking.
The disadvantage of using mechanical brakes as opposed to hydraulic ones is that they need a little bit more effort to engage the brakes. Keep in mind that they decided to go with four-finger brake levers. This is one thing about the bike that may take away from your laid-back, effortless ride.
Rims
The Townie Go uses Electra Townie branded aluminum alloy wheels that are strong enough to comfortably hold the rider’s weight. The rear wheel features thicker 13-gauge spokes that provide extra strength for the rear rack, motor, as well as the pedaling drivetrain. This also helps to shift the weight of the rider towards the back as a result of the Flat Foot Technology applied to the bike.
Tires
This bike rides on a set of 26” Electra branded tires. These are a little bit wider than your average 2.35 inches to provide you with stability on the loose beach sand, as well as comfort. They are also built to handle the light off-road trails.
What Do We Like?
The patented Flat Foot Technology used on the Townie Go is a wonderful inclusion that helps to enhance the level of comfort and laid-back functionality that the bike is designed for. Riders can position the seat lower for greater stability and get more legroom to stretch whenever you feel for a break to relax.
The bike frame boasts the combo of a plain-looking frame with charming and adventurous colors that blend in naturally with the beach environment. The internal cabling ensures that there are no distractions when you’re riding for a hassle-free experience.
The bike controller is also quite simple to ensure that you’re not preoccupied with programming the ride. You only get to view two functions on the LCD display, leaving you with ample time to focus on the amazing sights and sounds around you.
The frame offers you the option to mount a front rack, bottle cage, fenders, and other convenient accessories such as a mini pump. This is a rare attribute to find in an electric cruiser that helps to enhance the Townie Go’s practicality.
Pros
What Don’t We Like?
The battery pack, just like the motor, is relatively modest. You don’t get the kind of range offered by other Trek bikes, although its low weight means you won’t drain the motor fast.
The mechanical disc brake levers require you to use a little bit more effort when engaging the brakes.
Cons
Advice to Buyers
The Townie Go is a modest-looking electric cruiser bike with more than meets the eye. It has all the features for a comfortable ride, including patented Flat Foot Technology for maximum rider comfort.
The great thing about this bike is that, for an electric bike, it comes with a price tag that many enthusiasts will be able to afford. Not to mention that it is from a big-name brand, Trek, so you can expect great service and value for your money!
Trek Townie Go E-bike Series
There are three different bike models in the Townie Go series from Trek namely: Townie Go 8i, 8D, and 7D which come either with a step-over or step-through frame. These bikes are close in resemblance although they feature notable differences. For example, the 7D runs on 27.5” tires and uses a 7-speed drivetrain while the other two have 26” tires, as well as 8-speed drivetrains. Also, the 8i, which is the most expensive, uses hydraulic disc brakes as the other two settle for mechanical disc brakes.
Conclusion
If you appreciate an easy-going but exciting day outdoors on your off weekend , the Trek Townie Go is a bike you want to have inside your garage. This electric beach cruiser offers a luxurious ride thanks to a combination of features that were specifically designed for comfort.
What it lacks in motor power and battery range, the Townie Go makes up for with a budget-friendly price. But given that it’s a cruiser, I don’t see any of these coming close to being a deal-breaker!
Our Rating
83/100
This electric cruiser bike is all you need for a casual day at the beach. It is not only charming to look at but also boasts a number of features . The bike provides for an easy-going, stress-free, and relaxed ride at the beach.
