Electra Cruisers

Why an Electra? :  In the old days cruisers were very cool looking, very heavy, and very hard to pedal. Built only for a short cruise around the neighborhood. Our "Original Modern Cruisers" are an evolution of the classic designs that defined America in the 1940's and 50's. We kept the cool stuff; the style and the attitude and discarded the bad stuff; the weight and the lack of maneuverability. We began with the look, chose lightweight materials, engineered a better frame and then added state-of-the-art components. So now you can look great, ride comfortably for any distance and enjoy a classic Electra for life.

Late 2008-2009 Updates by Electra

Electra changed the angles and dimensions of the traditional frame while maintaining its iconic style. Electra achieved a more upright and balanced body position, which gives you a more comfortable and ergonomically correct ride. Electra performed studies on who looks good riding their bike and why, so you will too. They also made sure you can reach the ground easier with your feet while stopping and at the same time maintain proper leg extension while pedaling.

Electra combined these new frames with carefully selected modern components that complement the riding experience and enhance the unique styling. Not to mention our commitment to comfy saddles and grips. Over the years, we have upgraded many models to aluminum frames and components, which are not only lighter than traditional steel but also more weather resistant.

And using the best materials available, such as rust-resistant bolts, stainless-steel hardware and
fender brackets, makes our cruisers more durable than their ancestors. Of course, Electra didn’t stop there. We offer a variety of different drive train options to best suit your individual needs.

On various models, you have a choice of either internal-geared hubs (indicated with an “i”), which are virtually maintenance-free, and which you can even shift while standing still. Or you can choose one of our sporty derailleur versions. Now that you know more about the depths of our passion, you can be confident that we have the technical side covered. All that’s left for you is to decide which model, design and color catches your attention and best fits your personal style. Just get lost in our beautiful paint jobs and enjoy the ride.

Electra has stood the test of time by staying true to our commitment to bring you the finest cruiser and comfort bikes in the world. We have always gone with our instincts; to marry great designs with the best technology available and create bicycles that are meant to be enjoyed, ridden and treasured, not just admired. Our technical data is proof positive that an Electra is more than just a pretty face.

Courtesy of Electra Bikes

Modern Cruisers
At the time, there were very few cruisers, the classic “fun” bike, on the market. “Back in 1993, there were no cruisers available,” Erforth told the Carlsbad Local News, “You could buy a $99 Huffy at Wal-Mart, or you could try to find an old one and restore it, which is very expensive,” Baenziger decided there was a market niche for a stylish, affordable cruiser bicycle for twenty somethings and began working on designs that combined old school looks with contemporary technology. About this time, Baenziger met Erforth, a fellow German transplant who was selling pieces of the Berlin Wall. Erforth said he could sell the kind of bikes Baenziger was designing, so the two pooled $30,000 in personal savings and founded Electra Bicycle Company. The two remain the firm’s sole shareholders.  (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Flat Foot Technology 
Ladies' model Townie. In 2003, the company introduced a major new design: the Townie. This bike’s innovation was what the company calls “Flat Foot Technology.” Simply put, when the rider is sitting on the saddle, his or her feet can still stand flat on the ground, making the rider feel much safer and more comfortable. At the same time, riders can still get full extension when they pedal. Baenziger achieved this breakthrough by combining the cruiser frame with some of the geometry of recumbent bikes, moving the pedals forward and the seat back. Although ads claim that the design is easier on the back and knees than traditional bicycles, the real advantage is that novice riders feel at ease on the bike. The Townie is the embodiment of the “bikes for people who don’t ride bikes” Electra philosophy.

The design has won wide acclaim and has enticed many older Americans back onto a bike. The Townie is an ideal first bike or re-entry bike for lapsed riders, because it is easy and comfortable to ride, and the “flat foot” design overcomes the number one fear of many non-cyclists: falling off the bike. "The bike had to be easy to ride and put a smile on your face," Baenziger says.
 (Courtesy of Wikipedia and Electra)