The Electra Ticino 8-speed (latte), expected to sell for around $800. According to Chris at Electra, the latte 8-speeds will start arriving at Electra's east coast warehouse on November 20, and the denim 8-speeds (see below) are due in on December 11. Expect to see these in bike shops this spring.Electra knows how to produce practical bikes with classic style, as they proved when they put out the Dutch-inspired Amsterdam models. The Ticino 8-speed has hammered alloy fenders and bar-end brake levers. The 20-speed chestnut-colored Ticino (see below, second to last pic) looks beautiful as pictured with a front rack. The price range is $500 for a singlespeed to $2,000 for a 20 speed.
The 8-speed frame is made from butted alloy, has a Shimano 2300 derailer with a 12-26T cassette, and Shimano rapidfire shifters. The men's bikes have Tektro canti brakes; the ladies' bikes have DiaCompe centerpull brakes. You can find more specs at the Electra website or on Bike Rumor.
The Ticino line is just coming out now, but already there is plenty of commentary on the web:
Bicycle Times: Mini-review of the Ticino 18-spd.
Urban Velo: On the Ticino singlespeed.
Bike Rumor: Pictures and specs. (wait, I thought that was our thing?)
Cyclelicio.us: Ticino preview.
Tree Hugger: Sexy bike alert.
Electra allowed me to download pics of all the Ticino models, so why not share? Here they are, for your viewing pleasure.
8D (plum) ladies
8D (denim) mens
7D (oyster) ladies
8D (wintermint) ladies
Singlespeed (pearl white) mens
Singlespeed (nimbus grey) mens
7D (portobello) mens
20D (pearl rose) ladies
18D (creme fraiche) ladies
16D (pearl white) ladies
20D (chestnut) mens
16D (putty) mens
11 comments:
Such pretty bicycles, but given the specifications, it just reinforces that Electra is all about the style of practicality, and nothing about true practicality. The higher end models appear to have rear cogs mostly topping out at 26 or 27 teeth, and smaller front chainwheels of probably 40 or 42 teeth -- and with no chain guard. What good are these bicycles other than to look pretty in someone's garage? Those gears are fine if you're riding fast on suburban or rural roads, but the geometry of these bicycles makes that uncomfortable. Very frustrating, all around. (Oh, and one size only!???)
I'd have to agree. Electra always makes pretty bikes that are not very nice to ride. The geometry, with that way-back angled seat tube, makes sporty riding all but impossible. I'm also not a big fan of how many of their designs (racks, cranks, handlebars, seem blatant ripoffs of Velo-Orange components.
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Yes, lots of style over substance here. Why does only the 1 speed have a chain guard? They would have been better off with several models with chain guards and internally-geared hubs. Crank forward and one-size isn't helping much either.
They're definitely going for the Velo-Orange look! Who wouldn't?
You can always add a chain guard if you want one, but personally I'm fine with using rubber bands (or spats!) around my right pant leg and would take a chain guard OFF. One less thing to rattle around.
And as far as ripping off VO, I agree. Who wouldn't?
If you poke around the Velo-Orange blog you may find some hints that Electra actually did some talking to them while they were deciding whether or not to come out with this bike.
And to be fair they aren't ripping off VO; they're ripping off the people that VO is "ripping off." Herse,
Singer and TA. Nobody dealing in classic style is being original; that's rather the point.
Not that I'd buy one of these things, for the reasons already given and a few others; but JIS "TA" cranks would be just the thing for my Quickbeam and I'm damned glad SOMEONE is making them.
the point of these bikes isn't "sporty riding." if you want sporty riding buy a road bike. ticino is for you if you want a commuter that combines the comfort and simplicity of some of their cruisers with a smaller tire profile, so you can clip along pretty easily in traffic on a ticino, which cannot be said for some of their other bikes, like the amsterdam (which i own). the ticino actually should put you in a slightly forward position, not the vertical of the amsterdam.
also the derailleur models dont have chainguards because of the movement of the chain... you could put one on but it would be ridiculous, because you'd have to put it at it widest setting (ie top cog in the back).
Hi
It's October and I have picked up a ticino1 for myself for physical therapy. Love riding it and it is great for the tailbone and lower back fitness. I have decided to get another one for my wife. We are modify the bike to accept the two speed archer hub which for us is fine and maintains the clean look of the bike.
I just got the Ticino 8D Wintermint on 10/30/2010. I have a Townie 3i, the bianchi road bike and this one. I rode 20 miles yesterday on the river trail and love it. It's fast as bianchi and comfortable as the townie. I'd ride it for a long ride in future.
I bought a Ticino 7 in September for commuting. I needed the upright position and the swept back handles because of lower back and shoulder problems. This bike has been a total nightmare. I have had to drag this piece of fancy looking trash into the shop over a dozen times already because of multiple flat tires, broken valves, rattling fenders, a busted derailler, the list goes on. I had to spend 100 bucks replacing both tires because they are too cheap and flimsy to withstand city riding. The valves had to be replaced twice because they broke off while I was pumping the tires. And the gears stopped shifting right after about 5 months and still don't despite my bike shop making 4 attempts to adjust. This is all after only having the bike for less than 8 month. Just junk.
m, if you are breaking valve stems repeatedly, that's your fault, not the bike's. The valve isn't a handle. It uses pretty standard Shimano stuff, so, again, that sounds like operator error. Multiple flat tires from city riding? Yeah, it happens. Some folks have relatively clean roads and some have to ride across glass and metal daily. Not everyone needs a heavy, belted tire and the tires are just fine. Your post tells us more about you than the bike.
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