Electra Townie Commute 8D

Electra Townie Commute 8D in "aubergine." Courtesy: electrabike.com

The Electra Townie Commute 8D is a steel 8-speed that goes for about $770 (available in the Washington, DC area at Spokes Etc., Revolution Cycles, The Bike Lane and other fine stores).

In its Townie Commute series, Electra offers 8-speed or 27-speed bikes that have all the essentials for commuting or utility cycling: 2-inch wide Schwalbe Frank tires, integrated front and rear racks, fenders, chainguard, and dynamo-powered lights. It even comes with a bell!

Specs

Frame: Townie Commute 6061-T6 Aluminum w/Patented Flat Foot Technology

 

Fork: Hi-Ten Steel Uni-Crown, Straight/Tapered Leg 

 

Headset: 1 1/8" Steel Threaded/Semi-Integrated 

 

Rims: Alloy 700c x 32h w/Machined Sidewall 

 

Spokes: 14 Gauge Stainless/Brass Nipples 

 

Front Hub: Shimano Nexus Dynamo 32h 

 

Rear Hub: Alloy Low Flange 32h w/QR 

 

Tires: Schwalbe Fat Frank 700 X 2.0" Balloon w/Puncture-Resistant Kevlar® Guard Casing, 67TPI 

 

Crankset: Forged Alloy 170mm 

 

Pedals: Alloy Platform w/Non-Slip Rubber Tread 

 

Shifter: Shimano Acera Rapid Fire Plus 

 

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tourney 8-Speed 

 

Cog: SRAM 8-Speed 11-32T 

 

Chain: KMC 1/2" x 3/32" Anti-Rust 

 

Brake Levers: Alloy Reach Adjustable

 

Saddle: Ergonomic w/Shock-Absorbing Elastomers 

 

Seat Post: Alloy 27.2mm X 300mm 

 

Handlebars: Alloy Custom Bend 24.8" Width/3.5" Rise 

 

Stem: Forged Alloy 25.4mm Quill 

 

Grips: Ergo-Shaped Hand-Stitched Leatherette 

 

Extras: F&R Spanninga Dynamo Led Lights, Internal Cable Rounting, Rust Resistant Hardware

 

Bobbin Hummingbird

2017 Bobbin Hummingbird. All photos courtesy: Bobbin Bicycles Facebook Page

Bobbin has introduced two new 8-speed models for 2017: The Hummingbird (pictured above) and the Kingfisher, a diamond frame model.  It's available for preorder for £645 (about $839).

Bobbin, based in London, was founded 10 years ago and is cocky enough to call itself a "utopian brand."  Bobbin offers many attractive and practical bikes, and most come standard with racks, a chainguard or full chaincase, and fenders. 

The Hummingbird and Kingfisher come with front and rear battery-powered lights, Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal gear hubs, and hydraulic disc brakes. The frame is made from an alloy that Bobbin claims (in an instagram post) is a "MUCH lighter alternative to those serious German/Dutch commute bikes.").  Apparently, that means it's slightly under 30 pounds.  In "midnight blue sparkle," this is a beautiful bike.

The gears are inside.

The specs aren't available on Bobbin's website yet, but you can requeest more information by emailing Bobbin at info@bobbinbicycles.co.uk