trek townie electric bike reviews

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Trek Townie Go Review (Updated 2024)

83 /100 Overall score Users (0 reviews) Our rating 83 Click for price

by  Daria Vitel  

June 3, 2023

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!

Table of Contents

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

• Provision for extra accessories
• Comfortable Flat Foot Technology
• Nice overall design
• Simple and user-friendly controller

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.

• Mechanical disc brakes
• Low-power motor and battery

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.

Step-Thru Townie Go! 7D

Townie Go! 8i Step-Thru

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

Trek townie go.

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.

About the author

Daria was born and raised in the Ukraine, studied in Barcelona (where she discovered her passion for e-biking), and is currently living in Barcelona. Her main passion is cycling and digital marketing, that's why she is always looking for an amazing new e-bike to make her journey even more unforgettable!

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Townie Go! 7D Step-Thru Review

• Last updated January 17, 2024

• All of our bikes are electric, but all of our writers are human.

CHARGE TIME

Townie Go! 7D Step-Thru Review: Takeaway

The Trek Townie Go! 7D is only serious about one thing — being fun to ride! It’s a fun, pretty-looking electric bike for dashing into town with a little extra push from a 250-watt motor.

With a torquey yet discreet rear hub motor, this e-bike keeps you from breaking a sweat on your rides between friends’ houses or to the farmer’s market. The weight is kept low down with the battery in the lower tube, making for a low center of gravity and a fun, agile riding feel.

Ideal for...

About the townie go 7d step-thru.

This step-thru electric bike is pretty as well as very practical. Ideal for dashing about town running errands or just riding to work, the Townie Go! 7D nails its job — to look good while doing a good job — perfectly.

It achieves this with its powerful, 250-watt motor that offers the rider up to 20 mph while giving assistance. This is a pedal-assist-only electric bike, so if you’re in need of a throttle, then a different machine might be your thing.

Being pedal assist, the Townie Go! needs a good pedal drivetrain. It comes with a Shimano Tourney, 7-speed system that is well-proven as far as town bikes go. It allows you to ride economically and without placing too much demand on the battery — giving you 40 miles of typical riding. As important as the drivetrain is the brakes — these mechanical disc brakes will handle almost anything you throw at them, even braking hard in the rain.

Control of the electrical power system comes from a simple-to-read LED display and three buttons — on/off, power up, and power down. It’s fully waterproof so you won’t have problems when the rain comes down.

Reasons to Buy

The Trek Townie Go! 7D is a brilliant electric bike for what it’s designed to do — dashing about your town or city. We love its pretty looks and the pastel color schemes offered for the bike including pink, yellow, aquamarine, and gray. With its low center of gravity and powerful, 250-watt motor, this all comes together as a perfect package for its price point of just under $2,000.

It’s also a great pick if you’re on the shorter side, as the step-thru frame makes it easy to mount.

Things to Consider

The battery on the Townie Go! 7D is fully integrated and cannot be easily taken out. This does mean that you’ll need to be close to a power socket when it’s time to charge up. If you have a garage, then that’s likely fine, but if you have to take the bike into your house, this could be a bit of a problem to consider.

Specs & Components

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know .

A 250-watt rear-hub motor is ideal on most hills, and the 7-speed drivetrain will help you pedal up them as if they were flat. With the motor limited to 20 mph, you’ll be able to ride comfortably in most traffic with plenty of extra power. The 2.35” wide road tires have little rolling resistance and will allow for a quick start should you need it.

Keep in mind, this is a Class 1 e-bike that can only be ridden with pedal assist — it doesn’t have a throttle.

The Townie Go! 7D isn’t designed for epic rides across mountain ranges and wild countryside, but more for active travel around town. As such, the low-weight and low-capacity 250-watt-hour battery suits the bike’s design. For example, you might ride 5-7 miles around town a few times a day — the battery’s 40-mile range is perfectly good for that.

Remember that rider/payload weight, the route terrain, and weather conditions can impact the overall range. Cycling into a 30 mph headwind, for example, will require higher power settings, and this will reduce the amount of range you have overall.

Sitting in a classic upright position, you’ll be comfortable riding the Townie Go! 7D for hours at a time. It uses Flat Foot Technology® to optimize your pedaling without the need to lean over at all. It’s better ridden on hard surfaces like cycle tracks and roads thanks to its rigid forks and 26” road wheels. The ergonomic saddle with shock-absorbing elastomers and swept-back handlebars with comfort Kraton grips make for a good all-around riding experience.

If you’re 6’ tall or over, your knees may be too bunched up and shoulders hunched over to feel comfortable.

Having a rear-hub motor means that the KMC Z7 chain will require less maintenance over time. Oil it once a week (if ridden daily), and check the brake pads every 700 or so miles. It may pay to get an annual service (as you should your car) to keep it in good working order. Internal cable routing and anti-rust hardware also help to keep fragile components lasting longer.

With its funky choice of colors from fluorescent yellow to muted gray, this e-bike lets you get the color that suits your preferences. We love the curves of the frame that make this e-bike stand out from the crowd, and the wheels are in just the right proportion. The swept-back handlebars add to the fun and generally good looks.

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

About Our Editorial Team

Meet Our Editorial Team

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Electra Townie Go! 5i EQ

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Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Electra Townie Go! 5i EQ . In summary, this is what cyclists think.

10 reasons to buy

• Electra's Townie Go! 5i EQ is available in a step-over frame and a step-through frame that's easier to mount.
• This e-bike has integrated lights, fenders, and a rack with a 55lb capacity.
• An expert appreciates the smooth, jerk-free assistance the Bosch mid-drive motor provides.
• One tester praises the comfort, traction, and reduced risk of flats of the puncture-protected Schwalbe Fat Frank 2.35" tires.
• The Shimano Nexus 5-speed internally geared hub has reduced maintenance needs and shifts more smoothly than a standard drivetrain.
• Two riders mention the powerful and reliable braking performance of the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.
• One tester enjoys the comfort of the upright ride position that the riser handlebars create.
• The LCD display is simple and clear, so changing assist levels and monitoring speed and battery levels is easy.
• Two reviewers appreciate the extra security provided by the integrated ABUS café lock.
• A reviewer finds that tackling steep hills on the Townie Go! 5i feels natural, like riding a normal bike, but with more strength.

4 reasons not to buy

• A reviewer finds it difficult to reach the 20mph limit without exerting significant effort.
• The rider must stop pedaling to change gear on the Shimano Nexus hub, which one owner dislikes.
• The lack of a throttle bothers one reviewer, as pulling away from a stopped position is harder.
• One tester feels the reach is too long, which could be uncomfortable for riders with shorter arms.

Bottom line

Expert reviews, electra townie go review: a modern, electric cruiser bike.

If you want an e-bike to ride to yoga class, the farmers market, and the beach boardwalk, without getting overly sweaty, the Electra Townie Go! is an excellent choice.

2021 Electra Townie Go! 5i New Bike Review

I would say for people who don’t like biking too much but wanna go around town every so often, this is a great bike to get. Since filming this, we’ve put a lot more miles on it and like it more and more.

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Review: $1,499 Townie Go! 7D e-bike is a fun, attractive electric beach cruiser

There’s something timeless about beach cruisers. I just love the pedal-forward design, upright riding style and care-free fun that has me feeling like I’m riding through a soda commercial. But as timeless as the good, old-fashioned beach cruiser is, a little added technology never hurt. The Electra Townie Go! 7D benefits from an electric pedal assist system that retains the feel of a Townie beach cruiser but makes the ride much easier – and more fun!

It was only last month that Electra announced the new Townie Go! 7D electric bicycle .

The pedal-powered Townie 7D has been the best selling bicycle in the US for the past 4 years, according to Electra. So it makes sense that the company would want to integrate it into its electric bicycle portfolio as well.

I’ve always been a fan of Townie e-bikes, but they were previously fairly expensive. The higher priced models come with Bosch mid-drive motors that make for a nice riding experience but don’t do the price any favors.

The Townie Go! 7D, on the other hand, opts for a rear hub motor instead. Between that and the rack-mounted battery, Electra was able to get the price down to just $1,499 . That puts it in line with some of the best low-cost electric bicycles on the market.

And sure, you don’t get fancy features like hydraulic brakes or multiple front chainrings, but what you do get is a solid e-bike that is an absolute blast to ride.

Townie Go! 7D video review

Check out my video review of the Townie Go! 7D electric bicycle below, then read on for my entire review.

Townie Go! 7D tech specs

• Motor: 250 W geared rear hub motor
• Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) with pedal assist
• Range: 32-80 km (20-50 mi)
• Battery: 36 V 309 Wh
• Frame : Aluminum
• Suspension: None
• Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc brakes
• Shifter : 7-speed Shimano Tourney derailleur
• Extras: Shock-absorbing elastomer cruiser saddle, rear rack, LED display for battery gauge and PAS level indicator

Cruising on an electric beach cruiser

The first thing to note about the Townie Go! 7D is that it is a pedal-assist only electric bike. That means there’s no throttle to “cheat” with, so to speak.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to pedal when necessary. But I’ve been spoiled by e-bikes with convenient throttles to blast around like a motorbike. So when I got on the Townie Go! 7D, I had to remember how to pedal.

Fortunately, it was like riding a bicycle.

But seriously, the pedaling experience on the Townie Go! 7D was a lot of fun. You only get 7 speeds, but that’s perfectly fine by me. I’m not worried about optimizing my cadence for Tour de France cycling here – I’m just having a blast riding around on a pretty e-bike.

The 250 W motor doesn’t sound like much, but it gave me plenty of boost on the highest assist level and still did its part on the lowest assist level. I could get up to around 19 mph (31 km/h) quite quickly, though getting past 20 mph (32 km/h) took significantly more pedal power once the electric assist cut away.

The rack-mounted battery is just about the only part of the bike doesn’t agree with me, aesthetically. It’s an otherwise beautiful bike. But hey, the good thing about rack mounted batteries is that the bike comes with a rack, which can be quite useful for hauling your picnic basket down to the beach.

And speaking of that battery, it isn’t massive at 309 Wh. But since this is a pedal assist bike, I found that the range was still quite good. If I kept it in the highest pedal assist mode (meaning I was doing the least amount of work) I could get just over 20 miles (32 km) of range. That jives exactly with the company’s rating, which is a refreshing thing to see. So many companies overrate their range that it has become nearly impossible to trust range figures anymore.

I didn’t actually do a full range test on the lowest pedal assist setting, but if the company is honest about 20 miles (32 km) of range on the highest setting, then I’d guess that the 50 mi (80 km) estimate for the lowest pedal assist setting is also accurate, especially considering that you’re doing the lion’s share of the work in the lowest pedal assist setting.

The wide handlebars and cruiser seat make the bike comfortable to ride and easy to steer. Add in the fairly balloon-ish 2.35″ tires, and you’ve got enough bounce that they make up for the lack of suspension on smooth paths, which is mostly what I rode. I wouldn’t expect the Townie Go! 7D to be the best option for cratered city streets with potholes so big they swallow up cabs, but on smooth beach paths, you’ll never even notice the lack of suspension thanks to those big tires.

And when I tested the bike more extensively by riding over boardwalks, train tracks, and other less-than-ideal surfaces, the bike rode quite nicely. So when it comes to ride quality, I have absolutely zero complaints there. It’s simply a smooth, comfortable, and fun ride.

The only area where I have some criticism is on the lack of nicer features. Perhaps I’m spoiled by the higher-end models in Electra’s Townie e-bike line, but the mechanical disc brakes mean that you’ll eventually have to start playing with brake tuning as the cables stretch over time. There’s also no lights or fenders included – two components that many people consider to be necessities. And there’s no LCD screen to display speed or range info – just an LED display that gives you basic pedal assist and battery capacity readouts.

At the same time though, I have to remind myself that the Townie Go! 7D saves me over a thousand dollars compared to the higher-end models in the Townie e-bike lineup. So for those kinds of savings, I can afford to add my own inexpensive lights and fenders to the bike.

So is the Townie Go! 7D perfect? No, not quite. It doesn’t have the nicest components or extra features, but it is a solid e-bike with a beautiful design and a comfortable ride. Plus you get the benefit of having dealers just about everywhere, meaning you shouldn’t be out of luck if you ever need service or support.

What do you think of the Townie Go! 7D electric bike? Let us know in the comments below!

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

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