Trystan Casey
The Electra Townie is a multi-speed bicycle with a derailleur drivetrain, an internal gear hub drivetrain, or a combination of the two. To change gears, you must shift the chain from one sprocket to another. The smaller sprockets produce higher gear ratios, requiring more effort to pedal but taking you a greater distance with each revolution. The larger sprockets are for greater speed. You can shift gears in any sequence, and it is recommended to find a starting gear that suits your level of ability. It is important to note that the bicycle derailleur system requires the drive chain to be moving forward and under tension when shifting gears. Additionally, the chain should not be moved while pedaling backward to avoid damage to the bicycle. For internal gear systems, cable tension needs to be precise, and lubrication is crucial to prevent slippage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shifting gears | Move the chain in towards the centerline of the bike for a downshift, and out or away from the centerline for an upshift |
| The rear derailleur is controlled by the right shifter | |
| The bicycle derailleur system design requires that the drive chain be moving forward and be under at least some tension | |
| A downshift is a shift to a "lower" or "slower" gear, one which is easier to pedal | |
| An upshift is a shift to a "higher" or "faster", harder to gear that is harder to pedal | |
| The combination of the largest rear and smallest front gears is for the steepest hills | |
| The smallest rear and largest front combination is for the greatest speed | |
| Clicking noises | May be caused by the chain guard or the dust cap on the hub behind the cog which has popped out of place, or possibly cracked |
| Slipping gears | May be caused by incorrect cable tension or insufficient lubrication |
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What You'll Learn
Check the chain tension and lubrication
To check the chain tension and lubrication on an Electra Townie, you can start by locating the cable tension indicator. This can usually be found on the top and bottom of the hub. The top one is typically a small plastic window, while the bottom one is often a small piece of painted yellow metal.
If your bike doesn't have an indicator, you can try loosening or tightening the cable to find the correct tension. This will allow you to use all the hub gears. It's important to ensure that the cable tension is precise, especially if you have a brand new bike, as cables tend to stretch over time. Adjusting the cable tension can help resolve issues with gear slippage.
Additionally, make sure that the shifter cable is properly lubricated. This is important for smooth shifting and to prevent binding. If you're experiencing problems with your gears, check the chain guard and the dust cap on the hub behind the cog. These parts can sometimes pop out of place or become cracked, causing a clicking noise in the hub. While this issue is not detrimental to the safety of the bike, it's recommended to have it repaired by a shop experienced in hub repairs.
For internal gear systems, such as the Shimano 5-speed internal rear hub, regular maintenance is relatively straightforward. These systems are designed to be low-maintenance and easy to use, allowing you to change gears without pedaling or even standing still. However, it's still crucial to maintain proper chain tension and lubrication for optimal performance and to prevent damage to the bike's components.
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Adjust the cable tension
Adjusting the cable tension on an Electra Townie bike is important to ensure smooth gear shifting and prevent slippage. Here are the steps to adjust the cable tension:
- Locate the Cable Tension Indicator: The cable tension indicator helps you determine the current tension and make adjustments accordingly. On the Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub, there are two indicators: a small plastic window on the top and a small yellow-painted metal piece on the bottom. Flipping the bike over may make it easier to find the indicators.
- Adjust the Barrel Adjuster: Once you have located the cable tension indicator, turn the barrel adjuster on the shifter. Continue turning it until you see the outboard yellow line move. This will adjust the cable tension.
- Check Gear Shifting: After making adjustments, test the gear shifting by shifting through the gears. Shift into third gear, then back into fourth, and make adjustments as needed. Repeat this process by shifting into fifth gear and then back into fourth to fine-tune the adjustments.
- Lubricate the Shifter Cable: If you still experience issues with gear slippage or binding, ensure that the shifter cable is properly lubricated. This can help smoothen the shifting process and reduce friction.
If you are unable to resolve the issue or are uncomfortable making adjustments, it is recommended to take the bike to a professional bike shop for assistance. They should be able to adjust the cable tension and perform any necessary maintenance without charging you, especially if the bike is new.
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Identify the type of drivetrain
The drivetrain on a bike is the mechanical system that transfers power from the rider's pedalling motion to the rear wheel, enabling propulsion, speed control, and efficient gear shifting. The drivetrain consists of all the components that transfer pedalling force to the rear wheel, and the chain serves as the direct link between the front (crankset) and rear (cassette) gearing systems.
The front half of a bicycle's drivetrain uses a chainring (or chainrings) mounted to the crank. The rear half consists of a cog (or cogs). The chainring and cog are linked by a chain that transfers power from the rider's legs turning the cranks to the rear wheel. If a bike has more than one chainring or cog, it has a derailleur. When you shift, you are de-railing the chain from its current cog or chainring, which allows it to move to the next one.
The size of a chainring or cog is indicated by the number of teeth (sometimes abbreviated as T). For example, a Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert with Shimano Ultegra specifies an 11-30 cassette in its specifications. If you want to determine the tooth count of each cog, you can usually find that information on the drivetrain manufacturer’s website.
The crankset is the first drivetrain component that stands out. It helps you move the chain as you pedal, transferring force from your legs to the rest of the drivetrain and ultimately to your bike’s rear wheel, helping you move forward. Cranksets comprise two crank arms with chainrings that the chain runs over.
Electric bike drivetrains can sometimes differ from conventional, geared drivetrains on non-assisted bikes depending on the type of electric motor they use. If a hub-based motor is used, electric bikes will almost always have a conventional, geared drivetrain. If a bottom-bracket-based motor is used, the system will use a 1x drivetrain.
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Understand gear ratios
Understanding gear ratios is important when it comes to riding an Electra Townie, especially if you want to climb hills. The Townie 7D has seven gears and a derailleur, with a gain ratio range of 2.5–6.1. This is considered a generous gearing range for cruiser bikes, making it easier to climb hills compared to other cruiser bikes.
To calculate gear ratios, you need to know the number of teeth on the front chainring and the back cog. The ratio is calculated by dividing the number of teeth on the back cog by the number of teeth on the front chainring. For example, if your Electra Townie has a 42-tooth front gear and a 16-tooth back gear, the gear ratio would be 2.625 (16/42).
Gear ratios can also be expressed in "gear inches". This value is calculated by multiplying the number of teeth on the front gear by the wheel diameter, and then dividing it by the number of teeth on the back gear. For instance, with a 42-tooth front gear and a 16-tooth back gear on a 27.5" wheel, the gear-inch value would be 72 (27.5 x 42 / 16). A higher gear-inch value indicates a faster speed, while a lower value indicates better hill-climbing ability.
When it comes to climbing hills, a lower gear ratio is generally preferable as it provides more torque and climbing power. However, it's important to note that other factors also come into play, such as motor power and how it's delivered. For example, the Electra Townie's motor provides assistance up to 20 mph, and the bike's internal multi-speed hubs with wider gear ratios allow for climbing hills.
Additionally, the Townie's Flat Foot technology provides more controlled stops and starts, making it easier to tackle hills. While the Electra Townie is designed with a focus on flat terrain performance, its gearing range and features make it capable of handling hilly rides as well.
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Recognise the noise and fix a clicking gear
If you hear clicking noises when pedalling your Electra Townie, and sometimes it slips down to a lower gear, this could be due to a few reasons. Firstly, the cable tension on a brand new Nexus/Alfine 8-speed hub needs to be precise. Find the cable tension indicator on the top and bottom of the hub. The top one is a small plastic window, and the bottom one is a small piece of painted yellow metal. Turn the barrel adjuster on the shifter until you see the outboard yellow line move. This should solve the issue.
If this doesn't work, the problem could be with the chain tension. If the shifter cable isn't properly lubricated or there's binding somewhere, you will notice a problem while adjusting the gears. If you can't get the adjustment right, take the bike to a shop, and they should fix it without charge. If the bike is new, they should test ride it to experience the problem.
If the problem persists, the issue could be with the chain guard or the dust cap on the hub behind the cog, which may have popped out of place or cracked. This noise is not detrimental to the safety of the bike, but you should still get the hub repaired by a shop with experience with these hubs.
If you are still unable to fix the clicking noise, it could be due to a faulty internal hub. Flip your bike upside down, or mount it on a bike mount, and turn the pedals by hand while slowly shifting between gears. If you lose pedal power, the internal hub setting might be slightly off. This is something that can be fixed at a bike shop.
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Frequently asked questions
The Electra Townie has an internal gear system, which is low-maintenance and easy to use. To change gears, simply shift the chain in towards the center line of the bike to accelerate and climb (downshift) or move the chain out or away from the center line of the bike for speed (upshift).
If your gears are slipping, this could be due to incorrect cable tension. You can adjust the cable tension by turning the barrel adjuster on the shifter until you see the outboard yellow line move. Alternatively, if your shifter cable isn't properly lubricated, take your bike to a shop to have it adjusted.
First, double-check that you're shifting through all of your gears. If you are, then you may need to replace the cassette with one that has better road gearing, such as 11-28 or 12-32.
