Electra Townie Go! S Review | A Cruiser Through and Through

An e-bike’s range is one of the largest factors in many of our readers’ buying decisions, so we test every model’s minimum and maximum range using the method described in the graphic above. As shown, our team of riders (myself included) covered 35 miles in the High mode test and 55.6 miles in the Eco mode test.

A group of similar cruiser and commuter e-bikes we’ve tested, which includes many popular and similarly priced e-bikes, averaged 32.6 and 65 miles. As such, the Townie came in roughly average to somewhat below average in comparison.

There were several factors influencing the Townie Go! S’s result in this test, including battery capacity, the relationship of battery capacity to nominal motor power (520 Wh vs 500W), and the bike’s programming.

By running a basic calculation using battery capacity and our Range Test results, we can see that the Townie Go was more efficient than the pool of similar e-bikes we used for comparison.

Case in point: in its Eco mode test, the Townie used 9.4 watt-hours (Wh) per mile (mi), while in its High mode test, it used only 14.9 Wh/mi. In comparison, similar models we tested used 9.7 Wh/mi in their low-assist test and a significantly higher 19.3 Wh/mi in their high-assist test.

Considering that it consumed fewer watt-hours per mile in both tests, but was also equipped with a smaller-than-average battery, the Townie Go! S’s slightly shorter results in our low–assist test makes sense.

Overall, we consider the bike to have performed very well in this test. This perspective is further reinforced by our Speed Test results; considering that I found the Eco and Mid power levels to be practical for general riding, it’s likely that many riders will fall between our results—maybe even more toward the high end.

Please note that during our High mode test, we adhered to the 20 mph speed limit on our local bike paths, which reduced the motor’s drain on the battery. As such, riding faster at full Class 3 speeds will drain the bike’s charge more quickly.

Speaking of charging, the included EasyMag charger is worth highlighting here. The charger has a magnetic lead that attaches quickly and effortlessly to a port on the bike’s down tube. I liked that it oriented itself and snapped into place almost entirely on its own, but I also appreciated the fact that the charger could be wall mounted for ease of reading.

Instead of the typical red/green LED showing the bike’s charge status, the EasyMag charger has a bar-based light ring that shows the battery’s charge level. This makes it possible to monitor the bike’s charge level with a glance instead of having to turn the bike on.

The Townie Go!’s battery is fully internal, meaning that it’s generally not removable, though it can be accessed by technicians if or when service is needed. We’d have preferred the ability to remove the battery for charging instead of having to bring the entire bike inside, but we appreciate that the bike’s setup does give it the advantage of a stiffer frame.

One final perk of the included EasyMag charger is its speedy charging time; the unit’s 3A output can charge a fully drained battery in approximately 3.5 hours.

As with previous test sections above, the process we used for our Hill Test is explained in the graphic above. The Townie Go! S successfully completed both portions of the test, and our test rider, Justin, noted that its performance felt appropriate for its style.

By the numbers, Justin finished the throttle portion of the test in 2:23, with an average speed of 12.7 mph. His time in the pedal test was a few seconds slower, coming in at 2:36 at 11.6 miles per hour.

Similar cruiser and commuter e-bikes we’ve tested averaged 2:06 in their throttle test and 2:05 using their highest PAS setting. As such, the Townie Go! S was slower than average in both portions of the test, although it’s worth noting that, due to a recent relocation of our Hill test, we don’t have a large pool of similar bikes to compare it to.

With that in mind, I think the results make sense when considering the Townie’s motor output. Our test proved that it is powerful enough to climb hills effectively, but its peak of 600W is relatively low in comparison to other bikes we’ve tested. Those bikes averaged 831W.

Additionally, the Townie Go! S has relatively uncommon geometry that likely contributed to its results in the pedal test. While other brands refer to its style as a pedal-forward design, Electra refers to its approach as Flat Foot Technology. Regardless of its name, the Townie’s seat tube is slackened and its cranks are moved forward.

This design is intended to promote comfort while allowing riders to plant their feet flat when stopped (more on that later). A downside of the approach is reduced pedal efficiency when climbing, which may have slowed the bike down when Justin was using leg power to complete the test.

Overall, we’re satisfied with the bike’s performance, especially considering that it is designed to be fun, relaxed, and comfortable rather than extremely powerful. We chose the Devil’s Backbone to be representative of hills that you’re likely to encounter in the real world, and clearly, the Townie’s motor is capable of handling those kinds of situations.

The bottom line is that, in most places, the Townie Go! S should give its rider the ability to choose between throttling and pedaling uphill. In extreme cases, riders might need to add some leg power to reach the top, but even in those situations, they shouldn’t have to work too hard if they do.

We tested the Townie Go! S’s hydraulic disc brake system, made by Rush, using the process explained above. The bike’s result was an average stopping distance of 22’ 0”.

The Townie’s result is well within the zone of expected results we consider safe and effective, despite being exactly 13” further than average when compared to similar models, including some of the best electric cruiser bikes we’ve tested.

In my opinion, the bike’s tires were the primary reason for its slightly longer-than-average result. Firstly, the Townie bounced on its tires when stopping, which likely reduced its stopping efficiency in the same way a suspension does. Secondly, I noticed that it could skid while braking on its tires’ relatively smooth street tread.

I had zero complaints in my personal testing of the Townie. Its brakes felt great; they had good modulation and kept my speed in check effectively when riding downhill. They also stopped the bike quickly a couple of times when cars were involved (those are the real brake tests), so I think it’s more than fair to say they did their job.

With those things in mind, we give Electra two thumbs up for equipping the Townie Go! S with an effective and capable brake system.

The subject of ride quality is complex, and in many cases, largely personal. I enjoyed my time on the bike, so I’ll do my best to explain the factors that influenced how the Townie Go! felt to ride, and you can determine if its features sound up your alley.

Beginning with sizing, fit, and the bike’s riding position, Electra offers two frame sizes for a relatively broad range of riders. The Small-Medium is intended for shorter-to-average riders between 4’11” and 5’8”, while the Medium-Large is geared toward taller folks between 5’5” and 6’4”.

At 5’11”, I’m roughly in the middle of the ML frame’s height range. Generally, I found the bike extremely comfortable and well-suited for its role as a leisure bike, though there are more details to consider: primarily, its reach and adjustability for proper leg extension.

The bike’s pedal-forward design/Flat Foot Technology had a significant effect on its overall feel. Pedaling the bike required applying pressure to the pedals in a more out-and-down motion than a more typical downward movement.

The bike offers a generous 10” of saddle height adjustment, so I was able to find a comfortable position for the saddle, though I was not quite able to put both feet flat on the ground. Moving the saddle low enough to rest my feet on the ground made pedaling feel somewhat cramped, but a comfortable middle ground is definitely doable.

The Townie’s reach is on the long side, so my arms were fully stretched outward and down from my upper body. The bike’s fixed custom stem, which includes cutouts for internal cable routing, may make finding a replacement difficult for those looking to adjust their handlebar height or reach; I’d have liked an adjustable stem to make tailoring the bike’s fit easier.

I liked the cushy cruiser-style saddle and curved, ergonomic handlebars. The ride was effectively cushioned and smoothed by the bike’s 2.35”-wide balloon tires despite the Townie Go! S’s lack of a true suspension. In terms of handling, the steering was predictable yet relaxed, and the tires also provided an appreciated layer of stability.

The Townie’s motor has many highlights of its own; in addition to being nearly silent, it delivers power remarkably smoothly. We noted that it felt responsive and natural, quickly adapting its output and allowing the rider to feel as though they’re contributing to moving the bike without the experience being strenuous.

Riders can also tune the motor’s output using the Trek Central app; the feature uses two sliders for the motor’s maximum power output and the torque sensor’s sensitivity, which are individually customizable for the Townie’s three PAS settings.

Motor tuning is just one of many great features available through the app. I appreciated the “range cloud” feature, which shows boundaries on the GPS map (also used for navigation) that represent the distance riders can travel to reach 50% of the battery’s capacity and 0% through two red boundaries of different thickness.

To complement the user-friendly EasyMag charger, the app also offers a handful of battery life extension options. Users can enable an Extended Life Mode that limits the battery’s charge (and range) to get more charge cycles out of it.

A charge alert can notify users when the battery reaches a desired charge level. There’s also a long-term storage mode for extended periods of no use and an optimized charging feature for those who leave their bikes plugged in for long periods of time.

Overall, the app is excellent, though we would have liked the ability to set up multiple user profiles for those who share bikes (as we do in the Electric Bike Report office). When switching to a new user, we had to fully delete our profile to unpair from the bike, as there was no simple “unpair” option within the app in its current state.

I mentioned some of the Townie Go! S’s ride-enhancing features, such as its turn signals and MIK cargo rack in the intro. The rack was a particular standout, boasting a 60-lb capacity and the ability to carry a child seat (among many other locking accessories). It was also great to see that the bike came with commuter essentials such as fenders and a chain guard!

In summary, the Townie Go! S’s ride quality is great overall; the bike feels great to ride and includes many appreciated extras that make it more functional and fun to use.

As a product from a Trek subsidiary, we had extremely high expectations for the Electra Townie Go! S. I’m happy to report that the bike met and exceeded our hopes! This is especially impressive, considering that the cruiser category of e-bikes is relatively small but also exhibits some of the most significant variance in terms of quality and performance.

I can confidently say that the Electra Townie Go! S is one of the best cruisers we’ve tested. It checks all of the boxes we look for in terms of solid performance, a high comfort factor, and a wide range of useful and user-friendly features. The icing on the proverbial cake is the bike’s appealing visual design and value-forward price.

The Townie came in relatively average to somewhat below average in our standardized performance tests, but I think it is a great example of the fact that test data isn’t everything.

After all, a great e-bike is the sum of all of its parts, and this one focuses on what matters most. In the context of a cruiser e-bike, this means an approachable and enjoyable user experience, with fun and easy pedaling, and numerous details and features that enhance the ride quality.

The biggest downside to be aware of is that the bike’s battery isn’t removable by the consumer, although this will not interfere with service/replacement when needed. We also identified minor areas for potential improvement in the level of customization over the bike’s fit, as well as with the user profiles within the Trek Central app, but I don’t consider those to be dealbreakers.

Based on our experience, the Electra Townie Go! S would be ideal for anyone looking to spend more time with family and/or enjoy leisure rides, but I don’t think the bike is limited to casual cruises to the park or around town. Our range test showed that it could make a very practical daily commuter, and the MIK rack means it could fill a role as an errand runner.

At the Townie Go! S’s heart, however, the bike is a true cruiser meant for fun and relaxation. We’re happy to recommend it, whether you’re a young person looking for a cool and comfortable ride to work or a senior seeking an enjoyable way to get outside more often!

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Electra Townie Go! S down in our comments section.