Electra Amsterdam Classic 3 (2008 Model) with AXA Defender rear wheel lock and BASIL "Memphis" panniers

My experience: using the Amsterdam Classic 3 as a commuter bicycle for my round-trip work commute (4.5 miles each way, give or take) for approximately a month and a half.

RESULTS:

Style: 4/5

Ride Comfort: 5/5

Durability: 3/5

Safety: 2/5

Build Quality: 2/5

Overall: 3/5

Summary:

The Electra Amsterdam Classic 3 is a stylish, comfortable dutch-style bicycle with almost all the features needed in a lifestyle bicycle, but unfortunately there are nagging safety and build quality concerns.

I picked up my Electra Amsterdam Classic 3 in late June at my local bike store. I test rode several of the models and chose the Classic 3 model because of the ride quality compared to the “Sport” versions, and because it came with all the accessories I needed to start commuting every day with the bicycle. My previous bicycle was a Trek 7500fx, 2002 model, which I had been using for quite some time, although the geometry was not quite right for me.

The standard Classic 3 model comes equipped with a steel frame, very sturdy rear rack (although with wider-than-standard tubing, so some U.S. panniers do not fit), chaincase, bottle dynamo powered front light, full front and rear fenders, and battery powered rear light (solid only, no flashing mode). I quickly added a second rear light so that I could have both a solid light and a flashing light for night riding. I chose the green color, but it is also available in black (men’s), and five different designs in a women’s/step-through frame.

Style & Ride Quality

What can I say? The Electra Amsterdam is a beautiful bicycle, with the overall design somewhat of a cross between a beach cruiser and a classic Dutch bike. Great lines, details like two-color pinstriping across the entire frame and matching coat/skirt guard. The only thing missing, in my opinion, is a rear wheel lock (more on that later).

The ride quality on the Amsterdam is superb, and along with style, the best feature of the bicycle. This bicycle is very comfortable for riding every day. The longest ride I went on before this review was 24 miles, done leisurely over a few hours one Saturday, and the bicycle was comfortable the entire time. No complaints here.

Durability & Build Quality

My experience with durability of the Amsterdam is mixed – some things quite surprising, and some not. I had the misfortune of having a very serious mishap during the period I am covering for this review, which the bicycle survived fairly well. The bicycle was actually pushed off of my roof-mounted bicycle rack by colliding with a low overhang in a parking garage. A scary moment, indeed. When I took the bicycle in for repair, however, nothing too serious had happened – the front light had been cracked, and the ends of the front fork had to be straightened, but nothing much else. In that regard, I found the durability of the bicycle impressive.

Unfortunately, what I experienced about the bicycle’s durability did not extend to build quality. I had several things that needed adjusting while riding the bicycle, and several annoying “features” that won’t go away. First and foremost is the fact that the coat/skirt guards on the back wheel are made of a cheap plastic material, and can get disconnected from the rear fender quite easily, especially on Austin’s bumpy streets. After having to adjust them several times, I took them off and haven’t tried to put them back on, especially after installing a third-party rear wheel lock (unlike most dutch bicycles, the rear fenders have to place for a rear lock to fit through them). Secondly, the chaincase is metal, which seems to be a good feature, but the chain itself can collide with the case on any bump in the road, making a not-so-inspiring ‘clang’ while riding- quite worrisome.

Safety

Safety overall on this bicycle boils down to one major concern: the lack of a second braking system to go along with the coaster brakes. Since coaster brakes rely on your chain functioning to be able to stop you, if your chain is dislodged or breaks, you have no brakes, which could put you in a very dangerous situation. In fact, over the short time of this review period, my chain came unattached not once, but TWICE while I was commuting to work or back. The second time was the worst, as it occurred just as I was building up speed heading north on South Congress – a long, sloping hill. Fortunately, I was able to veer off onto a side road and coast to a stop with the help of my feet- it could have been much, much worse. Without a second braking system, I cannot recommend this bicycle for commuting or for riding on hilly terrain or busy streets. The upper-level Amsterdam models do have a front brake, which would help the situation.

Other reviews: http://bikeportland.org/2006/12/19/my-impression-of-the-electra-amsterdam/ (BikePortland.org) has a more favorable review of this bicycle