Trek Pure or Electra Townie?

[CB4]

I'm in the market for a new bike and have narrowed it to the Trek Pure or Electra Townie. Looks like can get into either model for about 500.
I'm just looking for a comfortable ride with 3 or more gears......Anyone have opinions on which is better?

Thanks for any info you have.

 

[user 135]

I had the Townie and it was a good bike. But I would recommend looking on craigslist. Lots of good bikes for less than new cost.

 

[mybike1]

I would definately go with the townie. However, stay away from the ones with the external derailers, sometimes they can be troublesome getting them to shift 100%. Internal gears are great on those.

 

[GTCOMA]

I say go for the Electra. I don't know if you are looking for a guys or a girls or if you would opt for a chopper or classic cruiser rather than the Townie, but here are all the Electras on the CL in the midwest at the moment. The best deal is probably the Straight 8 in Lebanon, OH or the pair of Townies in Nashville.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1167631040.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/1176512550.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/1161311408.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/1175921553.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/1131635517.html
http://lexington.craigslist.org/bik/1134560783.html
http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/1162685389.html
http://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1157464209.html
http://dayton.craigslist.org/bik/1157985619.html
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bik/1156343883.html
http://rmn.craigslist.org/bik/1152774827.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/1152792805.html