The retro ride is back in style.

• Position: What's New? - Retro bicycles from Electra Bicycle Company

If anything's led the way for the latest retro movement, it's bicycles, which are back in a big way, thanks, in part, to the efforts and creative designs of the Electra Bicycle Company, Carlsbad, Calif., manufacturers of retro-inspired cruisers, children's bikes, and Townies. Moreover, its flat-foot technology allows riders to feel stable and balanced when standing and prevents knee strain while riding. Upright-but-lowered seating and pedals that are set forward offer riders the ideal combination of power, comfort, and road visibility.

"You can see the difference if you look ... but more, you can feel the difference," says Electra designer and co-founder Benno Baenziger of the bikes' lowered seat and forward pedaling. "Our frame geometry took us 12 years to perfect. We combined the design frame of our Townie in the classic retro look of our cruisers."

With our large family of bikers, we went to the opposite ends of the Electra spectrum for our selections. The ladies' Hawaii 3 Custom Cruiser--with a sunrise fade pink-and-yellow paint job; flower decals; front and back wheel fenders; 24" tires; chain guard; and coaster brake--simply screams "Classic Retro." However, for retro...