From City Bikes Crank Forward:
A new comfort-oriented bicycle design is known as ‘crank forward.’ Several small geometric changes combine in a radically different bicycle from the standard diamond-frame comfort bike. As the name implies, the crankset is moved forward from its traditional position directly below the seat. The seat tube is laid back at a more relaxed angle, which lowers the rider’s center of gravity and allows a more upright position to relieve pressure on the wrists and hands.
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Electra’s Forth further explained, “The upright seating position gives you a much better view, and being able to put your feet down while still seated is like having training wheels without having training wheels.”