First tour on my Tour Easy

[Cyclebum]

Man, does the name say it all! Tour Easy. Exactly. I knew it was gonna be a much better ride than my old df, but it exceeded my expectations.

Just completed 5 days on the Texas gulf coast with a buddy. He on a df, me on my bent. We've toured together before. He was always way out ahead. Not this time. On the TE, I was able to tease him a bit. I'd drop back, then catch up and speed on past. Spent most of the tour hanging back a bit, especially when into a head wind. Affected him more than me. He made note of this several times, pronouncing the TE more aerodynamically efficient than the df.

When the road surface was smooth and wind no factor, a rare event, 14-15 mph was normal vs 12 on the df. I was packing 25 pounds of gear.

The only reason I ever toured on a df was ignorance. I look back and wonder how I ever rode that df beast thousands of miles.

[JanMM]

You are hooked and are beyond hope of rehabilitation.

Congrats on the great tour.

[rydabent]

Ah yes--------there is truth in the old saying---we get too soon old and too late smart. Applies to me anyway. Bent since 2005, but Im now 73!!

[Dudelsack]

Another one brought over to The Dark Side of The Force.

[Grumpybear]

Congrats, You wouldn't happen to have some pictures of how you loaded up your bike, or any comments about not having any front panniers/handlebar bag?

[Cyclebum]

Well, as a matter a fact I do This is my now standard touring configuration. ~25 lbs. I've lost the kitchen. Small triangle bag for misc items needed frequently like Snicker bars and sunscreen. The panniers shown are, I think, my rear Axioms, tho normally I use the smaller front ones.. I think I can drop the weight to about 20 lbs for summer touring when I figure out a blow up pillow of the right size. Now use stuff sack filled with more clothes then I need. Could drop even more weight using this idea.

I suspect handling would improve putting the bags up front. But with 20" wheels, there would likely be a drag issue. Haven't really investigated a rack for the front. Any ideas?

[Grumpybear]

I've seen it in pictures,
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/pics/...denver.JPG?v=0
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/pics/...ngbike.jpg?v=0

but have never used them.

For myself, I've added a front fairing so that I can run some bags onto the handle bars without it affecting the wind resistance. Still playing around with it, so I don't have any pictures.

[Jeff Wills]

I suspect handling would improve putting the bags up front. But with 20" wheels, there would likely be a drag issue. Haven't really investigated a rack for the front. Any ideas?

Easy Racer bikes work very well with large rear panniers and smaller under-seat panniers. Like this, less the trailer:

[Dudelsack]

Are you using the Terracycle Easy Reacher rack in that photo?

[Jeff Wills]

Are you using the Terracycle Easy Reacher rack in that photo?

Not my bike, but I'm 90% certain it's a Terracycle rack. I've had a couple, and they mesh well with the Easy Reacher panniers: http://errcmagazine.com/merchandise.aspx

[aenlaasu]

My husband recently made a quip about having me drive him around Scotland while he samples the distilleries. I told him, or he could get his butt on a bike and ride with me from place to place. Then he pointed out getting my trike there would be a problem. 'Or we could just rent a pair of DFs instead'.

I gave him a look of disbelieving horror. Give up a comfy seat and ability to sit down after 10+ hours ride? Give up being able to pedal up hills instead of getting off and walking up? With my knees, I need gearing so low to hill climb I can't maintain balance on 2 wheels. He took one look at my face and rolled his eyes with a long suffering sigh.