I have a Rans Tailwind and I'm looking for a better ride and something a little faster. I been told by a local bike shop the stratus is comparative to the tour easy. I heard a number of people say the tour easy is the ultimate bike. Can anyone who has experience with these two bikes please give me your personal opinion. Then again some people seem very happy with their Tailwinds. Would I notice a big improvement with either of the above mentioned. Thanks for any opinions.

I've had all three and currently have a Stratus. It is the sweetest of the three, IMO. Again, it's a personal preference. The Stratus does not "feel" like a long wheel base as much as a TE does. The TE flexes a lot, which means it is a tad slower to accelerate. Once it gets going, however, it is very fast and very smooth. The Stratus has a more rigid "feel" to it's acceleration, but not as rigid as a Tailwind. Stratus is smooth, quicker to accelerate, handles well at low speeds (turns, etc.) and is a very stable ride. I did not experience the TE as easily maneuverable at low speeds as the Stratus. Both bikes are comfortable with comparable leg positioning on the pedals. The RANS does offer you more handlebar options to try. I found both seats comfortable, though the RANS offers a bit more adjustability. The Tour Easy offers more sizes for a more custom "fit" on the frame. They're both classic, sweet riding steel LWB bikes. With the Tour Easy you get "membership" in "the" recumbent club, ERRC. A super bunch of folks! (I subscribe to their newsletter and I don't own an Easy Racer anymore...that's fine with them...all are welcome!) It's probably going to come down to a matter of personal preference, as usual. You would probably be happy with either bike, they are so similar. Some day, if I can ever manage it, I am going to get another Easy Racer...a Gold Rush. I'll still keep my Stratus as it is such a sweet ride. BOTH rides are mighty steps up from a Tailwind in feel, fit, and performance, IMO.

Thanks ChiliDog. you'r feed back has been a great help. I know it all comes down to personal prefrence, and to give each one a test ride, but the little bit of a test ride you can get at a dealer just doesnt match up to a day of riding. The dealer has new one's for $1300, and Two last year models left for $1400. The last year models originally sold for $1700 and have better quality components, so thats why their $100 more. Thanks again, anyone else with comments please jump in.

I have a Tailwind and a TourEasy. I agree with Chillidog. I think you might get more for your dollar with the Stratus becase of the new price increase of the TE. If I was you I would look at the new Stratus with 26 inch wheels on the front and back or the V2 with 26's. This would be really great if your area is mainly nearly flat.

I asked the dealer about the new stratus xp with the 26 inch wheels and he said it was more hype than performance and I would loose handeling. He does have some 2005 TE's left for $1900. I am willing to pay the extra $500 if The Te would be A big difference from the stratus, but if not $500 is a big savings. Such decisions.

There's the new Stratus LE...priced lower than the 26/20 and same frame, just a lower "grade" components. That should not affect the classic Stratus ride.

Dual 26 Stratus is a different animal altogether...just keep that in mind.

I bought my Tour Easy online at Aerospoke. They through the carbon wheels in for free.

rcski,
I have a Bacchetta Giro 20. I bought it because it's fast, comfortable and climbs well. I'm looking at the Stratus and TE for commuting and unpaved paths.

The dealers are getting alot of calls for the 2006 Stratus twin 26" model but the dealers can't get them. The same dealers have a Stratus 20" or three in inventory. I'm not surprised that your dealer is more enthusiastic about selling you a 20" model. Personally, I'll wait until I test ride the 26" before I part with $1500. I might end up with a 20" leftover but I'll decide that without the benefit of my dealer's opinion.

I think you made a good point zoridog. I recall him telling me last year how the TE was the only way to go, now he's telling me the stratus is just as good. What's wierd I went in there to buy a $2000 bike, and he's trying to sell me a $1400 bike. Like chilidog said alot of it is personal preference, and try them all out. the problem is most of the high end bikes are all good, but each one has it's pro's and cons. I noticed the status has a 26 inch rear and the TE has a 28 inch rear wheel. I like the idea of the bigger rear wheel. I had my mind set on the stratus but now I'm leaning toward the TE. When the weather warms up I'll take them out for a test, I'm sure that will help in my decision.

rcski,
I've never owned either but have test ridden both. I agree with Chilidog that the Strat will be a little stiffer than a TE. Although you're unlikely to notice unless you're fairly strong. In the Easyracers world if you want stiffer, you step up to the aluminum GRR model. I tried a dual-26 Strat at the Bentrider Rally, and was impressed with it; I don't think you'd be giving up handling to have the 26" front wheel, and the 26" wheel would take the rough stuff on unimproved trails better.

What I don't agree with Chilidog on is the low speed handling. I like the TE's handling better, although that's one of those personal-preference deals. Neither is bad.

ps. The TE comes in two models: SuperSport and EXpedition. From the description of your intended use, (if you go the TE route) I think you'll want the EX model, which has a 406 front and 26" rear. Coincidently (or not...) that's what the standard Stratus uses.

TourEasy SS
Front Wheel 20" x 1 1/8" (451mm)
Rear Wheel 700c x 28c

TourEasy EX
20" x 1.35" (406MM
700C x 35C


This is the setup for the TourEasy. I own the TourEasy and have ridden the Stratus. Both are great "Bents" but for my money and in IMHO the TourEasy wins. The acceleration from a stop that ChiliDog spoke of depends on the the rider. I haven't had any problems "getting up to speed" on the TE but off subject the Ti-Rush gets up to speed in a nano second. You can't go wrong with either the Stratus or TE. One of my riding friends purchased a Stratus LE last October (2005). He had test ridden another friends Stratus and my TE. After a couple of weeks of testing he chose the LE primarily because of the cost factor but he wanted the TE because of the performance. Maybe next time!!

Carpe Diem

Dr. Duk


Ti-Rush (Miss Ti-Lizzie)
TourEasy
Haluzak Horizon
HP SpeedMachine
HP StreetMachine
R-64 Vision Sabre
Rans Screamer
Trek R-200
Bike E CT

I think both of the Tour Easy bikes come with 700c rear wheels. This is about a 28 inch compared to a 26 on the Rans . This larger wheel makes a diference on the bikes. Slower to wind up but winds up further.

I ran into you at the bike shop on Friday. I have owned both the Stratus and the Tour Easy. Both are steel frames and have a plusher ride than my GRR. Of the three the Stratus is the only one designed to be flexible in the middle of the frame. It gives me a very soft ride over harsh pavement. The Tour Easy is accelerates faster for me than did the Stratus. For me the Tour Easy seems to climb better, perhaps because the bottom bracket area is stiffer.

I think you'd like either the Stratus or Tour Easy. Both have nice seats and the current Stratus seat foam is firmer than in years past (more like the Tour Easy) which I find better on longer rides at giving my hips good support.

Both the Stratus bikes you were looking at have cloth fairings which is a nice feature. However, my preference is for the longer and wider Zzipper fairing because it shields me from cold air year round. To my mind the Tour Easy steering has a more refined feel.

The Tour Easy comes in seven sizes so you are certain to get a bike that's sized properly for you.