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2003 Tour Easy vs 2002 Rans V2

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2003 Tour Easy vs 2002 Rans V2

Old 07-29-04, 08:41 PM
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2003 Tour Easy vs 2002 Rans V2

After extensive rides on SWB's I haven't found a position comfortable enough to accomodate my moderate/severe arthritis (neck, back and knees). I am now looking at LWB and wanted to know which one experienced riders would select between these two and why. Thanks for the help.
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Old 07-29-04, 09:26 PM
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Hey! I looked between the Tailwind, Tour Easy, Koosah/Jett Creek, and 2003 V2 (not sure of the differences between 2002 and 2003). I picked the Tour Easy because I got on it and I fell in love with it because it sat so comfortably with the seat and BB position and the handlebar's adjustability.

In a nutshell, what I did not like about the RANS LWB bike was the tiller effect, though mild, in the steering and the fact that the handlebar and stem were more or less in a fixed position. On the Burley's, the hard seat steered me away. Though the TE was more expensive, it's steel frame, comfortable seat, and chopper feel sold me. Plus, the reputation of the company behind it is legendary...

I also ride a RANS Rocket and am a RANS devotee...just couldn't go for the V2 due to how I felt positioned on it. But I am short (5'4") and I need a lot of adjustability.
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Old 07-31-04, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by badkneesmama
After extensive rides on SWB's I haven't found a position comfortable enough to accomodate my moderate/severe arthritis (neck, back and knees).
Hi badkneesmama,

If you're experiencing arthritic or other pain in your knees, you may want to look more closely at the lwb models that have lower bottom brackets...that way, your knees won't have to be in as "extreme" a position while pedaling.

I agree with ChiliDog(Hi, CD! )--One of the Easy Racer models(Tour Easy, Gold Rush Replica, Folding GRR, Ti(tanium) Rush) would serve you well...also, with Rans, I would suggest looking at the very respected Stratus...like the Easy Racer bikes, it has a nice low bottom bracket...and with the new riser bar/double bend handlebar available, tiller steer is virtually nonexistent.

Another, more economical line to check out would be the Sun EZ bikes, which are also designed by Easy Racer's own Gardner Martin....a lot of good folks here in the forums love them....

Good luck, BKM!


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Old 08-01-04, 03:39 PM
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Thanks for the feedback CD & Sukispop! My followup question would be pricing: is $795 for the v2 and $1795 for the TE reasonable?
Thanks again.
BKM

Originally Posted by ChiliDog
Hey! I looked between the Tailwind, Tour Easy, Koosah/Jett Creek, and 2003 V2 (not sure of the differences between 2002 and 2003). I picked the Tour Easy because I got on it and I fell in love with it because it sat so comfortably with the seat and BB position and the handlebar's adjustability.

In a nutshell, what I did not like about the RANS LWB bike was the tiller effect, though mild, in the steering and the fact that the handlebar and stem were more or less in a fixed position. On the Burley's, the hard seat steered me away. Though the TE was more expensive, it's steel frame, comfortable seat, and chopper feel sold me. Plus, the reputation of the company behind it is legendary...

I also ride a RANS Rocket and am a RANS devotee...just couldn't go for the V2 due to how I felt positioned on it. But I am short (5'4") and I need a lot of adjustability.
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Old 08-01-04, 07:16 PM
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The 2003 V2 (new) was around $1200. The new 2004 Tour Easy goes for around $2,000. Sounds like reasonable prices.
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Old 08-01-04, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by badkneesmama
Thanks for the feedback CD & Sukispop! My followup question would be pricing: is $795 for the v2 and $1795 for the TE reasonable?
Thanks again.
BKM
Hi BKM,

You're welcome! Regarding your pricing question--are these used or slightly used bikes? If my memory is correct, a new V2 goes for around $1295(not the Formula model), and a new TE goes for around $1995, don't they? The V2 in question could be a very good deal, if it's in excellent condition. The Tour Easy may not be quite as good a "value", but if it has the Gold Rush component upgrade(usually around a $275 option), the Koolback Mesh seat, and if it's also in excellent condition, then I would definitely take a good look at it. Also keep in mind that Tour Easy's hold extremely good resale value, so they don't come down as much in price as other makes.

A new Rans Stratus retails for $1649 and comes with better components than the V2 or the TE(without the optional GRR component upgrade), it's a great bike for shorter riders, and, like the TE, has been around for a long time and is a recumbent classic. If you have a recumbent dealer around who has a Stratus in stock, it may be of benefit to you to sit in one, see how it feels to you(like the way that ChiliDog tried her TE out for size, fit and feel), and take it for a test ride.

Let us know how your research goes, BKM...good luck!


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Old 08-06-04, 05:12 AM
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Originally Posted by sukispop
Another, more economical line to check out would be the Sun EZ bikes, which are also designed by Easy Racer's own Gardner Martin....
BKM,
My wife has RA - lots of area, tends to move around! She has also had some unrelated back problems. I thought she might like one of the EZ-3 trikes, so she wouldn't have to worry about balancing. The standard trike was rented out and she tried the AX (aluminum, lighter with canted rear wheels, larger front wheel, more $$). She found the BB was too high causing pain in her right hip when her knee was all the way back. She tried to EZ-1 Lite AX (again aluminum, only 34#) and found she liked it a lot. It has a lower BB relative to the seat than the EZ-3 AX (the steel trike does as well). She finds the seat comfortable on her back. The owner of the LBS steered us away from higher priced bikes! He also has $2000+ recumbants. She is an occasional recreational rider only so there wasn't extra value to getting a higher priced bike. We ended up spending about $1200 including the bike, fenders, a rear rack and "trunk", camelback UnBottle, lock and new helmet. What, a new helmet too, what's wrong with your 30 year old helmet?
I too have bad knees. I hadn't ever ridden a recumbant until I tried out the bikes at the LBS doing early research for my wife. BIG difference on my knees. I didn't care for the steering on the SWB bikes but several of the LWBs were very comfortable. If I ever have time to go riding with my wife and kids, I'm getting a CLWB or LWB recumbant.
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Old 08-06-04, 07:22 AM
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MAKE time to go riding with your wife and kids...life is too short!
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Old 08-06-04, 10:14 PM
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OK, now I found a 2000 GRR Approx 1400 miles for $1800 plus the below. With all things being equal, which way would you go?

BKM

9 speed upgrade (27) for easier hill climbing
Super Zzipper full fairing
Koolback mesh seat
Front and rear fenders
Blackburn rack
Two water bottle cages
Double arm kickstand
Handlebar bag, Selkirk
Mirrycle mirror
Front quadrilateral front bag
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Old 08-09-04, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by ChiliDog
MAKE time to go riding with your wife and kids...life is too short!
If they want to help with making a living, cooking, grocery shopping and cleaning up, plus home repairs and "HoneyDo/DaddyDo" projects, I'd have more time But, I do know what you are saying!
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Old 08-09-04, 09:35 PM
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Ok, you asked for it! Here it comes.....

"making a living"? We ALL have to work...not an excuse! Go riding!

"cooking?" Eat out more, cycle to dinner, eat sandwiches, Stouffers, etc. Share in the cooking chores! No excuse! Go riding!

"grocery shopping"? Please...I do this once a week for 2 hrs! No excuse! Go riding!

"cleaning"? Let them clean their own rooms and assign chores...let some of it go...life is too short...when you have no clean underwear, then it's time to do laundry! Are you Felix Unger? I think not...! No excuse! Go riding!

"home repairs"? How delapitated is your home? Unless the roof's leaking and the rain is pouring it, schedule it for once a month! No one was ever killed by a Dust Bunny! Or better yet, hire a handyman...life's too short! No excuse! Go riding!

When you don't have a zillion excuses, you'll go riding!

One final comment: never saw a hearse with a bike rack on it! Get riding to extend your life and enhance the quality of your life! Your family will thank you for it!
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Old 08-10-04, 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by ChiliDog
"cooking?" Eat out more, cycle to dinner, eat sandwiches, Stouffers, etc. Share in the cooking chores!
We do, too often
Good idea!
Been done.
Wife won't eat that.
ROFLMAO!! Maybe in YOUR house!
"cleaning"? Let them clean their own rooms and assign chores...let some of it go...life is too short...when you have no clean underwear, then it's time to do laundry! Are you Felix Unger? I think not...!
They do (the kids) major fight EVERY weekend, I can't convince them a little every day goes a long way... you should (OK, no one should) see our house, you wouldn't say that, there is nothing else to let go! My wife does the laundry, I'm only allowed to do whites, which are 90% mine anyway, after I put something in the dryer that shrank. No, it wasn't intententional. My wife basically only tidys when she is depressed. Talk about a catch-22! Felix, me? I have to agree with you there!
"home repairs"? How delapitated is your home? Unless the roof's leaking and the rain is pouring it, schedule it for once a month! No one was ever killed by a Dust Bunny!
Well, only that one small spot in the basement wall and the porch roof during major thunderstorms and the 2 rotting window sills
You haven't seen our dust bunnies, they even scare the cat! We could make an afgan out of them. Fortunately, they hide under the furniture until we get around to cleaning
When you don't have a zillion excuses, you'll go riding!
True, true!
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Old 08-10-04, 06:02 PM
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OK folks I bought the GRR! Took the ferry to Orcas Island on Sunday went for a test ride on the hilly island and fell in love all over again! Unfortunately had to work Monday, but as soon as my hubby got home we were out on our bikes enjoying the unusually hot weather in WA. Thanks for all of you feedback during my quest!

Badkneesmama
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Old 08-11-04, 06:44 AM
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Welcome to the world of recumbency! I was born and raised in Bellingham so some of the islands I'm familiar with, although it has benn amny years since I've been to Orcas. Was there as a little kid. Now get busy, you've got some serious riding to do!

'bent Brian
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Old 08-11-04, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by badkneesmama
OK folks I bought the GRR!
Go mama!
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Old 08-11-04, 08:02 AM
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Speaking of dust bunnies...one day my little dog was sitting and barking up at the ceiling...I kept trying to figure out what she was barking at. Finally I saw it: a huge cobweb was strung from corner to corner and the air vent was making it blow and wave in the breeze!!! NOW it's time to clean a little...

Hey, congrats on the bike!!!!! ENJOY!
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Old 09-02-04, 01:09 PM
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BKM,

I'm kinda late on this thread...but I wanted to say "Congrats" on your GRR! 'Sounds like you got a great deal on it! From all of the things I've read on the GRR, it would seem that you've obtained one of the most beloved, coveted, and respected bikes in the recumbent world!

Enjoy and be safe!
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