Deep South Texas says Howdy

[RGVCycling]

I'm from Mission, Texas (home of Tom Landry, and the Grapefruit among other things) and I am looking to downsize by selling my Chevy Volt and go e-bike all the way. Lots of pluses and minuses in going this route but I believe in the long run it will be beneficial for me healthwise and financially. I've been cycling for a long time but ever since my Dad passed away my hard-core cycling has hit a wall. I don't know why I still use my Specialized Sirrus with Tannus tires but the thought of e-bikes has been pushed to the front of the line.

I've been doing my due diligence looking at different models from primarily Trek and Specialized as they are to dominate dealers here in the Rio Grande Valley. I've really narrowed down the choices to either the Specialized Vado or Como series 4 or higher. Me being 200+ lbs ruled out any of the SL versions.

I like the Como versions because you can add a front rack to it and the bigger tires. I also like the Vado series for the seating posture that is similar to my Sirrus but I have no experience with shocks on the front fork plus as far as I know, you can't add a front rack.

Racks are important for me for getting supplies and eventually commuting to work 15 miles away. I like the idea of a front rack to Bungie my iPad to it and go eat somewhere.

I found this site while YouTubing various bikes and have found it immensely useful.

Some fun facts:

• Summers days are typically 100+ F degrees
• Winters are mild but cold for us
• Home of Dallas Cowboys football coach, Tom Landry
• The Border with Mexico is only 4-5 miles from my home
• We have a 900+ year-old Montezuma Bald Cypress tree
• We lack adequate bike infrastructure
• Two of my co-workers at the University have been killed on their bike
• Flat terrain with windy conditions
• Overpasses are our hills
• Area known for ecotourism
  • Birding
  • Butterflies

More to be added later.

Cheers,
Ray

 

[indianajo]

Welcome to the site and low carbon commuting.
I live without a car and use the stretch frame cargo bike left. There are bosses in the frame to mount a front basket that doesn't steer with the wheel. I put the battery up there. I carried 2'x4' wood panels home from HD last week. I don't ride as fast as a Como or Vado. Suspension highly smooths out the bumps of high speed riding. I ride 8-10 mph except down hills with perfect pavement.
I left Houston because I was rear-ended a seventh time while accelerating too slowly to suit the pickup behind me. I can't imagine riding streets there on a bicycle. I did not find the heat a problem. You get used to it, as long as you don't air-condition your life completely. I unloaded trailers & box cars without a fan one summer during college to pay the bills. I would drink a gallon of water a day.
I like having 4 seasons here but can get light headed in the summer and have to rest in the shade. Imagine, suffering at only 98 F.

 

[Art Deco]

I'm from Mission, Texas (home of Tom Landry, and the Grapefruit among other things) and I am looking to downsize by selling my Chevy Volt and go e-bike all the way. Lots of pluses and minuses in going this route but I believe in the long run it will be beneficial for me healthwise and financially. I've been cycling for a long time but ever since my Dad passed away my hard-core cycling has hit a wall. I don't know why I still use my Specialized Sirrus with Tannus tires but the thought of e-bikes has been pushed to the front of the line.

I've been doing my due diligence looking at different models from primarily Trek and Specialized as they are to dominate dealers here in the Rio Grande Valley. I've really narrowed down the choices to either the Specialized Vado or Como series 4 or higher. Me being 200+ lbs ruled out any of the SL versions.

I like the Como versions because you can add a front rack to it and the bigger tires. I also like the Vado series for the seating posture that is similar to my Sirrus but I have no experience with shocks on the front fork plus as far as I know, you can't add a front rack.

Racks are important for me for getting supplies and eventually commuting to work 15 miles away. I like the idea of a front rack to Bungie my iPad to it and go eat somewhere.

I found this site while YouTubing various bikes and have found it immensely useful.

Some fun facts:

• Summers days are typically 100+ F degrees
• Winters are mild but cold for us
• Home of Dallas Cowboys football coach, Tom Landry
• The Border with Mexico is only 4-5 miles from my home
• We have a 900+ year-old Montezuma Bald Cypress tree
• We lack adequate bike infrastructure
• Two of my co-workers at the University have been killed on their bike

More to be added later.

Cheers,
Ray

I ride a Como3 just for fun, but with the front pizza rack and a pair of panniers on the back, the Como4 would make a very nice grocery getter.

 

[RGVCycling]

Welcome to the site and low carbon commuting.
I live without a car and use the stretch frame cargo bike left. There are bosses in the frame to mount a front basket that doesn't steer with the wheel. I put the battery up there. I carried 2'x4' wood panels home from HD last week. I don't ride as fast as a Como or Vado. Suspension highly smooths out the bumps of high speed riding. I ride 8-10 mph except down hills with perfect pavement.
I left Houston because I was rear-ended a seventh time while accelerating too slowly to suit the pickup behind me. I can't imagine riding streets there on a bicycle. I did not find the heat a problem. You get used to it, as long as you don't air-condition your life completely. I unloaded trailers & box cars without a fan one summer during college to pay the bills. I would drink a gallon of water a day.
I like having 4 seasons here but can get light headed in the summer and have to rest in the shade. Imagine, suffering at only 98 F.

I visited friends and family in Houston last month and got reacquainted with the bayou trails there. What a fun trip that was. Dragged my buddy on bike to downtown, hopped on the light rail, rode around Rice University area. Nothing but a fun trip.

I used to commute to work (13 miles one way) once or twice a week to save on gas. I had wipe downs and deodorant in my office to clean up. Now I need to ride a little further to campus and I can take advantage of the showers at the gym.

 

[RGVCycling]

I ride a Como3 just for fun, but with the front pizza rack and a pair of panniers on the back, the Como4 would make a very nice grocery getter.

I like taking my ipad everywhere with me and strapping it to the front rack appeals to me. I used to bungee it to the rear rack but I have noticed that my iPad is now bent a little So I don’t do that any more. I now use a pannier to haul it around.

Have you had any flats on the Como?

 

[Art Deco]

No flats, no chain, brake, or other issues either in the year I've owned it.. When I do a ABC check, I am always surprised that every thing is still fine. Knock on wood.

 

[RGVCycling]

No flats, no chain, brake, or other issues either in the year I've owned it.. When I do a ABC check, I am always surprised that every thing is still fine. Knock on wood.

That is music to my ears. I have Tannus tires on my current bike and the no flats worry is a great feeling. Hop on and go is what I like.

 

[Art Deco]

I am in rural Pennsylvania... no goat head thorns here. Just the usual crap on the side of the road, but the bike just seems bulletproof compared to my old 10 speed.