Mark, how was your battery life after the 60 miles that you rode? Or do you use a spare battery?

My batteries weigh about 5 lbs each and are 36v 10.5 AH. They are 'water bottle' style which are easier for me to mount on my non standard frames. and carry in my Ortlieb back roller pannier.

Amen to that!

I'd like to add that thanks to Mark Boyd's guidance and attitude, all us older touring gimmers are not shy to add some e-help to keep our arses on the saddles! ;-)

My battery weighs similar to yours. But it's a trade off, assist or weight. A couple of the places I go to for a couple of days require that I carry two days water and food plus camping gear. I can do that with one battery in comfort with e-pedal assist. Touring longer distances, I would mostly credit card tour, motels etc., with two batteries but less camping and cooking gear.

How much do your batteries weigh? I have a 52V 750W that weighs a ton (maybe 6-7 lbs). I’d like a second battery for touring but not sure I want to carry so much extra weight.

Interesting reading of your e-touring. As you know, I converted my Surly Disc Trucker to a "Surl-E" using the same e-drive as you, the TSDZ2. Although mine is the 48V, 500W, 12Ah battery version. Due to Covid travel restrictions previously this year, I have only done two short tours this year to the local Gulf Islands here in BC with the Surl-E and all went well battery wise using the e-assist a little more generously on the steep hills. My two tours were only about 25 miles each and I still had lots of juice in the battery when I got home. As you mentioned, for a longer tour I would take my second battery also.

The page I just posted is, in part, a response to your comment.

Mark

Hi Mark

Thanks for sharing your transition from pedal power to pedal assist power. Its something I am thinking about. It’s the way of the future for us older cyclists and for anyone younger who wants to achieve a cycle goal within their capabilities.

Enjoy your tour from New Zealand

Cheers
Sandy

I would not be surprised if many folk who haven't 'adapted' to CF bikes buy the 'new' seat thinking it might help. Maybe it does help some people, but it contradicts the basic design of the bike.

The bike in Maryland that Linda is looking at also has two seats. Perhaps confirming your opinion?

I have those images so I'll try to remember to add one to my journal.

As for the two different seats, I had/have NO interest in the one that RANs seems to be offering as an alternative now. It looks like an overstuffed regular bike seat and that only makes sense if you don't understand why the Fusion should have a recumbent like seat. It is definitely a 'comfort' bike seat and I understand why folk looking for a comfort bike might buy it, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

Mark - can you tell us about the two different seats and why you like the one you like?

Don't forget a photo of the bike with bags on it!

Kelly

I'm a Jew who has spent a lot of time riding in Poland and, even now when it has gone off the deep right wing politically, still loves riding there because of the polish people. I also grew up in a deeply racist US which has improved a lot by 2005 but now, like Poland, seems to be going backwards.

I don't remember what I wrote in 2005 but I'm glad you found it interesting.

So far, I'm finding that it rides very well. I'll know more after a few weeks on the road.