Maybe not five, but "svelte" is not an adjective I'd apply. :)

Does the ESGE weigh about five pounds? Perhaps I exaggerate . . .

I just looked at the Pletscher two-legged stand. It's a dead ringer for my ESGE.

It is supposed to have a kickstand plate. If so the plate should be suitable for either a single- or double-legged kickstand. I've got an ESGE (Swiss-made, no longer made) two-legged stand that I could move between the Rodriguez and our Bike Friday recumbent tandem if it ever sees service again.

I had the ESGE on my New World Tourist until it tore the plate off that frame. I didn't have the top plate for the ESGE, so was relying only on the bottom plate (welded to the underside of the Bike Friday frame) but it wasn't up to the task. The new rear end BF sent me has the mounting plate, and they *claim* they've beefed up the way they weld it on, but I'm a bit skeptical.

Whatever stand I put on the Rodriguez, I'll use a top plate as well as the bottom plate. Belt and suspenders...

Your Rodriguez looks great. I've always been just an "off-the-rack" bike buyer, so it's interesting to see how they keep you posted on every step of the construction process. I have a name in mind for your new bike, but it's not my bike so it's probably best that I keep my mouth shut (for now) and let you name it.

Does your Rodriguez come with the mounting plate for the doubled legged kickstand? Jacinto loves his. He says it doesn't matter how much weight the bike has, it is sturdy when parked with the Pletscher kickstand.

My new to me Phoenix recumbent came with the same kickstand. I haven't quite mastered the art of lifting the rear of the bike and sweeping the legs of the kickstand at the same time.

Hi

I'm going to try to fit the low riders I had on the Trek (Blackburn SFL-1, a classic), and pictured below, if I can make them work with the disc brake. If not I'll have to find something suitable.

The rear rack in the photo below was a Performance cheapie that I never especially liked. I don't know for certain if I even still have it, but I have three or four others hanging up in dark and dusty corners if not.

The red panniers and handlebar bag are long gone from my gear. The panniers wore out after being used for years as commuting gear; the handlebar bag had a mount that is incompatible with modern stems (it only fit the older quill-type stems).

As replacements I got new Arkel front panniers (GT18) and a new handlebar bag (Arkel large) this year, ahead of my western tour. The rear panniers in the photo below are also ancient history, replaced several years back with panniers I like okay (Kootenay by Axiom- out of production now) but may still supplement / replace with the biggest Arkels (GT54s) or maybe the slightly more modest-size GT42 if I suffer a moment of weakness over the winter.

Shifters will be bar end, I think pretty much garden variety Shimano. The brakes will be by TRP, I think the Hy/Rd model (mixed cable/hydraulic).

I got a $14 kickstand from Amazon this week to put on my Bike Friday; I think I'll get another for the Rodriguez, at least to start. It seems reasonably robust and is adjustable for length. At that price it's almost disposable if it doesn't work out.

Have you decided on the 'bling'? Will you be getting new panniers and racks, or moving those from the Trek? Kickstand? What type of shifters, etc?

Some of that was loosely covered in your thought process. What did you end up deciding on?

I have a terrible thing for panniers. I've purchased far more pairs than I could ever wear out. Jandd is my favorite brand for weight/durability/organization. I used their panniers more when I carried a heavy load/camping.

Having said that, I'm now a light weight motel/restaurant sort of bicycle tourist. My current favorite panniers are the Arkel Dry Lites. They are $90. a pair. I admit to being so lazy that I've purchased a set for each bike, so I don't have to move them around. I have one set of Ortleib Gravel Panniers that I put on the underseat rack of my recumbent. They are also small and lightweight.

I don't think any of my choices are something you'd be interested in, as you need more space for camping gear.

This year I splurged on a set of Rockgeist panniers. The attraction was the holster type pannier that a dry bag can slide in and out. Sorry, I can't post a link here. After using them for an overnight to Aspen, I decided they did not make the cut. My reasons sound frivolous, even to me. The fabric was noisy. The dry bag fastened with one clip. A second strap/clip held the dry bag in plus. Thus, I had to unfasten/fasten two clips each time I wanted in the bag during the day. That's not unreasonable - but it's double the number I'm used to. Despite liking the design, I didn't take them.

Yep. I paid extra for it, so they'd *better* have remembered. :)

LOL!

Very nice!

Waiting for your new bicycle is the adult version of waiting for Christmas!

They remembered the bottle opener!

Shackleton's leadership skills should be described, encapsulated, and taught in a class on effectiveness and inspiration. In my own modest way I tried to incorporate what I know of them during my stint in lower management.

Some of each, and some (Zeus and The Princess) had names when I got them.

Did you name your other bikes before meeting them, or did they earn their name after some miles on the road?

I love your imagination!