I lost everything in the west coast 2020 fires and haven’t really recovered.
Everything seems expensive and out of reach and I need a life change.
My vehicle insurance has gone up 40% in the last 3 years, for no good reason, and I’m seriously thinking of ditching my vehicle for a bike and moving to a walkable/bikeable city.
I’m 50 + , 5’9”, 180lbs, 44” x-seam
I’d like a do-it-all bike as much as possible. Today’s insane pricing will only allow one. (seriously, some are more than I paid for my current automobile) There’s so many options it’s difficult to wade through it all.
Looking at a long distance bikepacking/RV setup that can do hardware store and grocery runs in a hilly setting. I intend to do trips on fire roads and along the coast and I may do some multi state travels to see my mom via PCT if possible. I’m considering a YouTube vlog of my travels and will have camera equipment. A trailer is likely and lots of gear…at least until I figure out what I want/need and can pare down some.
I’ve been advised not to ride near the beach because of salt, but I know me and I will likely want to do that, so…
I have some experience on a bicycle. I used to own a Surly Pugsley with drops and fat slicks and commuted 20 miles a day to work. I could keep up with roadies fairly easily. I’m kinda done with that though. At the end of the 20 miles I was ready for a break and my palms hurt in this setup. I need something comfortable this round. I did love the fat tires.
Pugsley
[https://imgur.com/0D3xSgk](https://imgur.com/0D3xSgk)
After the fire:
[https://imgur.com/C7d9SMr](https://imgur.com/C7d9SMr)
**Issues:**
Longtail vs frontloader vs recumbent bike vs trike vs quad – Pros and Cons
I don’t have the where-with-all to try all of these, so hopefully your advice can focus my choices a bit.
**My Theoretical Favorites:** Azub Ti-Fly X, Riese and Muller Load/Packster 2 70, Yuba Spicy Curry, Tern GSD
Has anyone tried a semi-recumbent seat on the rear rack of a longtail?
**Security:** Looking for pro-tips here. I will likely use some form of motorcycle rain tarp as a cover as well as a Ulock and chain/cable when I go into stores/Dr./etc. for any length of time. A dog would be handy, but I don’t currently have one. I plan to buy an Airtag and a seatpost alarm.
**Motor/Hub:** I’m leaning toward a Rohloff hub/Banfang, ToSeven or CYC 750 watt setup. I’m open to input here…and would listen to a good argument for a Pinion/Schlumpf and torque sensing hub motor. I want a throttle and to be able to pedal if the motor fails.
**Tires: I’ve had these tires recommended to me for the Azub trike:**
Schwalbe Smart Sam [https://www.treefortbikes.com/Schwalbe-Smart-Sam-Tire-26-x-225-Clincher-Wire](https://www.treefortbikes.com/Schwalbe-Smart-Sam-Tire-26-x-225-Clincher-Wire)
Continental Race King [https://www.modernbike.com/maxxis-minion-ss-dc-exo-tr-tubeless-folding-tire-26-x-2.3-blackeRuban](https://www.modernbike.com/maxxis-minion-ss-dc-exo-tr-tubeless-folding-tire-26-x-2.3-blackeRuban) [https://www.treefortbikes.com/Continental-eRuban-Plus-Tire-26-x-230-Wire-BlackChili](https://www.treefortbikes.com/Continental-eRuban-Plus-Tire-26-x-230-Wire-BlackChili)
Maxxis Minion [https://www.modernbike.com/maxxis-minion-ss-dc-exo-tr-tubeless-folding-tire-26-x-2.3-blackArdent](https://www.modernbike.com/maxxis-minion-ss-dc-exo-tr-tubeless-folding-tire-26-x-2.3-blackArdent)[https://www.treefortbikes.com/Maxxis-Ardent-Race-Tire-26×220-3C-EXO-Tubeless-Ready](https://www.treefortbikes.com/Maxxis-Ardent-Race-Tire-26×220-3C-EXO-Tubeless-Ready)
Surly Extraterrestrial [https://surlybikes.com/parts/extraterrestrial](https://surlybikes.com/parts/extraterrestrial)
What are your favorites for an all-rounder?
**Tadpole Trikes:**
Azub TiFly X [https://azub.eu/recumbent-bikes-and-trikes/trikes/26-wheels/ti-fly-x/](https://azub.eu/recumbent-bikes-and-trikes/trikes/26-wheels/ti-fly-x/)
ICE Full Fat [https://www.icetrikes.co/products/full-fat](https://www.icetrikes.co/products/full-fat)
Stein [https://stein-trikes-us.com](https://stein-trikes-us.com/)
Deker [https://www.dekers.pl/fattrike/](https://www.dekers.pl/fattrike/)
TiTrike [https://www.ti-trikes.com](https://www.ti-trikes.com/)
BamBuk [https://bambuk.de/en/main/](https://bambuk.de/en/main/)
**Delta Trikes:**
Hase Kettweisel – [https://www.hasebikesusa.com/kettwiesel-kross.html](https://www.hasebikesusa.com/kettwiesel-kross.html)
Atomic Zombie – Loderunner [https://youtu.be/0QGBw3c63EE?si=iw7nMOzR09u-8peD](https://youtu.be/0QGBw3c63EE?si=iw7nMOzR09u-8peD)
– Timberwolf [https://youtu.be/N5egHIdSwKI?si=j32W7Nu0mmyn-snI](https://youtu.be/N5egHIdSwKI?si=j32W7Nu0mmyn-snI)
Chooch [https://youtu.be/uKFZ9hX-Oqs?si=yxa7Az4tsu5DxyO0](https://youtu.be/uKFZ9hX-Oqs?si=yxa7Az4tsu5DxyO0)
RadBurro [https://youtu.be/GXW12-ILej8?si=hV704DYPrk7JzrvP](https://youtu.be/GXW12-ILej8?si=hV704DYPrk7JzrvP)
**Quads:**
Pony4 [https://youtu.be/f94P3MTEzTA?si=97Gk8FcjfdeT1R6R](https://youtu.be/f94P3MTEzTA?si=97Gk8FcjfdeT1R6R)
Trisled [https://trisled.com.au/off-road-cargo-quad/](https://trisled.com.au/off-road-cargo-quad/)
[https://trisled.com.au/hpv/mountain-trike-27/](https://trisled.com.au/hpv/mountain-trike-27/)
TrikXplor [https://www.trikexplor.com/collections/recumbent-quad/products/electric-fat-tire-recumbent-quad-f420e?variant=35111303676070](https://www.trikexplor.com/collections/recumbent-quad/products/electric-fat-tire-recumbent-quad-f420e?variant=35111303676070)
TiTrike [https://www.ti-trikes.com](https://www.ti-trikes.com/)
Utah [https://www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11620617.html](https://www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11620617.html)
**Front Loader Bikes:**
Riese and Muller – Load 4 75 [https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/load4-75/load4-75-rohloff-hs/#F01238\_0302040810](https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/load4-75/load4-75-rohloff-hs/#F01238_0302040810)
A guy and his dog [https://youtu.be/wiTKmUbdgXs?si=mj2aJhLzk1IUcg3m](https://youtu.be/wiTKmUbdgXs?si=mj2aJhLzk1IUcg3m)
– Packster 2 [https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/packster2-70/](https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/packster2-70/)
Yuba – SuperCargo [https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/supercargo-cl/](https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/supercargo-cl/)
**Longtails:**
Riese and Muller – MultiTinker [https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/multitinker/](https://www.r-m.de/en-us/bikes/multitinker/)
Tern – GSD [https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/472/gsd](https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/472/gsd)
* Orox [https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/orox](https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/orox)
Yuba – Spicy Curry [https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/spicy-curry-all-terrain/](https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/spicy-curry-all-terrain/)
– Mundo [https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/mundo-electric/](https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/mundo-electric/)
Xtracycle – Swoop [https://xtracycle.com/products/eswoop?variant=46926311293224](https://xtracycle.com/products/eswoop?variant=46926311293224)
Pedego – Cargo [https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/product/cargo/specifications/](https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/product/cargo/specifications/)
Madsen – [https://www.madsencycles.com](https://www.madsencycles.com/)
Surly Big Easy – [https://surlybikes.com/bikes/big\_easy](https://surlybikes.com/bikes/big_easy)
Surly BFD [https://youtu.be/mY4ZpJJFoqg?si=DTEMZ0APUgowUjUP](https://youtu.be/mY4ZpJJFoqg?si=DTEMZ0APUgowUjUP)
Benno – [https://bennobikes.com/e-bikes/boost/](https://bennobikes.com/e-bikes/boost/)
Radwagon Mod [https://youtu.be/ed-I653row8?si=aji-NdiZAPUatAr\_](https://youtu.be/ed-I653row8?si=aji-NdiZAPUatAr_)
**Recumbent Bikes:**
Linear [https://linearrecumbent.com](https://linearrecumbent.com/)
Nazca – Quetzal [https://www.nazca-ligfietsen.nl/en/quetzal](https://www.nazca-ligfietsen.nl/en/quetzal)
Hase – Pino [https://www.hasebikesusa.com/pino-2021.html](https://www.hasebikesusa.com/pino-2021.html)
**Honorable Mentions:**
Rungu [https://riderungu.com/e-bike-compare-2024/](https://riderungu.com/e-bike-compare-2024/)
Bakcou – Mav3 [https://bakcou.com/products/mav3](https://bakcou.com/products/mav3)
Day6 [https://day6bikes.com](https://day6bikes.com/)
**Nice Trailers:**
Carlo Cargo [https://www.carlacargo.de](https://www.carlacargo.de/)
Aidoo [https://www.aidoo-tec.de](https://www.aidoo-tec.de/)
Surly Bill [https://surlybikes.com/parts/bill\_trailer](https://surlybikes.com/parts/bill_trailer)
BikesAtWork [https://www.bikesatwork.com/store/product/96b-bicycle-trailer](https://www.bikesatwork.com/store/product/96b-bicycle-trailer)
Max LeBourlingueur [https://youtu.be/NCdJFSqnRwg?si=-I-t70mpJcpzrSYk](https://youtu.be/NCdJFSqnRwg?si=-I-t70mpJcpzrSYk)
Barry Howard [https://youtu.be/rgf5kZVVTVY?si=NgRe9EI\_ZE3nAd0Q](https://youtu.be/rgf5kZVVTVY?si=NgRe9EI_ZE3nAd0Q)
**Germans make cool stuff:**
Fahrradwohnwagon [https://youtu.be/C0PSmhDf5G0?si=KWxt3V5lgiOf2mG3](https://youtu.be/C0PSmhDf5G0?si=KWxt3V5lgiOf2mG3)
[https://youtu.be/3zuhxXxIxEk?si=JKM-DzNpvOWWUhBo](https://youtu.be/3zuhxXxIxEk?si=JKM-DzNpvOWWUhBo)
[https://youtu.be/dE1ADhkVig0?si=HnIgt6OmiGsy9Igd](https://youtu.be/dE1ADhkVig0?si=HnIgt6OmiGsy9Igd)
[https://youtu.be/zveQNQHmtJA?si=AJWitS5bzJh7cfl1](https://youtu.be/zveQNQHmtJA?si=AJWitS5bzJh7cfl1)
[https://youtu.be/zhWLfrqA7YM?si=XM9TFKTRID51ZWV\_](https://youtu.be/zhWLfrqA7YM?si=XM9TFKTRID51ZWV_)
**Quality Content:**
Trike Asylum [https://trikeasylum.wordpress.com](https://trikeasylum.wordpress.com/)
Matt Galat [https://youtu.be/xg1Wzsz00dM?si=FX2rOSWvwtC7IJOb](https://youtu.be/xg1Wzsz00dM?si=FX2rOSWvwtC7IJOb)
Everyone should watch **Stroads** by **NotJustBikes** because things need to seriously change – [https://youtu.be/ORzNZUeUHAM?si=7seHkDQC1K9G-q\_i](https://youtu.be/ORzNZUeUHAM?si=7seHkDQC1K9G-q_i)
Thank you in advance for your insights.
by MyRedditName