João's Gold Rush Replica a.k.a. The Giant Pickle a.k.a. The Amish Harley(*) (* -thanks Bill Hole :) a.k.a. FFB (as in "Fast Freddy's Bike") I got this somewhat tricked out GRR used from Fast Freddy Markham, and it originally weighed just a tick over 24 lbs., including the full bragging rights package ;-) - After adding a Zzipper "Maximum Width" Experimenter fairing, a lightweight rack, an Angletech Aerotrunk, a bodysock, and an empty 100 oz. drink bladder, the beast's weight was up to 37 lbs. So I had to use my 29 lb. unfaired recumbent on hilly rides, since the GRR was just too heavy. Now I replaced the fairing with a carbon fiber one and got a lightweight scaffold to hold the bodysock on rides where I don't need to carry a whole lot of cra....errrr... I mean "stuff". I also got a Kids Camelback for the all important Gatorade, since I no longer had the Aerotrunk's drink bladder pocket. The bike's weight is down to 28.5 lbs. That's a 8.5 lb. weight saving on just three items. It also means that now my streamlined recumbent is lighter than my naked one, so I can have my cake and eat it too ;-) Anyone interested in the carbon fiber fairing or lightweight bodysock scaffold should head over to the FFM Cycling Accessories website Short bars, with brazed-on "aero-bars." These bars are lighter than the regular Easy Racers' bars and about 1/2 the height. The "aero bars" are not as much for aerodynamics, but to get in a more leaned foward position, which helps put more power down on the pedals. Demonstrating the foward seating position, and also proving once and for all that I have never been visited by any of the Queer Eye For The Straight Guy's guys! Boone Twist cranks, and Boone Helix Ti BB. These are strong enough for mountain biking, and very very light. The bike in my building's elevator. When I first got this lightweight aluminum bodysock scafold, I thought it would be way too fragile for everyday use. It just felt too light and flimsy. But I'm glad to report that it can easily support the full weight of the bike in moving elevators, moving commuter trains, friends' apartments, etc. It's a lot stronger than its weight would suggest. A closer look at the scaffold, and the Kids Camelback. The scaffold bolts on and off in minutes, so I can always replace it with the rack/Aerotrunk/paniers setup when touring, then put it back for day rides. The Kids Camelback is the perfect size for the back of the Easy Racers' seat, and also very light. Its bladder is rated for 32 oz., but I can fit two 20 oz. bottles of Gatorade in it without overfilling. The rear view of the bike, with Central Park in the background. My neighbors gave me some funny looks when I showed up at the building's rooftop terrace with a bike! ;-) Side view View of the carbon fiber fairing. This fairing is just amazingly light! The cardboard box that it came packed in was heavier than the fairing itself. It's also dead silent on bumps. And trust me, we've got plenty of bumps on NYC streets. And unlike some other carbon fairings I've seen, it can be rolled up to a small tube for shipping, or for carying in a car when the bike is on the roof rack. This fairing is just beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice. A closer look at the carbon weave. Front view, with cool sunlight reflections. Mini air pump held in place with duct tape. It can't officially be one of my bikes if it doesn't have something held in place with duct tape! Also notice my trick chain idler. Idler? Ha! We don't need no stinkin' idler! The bike rides a whole lot smoother without it. This picture also reminds me to clean my bike before posting pictures of it on the web. I bet I could drop another lbs. off it just by cleaning. The bike with the bodysock on The bike with the bodysock on and proud owner inside (squinting due to bad combination of very sunny day and light color sunglasses lens)