Michael!
That’s so funny. I almost bought that Tiller Rans…but they just came out with these bars when I bought mine…sometime in the 90s…As for going electric…I said the same thing as you. I thought if I needed the assist, I would stop riding…thinking I would never need the assist. Two knee surgeries later and it’s the E power that’s keeping me going and making it fun again. I’m spending a lot more time on it…and adding a bag to the back for shopping etc. Age got me…but I’m striking back and riding more than ever.

Loved the article on electrifying your ‘bent!

I bought a Rans Stratus in Alaska in 1992, a very early prototype model that didn’t have all the kinks ironed out yet. It had a fiberglas bucket seat, instead of the mesh and pad seat on yours. The handlebars were much wider and lightweight, requiring more of a “rudder” movement when steering. The idler pully was cheap and wore out pretty quickly, requiring a custom reconfiguration that never worked well.

I loved riding the thing in Fairbanks… in the summer time! It didn’t do well on ice and snow, with its skinny tires and long frame. When the temperature got below 10 degress Fahrenheit, I switched to my upright mountain bike, with extra fat tires and winter lube.

About ten years ago, I stripped the frame and repainted it. I never could find a new seat that would fit, nor could I solve the idler pully problem, so I sold it. I switched to a Breezer, with 7 speed internal hub gears, and I’ve been riding Breezers ever since.

Electric? No, not for me yet. maybe when I hit 80!