Recumbent - Which Hi-Racer to buy?

I am trying to decide which hi-racer to buy? I am considering a Bacchette Stratta vs. Rans Force 5 XP.
Anyone have any experience ridding there two bikes?

I owned an Aero and have ridden friends' Strada, Corsa, and F5 XP. What exactly do you need to know? The Strada and the Force 5 are both quality high racers and perform very well. The biggest difference is in the frames, stick vs. triangulated. Some would argue that the F5 has a stronger frame due to it's truss design, but I wouldn't get to hung up on the nuances and actually doubt it anyway.

Dennis

Hey Steve,
Just check the two sites and compare the spec's. you will find you will get alot more bike with the strada than you do with rans for the price. The strada comes with a much better component package and carbon forks, besides you can buy it from Mark.
Hey Steve you know me and if you want you can come up to the house anytime and ride mine your welcome just keep in mind, mine's the 700c convert and it rides somewhat higher than the standard model. If you like my number is on the CFRR site just call.
Ric

... The strada comes with a much better component package and carbon forks, besides you can buy it from Mark.

While I've met and like Mark, I'd take this largely as a tongue-in-cheek comment. But it might make a small difference as a tie-breaker. :)



...mine's the 700c convert and it rides somewhat higher than the standard model. If you like my number is on the CFRR site just call.


Hey, I didn't know you could do that! Tell me more! IMHO, you don't get the full benefit of big wheels unless you go 700C and have access to all those high-quality fast tires.

While I've met and like Mark, I'd take this largely as a tongue-in-cheek comment. But it might make a small difference as a tie-breaker. :)




Hey, I didn't know you could do that! Tell me more! IMHO, you don't get the full benefit of big wheels unless you go 700C and have access to all those high-quality fast tires.


I have the 2005 conversion. You could convert the older models too the 700c wheels. The things that have to be replaced are the rear brakes with (Pauls brakes) and front fork (your choice) I went with a Kestrel EMS Carbon Pro. I had already purchased the wheels for the DF so total cost was only a couple of hundred dollors more and a trip to Plant City.
I'm not sure if you can convert the new Bacchettas or not Mark would know for sure, Mark did my conversion and it came out perfect. I deal with only with Mark @ Power On Cycles when it comes to Recumbents, there the best IMHO.
The Pro's to the conversion is a higher top end and cruising speed, and a greater selection of Tires. The only con I can find is you loose some climbing ability.
You can talk to Jay Copp he also rides a conversion. He can tell you better than I about it and as he told me , it's not for everyone.

I have the F5-XP and it came/come's with carbon forks. I am quite smitten with it. Unfortunately I have not ridden the others so I can not give you a comparison. I like the looks and the stiffness of the tri-frame. The handling is great, it climbs well no matter where I set the seat, and eats strong headwinds for breakfast. Really, at that level I think you'll be satisfied with whichever you buy.

In comparison of the two bikes your probably right, you could be satisfied with either bike, but when you compare them price wise, Strada @ $1850 and 5-XP @ $2295 and then compare component packages IMO your getting more bike for less money in the Strada.

I have a chance to get either bike within $100 of each other. Componets are not a problem I will order a large frame set and have my LBS build it for me. This makes the decision even harder. Here in FL there is a large group of Bacchette fans. I think this maybe because Bacchette is made in St. Petersburg. If maybe you go to the west coast Rans may be the popular hi-racer. I know a few people with Bacchetta bikes and most of them are happy. I would like to hear for the Rans hi-racer crowd.

I rode many different models of recumbents, trikes, LWB, SWB, USS, ASS, and found the Challenge Seiran was the best for me for my kind of riding: long tours on paved roads, in traffic, on flats and in the mountains. The rigid seat allows me to push against it while climbing 10-15 percent grades. The adjustable seat angle lets me diminish the wind profile for really fast riding. The rear shock dampens the occasional pothole or rock.

I have gearing at 20.6-160.8 gear inches, so I can climb any grade I've ever seen in Colorado, and can also push the speed even while descending some monster mountains.

Check out BikeZen.org and click on my picture to see more details. The bike specs are there as well.

Good luck, and have fun!

The Corsa's a real blast to ride -- I'd really love to have one of those.

Can anyone comment on how a Volae Sport stacks up against some of the alternatives? It looks like a good bike for the money, but it's not realistic to test ride one. I know I could buy it and send it back if I don't like it, but I'm just wondering how it handles.

The Corsa's a real blast to ride -- I'd really love to have one of those.

Can anyone comment on how a Volae Sport stacks up against some of the alternatives? It looks like a good bike for the money, but it's not realistic to test ride one. I know I could buy it and send it back if I don't like it, but I'm just wondering how it handles.

The Volae Sport shares the same frame as my Team so I can comment on it. I've also owned an Aero as well as having ridden the Strada, Corsa, and the Force 5.

All have similar handling characteristics and are just about interchangeable. The biggest thing that I noticed was the reach is slightly longer on the Aero. Since I'm shorter (5'7"), it hampered my slow speed handling slightly a bit due to stiff arms.

The Volae Sport is a nice highracer and the frame is impeccable.

Dennis

I am trying to decide which hi-racer to buy? I am considering a Bacchette Stratta vs. Rans Force 5 XP.
Anyone have any experience ridding there two bikes?

The leader in dual 26 bicycles is Bacchetta hands down. I have an Aero with over 20000 miles on it.
I feel that the Bacchetta Aluminum Corsa could be the best value performance recumbent on the market if that is what you are looking for. You were very unspecific. Of course a tour easy would do also...
Hey Dennis did Volae anti up for some band width for there own forum yet? Inquiring minds like to know since most Volae owners hit the "B" forums for any usefull information.

MG

The main thing that recommends the Challenge Seiran over Bachetta Stratta, in my opinion, is the underseat steering and the weight. You can get the Seiran SL at 21 lbs (excluding seat and pedals). Of course, you pay for the light weight! I think the Seiran also look cooler. Check out http://www.challengebikes.com/html/index.php?taal=en&selectie=seiransl

USS feels great at high speeds -- you feel like you're flying! The Seiran allows me to adjust the handles close to my hips, so there's little wind resistance against my arms -- and yes, I can still corner at low speeds (though this took practice). My top speed is 50.5 mph (with no fairing).

Well I had no idea that this bike would become available. I purchased a used 3 month old Rans Formula V today. It has a 700C rear wheel and a 451 on the front. I only had a chance to ride it for 6 miles today because of rain and its faster than my Catrike Road. Now if I can just learn to relax and ride the thing. I am not doing any more road riding till I can get it under control. Not that its out of control it just I am new to 2- wheel recumbent riding. I am a Trike rider. You all know how it is! A trike rider wants a hi-racer and a hi-racer yerns for a trike. I was in my LBS saturday and a fellow who owns a hi-racer was fancying a Catrike. I have a Catrike and I was entaining the idea of a hi-racer. GO FIGURE!!


Catrike Steve
Catrike Road #314
06 Rans Formula V

Hey Dennis did Volae anti up for some band width for there own forum yet? Inquiring minds like to know since most Volae owners hit the "B" forums for any usefull information.

MG

Kevin, try 1.800.233.4340 to get your questions answered.

...The things that have to be replaced are the rear brakes with (Pauls brakes) and front fork ...

Hi Ric!

If I were to convert my Bacchetta to 26" MTB wheels, would I still need to replace the rear brakes? (I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I wanted to know...)

Thanks!

ActionBent also sells a decent Hiracer, for a very reasonable price. The few folks who own one and have posted about them on the internet seem to be quite pleased. www.actionbent.com

(there I go again, promoting my competitor!)

Well I had no idea that this bike would become available. I purchased a used 3 month old Rans Formula V today. It has a 700C rear wheel and a 451 on the front.

(scratches head...) OK... feel free to correct me if I'm off base, but I thought what constituted a highracer was dual big wheels and a reclined riding position. How can you have a highracer with a 451 front wheel? That sounds like a standard bent to me. My first V-Rex was 700/451. BTW, RANS doesn't show a "Formula V" on its web page, what exactly did you get? A modified V^2?

Hi Ric!

If I were to convert my Bacchetta to 26" MTB wheels, would I still need to replace the rear brakes? (I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I wanted to know...)

Thanks!

I can't understand why you would want to convert to MTB wheels?:eek: I would think as long as rim size was the same you wouldn't need to switch out the Avid brakes, but you would need too open the brakes or adjust too fit the rims.

Enclosed pic of my new Rans Force5 Enduro



Riding position is a shear joy. Still have diamond frame, but not sure it will see much action, henceforth.

I can't understand why you would want to convert to MTB wheels?:eek: I would think as long as rim size was the same you wouldn't need to switch out the Avid brakes, but you would need too open the brakes or adjust too fit the rims.

I converted to MTB wheels for more spokes, wider tires, and higher weight limit. The original, radial-spoked, light-weight, 650c Bontragers are NOT the wheels for me. I didn't have to swap the rear brake (already a V-brake), but I did replace the front fork & front brake.

I have a 2005 Expedition with the same frame as the Sport - 559 wheels and Avid disc brakes are the major difference. After 1,100 miles it is terrific. Very well made bike, good handling, fast, wide range of tires available up to ~1.6", which is an advantage if you ride hardpack trails or rougher surfaces. Customer service has been excellent. Bike fit me very well with no adjustments needed - I've just been lowering the seat as I gain confidence (carbon seat) for more comfort and better top end.

Jim