Recumbent - Challenge Seiran SL vs Bacchetta Corsa

Challenge Seiran SL vs Bacchetta Corsa
These are 2 bikes I'm very interested in. Seiran SL is an adjustable boom the Corsa's seat adjusts for leg length. Any comment on choosing one over the other?

Seiran SL - Very light bike, rare and expensive. Low seat, good for shorter riders. Excellent Challenge craftmanship. Big bling factor. I've heard the aluminium frame is quite stiff.

Corsa - Hard to go wrong with a Bacchetta highracer. Much easier to get replacement parts and service. Possible to test ride before buying. Different seat configurations to choose from.


If you like high-end highracers, don't overlook the Volae Team - Top quality, made in U.S.A. Waterford frame. Sub 25 lbs. Excellent service from the Hostel Shoppe. Easy adjust/remove seat mount is better than Bacchetta's. Bike is shipped to you 95% assembled. Great bike return policy.

All three bikes are very nice [Bacchetta, Volae, Challenge]. I think Bacchetta is the best value, Volae has a handmade in the US frame from Waterford and the best design features [seat adjustment in particular]. The Challenge is very light and has a very attractive design.

If you want to talk to some Seiran owners feel free to join the Challenge Bent Forum (http://groups.google.com/group/challenge-bents?hl=en) - I think we have 4 or 5 Seiran riders at the moment. I'm sure they'd be happy to give you some feedback on these bikes.

Just in response to the ease of getting replacement parts...a fellow on the Challenge Group needed a replacement handle bar and received one in 7 days. You could probably get overnight or 2 day shipping from Bacchetta or Volae, but getting something in a week isn't a show stopper - especially when the majority of the bike is made up of standard parts you can source domestically.

One last thought...I like the adjustable boom because it keeps your centre of mass in one place - the place the designer planned on you sitting, but the downside is it is a big hassle to adjust the boom for different riders. The sliding seat can be adjusted easily for someone else to ride your bent, but you can get less than optimal weight distributions if the seat is all the way forward or all the way back. As long as you select the right size frame the owner can get his centre of mass in the right spot on a sliding seat bike.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on!

Corsa, hands down. Challenge could be a challenge to find, and have issues with idlers, so add terracycle idlers to the price. :) Bacchetta's have great support, and right now seem to be the ones that the bent world is chasing. I did quite a bit of research before buying my Corsa and love the bike. However, sadly it just found itself replaced with a Carbon Aero, which I'm loving even more. :) Check out the Bacchetta site and the forums, good group of people, lots of organization, and they're standing the ultra world on it's head right now with impressive rides by multiple Bacchetta riders.

I ride a Challenge Seiran E (the heavier version of the SL, with suspension). I can't sing high enough praises for the bike. I haven't tried the other two models mentioned in this thread, however.

The seat angle is adjustable at two angles per bracket (an extra bracket is $25, giving you 4 angle options). The boom adjusts with two screws, and unless you change the length more than about an inch, you really don't need to change the chain length. I haven't had any problems with the idler.

Parts are easy and fast to get from angletechcycles.com. Tell Kelvin I sent you. He does high volume with Challenge, so he often has parts in stock. He's a great guy to buy from too -- fantastic service and quality. His wheel building is top notch, too.

I picked the tubeless version of the Seiran because I like the quieter ride and I like to keep my chain clean.

You can read more about this bike at my website, under the recumbents link.

Corsa, hands down. Challenge could be a challenge to find, and have issues with idlers, so add terracycle idlers to the price.

Based on the new members of the Challenge Bent Forum (http://groups.google.com/group/challenge-bents?hl=en) the Seiran model seems to be selling very well and finding a dealer (http://www.angletechcycles.com/) isn't much of an issue.

Challenge has modified the design of the chain keeper on the powerside idler so I don't there are any problems with them. In fact that idler is a work of art in terms of function, lightweight and aesthetics. I wouldn't replace it with a TC ilder.



The Corsa is definitely the better deal in terms of $$/function, but you can't argue with the Challenge aesthetic - they build very pretty bikes, that are light and fast.

Consideration of the Corsa is on the back burner and being replaced buy the Bacchetta Aero. I'm now considering a used 2007 Aero and a new Seiran SL. The Seiran would have a little better wheels and components and cost $350 to $400 more than the Ti Aero. Keep the comments coming.
Thanks

I vote for the Challenge! :D

I've had my Hurricane for about 12 years and I loooove that bike!
I can't say enough good things about it. My kids will inherit it. Someday.

And don't feel bad if a Ti Aero is $8,000. This little Hurri' has "cost" me well over $100,000.
Yeah, I know, $100K for a bike is a bit much. Search the forums for my posts about how I could possibly spend THAT much on a recumbent. ;)

But it's just as true as my 100+ moving violations of the California Vehicle Code.

Or my falling off a 200' cliff and surviving with only blistered fingers.

Call it BS, but that just means you don't really know me.

Oh, right, this is a Challenge love fest thread! :rolleyes:

I think the most telling on my Hurri, is the off-rad capbilities. I have done some pretty serious singletrack & some hairball downhills! Made even gnarlier by the "road" tires. :eek: And climbing is sketchy at best for the same reason. But WHAT A BLAST!
It's like flying a fighter jet under heavy anti-aircraft fire! Weave, dodge, bounce, moto, knowing any second could be you LAST! :D

But NOT with anyone in the babyseat! :p That's a mod I made when the younguns were young.

I also have the rack, top bag and matching panniers for my lil' Hurri. As well as a BOB trailer.

The Hurricane. Low racer, baby hauler, touring rig & mountain bike. All rolled into one sweet little recumbent. :beer:

Used Seiran SL for sale $2,500 in Portland, OR:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=31907&highlight=seiran

Used Seiran SL for sale $2,500 in Portland, OR:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=31907&highlight=seiran

+1 - very nice looking bike.....:eek::D