Recumbent - uss or oss, what to do?

i'm new to bents. i've started test riding and am likely choosing between the giro 26 (http://www.bacchettabikes.com/recumbents/bikes/giro26.htm) and the xpr stiletto (which i loved) (http://getitbent.com/htmlfiles/SpecStiletto.html). both are the same price.

i really like the uss of the stiletto, but the limited turning radius worries me. just tonight i went on a ride with my kids (7, 5, 3, and 1) on my DF and noticed that i do a lot sharp turns getting back to the kids that i can't imagine doing on the stiletto. and i commute on busy streets on which i've also had to make some sharp turns. also, the guy at the lbs is telling me that after a mile or two i will really feel the difference when my hands start to fall asleep because of the circulation issues with oss.

do i just have to pick between the two evils? what don't i know? unfortunately, i can't ride the bikes for much longer than 15 minutes in the neighborhood behind the lbs so i don't really get to see how they'll perform in my environments.

any help/suggestions/advice is appreciated.

thanks,

adam

I ride an USS HPV StreetMachine, the USS places your arms/wrists/hands in a very comfortable
natural position. Plus you body position is upright and looking forward, also comfortable.
I ride with my spouse and two kids, while i try to keep them ahead of me; one does seemingly
end up turning around a lot. Normally the turning radius has not been a problem for me when
riding on paved streets. We do live and ride in an area with a lot of dirt/gravel roads, often the
edge 18" of these roads are very loose gravel, harder for the USS. I often ride my DF CrossCheck
in those conditions, as the turning radius is shorter and it is easier to control on the gravel.
I guess is boils down to your riding conditions, i've very satisfied with the USS, call it my "real
bike".

Adam:

The hands falling asleep with OSS thing is overblown, in my IMHO.

I feel your pain. You like what you like. The Stiletto is the cheapest USS bike you are likely to find (in a shop), but it is not on the same level of quality as the Bacchetta. Given that it is essentially an Actionbent recumbent, the Stiletto is overpriced at $1600. If it was $3-400 cheaper, different story.

I think the hand numbness spiel is the dealer just trying to move the bike. For the $, the Bacchetta is the better deal. If you want USS, you'll get something very similar if you shop at the Actionbent website. (Be polite and don't take your Actionbent to the XPR shop).

As far as steering and comfort, I think that's just the way USS is. It's a compromise, more comfort for less maneuverability (You have to admit its a weird looking setup, but those who like it really love it.)

Adam:

The hands falling asleep with OSS thing is overblown, in my IMHO.

I feel your pain. You like what you like. The Stiletto is the cheapest USS bike you are likely to find (in a shop), but it is not on the same level of quality as the Bacchetta. Given that it is essentially an Actionbent recumbent, the Stiletto is overpriced at $1600. If it was $3-400 cheaper, different story.

I think the hand numbness spiel is the dealer just trying to move the bike. For the $, the Bacchetta is the better deal. If you want USS, you'll get something very similar if you shop at the Actionbent website. (Be polite and don't take your Actionbent to the XPR shop).

As far as steering and comfort, I think that's just the way USS is. It's a compromise, more comfort for less maneuverability (You have to admit its a weird looking setup, but those who like it really love it.)

+1 the Stiletto is way over priced. Get the Bacchetta - a Giro 20 will be almost as fast as the Giro 26 and a lot easier to ride when you have to stop/start often and do u-turns to keep the family together.

I've had USS and OSS. I far prefer OSS, but it is quite a personal preference.

Enjoy your new bike - whichever you get.

In my opinion, OSS is the only way to go.

I like USS for long distance comfort.

I like OSS for narrower profile to go between cars in city traffic.

What's your priority? comfort or to be nimble?

...the guy at the lbs is telling me that after a mile or two i will really feel the difference when my hands start to fall asleep because of the circulation issues with oss.



Doh! Until I followed the link, I thought you were going to buy a Calfee Stiletto! http://www.calfeedesign.com/stiletto.htm

So let me get this right - your hands will fall asleep if you don't go USS? Are your hands going to sleep on your upright? It sounds to me like the LBS guy doesn't know what he's talking about.