FlyingAnchor

I mentioned in another thread that I saw some Burleys in a bike store today and thought I should not hijack the other thread but start my own.
I have been saving for a bent bike for some months now and I am getting close to making a trip to get one, that is why I am excited about my new find. I had originally planned on getting a burley canto but decided against it when they went out of the bike business. I never thought I would see one in a shop and just put them out of my mind and was really thinking of getting an Agio. I like the idea of a medium wheel base bike but am withholding judgement until I can ride a bent.
My real question is what is the comparison between the bacchetta Agio and the Canto. I will be making a cross country trip in the summer of 08 and plan on pulling a trailer.
If I get one of the burleys what do you think the price would be seeing as how they must have been sitting there for quite a while now.
I looked through the window and the bikes looked like Canto's, they had the single bar forward but the light was bad and so it was rather hard to see.
Well enough for now sorry for the length of the post.
Steven, really excited about getting to look at a bent.

PuttPutt

Only a couple of suggestions;

Since short-legged riders fit LWB bikes better, be especially observant of seat height before you reach for the plastic. The Agio, is a good example. If you can't sit comfortably, and have at least one leg flat-footed (while the bike is perfectly vertical) then reconsider your choices. The numbers are not consistant, nor reliable, but if your below about 5' 7", then limit your search to 21" maximum seat heights. The Agio is closer to 25", I believe.

Re: Trailers

I have little knowledge, but have repeadedly heard that some untriangulated chain stays can be problematic when towing trailers. So, if you decide to tow, then hound the owners of mono stay bikes, to get an idea of which rigs work best for such applications.

Having never owned a Burley, I can't be of much help. However, I can say, that Burleys have been considered upper quality machines, with a respectable following. That said, I can't see you making a serious mistake, especially if you can score a decent discount. You can always sell it, if it doesn't suit you, and lose little $ in the process.

FlyingAnchor

Thanks for the info. I am 5'6" and was not aware that the Agio was so high. I guess I handn't done as much research as I thought.
Something came up last night so I will not be able to make it to the store today, and that gives me more time to think.
If the Burley has been sitting threre for quite awhile I may get a decent deal and have enough to buy a Burley Nomad.
Steven

BlazingPedals

I'm making this as a precautionary comment, not as a recommendation to buy or not buy a particular bike.

Another thing I've heard from tourers is that rear suspension can mess up handling when pulling a trailer. You can get around it by locking out the shock or pumping it up so much that it doesn't activate, but then you're paying a weight penalty for a feature you don't use!

Also, the thing about seat height is that some seats might be too hight at 17" but others might be OK at 25". Seat styles and recline angles make a difference! The best way to find out if a seat is too high or not, is a test ride.

Katysax

I am 5'2" and I ride both an Agio and a Giro 20. Both are plenty low enough for me to put my feet flat on the ground. Height is not a problem on either of those bikes.

The Agio is more of a long wheelbase than a medium wheelbase - it is 60" which puts it right on the edge of what is considered long or medium. However, next to a RANS Stratus you can see that it is just about the same size as the small frame.

In any event the Agio is EXTREMELY comfortable, and reasonably fast and responsive. I am a bit faster and climb better on the Giro 20. I'd probably pick the Agio for loaded touring.

PuttPutt

While comfortably seated, with your back against the seatback?

With a 38" x-seam (28" inseam), I had to lean the Agio, some 6 to 8 degrees to "flat-foot" only one leg. So, Katysax, I'd be interested in hearing your launching technic.

FlyingAnchor

Back:
The nearest Bacchetta dealer is in Oregon and I have been planning on a trip up there, they also carry Rans and Sun. The trip up north would give me a better idea of more Bicycles and I would be able to sit on all they carry. I am also excited about the Burley bikes so close to me and just need to calm my beating heart and not buy to quickly.
Thanks for the pointers and I will surely look at and consider seat height.
Steven

PuttPutt

FlyingAnchor,

Since Katysax seems a little shy, I'll reiterate.

At rest, the comfortably seated rider must be able to "flat-foot" at least one foot, while the bike is perfectly vertical. Why?...

Because launching the bike when it is leaned 4 or 5 degrees, forces the rider to instantly steer in the leaned direction to maintain balance. Consequently, smooth and straight launches are nearly impossible to achieve, and the rider will always be apprehensive in stop and go traffic. So, an "EXTREMELY comfortable" bike, won't do you, or anybody else any good if it means knocking-over the trash cans while exiting your driveway, or zig-zagging across busy intersections during rush hour traffic.

I had a chat with Dana, (Owner of Bent Up Cycles in Van Nuys, CA), a few months back, and he was quick to discourage the Agio for 38" x-seams. He wisely recommended the Stratus LE (with a 20" seat height) instead.

FlyingAnchor

PuttPutt:
Thanks for the info. I just measured my xseam by sitting against a wall with my feet out in front of me and it came to 41 1/2 inches.
I looked at the Burleys today, they had three, the Koosah, the Jett Creek and the Nasoke. Of them all I liked the Jett Creek the best and it was listed at $1400.00 so I am going to wait a bit for that.
Steven