Tractortom

I'm cross posting this from the 50+ forum as it has more to do with recumbents than being over 50 and able to own an extra bike....

I could never figure out how some people manage to collect a bunch of expensive bikes when you can only ride one at a time???? So, I have been commuting on my Bacchetta Strada recumbent. It's a great bike for out on the road, but probably not a great bike to use as a commuter. What I have been looking for is a Bacchetta Giro 26 in a long frame, with 26" tires about 1.5" wide. Well, I found one on-line the other day, a good used one from a fellow up in Wisconsin and have made a deal. Now I'm thinking that I don't want to get rid of the Strada. Strip the racks and bags and fenders off of it, and use it for my go-faster road bike, and add the racks and bags and lights and fenders to the Giro and keep it as my Commuter/Loaded touring bike.

The wife does NOT want to hear this, can't understand why I would consider owning two expensive bikes....

Now I'm beginning to understand how people 'accumulate' a number of bikes....

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

gnome

because you need at least one bike dedicated to each purpose. says the guy with a very understanding wife and approx 30 bikes (including 3 recumbents).

Just take your wife out to a fancy meal or find some space in the family budget for her to buy a new something for whatever her hobbies are.

Have fun with the new bike.

JanMM

You gotta have a Backup Bike, or, in this case, a Backup 'Bent.

pick

+1 to what the short guy in the red hat said.... have fun with the new addition and get used to the fact you have now started a stable....

Cyclebum

Sounds like a good plan to me. I'd do it. My son tells me, "Dad, it's only money. Can be replaced." Try that on your wife.

I want your Strada if things don't work out on the home front. Perfect compliment to my Tour Easy. Whatever am I gonna do with those two abandoned DFs?

A buddy's Giro is configured for touring and will lose its virginity in late April in Big Bend.

Notso_fastLane

Meh, I've got 3 bikes currently (only one 'bent, though) and as many motorcycles, with one more on the way. Luckily, I have an understanding wife (but I need a bigger garage!).

Chickenlipz

I'm up to three bents now. When I got my vrex about 10 years ago, I wouldn't have thought I should ever need or want another bike. But they can accumulate and it's hard to let go of them if you decide you want something else. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite if I had to keep one and get rid of the others. And I've never even been on a LWB to see how I like those. I am pretty fortunate that I don't get much grief from my wife. But boy, If I could get her on one... That would be cool.

bent4me

After spending all my hard-earned money on college and weddings, I have no problem finally spending it on myself.

Tractortom

Well, the new Bacchetta is supposed to be delivered today via FedEx. Problem is, no one will be home to sign and they'll have to carry it one more day. Wednesday is usually my wife's day off, but today she has training and has to go in all day so no bike. Hopefully I can get it from them on Thursday and have it put together on the weekend for the commute to work on Monday. After a few weeks with the new bike, I'll probably put the Strada up for sale on the Bacchetta Website and Bent Rider Online. The wife is having NONE of this "two bikes in the sunroom" talk.

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee

dcrowell

I hope you enjoy the new bike TractorTom.

I'm down to three bikes for now, but I have two ex-wives. Does that mean something?

15rms

Sure it means something. Bikes are better.

Dudelsack 

For awhile I actually had a Strada and a Giro sitting in my garage. I stopped riding the Strada because I didn't want to be tempted by the recurve seat. Then I gave it back to the rightful owner.

But the Giro is all mine.

rex615

Tom, did you get the ATT or the steel frame?

Congrats on the the Giro, i am guessing you are going to love it.

Tractortom

Steel is REAL! At my current 240+ weight, the ATT would be just silly!!!

I JUST RECEIVED the bike Via FedEx at my workplace two hours ago. I have it all assembled and sitting in the rack in the bed of my pickup right now. The folks at the bike shop in WI did a good job packing it up, and it went together without too much fuss. Now I'll take it to the LBS and have them adjust the brakes and get the derailleurs sorted out (indexing drives me crazy) and make sure it's straight and true. I'll have it back next week and start commuting on it as soon as I can get some spare tubes (LBS again).

I'm looking forward to seeing how it differs from my Strada.

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee

aramis

I'm on the opposite end.. I think I'd rather have fewer. I had three road bikes a little while ago and just tore one down to sell in pieces. I had 4 motorcycles and just sold 2 of them. I find the fewer I have, the better I can take care of them and the more I want to use them. When I have too many, it's too expensive (time and money wise) to keep it in the great working condition that makes me want to use it. I'm going for a less, but better approach.

That and the space taken up.

jagraham

Congrats, Tom

I saw the listing, too, but sadly I need a size medium. Wednesday I drive out and hopefully pick up my new Giro 26. I offered to put up my DF touring bike or TerraTrike to help fund this purchase, but hubby said no and gave me the $$ that I needed to make up the difference.

Judy

Dudelsack 

Pics or it didn't happen.

Tractortom

Well, I can do that but not for a couple of days....I just took the bike over to the Bike Shop in Sebring to have them adjust the shifters, derailleurs and brakes, check the wheels for round, tighten all the screws and the like. I trust Dan Andrews there to put the bike is top shape before I start commuting on it. After I get it back, I'll take a couple of photos and get them posted here. Probably before and after I add the racks and bags and such.

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

Retro Grouch 

My worst nightmere is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible dad was." I feel obligated to leave them a better legacy than that.

rex615

That makes senses. I have an ATT because I wanted discs.


It will be interesting to hear your report on this. To me the Strada feels a hair lighter and quicker, but the Giro feels more planted and just has that "go anywhere" feel, particularly cause you can fit a wider variety of tires on it. Best of luck with your new ride.

Tractortom

Well, I have been on the Giro for the first time. Drove up to Sebring and got her out of the Bike Shop, got some new tubes and a couple of matching water bottle cages for the back of the seat. Hauled it home, took the bags, rack, fenders and stuff off the Strada, and moved everything to the Giro. Gave her a 10 mile test ride with multiple stops in 15-18mph winds, making small adjustments. Moving the seat, adjusting the bars (something still not square on the handlebars) and playing with the gearing. The bike seems to be geared a bit lower than the Strada, and with 65 psi tires verses the 110 psi tires on the Strada makes the ride a LOT softer, but it seems to be slower too. I need to get out on the driveway and measure the tire roll-out so I can calibrate the speedo and make sure it's right.

Here she is....

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

rex615

Wow, that bike looks like it is brand new, congrats.

What tires are you running? Mine came with 100 psi Kenda Kwests and they are pretty fast, but the Kojaks are faster.

Keep us informed on your ride reports and comparison with the Strada.