New Bent owner

[xxtheshockerxx]

Hi everyone. Some of you may have saw my thread trying to get some info on bents and decide on what I wanted to get.

Well I finally pulled the trigger on a 700c Bacchetta Corsa. It was shipped out today and i should have it by Monday or Tuesday. I am really looking forward to it.

Thanks everyone for all the help you have given me. I am sure I will need your help once i get it for something haha


pics on the second page

[Dudelsack]

Congrats! Those are nice looking machines.

May we help you with choice of shoes and pedals?

[JanMM]

Welcome to the Dark Side!

[xxtheshockerxx]

Congrats! Those are nice looking machines.

May we help you with choice of shoes and pedals?

thanks. actually yes i need a little help in that area. i havent ever used clipless pedals and shoes or anything like it. I might have to wait a little bit before getting some though (probably have to wait til next payday ). not sure if i have room in the budget after paying for the bike.

edit: i was looking at some pedals when i first went to look at bents and liked a set that was platform on one side and the other side was the side to clip in on. not sure what the brand was but seemed like a good idea since i might ride it to work.

Welcome to the Dark Side!

thanks.

[JanMM]

edit: i was looking at some pedals when i first went to look at bents and liked a set that was platform on one side and the other side was the side to clip in on. not sure what the brand was but seemed like a good idea since i might ride it to work.

The pedals on my ride-to-work 'bent are BMX-style platform on one side and SPD on the other. From Nashbar - no longer sold.

[xxtheshockerxx]

I have been using BMX platforms on my current bike. Mosh Step pedals. they have pretty big pins in them so i dont ever slip and can kind of pull on the way up.

[Jeff Wills]

I have been using BMX platforms on my current bike. Mosh Step pedals. they have pretty big pins in them so i dont ever slip and can kind of pull on the way up.

These will get you going and are suited to lower-crank bikes, but "clipless" pedals are a boon on laid-back, high-crank bikes by supporting the legs with the muscles relaxed. YMMV, of course.

[xxtheshockerxx]

These will get you going and are suited to lower-crank bikes, but "clipless" pedals are a boon on laid-back, high-crank bikes by supporting the legs with the muscles relaxed. YMMV, of course.

that is what i have been told. clipless is the only way to go eventually. I sometime wonder since i havent ever used them before how easy they are to get out of.

[Dudelsack]

Those were probably Shimano m324s.
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M32.../dp/B001AT33CW

[Cyclebum]

Common sense says stick with platforms until you're very confident riding your new machine. Then make the switch. Have someone stabilize the bike while you practice quick exit from the pedals. Do your first rides on grass if possible. When you go pavement, wear heavy leather for awhile. Nah. Just joking. That would be for me.

[rydabent]

Some one said "welcome to the dark side". I prefer to say "welcome to the smart side"!!!!!!!!

[Dudelsack]

Common sense says stick with platforms until you're very confident riding your new machine. Then make the switch. Have someone stabilize the bike while you practice quick exit from the pedals. Do your first rides on grass if possible. When you go pavement, wear heavy leather for awhile. Nah. Just joking. That would be for me.

Exactly. We're probably doing the gent a disservice by mentioning it at all.

Stay with platforms. I think the Corsa will feel very twitchy at low speeds for the first 100 miles or so, and if your experience is like mine, getting rolling from a full stop is going to take some getting used to.

[xxtheshockerxx]

Those were probably Shimano m324s.
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M32.../dp/B001AT33CW

those look like them.

Common sense says stick with platforms until you're very confident riding your new machine. Then make the switch. Have someone stabilize the bike while you practice quick exit from the pedals. Do your first rides on grass if possible. When you go pavement, wear heavy leather for awhile. Nah. Just joking. That would be for me.

I know for awhile i will be wobbly. i think i might stick with the BMX pedals for a little while just to be safe.

Exactly. We're probably doing the gent a disservice by mentioning it at all.

Stay with platforms. I think the Corsa will feel very twitchy at low speeds for the first 100 miles or so, and if your experience is like mine, getting rolling from a full stop is going to take some getting used to.

Yea i am kind of twitchy on them still. since i have only rode one twice. however i dont have much trouble getting started.

[Dudelsack]

Pics when it arrives, it goes without saying.

Except that I just said it.

I got mine so decked out I can't stand it: brain bag, OAB, three blinkies, Newt light source, cell phone holder. And it will be a nice day tomorrow.....

[xxtheshockerxx]

pics are a must.

it as 60 here in Iowa today. wish i had it today and had the day off.

Mine wont be decked out for awhile. I just need a bag and some bottle cages to start with.

edit: signed up for my first official bike ride today. 24 miles Feb. 4th. hope it is still above freezing then haha.

[xxtheshockerxx]

does bacchetta make the fenders for the tires? i might get some of those down the road too so if i get stuck in the rain somewhere.

[Dudelsack]

Yes, they do. If you haven't done so already, you might register at the Bacchetta forums. I've found the site very helpful, and they have more specific information than you can get on BF.

It's supposed to be a lovely day tomorrow, so I'm going riding even if its a
dumb idea as I'm recovering from a very nasty cold. Asking for bike pictures is like asking for pictures of the grandchildren. I'll post some tomorrow.

[xxtheshockerxx]

i registered awhile back. not sure if i got approved my the admin yet or not. i might have to check again. thanks for all the info Dudelsack. I will keep everyone posted. i know everyday i am getting more excited about getting it.

[xxtheshockerxx]

Yes, they do. If you haven't done so already, you might register at the Bacchetta forums. I've found the site very helpful, and they have more specific information than you can get on BF.

It's supposed to be a lovely day tomorrow, so I'm going riding even if its a
dumb idea as I'm recovering from a very nasty cold. Asking for bike pictures is like asking for pictures of the grandchildren. I'll post some tomorrow.

cute grandkid. I dont have kids yet since i am only 23. i suppose i can kind of relate. i post alot of pics of my dog and car ....i dont even hardly drive my car because of my bike

[Jeff Wills]

that is what i have been told. clipless is the only way to go eventually. I sometime wonder since i havent ever used them before how easy they are to get out of.

Shimano SPD clipless cleats come in two different styles (single and multi-release) and the pedals are adjustable for gripping tension. If you minimize the tension and use multi-release cleats, I bet you'll find that you can release easily, but they can come out unexpectedly. Each person has their own preference.

I've been riding SPD's on my recumbents for 20 years, essentially since SPD became available. I keep mine at medium tension and use single-release cleats. As above, YMMV.

[Jeff Wills]

does bacchetta make the fenders for the tires? i might get some of those down the road too so if i get stuck in the rain somewhere.

Fenders are usually a general purpose accessory- it takes a little setup to get them right, but no special knowledge. Most of the local riders here in the Portland area (it rains here... except not so much lately) use Planet Bike fenders: http://ecom1.planetbike.com/fenders.html . Fenders are good for keeping the road grit out of your hair- one of the downsides of recumbents.

[Dudelsack]

cute grandkid. I dont have kids yet since i am only 23. i suppose i can kind of relate. i post alot of pics of my dog and car ....i dont even hardly drive my car because of my bike

A 23 year old American on a bent? Cool!

As best I can tell, European bent riders are often younger, especially in Scotland. If you get on YouTube, the bent riders across the pond look a good 20-30 years younger than American bent riders. What made you cross over to the Dark Side before your Jedi training was complete?

[xxtheshockerxx]

health issues. having some problems on a DF.

i figured why not? ride in comfort!

[Dudelsack]

I gotta get a better camera than an iPhone 3. Anyway, temps got up to 60 and I got 22 wonderful miles in.

[xxtheshockerxx]

nice looking Bacchetta there!