rode my first 2 bents today...
 

rode the RANS Stratus XP AL and a Baccheta. much preferred the RANS. definitely going to get a bent!

te rans is easier to steer, for sure, and is often a better beginner bent. My first test drive was a bachhetta and I hated it. Now I realize it's just meant for an advanced rider and it fit me like a glove when I next tried it.

what do u like about the baccheta now?

Which Bacchetta? I've only ridden a couple models, the Giro 20 and the Cafe. I decided quickly on the Cafe, the Giro did seem to me to be intended for a more experienced 'bent rider but I found myself pretty comfortable on the Cafe.

I have an new Cafe also and LOVE it. The longer wheelbase of 57 inches makes it more stable, but it's still not too long, as is a long wheel based bent.

To the original poster......keep test riding different recumbents. You tested how many, two? That's not enough. If you have dealers near you that have several to many different brands and models, go test as many as possible. Then narrow it down to two or three. Try and give each of the final two or three a long test ride, of an hour or two. Then you'll know which one is right for you.

Good hunting...

Jeff

Bacchetta Cafe (bent)
Rans Cruz ( crankforward)
Penninger ( delta trike)

Part of my test ride recommendation is always to revisit the same bikes a week or two later, after you've had other test rides. You'd be surprised how other test rides can acclimate your brain so that the bikes you thought were hard to handle... no longer are. You may hate the Bacchetta after the second ride, too; but you might not. Don't write it off yet, and keep test riding.