Bacchetta Bicycles Giro

Price Paid:  $1495.00 at Easy Streets Recumbe

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Hotter N Hell Wichita Falls, TX

Bike Setup:
Standard set up from dealer except I switched to SRAM X-5 Avid shifters instead of the grip shifters, put carbon water bottle holders (from other road bike) and brain box.

Summary:
The Giro 20 is my first recumbent. I decided to switch from a road bike to a recumbent after developing severe neck problems--pinched nerve, arm falling asleep, extremely uncomfortable when riding long miles on the road bike. So far, I am enjoying the switch. When I am done with my rides, I don't feel tired, the neck isn't in pain, the hands/arms feel fine. I am a bit slower going uphill but hopefully in time I will get stronger. When choosing, I narrowed it down to the Giro 20 and the Corsa 24. I chose the Giro 20 because it was more comfortable and I felt I could start and stop a little easier. The dual 24 wheels on the Corsa made riding it a little more difficult for someone like me just starting to ride a recumbent. I have 2 other road bikes in the garage. I rode one of the them today and it definitely reminded how much more comfortable riding the Giro 20 is. I think over time I will probably end up selling the road bikes and upgrading to an even better recumbent. But for now, I like the Giro 20.

Strengths:
Comfortable
Fun to ride
Fairly easy to learn to ride

Weaknesses:
A little heavy but I can still lift it and put in on the bike rack.

Similar Products Used:
Test rode Rans Rocket and Lightening Phantom recumbents and Corsa 24

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Urbane Cyclist in To

Favorite Ride:
Hastings Hilly 100

Bike Setup:
2008 Giro TT stock with Crank Brothers Candy pedals, Specialized Sport cordless computer (perfect for the Giro), Swalbe Marathon Racer 1.5's (fast - love 'em)

Summary:
To add to my previous review after months of riding and making several changes to the Giro. I managed to do the Hastings Hilly 100 with my new Giro. Normally I go with DF riders but this ride I did alone to set my own "Bent" pace and not hold anyone back. The hills on this course are demoralizing and steep. I made it on my Giro with legs tired, but body intact and pain free. A first in the 3 times I've done this event. The other times were on standard and touring bikes (diamond frames). I switched from the stock tires (Kenda) to the Swalbes and I noticed an immediate improvement in slow speed handling and staight line control. This really helps slogging up steep long hills in Hastings county. The more I rode the Giro, the more I couldn't wait to ride it. My diamond frames gathered dust in my garage as my choice always seemed to be the Giro, even if it was just bombing around the neighbourhood! I love this bike. No complaints except maybe that I don't start as well as I would like to sometimes. I am getting better though! Every time I get on any of my diamond frame bikes now, I wonder how I managed to enjoy cycling. They are so uncomfortable and ordinary. The Bacchetta brings the fun back and more (comfort!). Buy or at least try a recumbent. Preferably go on a long ride on one and then tell me you don't like them! The Giro brakes well, rides and handles geat, comfortable, and quiet. I am so happy with the bike and the company behind it.

Strengths:
Ride, build quality, components, comfort and feel. Speed is awesome on a Bacchetta. I can ride all day in comfort. Over 7 hours on this bike and I got off of it smiling. Not on any other bike I have owned in 30 years can I say that!!

Weaknesses:
A bit slower than my fast DF bikes, but maybe I am just enjoying the view and experince better.

Similar Products Used:
Demo'd: Corsa (fast but my feet are higher), Rans Rocket (slow), Rans F5 (hated the bars and components), Giro 26 (nice, higher feet and heavier than my Giro).

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Urbane Cyclist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any ride with my son

Bike Setup:
Standard.

Summary:
This bike is a new 2008 Giro 20TT. 26/20 with Alu frame/fork in Mango.
I tried several Bents before choosing this one. I had to go with one that would do all well and I thought this one was it.
I test rode a Rans Rocket (communting/fun only), a Giro 26/26 steel frame and a used Bacchetta Corsa. The high racers are fast, and feel most like a diamond frame road bike, but the crankset is higher on these. I thought that a determent for possbile touring in the future so I chose the 20TT. I feel slow on it, but 1st ride I did 92 kilometers and came home with no sore back or butt. Legs not too bad either. Time will improve my newly used "bent" muscles! Fast bike into the wind, downhill and on the flats. Climbs seem slow and wobbly. I will improve I am sure. Comfort is top drawer.

Strengths:
Fairly guick. Comfortable seating (Euromesh) and good components, build quality and ease of handling. Gearing is wide as well. Fit and finish above average.
Great company to buy from. They stand behind Bacchetta's after the sale.

Weaknesses:
Handling is a bit too quick! It will take time to get used to it. It's the nature of the 20 inch front tire that does it. A very light touch on the bars when climbing is maditory!

Similar Products Used:
Mentioned above. Only test rides though.

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Used - BentRideronli

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Rolling Hills

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Dura-Ace bar end shifters.

Summary:
This is my first recumbent and I could not be happier with it. A really great bike for a beginning bent rider. The 26x20 has a very short learning curve. I am amazed after a ride how great I feel. No sore neck, wrists, or rear end. I can't see going back to a DF. I am a little slower, maybe 1mph on my Giro vs my Klein, but I really don't care!

Strengths:
Great value for the money. You can easily pick up a used one for around $800. Mine had beem upgraded to Dura-Ace bar end shifters, and I think they work great and a good mod. Recurve seat is superb.

Weaknesses:
Drivetrain can be noisy if you do not keep it well lubed.
A little heavy at 31lbs, but not bad.

Similar Products Used:
Home built swb recumbent

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
Stock for a 2007. Mine is a 2006 upgraded from v-brakes to discs by the dealer thus giving it 2007 specs.

Summary:
My bike is a Giro 26 with discs and dual 26in wheels. It is my first rebumbent. I am an older(57),taller(6-5), heavier (260#)guy. Learning to ride it was a snap. The seating position trumps any conventional bike: it is comfortable and it is easy to get a full, deep breath. Downhill handling is excellent, much better than a conventional bike. I used to be a little scared at 40mph, on my Giro 26, I want to go faster. Level gound is easy and the riding position is quite powerful. Hills are, well, hills. They're tough, at least for me. A couple times I have climbed from sea level to a 1000ft mountain pass in 8mi and never had to stop. I'd estimate hills are, say, 10% more arduous on a Giro 26 than on a conventional bike,for me. For a younger, lighter guy, the difference would be smaller, I'll bet. Low speed handling is not very good compared to a conventional bike becuase your feet are pretty high off the ground and the start-stop routine is a low level hassle.

Strengths:
Comfort and seat are easy on a rider's whole body, seating positiion allows full beathing, power stroke is good due to relationship between seat, handlebars, and crank. Well built. Reliable, non-fussy drivetrain, despite the long chain length. Disc brakes are best ever brakes on downhill runs at speed.

Weaknesses:
Weighs approx 33lb. No convenient holder for cigarettes. Sometimes my feet go to sleep (tingle) although I am correcting this with wider shoes. A ten-speed cluster would be nice.

Similar Products Used:
Many conventional bikes. This is my first recumbent.