I bought a brand new recumbent bike for my 71st birthday which simply arrived a few days in the past. My recumbent was over 10 years outdated as a result of I purchased it used, and among the parts like gears and brakes have been getting a little bit out of date and laborious to tune. I might have simply changed it with the most recent model of the identical mannequin (the Bacchetta Giro A20). However the Giro is a touring mannequin, and I spotted that for a similar worth I might get a lighter weight efficiency mannequin, the Bacchetta Corsa. This was interesting as a result of I wish to go after Strava age group information. I used to be involved that the extra aggressive place on the Corsa won’t be as snug because the Giro, and luxury to me is extra necessary general than efficiency. Nevertheless, I spotted that if the bike has disk brakes, it’s simple to make wheel adjustments, and the Corsa may very well be made as snug because the Giro for day after day driving. Then with a wheel and seat swap I might put it again in efficiency mode at any time when I needed. I’d been toying with the thought of doing this someday sooner or later, however Dana Lieberman, who owns Bacchetta bikes, placed on a killer “black friday” sale earlier than Christmas that I couldn’t resist. So I ordered the bike a couple of weeks in the past and it simply arrived.

My first rides confirmed it’s fairly a bit faster than the Giro, and I’m trying ahead to going after some Strava 70+ information with it. Sadly my latest chilly intervened in order that bought postponed until I get well. For longer rides the Giro does appear a bit extra snug now, however that could be a matter of getting used to the brand new seat (additionally the brand new seat is extra snug in a extra reclined place, which is nice for aerodynamics however could require a headrest). And I can over time look into swapping out wheels and seats for consolation vs. efficiency as mentioned under. Happily, by donating my non-electric upright bike I made room to retailer the brand new Corsa, so I can preserve each bikes not less than for now whereas I kind this out. This sort of experimenting is enjoyable for me as a retired engineer.