71st Birthday Current Arrived – BionicOldGuy

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 My recumbent was over 10 years outdated as a result of I purchased it used, and among the elements like gears and brakes had been getting a bit of out of date and laborious to tune.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 value I might get a lighter weight efficiency mannequin, the Bacchetta Corsa. This was interesting as a result of I prefer to go after Strava age group records. I used to be involved that the extra aggressive place on the Corsa may not be as snug because the Giro, and luxury to me is extra essential general than efficiency. Nonetheless, I spotted that if the bike has disk brakes, it’s simple to make wheel adjustments, and the Corsa could possibly be made as snug because the Giro for daily using. 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 concept 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 number 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 wanting ahead to going after some Strava 70+ data 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 might require a headrest). And I can over time look into swapping out wheels and seats for consolation vs. efficiency as mentioned beneath. Happily, by donating my non-electric upright bike I made room to retailer the brand new Corsa, so I can hold each bikes at the least for now whereas I kind this out. This type of experimenting is enjoyable for me as a retired engineer.