1st bent - Bachetta Corsa 650 or Rans Saturn V?
04-05-24, 08:47 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
1st bent - Bachetta Corsa 650 or Rans Saturn V?
After riding a customers P-38 , my 1st time on a bent, I have the bug to try one myself. There are lots of reasonable bikes out there under $400 , but the two I've come across that could work are a Bachetta Corsa 650c and a Rans Saturn V (Rocket) w/ 20s front and rear. I'm a bike mechanic by trade so I'm not worried about details on the bikes too much, just want to get a good platform so I have a good initial experience. I'm in decent shape for a 66 year old and ride regularly( Trek Domane SLR and an Alant 8S+). Most of my rides are under 40 miles, but I have problems with numb hands so I thought I'd try a bent. In this case the Rans is under $200, the Bachetta at $400. Any direction from the group is appreciated.
04-06-24, 07:31 AM
#2
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Corsa was a more expensive bike when new
You are comparing a long wheelbase recumbent to a short wheelbase recumbent bike. I've owned both long (Linear) and short wheelbase (Haluzak Horizon) recumbent bikes and while the long wheelbase is somewhat like piloting the Queen Mary due to its length, it was way less twitchy than riding the Zak. Both of mine have underseat steering so are different from the two you are considering. I occasionally see the P38 for sale on my local Facebook and at surprisingly reasonable prices.
The Rocket has been around for a very long time so could be a quarter century old (square frame model). It was the Rans entry level bike. See this 2001 review from Bentrideronline https://www.bentrideronline.com/arch...t01/rocket.htm. The Corsa is a much more expensive bike probably with better components. It is super light. It also will have a wider gear range. The age might be why they are so inexpensive now.
The Rocket has been around for a very long time so could be a quarter century old (square frame model). It was the Rans entry level bike. See this 2001 review from Bentrideronline https://www.bentrideronline.com/arch...t01/rocket.htm. The Corsa is a much more expensive bike probably with better components. It is super light. It also will have a wider gear range. The age might be why they are so inexpensive now.
04-06-24, 08:43 AM
#3
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You are comparing a long wheelbase recumbent to a short wheelbase recumbent bike. I've owned both long (Linear) and short wheelbase (Haluzak Horizon) recumbent bikes and while the long wheelbase is somewhat like piloting the Queen Mary due to its length, it was way less twitchy than riding the Zak. Both of mine have underseat steering so are different from the two you are considering. I occasionally see the P38 for sale on my local Facebook and at surprisingly reasonable prices.
The Rocket has been around for a very long time so could be a quarter century old (square frame model). It was the Rans entry level bike. See this 2001 review from Bentrideronline https://www.bentrideronline.com/arch...t01/rocket.htm. The Corsa is a much more expensive bike probably with better components. It is super light. It also will have a wider gear range. The age might be why they are so inexpensive now.
The Rocket has been around for a very long time so could be a quarter century old (square frame model). It was the Rans entry level bike. See this 2001 review from Bentrideronline https://www.bentrideronline.com/arch...t01/rocket.htm. The Corsa is a much more expensive bike probably with better components. It is super light. It also will have a wider gear range. The age might be why they are so inexpensive now.
04-07-24, 04:16 PM
#4
Senior Member
Between the two, the Rocket will be quicker to learn, but the Bacchetta will be faster. The Saturn V Rocket was a special edition Rocket, so there may be some collector value. It featured a 3x3x7 drive train; but that didn't make it any faster overall than a regular Rocket. Mostly it gave the Saturn V some very low gears. The Corsa will have more recline, which is why it may take longer learning it but will make it faster overall. Both have stiff frames; the Rocket due to triangulation and the Corsa due to the large diameter monotube.
The Corsa could be had with one of three seats: Carbon shell, Euromesh, or Meshback. The Meshback was similar to the Rocket's and was the least aerodynamic. The carbon was the high-priced (and high permance) option. I think the Euromesh was the most common option. It was shaped sort of like a carbon shell but had an aluminum frame and a mesh cover.
The Corsa could be had with one of three seats: Carbon shell, Euromesh, or Meshback. The Meshback was similar to the Rocket's and was the least aerodynamic. The carbon was the high-priced (and high permance) option. I think the Euromesh was the most common option. It was shaped sort of like a carbon shell but had an aluminum frame and a mesh cover.
04-07-24, 08:07 PM
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
I ended up with the Corsa for only $300 as seller gave me a bit more of a discount since the sliding seat clamp was broken. Reached out to Bent Cycles today and a new one will be on the way tomorrow. Glad I went with a company that still is in business.
Now the learning begins!
Thanks for the input.
Now the learning begins!
Thanks for the input.
