Bacchetta Corsa questions...(was Re: Gold Rush (or Ti Rush) v. Bacchetta Aero )

OK, a couple of you Aero owners have agreed with my assessment that a Corsa should have virtually
the same performance potential as an Aero, while weighing only a bit more. Can anyone tell me what a
Corsa does weigh? The Bacchetta site doesn't list the weight and I have not seen it published
elsewhere. Obviously, it must weigh something between a Strada and an Aero. Not that it really
matters to me because I am not a weight weenie anyway, but I am curious.

Also, it appears to me that the fixed riser on the Aero can compromise the aerodynamics of the bike,
something I have also heard mentioned by a couple of Aero owners. Seat angle seems that to be
dependent on the rider to bike fit, particularly the length of one's torso and arms. Once the proper
fore and aft seat position is established, the angle of seat layback it limited to the amount of the
rider's arm extension. My thought is that the GlideFlex riser on the Corsa would allow one to set
the seat angle independently of fore fore and aft seat position, allowing a more aerodynamic rider
position while still giving the rider some flexibility in arm positioning. Your thoughts?

Harry

harry, I'm 5'.9" with an inseam of 42. My seat (On the frame mount) is placed 4 holes from the back.
I also have 3 spacers in my fix high riser. (Admittedly I am using an adjustable front crank, that
presently I have set at 170) I have no problem reaching my handlebars and additionally I switched
out the short barrel grip shifters and replaced them with barcons. I now have a much more complete
full grasp of my handlebar ins. My seat is still at the 7 hole from the top; but I plan to drop it
down (Lean the seat back more) to about 4 or 5 hole. HOWEVER first I need to lose about 2 spacers in
my riser, to which then I will still be able to see plenty of road in front of me, even at a more
laid back position. Not really trying to be an Aerodynamic weenie, but I am thinking of maybe
placing a small plastic duel sheet (Stapling it around the riser tube) around the riser, which would
then make for less wide mass exposure of the riser post. Other than that, I have no need to have to
move my seat mount / frame any, as my arms are perfectly placed on the riser handlebars. EZ Biker
:-) Pompano Beach, Fl. (Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"harryo" <harryo@dtnspeed.net> wrote in message
news:7e559e29.0310030830.5f27ce24@posting.google.com...
> My thought is that the GlideFlex riser on the Corsa would allow one to set the seat angle
> independently of fore fore and aft seat position, allowing a more aerodynamic rider position
> while still giving the rider some flexibility in arm positioning. Your thoughts?
>
> Harry

harry, I'm 5'.9" with an inseam of 42. My seat (On the frame mount) is placed 4 holes from the back.
I also have 3 spacers in my fix high riser. (Admittedly I am using an adjustable front crank, that
presently I have set at 170) I have no problem reaching my handlebars and additionally I switched
out the short barrel grip shifters and replaced them with barcons. I now have a much more complete
full grasp of my handlebar ins. My seat is still at the 7 hole from the top; but I plan to drop it
down (Lean the seat back more) to about 4 or 5 hole. HOWEVER first I need to lose about 2 spacers in
my riser, to which then I will still be able to see plenty of road in front of me, even at a more
laid back position. Not really trying to be an Aerodynamic weenie, but I am thinking of maybe
placing a small plastic duel sheet (Stapling it around the riser tube) around the riser, which would
then make for less wide mass exposure of the riser post. Other than that, I have no need to have to
move my seat mount / frame any, as my arms are perfectly placed on the riser handlebars. EZ Biker
:-) Pompano Beach, Fl. (Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"harryo" <harryo@dtnspeed.net> wrote in message
news:7e559e29.0310030830.5f27ce24@posting.google.com...
> My thought is that the GlideFlex riser on the Corsa would allow one to set the seat angle
> independently of fore fore and aft seat position, allowing a more aerodynamic rider position
> while still giving the rider some flexibility in arm positioning. Your thoughts?
>
> Harry

harry, I'm 5'.9" with an inseam of 42. My seat (On the frame mount) is placed 4 holes from the back.
I also have 3 spacers in my fix high riser. (Admittedly I am using an adjustable front crank, that
presently I have set at 170) I have no problem reaching my handlebars and additionally I switched
out the short barrel grip shifters and replaced them with barcons. I now have a much more complete
full grasp of my handlebar ins. My seat is still at the 7 hole from the top; but I plan to drop it
down (Lean the seat back more) to about 4 or 5 hole. HOWEVER first I need to lose about 2 spacers in
my riser, to which then I will still be able to see plenty of road in front of me, even at a more
laid back position. Not really trying to be an Aerodynamic weenie, but I am thinking of maybe
placing a small plastic duel sheet (Stapling it around the riser tube) around the riser, which would
then make for less wide mass exposure of the riser post. Other than that, I have no need to have to
move my seat mount / frame any, as my arms are perfectly placed on the riser handlebars. EZ Biker
:-) Pompano Beach, Fl. (Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"harryo" <harryo@dtnspeed.net> wrote in message
news:7e559e29.0310030830.5f27ce24@posting.google.com...
> My thought is that the GlideFlex riser on the Corsa would allow one to set the seat angle
> independently of fore fore and aft seat position, allowing a more aerodynamic rider position
> while still giving the rider some flexibility in arm positioning. Your thoughts?
>
> Harry

harryo@dtnspeed.net (harryo) wrote in message
news:<7e559e29.0310030830.5f27ce24@posting.google.com>...
> OK, a couple of you Aero owners have agreed with my assessment that a Corsa should have virtually
> the same performance potential as an Aero, while weighing only a bit more. Can anyone tell me what
> a Corsa does weigh? The Bacchetta site doesn't list the weight and I have not seen it published
> elsewhere. Obviously, it must weigh something between a Strada and an Aero. Not that it really
> matters to me because I am not a weight weenie anyway, but I am curious.
>
> Also, it appears to me that the fixed riser on the Aero can compromise the aerodynamics of the
> bike, something I have also heard mentioned by a couple of Aero owners. Seat angle seems that to
> be dependent on the rider to bike fit, particularly the length of one's torso and arms. Once the
> proper fore and aft seat position is established, the angle of seat layback it limited to the
> amount of the rider's arm extension. My thought is that the GlideFlex riser on the Corsa would
> allow one to set the seat angle independently of fore fore and aft seat position, allowing a more
> aerodynamic rider position while still giving the rider some flexibility in arm positioning. Your
> thoughts?
>
> Harry

Harry

In response to your questions. I own a Strada with the M5 Carbon seat as opposed to the fiberglas
seat on the Corsa and a pretty light set of Velocity Aerohead wheels with American Classic hubs
which are a bit lighter than the Alex Rims on the Corsa. While I did change out my cranks I went
with shorter 165 Truvativ cranks versus going with lighter 170 FSA carbon cranks. My bike weighs
just a bit over 26 lbs for the Large frame with pedals and I would guess a Corsa would weigh about
26.5 to 27.5lbs. In real life there is probably about a 3.5 to
4. difference between these bikes and the Aero.

As to which is a cleaner bike, aerodynamically, I think alot depends on how one has set up their
bike and adjusted the riding position. The glidelex does allow more versatility, and does add about
a half pound of weight, which in and of itself has no practical effect on performance.

I think/know that the Aero will have very slightly less drag, all things being equal, because of
some very minor differences ie fork. But in reality alot depends again on how each particular rider
has the bike set up and the corresponding rider position. All of which then takes you back to the
engine which is where the real differences will show up.

Pat Mc

OOOPS! Sorry for the repeat postings! Now I know what my OE newsreader was doing, when it
hick-upped!!! EZ Biker :-) Pompano Beach, Fl. (Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"

pjmsj21@aol.com (PJ) wrote in message news:<5d884f5a.0310041034.159f19ec@posting.google.com>...
> But in reality alot depends again on how each particular rider has the bike set up and the
> corresponding rider position. All of which then takes you back to the engine which is where the
> real differences will show up.
>

What I am getting at is that because of the fixed riser on an Aero, seat recline seems to be limited
to the point where the rider's arms are fully extended. Since there are physical differences between
torso and arm lengths of individuals, some riders are not able to recline the seat as far as others
and therefore would present a greater frontal area and regardless of the rider's arm length, seat
recline still seems to be fully dependent on the rider's physiology. With an angle adjustable stem,
the seat recline could be totally independent and the seat could be reclined to a lower angle to
reduce the frontal profile, without having the handlebars out of comfortable reach.

Do you Aero owners not find that if your seat is reclined too much, you lose comfortable contact
with the handlebars? I look at pictures of riders on Aeros and of myself, on my Baron, and can see
that the maximum reclined seat of a Baron allows a smaller frontal profile, therefore an aerodynamic
advantage. Have any Aero owners tried a different riser setup so they could recline the seat more?

Harry

How you have the Aero or Corsa or for that matter an Strada/Corsa set up has much to do with
aerodynamic efficency. Presenting the smallest profile is the key. As the Bacchetta Corsa and Aero
have evolved the handlebars have lost their flair and the risers have shortened. This was with
aerodynamics in mind. I weighed a stock Corsa today it weighed 26 lbs 9 oz. When it comes to
evaluating say and Aero vs. various configurations of the GRR/To Rush. I think that EZ wins the
creditabilty war since very few out there have the past thousands of GRR miles and now accumilating
Aero miles. Anytime comparisons/evaluations are made by those with little or no practical experience
with the particular bike, its all opinion and conjecture not based on long term practical
experience. I have wipped up on a few socked GRR's and have been dusted by a few others. Underneath
that sock and behind the high BB of an Aero or Corsa is most crucial speed component.

--
Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "PJ" <pjmsj21@aol.com> wrote in message
news:5d884f5a.0310041034.159f19ec@posting.google.com...
> harryo@dtnspeed.net (harryo) wrote in message
news:<7e559e29.0310030830.5f27ce24@posting.google.com>...
> > OK, a couple of you Aero owners have agreed with my assessment that a Corsa should have
> > virtually the same performance potential as an Aero, while weighing only a bit more. Can anyone
> > tell me what a Corsa does weigh? The Bacchetta site doesn't list the weight and I have not seen
> > it published elsewhere. Obviously, it must weigh something between a Strada and an Aero. Not
> > that it really matters to me because I am not a weight weenie anyway, but I am curious.
> >
> > Also, it appears to me that the fixed riser on the Aero can compromise the aerodynamics of the
> > bike, something I have also heard mentioned by a couple of Aero owners. Seat angle seems that to
> > be dependent on the rider to bike fit, particularly the length of one's torso and arms. Once the
> > proper fore and aft seat position is established, the angle of seat layback it limited to the
> > amount of the rider's arm extension. My thought is that the GlideFlex riser on the Corsa would
> > allow one to set the seat angle independently of fore fore and aft seat position, allowing a
> > more aerodynamic rider position while still giving the rider some flexibility in arm
> > positioning. Your thoughts?
> >
> > Harry
>
> Harry
>
> In response to your questions. I own a Strada with the M5 Carbon seat as opposed to the fiberglas
> seat on the Corsa and a pretty light set of Velocity Aerohead wheels with American Classic hubs
> which are a bit lighter than the Alex Rims on the Corsa. While I did change out my cranks I went
> with shorter 165 Truvativ cranks versus going with lighter 170 FSA carbon cranks. My bike weighs
> just a bit over 26 lbs for the Large frame with pedals and I would guess a Corsa would weigh about
> 26.5 to 27.5lbs. In real life there is probably about a 3.5 to
> 4. difference between these bikes and the Aero.
>
> As to which is a cleaner bike, aerodynamically, I think alot depends on how one has set up their
> bike and adjusted the riding position. The glidelex does allow more versatility, and does add
> about a half pound of weight, which in and of itself has no practical effect on performance.
>
> I think/know that the Aero will have very slightly less drag, all things being equal, because of
> some very minor differences ie fork. But in reality alot depends again on how each particular
> rider has the bike set up and the corresponding rider position. All of which then takes you back
> to the engine which is where the real differences will show up.
>
> Pat Mc

Well put Jude. Here's still another tidbit of feedback on my Aero vs. my now sold GRR Ti. Today I
did a metric and ended up with a 19.1 mph overall average speed. Some of that ride was done in a
nice 10+ mile head wind and I had little problems SLICING through the headwind and moving along the
road. In the 5+ years I rode my GRR Ti I only hit that kind of overall speed average a few times, at
best and that was when I was hanging with some DF hammer heads. The other issue I've had with regard
to a body-socked Easy Racer is how you communicate to traffic in that of hand signals. Unless there
are some cutouts on the side of the sock or you have rear turn signals, you're SOL in trying to let
vehicle traffic know, what you are doing. I for one have always made it a point to use hand signals
especially in the traffic I ride in down here in South Florida. It seems the general consciences is
that if you want to go EXTRA FAST on an Easy Racer bike, you should seriously consider a body sock.
Fine! But on my Aero, I don't need that artificial (Weighty) air control device to make my Aero go
EXTRA FAST and I'm able to use hand signals in traffic as well. EZ Biker :-) Pompano Beach, Fl.
(Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"Jude T. McGloin" <dorgil@crosslink.com> wrote in message
news:3f7f85a8$0$17349@dingus.crosslink.net... I think that EZ wins the creditabilty war since
very few out
> there have the past thousands of GRR miles and now accumilating Aero
miles.

"EZ Biker :-)" wrote:
> ... The other issue I've had with regard to a body-socked Easy Racer is how you communicate to
> traffic in that of hand signals. Unless there are some cutouts on the side of the sock or you have
> rear turn signals, you're SOL in trying to let vehicle traffic know, what you are doing....

Most of the socks from FreeForm [1] I have seen have a zippered slit for signaling turns - I copied
this feature on my homemade sock.

[1] Supplier of OEM Easy Racers bodysocks.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

I use VRex riser and a very narrow custom Evo type bar. bill g

---
The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

harryo wrote:

> Do you Aero owners not find that if your seat is reclined too much, you lose comfortable contact
> with the handlebars? I look at pictures of riders on Aeros and of myself, on my Baron, and can see
> that the maximum reclined seat of a Baron allows a smaller frontal profile, therefore an
> aerodynamic advantage. Have any Aero owners tried a different riser setup so they could recline
> the seat more?

EZ, No doubt that a socked bike can be fast however it has its drawbacks as you have pointed out.
Another experience I had with a socked GRR was having him blow by me on the flats, get pretty far
ahead to only have me cruise by him on a hill. After a series of hills I never saw him again. Weight
is a issue when climbing. Not only the bike, but the rider too <grin>. I've dropped 18 lbs. On
yesterday's 83 miler It was quite windy, even into fairly strong headwinds we were staying in the
high teens. I will be in Florida this winter. Gotta save some traveling money up.

See ya!

--
Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "EZ Biker :-)" <ezbiker@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:4_Lfb.219741$mp.137292@rwcrnsc51.ops.asp.att.net...
> Well put Jude. Here's still another tidbit of feedback on my Aero vs. my
now
> sold GRR Ti. Today I did a metric and ended up with a 19.1 mph overall average speed. Some of that
> ride was done in a nice 10+ mile head wind and
I
> had little problems SLICING through the headwind and moving along the
road.
> In the 5+ years I rode my GRR Ti I only hit that kind of overall speed average a few times, at
> best and that was when I was hanging with some DF hammer heads. The other issue I've had with
> regard to a body-socked Easy Racer is how
you
> communicate to traffic in that of hand signals. Unless there are some cutouts on the side of the
> sock or you have rear turn signals, you're SOL
in
> trying to let vehicle traffic know, what you are doing. I for one have always made it a point to
> use hand signals especially in the traffic I
ride
> in down here in South Florida. It seems the general consciences is that if you want to go EXTRA
> FAST on an Easy Racer bike, you should seriously consider a body sock. Fine! But on my Aero, I
> don't need that artificial (Weighty) air control device to make my Aero go EXTRA FAST and I'm able
> to use hand signals in traffic as well. EZ Biker :-) Pompano Beach, Fl. (Bacchetta Aero Pilot)
>
>
>
>
> "Jude T. McGloin" <dorgil@crosslink.com> wrote in message
> news:3f7f85a8$0$17349@dingus.crosslink.net... I think that EZ wins the creditabilty war since
> very few out
> > there have the past thousands of GRR miles and now accumilating Aero
> miles.

Hi Bill, Again its a matter of choice. I still have the original bar and Superman setup on my
Aero. Most people have a problem riding it because of the arm extension. When I use it as a demo
bike I have to raise the seat way up to accomidate riders, even those with a very similar body
proportions as
I. I am very comfortable with my arms fully extended with no elbow bend. So many questions are asked
by people with little or no Bacchetta experience and all the advice is based on personal
preferences. Including mine. As far as aerodynamics. My bars have no flare and my hand postion is
inside my body and my stem had been cut to allow for minimal leg clearance. I can feel the hairs
on my legs pass under the HB. I see all sorts of set ups on the Bacchetta's and if it works for
the owner it works for me. I rode a Screame today and my old beloved praying hamster position
felt alien and very twichy. That said, I think from the pictures I have seen of you on your Aero
and our conservations, you appear to have your seat to pedal distance at an exterme that in my
case would give me achillies tendonitis. As usual my opinion is "Each to their own"
--
Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "bill g" <ipedal@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3F815B51.671DA1D0@hotmail.com...
> I use VRex riser and a very narrow custom Evo type bar. bill g
>
> ---
> The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
>
> harryo wrote:
>
> > Do you Aero owners not find that if your seat is reclined too much, you lose comfortable contact
> > with the handlebars? I look at pictures of riders on Aeros and of myself, on my Baron, and can
> > see that the maximum reclined seat of a Baron allows a smaller frontal profile, therefore an
> > aerodynamic advantage. Have any Aero owners tried a different riser setup so they could recline
> > the seat more?

Jude, Rumor has it you are headed below the Mason-Dixon line in the next few months. Be careful
though, if you go to far down you'll hit yankees again. Oh, sorry. I didn't mean the Maryland ones.
Be great to do a ride with you. Re seat distance: If I don't extend I burn my knees, and 25 years of
tennis has whittled 'em down. But I also adjust distance on rides by moving around. So the greater
seat distance gives me the option to sit up or slouch or whatever to get where I'm comfortable. Here
comes the obligatory Aero "Toasted a Roadie" segment.. Pedaled his shaved legs, 25yo self off my
53yo hairy ass wheel at 37mph last week. When I checked my mirror he was Not as Close as Objects May
Appear. Sorry. Couldn't resist Winter Park or further south? bg

"Jude T. McGloin" wrote:

>
> That said, I think from the pictures I have seen of you on your Aero and our
> conservations, you appear to have your seat to pedal distance at an exterme that in my
> case would give me achillies tendonitis. As usual my opinion is "Each to their own"

Jude looking forward to your visit as are a lot of my fellow SFRR group. I agree that a socked GRR
is probably FAST on straights, BUT hills are another thing. I had no problem doing 18-20 mph with
some of the local hammer heads and it was great, till we came to a slight incline bridge and then my
overall body / bike weight factor kicked in and I got kicked off the choo choo DF express at that
point. As for my Aero, I still don't feel I have my legs yet, BUT keeping it in the high 18's to 22
mph, is pretty neat and so far the bridge / pimple hills, have been NO Problem to climb, at a fairly
decent speed. I need to take 2 stem spacers out and then I should be able to recline my seat another
notch, maybe 2 and still be able to see over the handlebars. I'm still at the 7 notch, but my body
is beginning to talk to me, that it needs to be at a more flatter angle. EZ Biker :-) Pompano Beach,
Fl. (Bacchetta Aero Pilot)

"Jude T. McGloin" <dorgil@crosslink.com> wrote in message
news:3f81fa6c$0$18640@dingus.crosslink.net...
> EZ, No doubt that a socked bike can be fast however it has its drawbacks
as
> you have pointed out.