Cafe vs Giro

Quoted message said:

Has anyone ridden the Bacchetta Cafe? I have often thought that a MWB
bike would make a stable, commuter bike? Yet I wonder what Bacchetta
is trying to accomplish with the CAFE in that it seems like the market
for this bike would already be served by the GIRO?

Jim Reilly
Reading, PA

Jim,

I rode both the Cafe and the Giro at RBR in State College, PA a few
weeks back. Both felt quite stable; the Cafe may have had a slight edge
in that respect, but the Giro felt more responsive (which, for purposes
of commuting in traffic, is more important in my estimation!).

I dunno...the Cafe was a comfortable ride and appeared to be
well-made, but it just didn't do much for me. YMMV...

Best thing I can suggest is to take the trip out to RBR (directions,
address, and contact information is available at http://www.rbr.info),
ask Rob to put you both machines, and see how they feel for you.

Best,

Dan

Thanks Dan... I am planning a trip to State College on Monday.

Quoted message said:

Thanks Dan... I am planning a trip to State College on Monday.

Have fun...Rob's a great guy, and his shop is the best I've seen in the
southwest/central PA area.

Best,

Dan

Quoted message said:

Has anyone ridden the Bacchetta Cafe? I have often thought that a MWB
bike would make a stable, commuter bike? Yet I wonder what Bacchetta
is trying to accomplish with the CAFE in that it seems like the market
for this bike would already be served by the GIRO?

I took a brief test ride of the Cafe' a couple of weekends ago and
didn't like it very much.

It was reminiscent of the RANS LWBs (Tailwind and Stratus) when I tried
them years ago. I didn't like them then when I was a 'bent newbie, I
don't like them now after years of recumbency.

I thought the Cafe felt kinda floppy and not unexpectedly given the
longer wheelbase, the low speed maneuverability (and for me, stability)
was no where near as good as the Giro or Strada.

I own a Strada and have test ridden a Giro. I thought the Giro was the
most stable 'bent I have ever ridden, especially at low speeds. The
Strada is pretty darned stable at all speeds I've had it at, slow or fast.

I don't have too much trouble commuting on my Strada (a 2005 model with
571/650c tires), though I may be mothballing it for commuting purposes
since I don't have experience with the bike at night yet, and with the
major road construction going on in my area, I'm not very tempted to
experiment with it. I think the Giro and the Cafe may offer better
forward visiblity at night.

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