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Commuting on High Racer - Not Bad

Started by stratrider · · Last activity · 6 posts · 616 views

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01 / Original postCommuting on High Racer - Not Badstratrider · 24 Apr 2006 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6stratrider · 27 Apr 2006

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Original section
Recumbent bicycles
Published
24 April 2006
Last activity
27 April 2006
Original author
stratrider
Posts
6
Discussion status
Public discussion
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616
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0
Topics
CommutingAero positionPunctures and flatsTouring

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  1. Original post
    stratrider
    Archived post
    #1

    Not long ago I was convinced that a high racer was a very poor choice
    for commuting. Well, I changed my mind. Because my tired 99 Stratus
    is in need of some transmission work, I decided to add a rear rack to
    my 2003 Strada and try it out on my daily commute. I should also note
    that I swapped out the fiberglass hardshell seat for the new Euromesh
    seat offered by Bacchetta. With the new seat set up slightly higher
    and bit less reclined than the position I had the hardshell seat in, I
    find myself in a good position for stability and visibility while
    maintaining a reasonably aero position. As for the added weight of a
    day bag stapped to the rear rack, I noticed no ill effects. I am still
    not sure that high racer is a good choice for loaded touring but I am
    now convinced that commuting on one is not bad.

    Jim Reilly
    Reading, PA

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  2. Hull 697
    Archived post
    #2
    stratrider said:

    As for the added weight of a day bag stapped to the rear rack, I noticed no ill effects. I am still not sure that high racer is a good choice for loaded touring but I am now convinced that commuting on one is not bad.

    Jim Reilly
    Reading, PA

    Glad to hear the positive. I like the visibility from/of my Strada however do not commute.

    I saw some panniers that supposedly would fit a Strada a while back from Angletech angletechcycles.comtechwind.htm that looked interesting. I opted for the aerotrunk because we sometimes carry a small dog with us.

    Have read many threads singing the praises of panniers in general, and have read nothing bad about these. If you should add panniers to your setup would be interested in your impression of them.

    Charlie Dwyer
    Seguin, TX

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  3. Zebee Johnstone
    Archived post
    #3

    In alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent on 24 Apr 2006 10:12:15 -0700

    stratrider said:

    day bag stapped to the rear rack, I noticed no ill effects. I am still
    not sure that high racer is a good choice for loaded touring but I am
    now convinced that commuting on one is not bad.

    I bought a Giro for commuting.... can't see what could be bad about
    it!

    I used to stuff everything into the Radical Designs bag on the back of
    the seat, but it was hard work getting the work clothes and shoes and
    the puncture repair kit and the lock into the bag, so I now have a set
    of throwover panniers that fit over the rack. The idea being the
    clothes go in there and are carried in one hand up to the showers.

    It's the only bent I've really tried (aside from a day or so on a
    cheapie) so no idea what could be better for commuting. Good vision,
    good visibility, reasonable load carrying with seatbag, rack,
    panniers, what more do you need?

    Zebee

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  4. stratrider
    Archived post
    #4
    Zebee Johnstone said:

    I bought a Giro for commuting....

    I have been thinking about the Giro 26/20 as a strong choice for
    commuting and touring. I think adding a rear rack and underseat rack
    to the Giro combined with the reasonably low gearing available with the
    11-32 cassette makes the Giro a winner for commuting/touring.

    Jim

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  5. Zebee Johnstone
    Archived post
    #5

    In alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent on 26 Apr 2006 10:58:16 -0700

    stratrider said:


    Zebee Johnstone said:

    I bought a Giro for commuting....

    I have been thinking about the Giro 26/20 as a strong choice for
    commuting and touring. I think adding a rear rack and underseat rack
    to the Giro combined with the reasonably low gearing available with the
    11-32 cassette makes the Giro a winner for commuting/touring.

    Works for me.... I didn't get to try out others because I'm 5'2" and
    your average bent isn't suited for someone that short, but the Giro 20
    medium fitted nicely.

    OK, I suspect that it's not as good up hills as some bikes might be,
    but the low gearing means you get plug away slowly. With a seatbag
    and rack it carries a reasonable amount of stuff, shouldn't really
    need the underseat one as well.

    I do sometimes wonder how different one of the fancy ones like an Aero
    would be...

    Zebee

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  6. stratrider
    Archived post
    #6

    Zebee, I rode a prototype Aero in DC in the early days of Bacchetta....
    Mark Coliton had a green Giro (the color of the early Giros) and the
    first Aero (or one of the first). Awesome, light, fast! But I must
    confess. I am now lusting after the Challenge Fujin SLII. Rode one
    last month in State College, PA. Wow! This is a sub 20 lb low, fast
    bike and a work of art! But at $4k, I am about $3800 short!

    Jim

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