Volae Club

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by franksapper
I am considering looking at the Volae Clubfrank:😄

Price is fair. It's the Vision Saber frame. http://www.visionrecumbents.com. Rolf picked new components and made other changes. Should be a fast road bike, but not suitable for touring (fenders won't fit).

I'm new to recumbents as of this summer and now have around 2,000 miles on my Volae Club. I really
like this bike. I went to a recumbent because of the usual pain problems - now I think I should have
tried this years ago. My average speed has definitely jumped up a couple miles an hour and all pain,
except a foot numbness issue, is gone - I remember now why I got interested in bikes.

For me, it was tough learning how to balance the bike, but I feel 90% of my old confidence has
returned now. I have found no fault with any of the components or design of the bike - just a lot
more chain to clean. The M5 seat is really great. I never owned a "touring" bike or ever had
fenders, but I done my share of touring (without camping). I intend to tour for a couple of weeks in
Ireland next spring and the Volae will be my bike of choice - but I travel pretty light.

I don't know any reason why not to buy this bike.

"tla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

franksapper said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Clubfrank:😄

Price is fair. It's the Vision Saber frame. visionrecumbents.comvisionrecumbents.comOpen ↗. Rolf picked new
components and made other changes. Should be a fast road bike, but not suitable for touring
(fenders won't fit).

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com cyclingforums.comcyclingforums.comOpen ↗

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does anyone
have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are there
other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for any info.

frank:😄

Frank: The competition is either the Bacchetta Strada or Corsa or the Vision Sabre. All have the
dual 26 inch wheels. I have ridden them all. Initially I should say that the Volae, designed and
produced by Hostelshoppe, is a very nice put together bike. Rolf Garthaus knows what he is doing.
But so do the Bacchetta boys, and Vision has been a staple for years. I don't own a dual 26 inch
wheel bike. If I did it would be the Sabre because I don't like the superman riding position of the
other two. I like my handlebars close to my body, like the RANS bikes. The Vision set up is a little
tall and close to the body but preferable to me than having that long reach on the others. The
Vision however was a little tall for me (I'm 5' 7"😉 and I didn't like the toe dance I did. It does
offer a straight drive side chain path, no routing around an idler, which I prefer. The bike was
very responsive and rode exceptionally well. And, you can buy them now at discount if you can find
one (Hostelshoppe is offering a demo at discount now). I don't like the finger/thumb shifters but
you can swap them out. Of Bacchetta and Volae, the Volae gives you the opportunity to deal directly
with the company to adapt the bike for you. They were willing to work with me on the stem/handlebar
situation. I also like the ability to remove the seat without changing the seat settings. I did not
like the rear idler/ratchett as I thought it noisy. Bacchettas have a little longer wheelbase. I
didn't notice much difference in their ride. The Strada is cheaper and they are beginning to show up
used on the web. Vision and Bacchetta you can get from local dealers. Volae you get only from
Hostelshoppe. I suggest that any of these bikes would be a nice addition. I think the choice will
depend on how you feel on them and the level of componentry you want. Good luck.

Mike S. St. Louis, Mo

Barcroft Virginia Barcroft Columbia RANS Rocket

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does anyone
have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are there
other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for any info.

On the 3 day AITC ride earlier in September, there was a gentleman with a Volae Club. I looked it
over closely all 3 mornings before the day's ride and took it for a short ride in a parling lot one
morning. The frame was to small for me so I couldn't get the seat back enough and the mismatch of my
pedal cleats on smooth bottomed road shoes to the pedals on the bike made it tough to keep my feet
on the pedals so I could't get the best feel for the ride. However, for the short time I was on the
bike, handling was smooth and predictable and the bike seemed to accelerate well.

The quality and finish of the bike was excellent, as well as the components used. The tweener bars
were different than what I am used to but I didn't feel as if they were something that I couldn't
adjust to with more riding time. The seat clamp mechanism and the seat stays are the best I have
ever seen on any bent, including those on the Bacchetta bikes. The Bacchetta Corsa would probably be
the most comparable bike and it retails for $600 more. The Volae Club LX looks to be a real buy with
very impressive component specs and a price of $2399, $200 less than the Corsa.

I am intrigued by the highracer bents myself. Mainly riding a Baron lowracer for the last couple of
years, I already know I like the hardshell type seat and laid back riding position. I have been
thinking about a Bacchetta Corsa but after seeing the Volae Club, I would have to say that I am also
considering the Volae Club LX and Team.

Harry Jiles

Quoted message said:

Price is fair. It's the Vision Saber frame. visionrecumbents.comvisionrecumbents.comOpen ↗. Rolf picked new
components and made other changes. Should be a fast road bike, but not suitable for touring
(fenders won't fit).

Great feedback from everyone on this NG, good to hear. Just wanted to clarify though, the Volae is
most definately _not_ a Saber frame. I believe they share similar tubing and the same USA factory,
but not much beyond that. As was previously stated, the Club, Club LX and Team are purpose-built
speed bikes, but I wouldn't think twice about taking mine on a long tour. However, if you like
loaded touring, the lightweight racing wheels and forks aren't designed to take that kind of abuse
and don't offer enough clearance for fenders. The Century was designed for that purpose exactly -
unloaded, it's very fast, but the 26/20 Thracian wheels can also take some serious abuse, and the
frame was designed to be accessorised - fenders, racks, suspension, you name it.

Happy Trails, Erich Hartman

Hostel Shoppe, Ltd. 800-233-4340 www.hostelshoppe.com

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does anyone
have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are there
other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for any info.

frank:😄

First the required acknowledgement....I am a Strada owner.....more accurately very happy Strada
owner and quite recently my wife also became a happy Bacchetta owner with the purchase of a Giro.

Now that that is out of the way. I purchased my Strada prior to the Volae coming on line but the
Vision Sabre was available at the time. One of the reasons that I chose the Strada over the
Sabre was the fact that the Strada and Corsa are more versatile than either the Volae's or the
Sabre. I currently have my Strada set up with the M5 carbon seat and a pair of very light 650c
wheels and tires, with the weight coming in at about 26 lbs. It is my summer, nice weather,
speed oriented ride.

Following a metric century this Sunday and with the upcoming change in weather, I will swap the 650
wheels and tires for the 559 wheels with the one inch Specialize tires and put a set of fenders on
the bike for wet weather rides or even commutes. And because I will use it for commutes during the
winter I will most likely switch back to to the Bacchetta mesh seat which allows for a more upright
rider position and better city/traffic handling. All of the above changes to accomodate wet weather
riding, cannot be made with either of the dual 26 inch wheeled bikes from Volae or Vision. Wider
tires, fenders and a more upright seating position are not an option for the Volae or Sabre. However
with the Corsa/Sabre you can either dress them up or down based upon your needs and riding
environment.

The Bacchetta guys are great to work with. You won't find a more committed group. They focus on
taking care of the customer and collectively are perhaps the most knowledgeable group within the
recumbent industry.

Pat McShane

[email hidden] (PJ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does anyone
have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are
there other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for any info.

frank:😄

First the required acknowledgement....I am a Strada owner.....more accurately very happy Strada
owner and quite recently my wife also became a happy Bacchetta owner with the purchase of a Giro.

Now that that is out of the way. I purchased my Strada prior to the Volae coming on line but the
Vision Sabre was available at the time. One of the reasons that I chose the Strada over the
Sabre was the fact that the Strada and Corsa are more versatile than either the Volae's or the
Sabre. I currently have my Strada set up with the M5 carbon seat and a pair of very light 650c
wheels and tires, with the weight coming in at about 26 lbs. It is my summer, nice weather,
speed oriented ride.

Following a metric century this Sunday and with the upcoming change in weather, I will swap the
650 wheels and tires for the 559 wheels with the one inch Specialize tires and put a set of
fenders on the bike for wet weather rides or even commutes. And because I will use it for commutes
during the winter I will most likely switch back to to the Bacchetta mesh seat which allows for a
more upright rider position and better city/traffic handling. All of the above changes to
accomodate wet weather riding, cannot be made with either of the dual 26 inch wheeled bikes from
Volae or Vision. Wider tires, fenders and a more upright seating position are not an option for
the Volae or Sabre. However with the Corsa/Sabre you can either dress them up or down based upon
your needs and riding environment.

The Bacchetta guys are great to work with. You won't find a more committed group. They focus on
taking care of the customer and collectively are perhaps the most knowledgeable group within the
recumbent industry.

Pat McShane

Pat McShane. You just helped me decide to go with a Strada. I was almost ready to order a Volae Club
or Team but after reading your comments I have decided to go the Strada route that you took. Two
seats two sets of wheels make for a very versatile bike. 26lbs in the go fast mode is just fine with
me. Not knocking the Volae but I do think having a do it all bike is a good idea

[email hidden] (Bill B) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Pat McShane. You just helped me decide to go with a Strada. I was almost ready to order a Volae
Club or Team but after reading your comments I have decided to go the Strada route that you took.
Two seats two sets of wheels make for a very versatile bike. 26lbs in the go fast mode is just
fine with me. Not knocking the Volae but I do think having a do it all bike is a good idea

Or you can have different bikes. I'm not being a smartass but different bikes are better for
different purposes and while they can be used for different facets of riding(commuting, touring,
racing, etc.), doing so results in some compromise. It appears that the Volae big wheel models were
designed, and produced, as no compromise, performance oriented road bikes, as were the Bachetta Aero
and Corsa. I doubt that very many, if any, owners of these bikes have any desire to mount fenders on
them or change the seat.

Harry Jiles

Harry, good points. Actually, I do not think it is possible to put fenders on the Corsa or Aero.
They have minimal clearance front forks. Not sure about the Strada. The Giro was designed as the
commute/touring model. It can be tricked out as a lighter, faster bike. That is what I did with my
frame set.

[email hidden] (harryo) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Bill B) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Pat McShane. You just helped me decide to go with a Strada. I was almost ready to order a Volae
Club or Team but after reading your comments I have decided to go the Strada route that you
took. Two seats two sets of wheels make for a very versatile bike. 26lbs in the go fast mode is
just fine with me. Not knocking the Volae but I do think having a do it all bike is a good idea

Or you can have different bikes. I'm not being a smartass but different bikes are better for
different purposes and while they can be used for different facets of riding(commuting, touring,
racing, etc.), doing so results in some compromise. It appears that the Volae big wheel models
were designed, and produced, as no compromise, performance oriented road bikes, as were the
Bachetta Aero and Corsa. I doubt that very many, if any, owners of these bikes have any desire to
mount fenders on them or change the seat.

Harry Jiles

[email hidden] (Bill B) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (PJ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does
anyone have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about
it? Are there other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for
any info.

frank:😄

First the required acknowledgement....I am a Strada owner.....more accurately very happy
Strada owner and quite recently my wife also became a happy Bacchetta owner with the purchase
of a Giro.

Now that that is out of the way. I purchased my Strada prior to the Volae coming on line but the
Vision Sabre was available at the time. One of the reasons that I chose the Strada over the
Sabre was the fact that the Strada and Corsa are more versatile than either the Volae's or the
Sabre. I currently have my Strada set up with the M5 carbon seat and a pair of very light 650c
wheels and tires, with the weight coming in at about 26 lbs. It is my summer, nice weather,
speed oriented ride.

Following a metric century this Sunday and with the upcoming change in weather, I will swap the
650 wheels and tires for the 559 wheels with the one inch Specialize tires and put a set of
fenders on the bike for wet weather rides or even commutes. And because I will use it for
commutes during the winter I will most likely switch back to to the Bacchetta mesh seat which
allows for a more upright rider position and better city/traffic handling. All of the above
changes to accomodate wet weather riding, cannot be made with either of the dual 26 inch wheeled
bikes from Volae or Vision. Wider tires, fenders and a more upright seating position are not an
option for the Volae or Sabre. However with the Corsa/Sabre you can either dress them up or down
based upon your needs and riding environment.

The Bacchetta guys are great to work with. You won't find a more committed group. They focus on
taking care of the customer and collectively are perhaps the most knowledgeable group within the
recumbent industry.

Pat McShane

Pat McShane. You just helped me decide to go with a Strada. I was almost ready to order a Volae
Club or Team but after reading your comments I have decided to go the Strada route that you took.
Two seats two sets of wheels make for a very versatile bike. 26lbs in the go fast mode is just
fine with me. Not knocking the Volae but I do think having a do it all bike is a good idea

Bill

Persoanlly I like having one bike that is very versatile over owning two with more limiations. With
one bike, you don't have to readjust to different riding positions, you can keep one set of pedals
on the bike, and with all of your riding time on one bike as opposed to two, you really learn to
feel comfortable on that bike. Both the Volae's and the Bacchettas are great bikes for their
intended purposes. However I think the Strada/Corsa are the more versatile bikes that can serve dual
uses. I have no doubt that you will enjoy the Strada.

Pat

The Strada can mount fenders but it is a tight fit with the standard fork. Ofcourse you can always
swap the fork. Actually I chose the Strada because I wanted a fast laid back bike that could take
fenders and I felt visible in traffic. I tried out some of the Challenge bikes which are much better
set up for commuting but felt that the Hurricane was too low and the Mistral felt much heavier and
slower. Craig

[email hidden] (Don) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Harry, good points. Actually, I do not think it is possible to put fenders on the Corsa or Aero.
They have minimal clearance front forks. Not sure about the Strada. The Giro was designed as the
commute/touring model. It can be tricked out as a lighter, faster bike. That is what I did with my
frame set.

Hello folks

I just got on my brand new Volae Club LX today for the first time. I also was interested in the
versatility issue, although fenders is not so much an issue for me. I am happy to report that I can
fit a 559 front wheel with a Conti GP 25-559 tire on it into the Alpha Pro fork with as much
clearance, maybe a tad more, than the Spartacus Pro 23-571 that comes with the LX. The 105 brake
needs a tiny bit more reach, like a 1/16 inch. I can't imagine that one can't find a brake that will
fit this bike and allow both 559 and 571 wheels to fit. The rear probably has the same brake reach
issue but looks to have more clearance for tires. My 26 rear is a 135 axle so I didn't try it. IN
any case, I think the Volaes will have more flexibility than may be at first glance.

Marc Rosenbaum

[email hidden] (PJ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does anyone
have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are
there other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for any info.

frank:😄

First the required acknowledgement....I am a Strada owner.....more accurately very happy Strada
owner and quite recently my wife also became a happy Bacchetta owner with the purchase of a Giro.

Now that that is out of the way. I purchased my Strada prior to the Volae coming on line but the
Vision Sabre was available at the time. One of the reasons that I chose the Strada over the
Sabre was the fact that the Strada and Corsa are more versatile than either the Volae's or the
Sabre. I currently have my Strada set up with the M5 carbon seat and a pair of very light 650c
wheels and tires, with the weight coming in at about 26 lbs. It is my summer, nice weather,
speed oriented ride.

Following a metric century this Sunday and with the upcoming change in weather, I will swap the
650 wheels and tires for the 559 wheels with the one inch Specialize tires and put a set of
fenders on the bike for wet weather rides or even commutes. And because I will use it for commutes
during the winter I will most likely switch back to to the Bacchetta mesh seat which allows for a
more upright rider position and better city/traffic handling. All of the above changes to
accomodate wet weather riding, cannot be made with either of the dual 26 inch wheeled bikes from
Volae or Vision. Wider tires, fenders and a more upright seating position are not an option for
the Volae or Sabre. However with the Corsa/Sabre you can either dress them up or down based upon
your needs and riding environment.

The Bacchetta guys are great to work with. You won't find a more committed group. They focus on
taking care of the customer and collectively are perhaps the most knowledgeable group within the
recumbent industry.

Pat McShane

Marc,

Quoted message said:

I can't imagine that one can't find a brake that will fit this bike and allow both 559 and 571
wheels to fit.

You are absolutely right. Don't let hysterical doomsayers get to you.

sheldonbrown.combrakes.htmlOpen ↗

Warren

Marc, You know that other board you have been hanging out at? Well, they have both been there and
done that. The answer is there. It can be done. Sorry I can not rember which brake brand/model they
used. I have a Giro so I did not pay attention. Try a search on the Yahoo Bacchetta forum. Don

[email hidden] (Marc Rosenbaum) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hello folks

I just got on my brand new Volae Club LX today for the first time. I also was interested in the
versatility issue, although fenders is not so much an issue for me. I am happy to report that I
can fit a 559 front wheel with a Conti GP 25-559 tire on it into the Alpha Pro fork with as much
clearance, maybe a tad more, than the Spartacus Pro 23-571 that comes with the LX. The 105 brake
needs a tiny bit more reach, like a 1/16 inch. I can't imagine that one can't find a brake that
will fit this bike and allow both 559 and 571 wheels to fit. The rear probably has the same brake
reach issue but looks to have more clearance for tires. My 26 rear is a 135 axle so I didn't try
it. IN any case, I think the Volaes will have more flexibility than may be at first glance.

Marc Rosenbaum

[email hidden] (PJ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

franksapper <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am considering looking at the Volae Club, sold by the Hostel Shoppe in Wisconsin. Does
anyone have any information pertaining to this bike. Do you like it? What do you like about
it? Are there other recumbents that are comprable this bike. Is this a fair price? thanks for
any info.

frank:😄

First the required acknowledgement....I am a Strada owner.....more accurately very happy
Strada owner and quite recently my wife also became a happy Bacchetta owner with the purchase
of a Giro.

Now that that is out of the way. I purchased my Strada prior to the Volae coming on line but the
Vision Sabre was available at the time. One of the reasons that I chose the Strada over the
Sabre was the fact that the Strada and Corsa are more versatile than either the Volae's or the
Sabre. I currently have my Strada set up with the M5 carbon seat and a pair of very light 650c
wheels and tires, with the weight coming in at about 26 lbs. It is my summer, nice weather,
speed oriented ride.

Following a metric century this Sunday and with the upcoming change in weather, I will swap the
650 wheels and tires for the 559 wheels with the one inch Specialize tires and put a set of
fenders on the bike for wet weather rides or even commutes. And because I will use it for
commutes during the winter I will most likely switch back to to the Bacchetta mesh seat which
allows for a more upright rider position and better city/traffic handling. All of the above
changes to accomodate wet weather riding, cannot be made with either of the dual 26 inch wheeled
bikes from Volae or Vision. Wider tires, fenders and a more upright seating position are not an
option for the Volae or Sabre. However with the Corsa/Sabre you can either dress them up or down
based upon your needs and riding environment.

The Bacchetta guys are great to work with. You won't find a more committed group. They focus on
taking care of the customer and collectively are perhaps the most knowledgeable group within the
recumbent industry.

Pat McShane