Nice looking ride!

Mark

One of these days I've got to ride a Rans. I'm not real fond of the EZ seat and am curious if the Rans is better.

I have the Formula andI didn't care for the Rans seat, I switched it out to the Bacchetta seat. Lot more comfy.

Huh... I always thought the Bachetta and RANS seats were about the same. You learn something every day!

Mark

I love my Rans seats. Of course the only other ones I've tried have been the Bacchetta ones, I haven't ridden the recurve enough to form an opinion on it. I don't really care for the Euromesh. In fact, I'm probably going to change the Euromesh seat on my Giro. No matter where I put the seat it's not anywhere near as comfortable as the Rans, next step is to try another seat.

Walt

I always felt like I was falling out of the Rans seat with its fall away top where the Baccetta Euromesh comes up and in at the top and kinda holds me in place, but there are those who have the opposite opinion, that's why they make so many different styles (to each hes own.)

Once I tried a hardshell seat, I'm not sure I could go back to a mesh seat. OTOH, I liked Brooks saddles on my uprights, too.

Mark

rydabyk

I see you have the Stratus LE like I do. Rans seems to be pushing the large front wheels some what. However I chose the LE because it has the 20 inch front wheel. My reasoning is that it has less inertia and less drag. Also as on most LWB recumbents the front wheel only has to carry about 40% of the weight.

I had a Rans Tailwind first, and with the two 20" wheels it accelerated amazingly fast. The Stratus is not quite as fast getting up to speed. I dont think too many people understand rotational inertia as it applies to bike wheels. But that being said the Stratus does ride a lot better with the large rear wheel. It also has more room on the back for a rack.

The other thing I like about the small front wheel on the Stratus is that I can ride that bike on a chalk line, both when starting out and even at s...l...o...w speeds when climbing. I also agree with the earlier post regarding the curve of the Bacchetta recurve vs. the Rans. It does seem to "hold" you in a little better.

Walt