Carbent Raven

Can anyone give me a review or opinion on a Carbent Raven? Currently riding a Bacchetta Giro 26. Would there be a noticeable difference? If so what would they be?

RR

 

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=38976

 

Thanks Buddy I will look into it.

 

Russell, I rode a Bacchetta Strata for 2 years and a Bacchetta ti-Aero for 3 and I can tell you without a doubt the Carbent's are faster. On the same route Strata 17.5 mph, ti-Aero 19.5 mph, Carbent Sea Dragon 21.0.

The Giro is designed more as a commuter and a touring bike with a much more entry level price and components. The Raven is designed to go fast. It can also be used as a long distance bike and you will see examples of that it you go to Yahoo groups carbent.

You can also upgrade the giro and make it a faster bike. A high-end wheelset will go along way towards making the Giro faster. Switching to a carbon seat with the velogenesis seat clamps will make a stiffer platform with which to push.

The Raven costs more than twice the cost of the Giro, you can do alot of upgrades with that kinda money and see some significant speed improvements. If only the lightest fastest bent will do then the Raven is the bike you want.

Ward

 

Thanks Ward,

I really don't want to mess with the Giro 26. This summer I used it quite a bit for camping. I load it down and head out for a night or two. I am looking for a faster bike that I can use for the quick after work 20-30 miles or a weekend 50-80 mile run. I ride mostly by myself except for the camping trips, I take my 8 y/o son. So the Giro 26 works well for that.

 

IMHO the fastest bikes for the money are the Bacchetta Corsa SS and the RANS XStream. The Corsa will ride and feel much like the Giro and will transport much the same. The XSttream is a pretty big bike and you will need a different system of transport. The Lightning P38 is also a fast bike but a little more expensive, again its short wheelbase so easier to transport than the XStream.

Good Luck

Ward

 

Ward, is there a difference sitting on the carbon seat vs. the euromesh? I ask because the euromesh hurts my back terrible.

 

Me too, I didn't like the euromesh at all. There are several different carbon seats, the M5 like Bacchetta uses, the Velokraft like is on the nocomm's and my Carbent, a Swanson which I know several riders in Atlanta use. Probably others I am not aware of.

If the carbon seat fits your back it is wonderful. Just throw the pad of your choice on it and off you go. It doesn't give any more than the pad gives. Most have lumbar curves of some sort I know the VK seat actually works just a hair better for me than the M5.

I also think that if you are a masher you loose some power with the euromesh seat. But some of the real fast B boys have em and love em so I could be wrong.

Ward

 

Ward,

I have tried looking for info on the XStream. Other than the Rans website I am not really finding much review info. Looking for help. I am not so much looking for how it compares to the Carbent, but how it would compare to Giro 26; speed, comfort, etc. I do have means to haul with no problem.

RR

 

Russell,
I can only give you my best guess as the Xstream hasn't been around very long. The triangulated frame of the Xstream is going to transmit power better than the Giro. Also, you have a more aerodynamic seating position with the rider sort of down in-between the wheels. At 30 mph 90% of your power is being used to fight the wind so you can see the importance of an aerodynamic position. The Xstream is also going to be very comfortable because of its stretched out platform

I would have sworn to you before RAAM that the Carbent was faster than the Xsteam. Not so sure now. I know you are looking for someone to say what bike is the fastest and its just very hard to do. Another bike to consider is the Bacchetta 2.0 Carbon Aero. Early reports say its a very fast bike. Almost as light as the Raven.

For me if I was looking at a fast bike if I had lots of climbing I would go with a light carbon frame like the Carbent, Aero 2.0, or even the lightning f-84 R-84. If a flatter area and I had the ability to carry the XStream I think I would go with it because its so much less expensive.

For me, my choice was made by necessity. I could not afford a new carbon frame bike so I had to wait for a used bike and the Sea Dragon fit the bill.

Good luck

Ward

 

My opinion and not worth a dime. Tim Brummer would correct me.
The F-84 is a hulk to look at. Or is that bulk? A P-38 is small. It
can be tricked out to be within (4lbs?) of the bulky one. Now
unless one is a lean, mean fighting machine, who really cares.
The question is, how much money do you have? The bulky one
is 6K and the Cute little P-38 all tricked out used is more like 2K.
If I was in CA, I'd pop over to Lompoc and check it out. Tim
is super duper.

Sure wish someone would tell me the 6K machine is 2X better
than the 3k machine and I'd start saving some coins, gold coins.

 

Thanks Ward I am going to test ride a Carbent Raven and an Xstream this next weekend. I will come back and post my findings and maybe look for more input.

RR

 

Thats awesome, I really don't think you can go wrong with either bike. Buddy, I meant the R-84. I got a little confused I guess. It basically is the same as the bike you have only a lot lighter. Nope, of course the 6k isn't twice as good as the 2k bike. But the 9k Trek Madone isn't 3 times as good as a 3k upright either.

However, those 3 or 4 extra pounds might make the difference between beating the guy with the Trek Madone to the top of the hill or not. That my friend is priceless.