GreenBiker
New Member
Please clarify. Are you using flat pedals? You are not clipping in?
New Cruzbike rider issues
- Thread starter gmrviper
- Start date
Tuloose
Guru
Clipless refers to pedals that attach to a cleat on the bottom of the shoe.
They are called clipless even though the rider's feet are "clipped in" to the pedals because they replaced the cumbersome old fashioned cages and straps that held the foot attached until the rider reached down to loosen the strap.
Forgetting to loosen the strap before coming to a stop would result in a slow motion fall (it happened to me)
I have been riding my S40 for almost 2000 miles now with the stock flat pedals with no problems.
Clipless pedals like the SPD's I use on my Vendetta might be of a benefit to you.
The only way to know is to try them out.
Tophat Fiddle
Active Member
I'm a pilot too, and it's just the same for me. I feel like I'm back in the right seat repeating myself to students for the umpteenth time not to chase the needle, heh!
I’m still learning, so take this with a grain of salt. But here’s what I think.
An upright bike will balance itself on its own, a Cruzbike will balance itself through your pedaling motion. Get more quiet miles in, try to relax your grip on the bars and you’ll find the small steering direction changes that occur when you put pressure down on the pedal is exactly what’s needed to keep the bike upright.
And when going down fast descents, put pressure on both feet, pressing yourself into the seat. That stabilizes steering significantly.
An upright bike will balance itself on its own, a Cruzbike will balance itself through your pedaling motion. Get more quiet miles in, try to relax your grip on the bars and you’ll find the small steering direction changes that occur when you put pressure down on the pedal is exactly what’s needed to keep the bike upright.
And when going down fast descents, put pressure on both feet, pressing yourself into the seat. That stabilizes steering significantly.
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
Reading this thread back I was wondering if shorter cranks might help? I use 150mm which feel much better that the 170mm I had on before. Might smooth out the peddling a bit if thats whats causing the wobbling problem. And a mirror helps get rid of a lot of stress from traffic.
I completely agree with just riding it more. Then you get more relaxed which helps more than anything.
Over the last 50 years I've spent a lot of time on various bikes and always been keen to ride weird and wonderful examples but my S40 is a completely different machine. Not like riding a bike but like re-learning to ride a bike.
Hope you get comfortable on it as it is worth the effort.
I completely agree with just riding it more. Then you get more relaxed which helps more than anything.
Over the last 50 years I've spent a lot of time on various bikes and always been keen to ride weird and wonderful examples but my S40 is a completely different machine. Not like riding a bike but like re-learning to ride a bike.
Hope you get comfortable on it as it is worth the effort.
McWheels
Off the long run
Good show! It really is learning to ride all over again, it's much more of an ego test than anything else. But if you accept it took you a couple of years to learn as a youngster, then welcome the challenge and embrace the new way. I'm never going back.
I hired an upwrong legacy bike while out in San Diego for work for a fortnight. The first saddle must have been made from cobblestones and barbed wire. The second one was only unacceptably uncomfortable. Overall a reminder of what I've left behind and don't miss.
Last year I picked up a used Cruzbike Qest 3.0 (400 miles to date). This year I picked up a S40 (650 miles to date). I still find that I crush myself into my seat with my arms. My upper body is as tired as my legs when I'm done riding.
Part of the problem is that I will slide down the seat on the S40 as I ride. Pushing on the bars helps slow that process down.
I'm open to suggestions
Part of the problem is that I will slide down the seat on the S40 as I ride. Pushing on the bars helps slow that process down.
I'm open to suggestions
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
I find I slip down the seat a bit and my new ventisit pad seems slippier than the original CB pad. I do find that now I'm completely comfortable and relaxed on the S40 it's not too much of a problem and really only happens while descending bumpy roads. I tend to just wiggle myself back using my feet to push. I never really did use my arms to push back.
Would it be worth moving the crank towards you slightly to see if that improves things?
When I used to ride hard on a road bike I was forever moving myself back on the saddle anyway so it's just swings and roundabouts I suppose. Like I said, I think it's one of those things that gets better as you get more relaxed.
Always-Learnin
Vendetta Love
If sliding forward is an issue, you can, if you choose to, open up the Ventisit pad at the bottom and add some yoga pad foam (~1-1/2 in) to the front lip of the Ventisit and then zip tie the Ventisit to close. The 'lip' will help to keep you from sliding.
This is exactly how I have adjusted my own dentist pads on various bikes to customize the fit and support where needed like at the lip or for lumbar, etc.
GMRVIPER -I asked this exact question to "the ones behind my cruzbike emails". My inquiry; on a DF, I could keep the bike on a 6" wide path, indefinitely, at any speed. On my S40, I need 36" of lateral travel. I'm not over-spinning. What am I doing wrong. The response from Maria, CEO of Cruzbike, was to give it about 500 miles, as she can hold a 6" distance on any Cruzbike. As someone else mentioned, if not in danger, let it wobble, and notice what's happing. I just try to observe and will say that within a week of doing 3 17-mile rides (same route), the wobble is down about 50%. Good luck.
Hi gmviper, I too am a new S40 rider. After decades of competing in triathlons, I moved to central California. The roads here literally destroyed my wrists and lower back while riding my Specialized carbon race bikes. I bought the S40 with high hopes of speed and comfort. It took me three months and about 150 miles to get comfortable. I used to consider giving up because of frustration. The "100 mile ride / return" was always in the back of my mind. I used to white knuckle each ride. My shoulders were always tense and after a 10-20 mile ride, I felt like I not only had a decent cycle ride, but I had an amazing upper body and decent cardio workout. It was stressful!
I can now enjoy the comfort and view that the S40 offers. I no longer white knuckle it and I can now easily keep a straight line and even grab, drink and return my water bottle from the cage I mounted behind my headrest while riding. I am much more relaxed and I can more easily ride single handed and I feel more comfortable leaning into turns. I can also make a U turn on a single lane road. Although I am a solo rider and no longer compete with others, I still compete against myself. For me, the S40 is about 15% slower than my carbon race bike. But at 62, I can live with trading speed for comfort.
I hope to swap out the OEM pedals with my Shimano R550 pedals and Giro clip in shoes. Maybe I can get that 15% down to 10%?
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it if Cruzbike comes out with a carbon frame!
In short, my advice is to stick with it. If you are like me, it will all fall into place and you will enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Greg in Central Cali
Is the boom length set correctly? I find with the boom set to far out I'm throwing my hips forward to turn the pedals and as a result slide down the seat.
Hello all,
I just got an S40 and took it out for a spin. It was great but I felt every crack and bump in the road through my back and up into my head. I use a suspension seat post on a DF bike which makes it feel like riding on a cloud. Does anyone have any suggestions for modifying the S40 to be more comfortable going over small sticks and bumps on my local paved rail trail?
I'm 5'10" 145lbs
Thanks!
Remy
I just got an S40 and took it out for a spin. It was great but I felt every crack and bump in the road through my back and up into my head. I use a suspension seat post on a DF bike which makes it feel like riding on a cloud. Does anyone have any suggestions for modifying the S40 to be more comfortable going over small sticks and bumps on my local paved rail trail?
I'm 5'10" 145lbs
Thanks!
Remy
Mathew Fy
GRU
Widest tires you can fit. Go tubeless with lower pressures.
kizarmynot
Well-Known Member
@remyo I took my new S40 out today on roads that are not the best and can say I feel your pain. I have a set of 40 mm tires that are from a DF gravel bike and was happy to see they fit, although there is only about 3 mm between the tire and crown in front. They are setup tubeless so I’m hoping for a more comfortable ride. I’ll try those on Monday and report back.
I may also go even bigger for rear tire because there is more room.
I may also go even bigger for rear tire because there is more room.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Adhesive backed high density foam pads placed on the carbon fiber seat in 1cm layers, and then topped with a Ventisit
kizarmynot
Well-Known Member
I’m still using the stock seat but have a ventisit on my Q that I was planning to share. Do have the source of the foam pads you mention?
