I just got a Sofrider and I have some questions.

[jankdc]

I recently purchased a Sofrider for a good price, after a bunch of work, it's finally rideable and I love how it takes hills compared to my other recumbents.

Questions:
My sacrum hurts. Would you happen to have any thoughts on what I need to change? Would moving the seat forward or backward help?

The cockpit feels a little cramped. How would a longer stem affect handling and power?

I currently use Catalyst platform pedals, how much control am I giving up by staying away from a foot anchoring system (toe straps/clipless)?

I realize that I need to lighten up on the handlebars, but for hills and sprinting, should I focus on pulling or pushing with my arms?

 

[1happyreader]

My sacrum hurts

if you are brave you can change the placement of the bracket that sits between the frame and the seat pan as well as the seat pan and the seat back and post. I don't really remember what the stock positions felt like and have drilled additional holes looking for more recline and more tilt up at the front of the seat pan.
take before pictures so you can put it back to original .
put your bike on a trainer if you can , and experiment.

 

[jankdc]

For my second ride today, I focused on pushing with my opposite hand while climbing. I also focused on going in a straight line and staying relaxed. Again, my sacrum hurt at the end, so I moved the seat forward.

if you are brave you can change the placement of the bracket that sits between the frame and the seat pan as well as the seat pan and the seat back and post. I don't really remember what the stock positions felt like and have drilled additional holes looking for more recline and more tilt up at the front of the seat pan.
take before pictures so you can put it back to original .
put your bike on a trainer if you can , and experiment.

I tried moving the bracket, but although there were holes in the bracket, the toptube sloped up and wouldn't allow the seat to move forward any further. I did move the seat forward about an inch, and it seems to feel better. I have a Rans V2 and Lightning Phantom, and they both recline more than the Sofrider.

Did you drill holes in the seatback and not the frame? If so, how much higher did you drill them?

 

[MNBentRider]

For my second ride today, I focused on pushing with my opposite hand while climbing. I also focused on going in a straight line and staying relaxed. Again, my sacrum hurt at the end, so I moved the seat forward.

FWIW...I've only had my S40 for 30 days, and I've logged about 700 miles on it. With my early rides, I was experiencing lower back pain towards the end of my rides. I didn't end up making any real adjustments to the bike, as my fit seemed correct, and I wanted to see if I just needed to get used to the bike. The discomfort I was feeling pretty much went away after the first few weeks. I can't say you will have the same experience is me, but it may be a temporary issue.

 

[1happyreader]

For my second ride today, I focused on pushing with my opposite hand while climbing. I also focused on going in a straight line and staying relaxed. Again, my sacrum hurt at the end, so I moved the seat forward.



I tried moving the bracket, but although there were holes in the bracket, the toptube sloped up and wouldn't allow the seat to move forward any further. I did move the seat forward about an inch, and it seems to feel better. I have a Rans V2 and Lightning Phantom, and they both recline more than the Sofrider.

Did you drill holes in the seatback and not the frame? If so, how much higher did you drill them?

I tried a lot of stuff. never drilled into the frame.
reversed bracket between frame and seat pan . may have drilled some holes in bracket . seat pan forward and front up ? i think.
Drilled holes in seat pan. move pan forward.
reversed seat post ( holster ? ) to be closer to seat back.
drilled holes in seat back for new seat post bracket location.
Sadly I was too excited to document .
other than tightening the bolts now and again I don't even look at it.

 

[McWheels]

Pedals. I've always used, and continue with, flats with pegs. Nukeproof electrons specifically but most are fine I expect.

Pulling/pushing with the arms. I generally pull back a little with the arm opposite the leg that's pushing. This is most pronounced when climbing hard but shouldn't end up with you 'gripping out'. Fingers like hooks rather than squeezing.

If you want more recline then there's a few things you can do.
S-shaped seatpost. More commonly used in BMX, and it's shorter than a standard one. Then you can also reverse the seatpost clamp which gets you a few more degrees.

Before

After

 

[jankdc]

Pedals. I've always used, and continue with, flats with pegs. Nukeproof electrons specifically but most are fine I expect.

Pulling/pushing with the arms. I generally pull back a little with the arm opposite the leg that's pushing. This is most pronounced when climbing hard but shouldn't end up with you 'gripping out'. Fingers like hooks rather than squeezing.

If you want more recline then there's a few things you can do.
S-shaped seatpost. More commonly used in BMX, and it's shorter than a standard one. Then you can also reverse the seatpost clamp which gets you a few more degrees.

Thanks, those pictures are really helpful. Did you drill new holes in the seatpan? I assumed the angle of the seatpan and backrest couldn't be increased so much. Is there anything I should know about adjusting the seat angle so much?

Finally, I noticed that you replaced the stem with a larger one and the handlebars with more swept-back ones. How has that affected your handling and comfort?

 

[McWheels]

Thanks, those pictures are really helpful. Did you drill new holes in the seatpan? I assumed the angle of the seatpan and backrest couldn't be increased so much. Is there anything I should know about adjusting the seat angle so much?

Finally, I noticed that you replaced the stem with a larger one and the handlebars with more swept-back ones. How has that affected your handling and comfort?

No new holes in the seatpan. However the seat pan mounting bracket has options. I think I slid the pan max fwd to allow the back to recline further even with the modified seatpost.

The seat back to seat pan interface is just a couple of bolts on a folded flange. There's plenty of flexion there and I never worried about it. If you wanted to be very complete a couple of wedge-shaped washers might go in.

The stem and handlebars are as received in the frame kit. If I was going to keep the bike longer I would have gone to drops to get my hands lower and vertical. I did drop the height of the handlbars as far as I could until it was fouling on the pilot - the only comfort being shoulder position. Sightlines were improved too. As for handling no real discernable difference - perhaps better with mostly flat bars for tight turns since it won't hit you.

 

[jankdc]

Having the back of the seat is working well. I could go even lower, but it didn't feel right. After a week with my uncle in the hospital, I was able to take a ride this evening, and I'm feeling much more confident. I found myself going right onto my busy street (like I do with my other bikes) rather than taking the sidewalk. I also found myself sitting up as I zip up the hills. Finally, my sacrum is pain-free. It was fun and a good workout. I need to adjust the handlebar height and consider different handlebars.