New Cruzbike rider issues

[Frito Bandito]

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?

I got mine from Viva Home, which is Japan's DIY version of Home Depot. The foam is high density enough that you gotta pinch it pretty hard to fully compress it. My first go around the foam was too soft leading to me squashing around on the seat while I rode, but the 2nd go was just right. 1cm under my butt, 2cm for lumbar support, and 1cm under my back is what works for me. Just cut it to the shape of the whole seat except directly under where your hamstrings might contact the front edge of the seat. I think mine is set back about 2-3 inches from the front edge.

 

[Rolling Along]

On my V20c I have the stock pad. I bought inexpensive yoga mat, cut to shape and added it with the stock pad. The stock pad is secured with velcro so it is easy to do.

 

[chicorider]

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.

Everything that has been said far is good stuff, and I'll add this: I started with a V20 with a Ventisit pad nine years ago, and remember how much I felt all the road imperfections along the length of my body. At the time, I was so focused on not weaving into traffic, that the chattery ride quality was lower on my list of concerns. But yes, I remember the feeling. Long story short, with time and mileage I got used to it and the irritation pretty much went away. Buckled pavement and holes still jar me, and I keep an eye out for those, but everything else blended into the background long ago as my body acclimated to the bike. The sensation didn't go away, but my brain got used to it.

I did notice a ride quality improvement when I switched from aluminum to carbon rims. Also, I had been running 25c tires on my V20. When I built up my V20c, I moved up to 30c tires and about an 8 psi pressure drop. That smoothed things out nicely too, with no change in cruising or climbing speed. I had a first generation S40 for a while that I used for commuting and ran 50c tires on it (with 650b carbon rims). At medium tire pressures, that ride had float!

 

[remyo]

Widest tires you can fit. Go tubeless with lower pressures.

Thanks for the recommendation, I just ordered some 40c tubeless gravel tires so we'll see how they roll!

@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.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes, I'll let you know how it works with the one's I just ordered (https://cycling.hutchinson.com/tyres/gravel/caracal-race/)

 

[remyo]

I got mine from Viva Home, which is Japan's DIY version of Home Depot. The foam is high density enough that you gotta pinch it pretty hard to fully compress it. My first go around the foam was too soft leading to me squashing around on the seat while I rode, but the 2nd go was just right. 1cm under my butt, 2cm for lumbar support, and 1cm under my back is what works for me. Just cut it to the shape of the whole seat except directly under where your hamstrings might contact the front edge of the seat. I think mine is set back about 2-3 inches from the front edge.

Thanks!

On my V20c I have the stock pad. I bought inexpensive yoga mat, cut to shape and added it with the stock pad. The stock pad is secured with velcro so it is easy to do.

I'll give that a try too, thanks!

Everything that has been said far is good stuff, and I'll add this: I started with a V20 with a Ventisit pad nine years ago, and remember how much I felt all the road imperfections along the length of my body. At the time, I was so focused on not weaving into traffic, that the chattery ride quality was lower on my list of concerns. But yes, I remember the feeling. Long story short, with time and mileage I got used to it and the irritation pretty much went away. Buckled pavement and holes still jar me, and I keep an eye out for those, but everything else blended into the background long ago as my body acclimated to the bike. The sensation didn't go away, but my brain got used to it.

I did notice a ride quality improvement when I switched from aluminum to carbon rims. Also, I had been running 25c tires on my V20. When I built up my V20c, I moved up to 30c tires and about an 8 psi pressure drop. That smoothed things out nicely too, with no change in cruising or climbing speed. I had a first generation S40 for a while that I used for commuting and ran 50c tires on it (with 650b carbon rims). At medium tire pressures, that ride had float!

That makes sense that the initial jarring feeling subsides with experience and time, I'll give the carbon rims a try too, thanks!

 

[Bo6]

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

In My Q45 and V20 I put something like these pads between the seat and frame and it helped take out some of the jarring from rough roads. Combined with wider lower pressure tire it is about as good as it can get.

 

[SurvivorBicyleAddict]

The only two-wheeled recumbents I've owned have been Cruzbikes (almost 11 years now). After the initial learning curve and adjusting the bike fit, I've had no trouble keeping a straight line at those speeds.

OTOH, I tried riding a friend's LWB recumbent last summer. The thing had a mind of its own, wobbling all over the place!

It's a matter of practice. Letting your legs learn how to keep the bike straight as you pedal, and not overthinking it. When I realized several months into owning a Cruzbike that I wasn't veering much worse than I had on my road bike, I relaxed and started enjoying the ride more--and my line got straighter.

A lot of experienced riders here recommend using clipless pedals to improve handling. It was nearly a year before I felt comfortable moving my clipless pedals to the Cruzbike. It did help, though, at that point.

I think the key word is relax. Overthinking can cause tension! I am not using clipless on the Q45 at this point. I think that I need a few adjustments as the pedal reach is a bit far and the brake calipers are a stretch too.

 

[kizarmynot]

@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 finally got a chance to ride with bigger tires on my S40, but not the 40s I originally planned to use. Without repeating a post in a different thread, I decided to use my S for an upcoming bike trip so I moved my touring components from my Q to my S and that includes 26x46 tires setup tubeless. According to the Silca tire pressure calculator the recommended rear pressure for the bike and me is 35 psi so that's what I went with. (It will go up to low 40s when I add the baggage.)
The ride was about 15 miles, but during that time I sought out as many bad spots of road I could find. Unfortunately, living in Upstate NY this was not difficult.
Did I feel the bumps on the road? yes
Did I wish that the road maintenance was better? definitely
Was the ride more comfortable that my previous? YES!

I'm still planning to install a bigger 700c tire to check that ride quality, but that will have to wait a few weeks until I return from my next trip.

 

[Jamon Smallgoods]

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.

Hi Jim & Frito
do you have any photos of how and where you’ve added the foam to the seat pad to stop yourself sliding forward?

I’ve added some foam in, but it hasn’t stopped the sliding; but perhaps because I haven’t formed a ‘lip’ or bump on the base. Grateful for further description.

Simon

 

[Frito Bandito]

Hi Jim & Frito
do you have any photos of how and where you’ve added the foam to the seat pad to stop yourself sliding forward?

I’ve added some foam in, but it hasn’t stopped the sliding; but perhaps because I haven’t formed a ‘lip’ or bump on the base. Grateful for further description.

Simon

Sure thing Jamon. Here's mine. It's not as polished as I usually like because the 2 pieces are leftover from another project, but they are set back just a bit from the lip of the seat. If you are sliding off the front then you might want to cover a bit more area towards the lip. You can always trim it back after a few test rides.

 

[Jamon Smallgoods]

Sure thing Jamon. Here's mine. It's not as polished as I usually like because the 2 pieces are leftover from another project, but they are set back just a bit from the lip of the seat. If you are sliding off the front then you might want to cover a bit more area towards the lip. You can always trim it back after a few test rides. View attachment 19272

Thanks Frito, very helpful.

 

[LarryOz]

Sure thing Jamon. Here's mine. It's not as polished as I usually like because the 2 pieces are leftover from another project, but they are set back just a bit from the lip of the seat. If you are sliding off the front then you might want to cover a bit more area towards the lip. You can always trim it back after a few test rides.

IMHO - I cannot see how that will keep you from sliding. It just seems to add cushion to your rear. What I have done is add a lumbar hump on the inclined part of the seat. This definitely helps me from sliding since the curve of my back locks into the lumbar area.
The other thing that occurs to me: If you are sliding forward, then your BB might be too far away and when you extend you leg to its max it kinds of has the affect of dragging the rest of your body along with it. If it is not too far away, then you would not tend to slide towards as you pedal.
Anyway - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! haha
View attachment 19274

 

[ram]

I want to echo Rolling Along...concentrate exclusively, or as nearly as you can, on the S40. It *WILL* come to you! And when it does, you'll be delighted.
I would add that the more you can ride without having stop/start, or negotiate really really tight corners, you might accelerate the learning curve.
I love my S40. I can jump between it and my older VeloTechnik without a problem, and for that matter with e-cargobike. But it's the S40 that I *WANT* to ride for sheer joy.
Hang in there!

 

[Frito Bandito]

IMHO - I cannot see how that will keep you from sliding. It just seems to add cushion to your rear. What I have done is add a lumbar hump on the inclined part of the seat. This definitely helps me from sliding since the curve of my back locks into the lumbar area.
The other thing that occurs to me: If you are sliding forward, then your BB might be too far away and when you extend you leg to its max it kinds of has the affect of dragging the rest of your body along with it. If it is not too far away, then you would not tend to slide towards as you pedal.
Anyway - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! haha
View attachment 19274

Yeah lol. I didnt include my lumbar support in the pic, which is somewhere between 2-3cm thick, and you are likely right in that the reason I don't slide forward is probably more because of that. With that said, I really like the Ventisit. Not directly on the carbon fiber seat, but 1cm of foam seems to make it perfect for me.

 

[Jamon Smallgoods]

Larry / Frito - ‘lumbar support’? Any photos of what you’ve done there? Larry your post looked like it should have an attachment, but it wasn’t coming thru.

I do take your point that I may have the BB too far away; I am still trying to get the fit right I think, but am comfortably doing 100km / 1100m rides.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Jamon, I don't have a pic of the support padding in the lumbar area, but it is just 2 layers of the 1cm thick padding. Before removing the plastic sheet covering the adhesive side I mocked up the 2nd layer and laid the Ventisit pad on top and then checked the fit to match my specific arch. It took a few goes, and a bit of trimming with the scissors to get it perfect, but once it felt good then I just removed the plastic coating and stuck it directly on top of the 1st layer. Where that huge crack is in my last pic, just to the left of that is where the padding is doubled up. The velcro is touching 2 pieces of foam. I of those is barely touched. Everything to the left of those 2 pieces of foam is 2cm thick.

 

[chicorider]

All good advice about the feeling of sliding forward off the front of the seatpan. I'll add this: years ago, when I was new to riding Cruzbikes, I definitely had the sensation of sliding forward, and feared that I would somehow slide or bounce off the front. I use the word "sensation" because everything was new to me during those first 1,000 miles. My feet and hands working against each other, my eyes looking more up rather than down, road vibrations making the ride seem bumpy, the feeling of sliding forward, were all new sensations. Over time and mileage, every one of them, and others, resolved themselves as my brain adjusted and acclimated. I'm not saying that what you describe isn't a legitimate concern, and that working on your fit and bolstering your support may well help. But some of this may also improve naturally over time and miles.

 

[castlerobber]

I got mine from Viva Home, which is Japan's DIY version of Home Depot. The foam is high density enough that you gotta pinch it pretty hard to fully compress it.

Thank you for this! I put the carbon fiber adjustable seat on my S30 several months ago. The vibration from the local roads was making my shoulder blades feel bruised after a ride, and I wanted to stay with the Ventisit pad rather than going to the stock cushion. Adhesive-backed padding in key places has made a world of difference.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Thank you for this! I put the carbon fiber adjustable seat on my S30 several months ago. The vibration from the local roads was making my shoulder blades feel bruised after a ride, and I wanted to stay with the Ventisit pad rather than going to the stock cushion. Adhesive-backed padding in key places has made a world of difference.

Glad to hear braddah. Mine is getting kinda worn and the Ventisit might need replacing too so I am going to redo mine soon. If the redo doesnt work then I am going to be in the market for another Ventisit.

 

[Jamon Smallgoods]

IMHO - I cannot see how that will keep you from sliding. It just seems to add cushion to your rear. What I have done is add a lumbar hump on the inclined part of the seat. This definitely helps me from sliding since the curve of my back locks into the lumbar area.
The other thing that occurs to me: If you are sliding forward, then your BB might be too far away and when you extend you leg to its max it kinds of has the affect of dragging the rest of your body along with it. If it is not too far away, then you would not tend to slide towards as you pedal.
Anyway - that's my story and I'm sticking to it! haha
View attachment 19274

Thanks Larry, Chico & Frito. I did my measurements again and moved the bottom bracket closer and it does seem there is less sliding forward. I had previously put some extra padding under the seat and that seems to have improved the comfort levels and that fixed some little twinges of recumbent-bum. All in all a comfortable 115km 1380m ride on Thursday.

Also liked Robert’s new video on how to make comfort changes - very helpful.

Enjoy the riding.