Recent content by baerly

I didn't say I was the one I didn't say I was the one making the adjustments and in fact, I wasn't. I had the bike assembled at a local, and very reputable, bike shop and have had it there an additional time to adjust the front rerailleur. I'm told the problem is inherent in the product...

I really do appreciate the I really do appreciate the advice and I'm sure it would be useful to more knowledgeable cyclists. However, I know zip about bike mechanics and I mistakenly thought a $1200 bike from a reputable company would be ready to ride, other than pedals and accessories...

I've given up on the I've given up on the Softrider for the gravel. I'm totally comfortable on pavement so I will gradually get it set up again for regular roads. It definitely has to have up-graded components; especially the front derailleur. As others have mentioned, the chain falls off if...

I very much appreciate Kim's I very much appreciate Kim's advice about gravel tires. My experience on D-frame bikes is that wider tires provide more stability on deep, loose gravel. I can bomb down hills on my mountain bike with 2 inch tires, spinning out in 27th gear. When I try this on my...

Good advice Kim.  I put 2 Good advice Kim. I put 2 inch wide mountain bike tires on the Softrider. They are rated 35 to 65 lbs. and i have them around 40. During my ride yesterday, the wind was gusting at over 30 mph. I came to a section of gravel road that had just been graded. On a...

For the benefit of any new or For the benefit of any new or potential Cruzbike riders that might be perusing this thread I provide the following update: I am comfortable on the Softrider when on a relatively smooth surface. Chunky loose gravel is still a bit of a thrill but it is obvious the...

I am providing a progress I am providing a progress report for any current or future new riders. My 32 year-old son took one look at my Softrider and knew he had to have a go. After a few wobbly failures he swerved his way down the length of my driveway and that was his best effort. He...

Thanks for the encouragement Thanks for the encouragement Jeremy.

Riding a straight line is best practice I took the Softrider to a paved side road with very light traffic yesterday and just rode the mile back and forth a few times. For me, this seems to be the best method for getting the hang of the bike. I was able to just relax and ride smoothly 90% of...

Taking the the great advice Taking the the great advice in the two above posts, I moved the seat back to the most upright position. I also moved the seat back to the rear-most position. I thought the handling might improve with a little less weight on the front wheel. I was running out of...

I'm a brand new owner of a Softrider V3. This is my first experience of any kind on a recumbent. I have about an hour of practice on the bike in a large parking lot. This session ended with two sore ankles/Achilles tendons from slamming my feet into to pavement to avoid crashing. Both near...