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Well done! 10 years ago, 27 years of riding DF bikes finally caught up to my lower back and sent me looking at recumbents, with extreme reluctance. I blindly pulled the trigger on a V20, struggled through 1,000 miles of learning curve, and came out the other side actually glad that back pain...

The Grotac kit is very complete, including pads and several mounting bolts of different lengths. I've never tried to lift the rear wheel, but I would imagine it would take a tremendous effort and a strong front brake. I would guess that the front wheel would lock up or skid before the rear end...

Sorry to hear about your cracked slider. When you get your new one, about 5Nm of torque on each bolt should do it. Also, try to make the gaps between the two clamp halves even. I noticed in your photo that the top gaps seem closed. This can put a slight upward cant on the bolts that can put...

I initially built my V20c up with TRP Spyre SLCs, and they worked fine. But I eventually moved over to the Growtac Equals, and they are a noticeable improvement in power and lever feel. They're kind of pricey for mechanical brakes, but I like them enough that I now have them on three bikes. I...

My picture isn't very good, but you can buy cable guides that bolt onto bottle cage bosses. This one keeps my brake cables secure and out of the way, and keeps the look clean. A couple of cable ties between the bottle boss and the steerer tube does the rest...

I dropped my chain a few times on my V20, usually when shifting into the smaller chainring coincided with going over bumps. When I built up my V20c, I cut and applied adhesive frame protectant where your chain scuffs are. Your chain stay is probably fine, but you could cover those scuffs with...

All good advice. It took me about 1000 miles on my V20 before I realized I didn't have to think about what I was doing anymore. The learning curve was hard, and I wondered if I had made an expensive mistake, but with enough repetitions, practice, and stubbornness, I got there. The V has been...

An interesting idea. I kind of doubt that LB would do that, but I imagine you could find a carbon fiber craftsman who would.

I mentioned earlier that I build my own wheels. I source my rims from Light Bicycle, and one of the several reasons I like them is that they will make you a rim without spoke holes in the rim bed (and with or without a brake track). The lack of spoke holes adds a little bit to the building...

Absolutely. Anyone planning to buy a V should also be planning to ride it fast. A few strategic upgrades, such as wheels, make sense.

Agreed. I build my own wheels, and chose to run 50mm carbon rims on my V20c. I also agree that a deeper rim will yield slightly higher speeds on these bikes, and that wheel weight is not the first priority. My only "yeah, but" for anyone thinking about such an upgrade is this: I weigh only...

After a bike's frame and fork, wheels (and tires) perhaps have the second highest impact on how a bike rides and performs. But it also depends on what the rider wants and values. Cruzbike's stock wheels are good, get-the-job-done hoops. Lower in cost, durable, and comparatively heavy. For...

I went from a V20 to a V20c, and the only difference I noticed was maybe a slightly more refined ride quality.

Glad to hear you're having some decent riding weather. The good stuff is coming. Fast stops and tight turns improve with practice and time on the bike, as you suggest. Some of it is also situational. Not all fast stops and tight turns are the same, and they come with varying amounts of...

All of this. For a tighter move while carrying some speed, like a fairly quick u-turn, I will stay clipped in but sit up for the turn. For slower speed tight maneuvers, such as moving through narrow entrances, around bollards, or through people on foot, I will shift into an easier, spinnable...

Good to know I'm not the only one who does that.

The pedal question is one of a few Cruzbike conundrums, especially for those on the learning curve. Being clipped in feels scary. If you have to put a foot down quickly, you have to unclip first, raising the possibility that you might not get that foot down fast enough to avoid a fall. But...

That's genius! Makes sense.

The SRAM Apex shifters will work just fine on your S40, as will Shimano shifters.

I'm starting my 10th year riding a V20, now V20c. At 5'3" and 130 pounds, climbing has always been my strength. I am maybe a tiny bit faster climbing on my Specialized Aethos, but I can climb a lot longer, with less fatigue on the V, making it perhaps the faster/better climber for long...