Pretty much what I wrote. If it creaks -- mine like a son-of-a-b***h -- I consider it defective and needing replacement.
2024 Q45 creak
- Thread starter Jimbo
- Start date
Decher Kritzmire
Member
Make sure to post back on how that new shock works out. Thanks
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
I don't expect it until July 23rd. Will definitely report how it worked out. It'll be the 5th shock I've tried.
Katie Mac
New Member
We have identified that a handful of bikes in our most recent batch of Q45s have annoyingly "creaky" shocks. There is nothing mechanically wrong, but as a Q45 rider myself, I fully understand your frustration. Our product manager, Robert, has sourced replacement shocks but those have not arrived at our warehouse yet. In the meantime, if you have a new Q45 with a creaky shock, reach out to support@cruzbike.com and we can discuss reimbursement for having it replaced by your local bike shop.
woodguy
Well-Known Member
I’ve been following your “shock adventures” & experiencing similar results on my 2018 Q45, but I couldn’t learn from your results because I was always just ahead of you. I had the original spring shock which seemed to work fine for the last 5 years, but lost it’s tension. Bought the air shock and even when fully pumped up it would just fully compress when I sat on it. Then decided 2000 lb spring shock might be the answer. I’m happy to report that it is working great. Let me know if you have the same experience.
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
I just received my 2000 lb shock yesterday and installed it. I'm about to do my daily 50. Will report back this after noon. It appears to work with no squawking.
Edit: I just got back. The shock worked great. It's a little softer than the stock shock as I didn't adjust the preload, but I think I like it softer and it's not hitting the back wheel. FYI @Robert Holler . Here's what I purchased:
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Last edited:
JerseyJim
Guru
I don't have a Q45 but I have a T50 and I've chased down noises on it and other recumbent bikes. Statistically speaking, it's almost never the bottom bracket. I've swapped enough bottom brackets out chasing a noise and most times its something else. Could be something bottom bracket adjacent but the poor bottom bracket, at least the threaded ones, always get hauled in for questioning while the real perp goes free.
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
Yeah. It was the pivot clamp bolt. It was missing a washer. No creaks anymore.
FYI, all, I replaced with the exact same shock and now no noise. Ahhhh....
bhave
Member
Which length did you buy?
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
165 mm length. 2000 lbs spring rate. I weigh about 230 lbs currently. If you are a different weight, you may want to choose a different spring rate. Here's the range on the website:
SUITABLE WEIGHT:
150 Lbs: suitable weight: 20~25kg
250 Lbs: suitable weight: 25~30kg
350 Lbs: suitable weight: 30~40kg
450 Lbs: suitable weight: 40~50kg
650 Lbs: suitable weight: 50~60kg
750 Lbs: suitable weight: 60~70kg
850 Lbs: suitable weight: 70~90kg
1000 Lbs: suitable weight: 90~120kg
1500 Lbs: suitable weight: 120~160kg
2000 Lbs: suitable weight: 160~200kg
Note that I fall into the weight range for a 1000 lb spring rate, but I needed 2000 lbs. I believe it is due to two factors. The Q45 frame does not compress the spring straight up and down. It moves sideways somewhat. Secondly, I reconfigured my Q45 to have the lowest seat angle possible, so the range of the spring is about half what it would be normally, requiring a stiffer spring to prevent the back of the seat bracket from hitting the tire. The good news is you can buy it on Amazon and if your choice is not quite right, you can return it within 30 days and try another one.
I'm still very pleased with my choice. Perfect shock absorption with no noise.
SUITABLE WEIGHT:
150 Lbs: suitable weight: 20~25kg
250 Lbs: suitable weight: 25~30kg
350 Lbs: suitable weight: 30~40kg
450 Lbs: suitable weight: 40~50kg
650 Lbs: suitable weight: 50~60kg
750 Lbs: suitable weight: 60~70kg
850 Lbs: suitable weight: 70~90kg
1000 Lbs: suitable weight: 90~120kg
1500 Lbs: suitable weight: 120~160kg
2000 Lbs: suitable weight: 160~200kg
Note that I fall into the weight range for a 1000 lb spring rate, but I needed 2000 lbs. I believe it is due to two factors. The Q45 frame does not compress the spring straight up and down. It moves sideways somewhat. Secondly, I reconfigured my Q45 to have the lowest seat angle possible, so the range of the spring is about half what it would be normally, requiring a stiffer spring to prevent the back of the seat bracket from hitting the tire. The good news is you can buy it on Amazon and if your choice is not quite right, you can return it within 30 days and try another one.
I'm still very pleased with my choice. Perfect shock absorption with no noise.
bhave
Member
Thank you for the advice on the rear shock for the Q45. I tried a few air shocks that worked on my V2/K and qx100, but they all bottomed out on the q45. I ended up ordering a 190mm 1000lb shock from Amazon and it's solid! I'm 225. With the shock, there's no sway. I have the under the seat racks. Chooee Mountain Bike Rear Shock https://a.co/d/dRJnrUA
billyk
Guru
Thanks (again!) to @Robert Holler for this hint.
With a first-generation Q45, I had corrected the pivot clamp washers quite a while ago. But over the past few months I‘ve had persistent creaking, especially pushing hard uphill.
Reminded by this hint, I regreased the sleeve, and the creaking is gone!
I will add this easy task to my every-few-months service routine. Thanks, Robert!
