Alchemy?

[kz22]

It's been stated that a Q45 can be made to be fast. That makes sense intuitively. The most important factor for speed is aerodynamics (frontal area); and the Q45 can be reclined to 35 deg. So, theoretically, you should be able to have both speed and comfort, right?

Is that alchemy/pot-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow/[insert your fool's errand metaphor here]? Has anyone tried that and been pleased with the results?

 

[cpml123]

It's been stated that a Q45 can be made to be fast. That makes sense intuitively. The most important factor for speed is aerodynamics (frontal area); and the Q45 can be reclined to 35 deg. So, theoretically, you should be able to have both speed and comfort, right?

Is that alchemy/pot-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow/[insert your fool's errand metaphor here]? Has anyone tried that and been pleased with the results?

I am interested to know as well. I even bought a 2021 Q45 but ended up deciding to sell it after 300 miles in favor of keeping my S40 because I didn't want to modify it.
I think to make it lighter and faster, here is a possible list of things to add/change:

1. Carbon 650b thru axle wheels with Schwalbe G One tires and XD driver (~ $1500)
2. Thor GS Easy seat with Ventisit and neckrest (~$400 plus many hours of fitting)
3. New shock (~$150)
4. Change RD and shifter to Eagle GX 10-52 to keep front 42 ring for both climbing and go fast (~$500)
5. Maybe cut down the stem a little if seat is reclined more

Cha Ching!!!

 

[benphyr]

It's been stated that a Q45 can be made to be fast. That makes sense intuitively. The most important factor for speed is aerodynamics (frontal area); and the Q45 can be reclined to 35 deg. So, theoretically, you should be able to have both speed and comfort, right?

Is that alchemy/pot-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow/[insert your fool's errand metaphor here]? Has anyone tried that and been pleased with the results?

I thought I read somewhere that the 35 degree was a typo and it is more like 45 that can be reclined without minor modifications. I can’t find the 36 degree anywhere on the current Q45 sale page but even with 45 degree recline you will have similar or possibly better aero than a road bike- depending on all the other aero factors: position, clothing, body fur, bike colour, n-previous decades of doughnut intake, etc.

 

[billyk]

Only ride downhill?

It seems to me that if you're focused on speed, and given the helpful calculations by @cpml123 above showing what the Q mods would cost, then you should just get an S40.
Then you'd also have a lighter bike.

The Q has its niche that it serves very well. For my commuting-in-city-traffic, carry-lots-of-stuff style, it's perfect. I wouldn't try to make it something it's not.

But get the Kind RR1 air shock anyway. It's a huge improvement in ride quality and very perceptible feeling of frame stiffness. See several threads on this topic, e.g. https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/qx-100-rear-shock-upgrade.11374/
With its swingarm the Q is inherently more flexy, wasting energy, but the air shock improves that. (And it cost more like $75usd, at least it did 3 years ago).

 

[billyk]

but even with 45 degree recline you will have similar or possibly better aero than a road bike

Yes. I did a roll-down test with a roadie friend once on a quarter-mile hill. We came up to the top at the same slow speed, then let both bikes roll freely. He was in his lowest crouch, I sat normally. I beat him to the bottom by a few feet.

And tires! In my experience higher pressure tires do more for speed than anything else.

 

[kz22]

I thought I read somewhere that the 35 degree was a typo and it is more like 45 that can be reclined without minor modifications. I can’t find the 36 degree anywhere on the current Q45 sale page but even with 45 degree recline you will have similar or possibly better aero than a road bike- depending on all the other aero factors: position, clothing, body fur, bike colour, n-previous decades of doughnut intake, etc.

I believe I found the thread to which you refer.

Q45 Seat Post Swap?

Anyone with the pre - 2021 Q45 want to swap seat posts? The angle on the new version makes it impossible to lean the seat back more than approx 45 degrees whereas I'm told the old ones could get me to my desired 30 degrees. Evidently many owners of the older one were disappointed that they...

forum.cruzbike.com

 

[bladderhead]

For my commuting-in-city-traffic, carry-lots-of-stuff style, it's perfect

My Silvio was excellent for this, as is my S40. They cannot carry as much as the Grasshopper can, but I do not think the Q45 can either