Anticipation

[Trekster]

Tomorrow is the day my Quest 3.0 should be delivered. After a ton of research and looking at all the YouTube videos concerning MBB FWD recumbents; I finally decided on the Quest.

I must admit, I'm a little apprehensive about the "learning curve", but at the same time, excited to get started. I'm coming from many thousands of miles on a Trek DF road bike. Also, at one time I had a RANS V-Rex and rode some miles on it; though not thousands. The past 4 years I gave up the DF and have been riding a Catrike Expedition, strictly on bike paths and low-traveled black top highways. The Expedition provides a nice posture, but I'm really tiring of the rough ride as a result of zero suspension, the small diameter front wheels and short wheelbase. My local bike path is black top, but here in the Midwest, black top does not stay "crack-free" for very long and the city refuses to do any maintenance to the path. The large lateral cracks that have opened up on nearly the entire path makes for a very rough ride.

Of course the trike is not the best for hill climbing, and my excursions out on two-lane black top roads do involve some hills.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the rear suspension and the lighter weight of the Quest and hope that it will solve some of the issues I currently have with the trike. Catrike is now making a model that does have some suspension, but I guess I'm looking forward to being a little higher off the ground and back on a pair of 26" wheels.

Will report my progress and my new venture later...

 

[richa]

Congratulations, and possibly useful info

Congratulations on your new bike.

I got my Quest about a month ago and found/received a lot of good info here on the forum to address some of the problems I had. Just in case you haven't discovered them yet, here are a few useful pointers.

You need to push the handlebar extension tube down pretty firmly against the headset and tighten the two quick released very tight in order to keep the headset from coming loose. I had to re-tighten the headset about 4 times before I figured that out. There's posts here on the forums about how the diatec headeset works.

Take care of the brake/shift cable routing when installing the front triangle. I somehow got mine all twisted up and had to reinstall the front triangle a few time before I got the cables where they were supposed to be.
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The disk brake adjustment instructions are a crock. I wasted at least an hour on that endeavor before I searched for and found the business card method, which is quicker, easier and works better. Makes it a simple 5 minute job. Again, search the forum.

The clickbox for the 3 speed hub is VERY easy to install/uninstall but when I was first exposed to it (on a bike friday) I struggled to get it on properly. I think there might be instructions on Bike Friday's site if there aren't any with the Quest. Also, it's evidently vulnerable to damage in an accident and they make a metal gaurd for it but I haven't personally used one.

You twist the entire rear shock (not just the plastic cover) to adjust the preload. If viewed from below you can see it screwing or unscrewing as you twist it.

My assembly instructions made no mention of what some of the small parts were for. The small rubber split tubes are evidently for keeping the cables from rubbing on some part of frame. I never did figure out how. The two small round black spacers are used in place of the rack if you uninstall it. And the big rubber o-ring is used keep the rack brackets from accidently popping off their posts. It'll make sense when you see how the rack is attached.

If you got a mirrycle mirror, it can be mounted on the top of the handle bars using a reflector mount. Works great. Again, search the forum.

You might want to check the knobs holding the seat on before each ride, mine seem to loosen up over time. But it's possible it's because of the spacer I have under the seat.

Since getting my bike, I've installed an 11-34 rear cassette to make climbing hills easier, a longer handlebar stem to make the handlebar reach more comfortable, some spacers (wooden blocks covered in black duct tape) under the rear of the seat to lower the front of the seat (I have the TFT at 9 and that resulted in the back of my legs hitting the front edge of the seat), clipless pedals (with the tension set as loose as possible) and some Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires to hopefully eliminate flats. 26x1 tubes for the original tires are somewhat rare, so I'd recommend ordering some before venturing too far from home. None of the 5 bike shops near me carried them. Also remember you'll need a wrench to get the drive wheel off in case of a flat so you'll need to carry one along.

As for the learning curve, It took me about two hours to get to the point where I could get started most times on one try and ride straight enough to go down sidewalks. It took my wife about 5 minutes to get to the same point. So evidently YMMV. We''ve each both fallen over once, when trying to start up a slight incline. I still have trouble getting started sometimes, usually when I'm in traffic and feeling pressured to get going quickly.

Early on I'd get off after 15 minutes and my arms would be sore from trying to control it. Or over-control it. Today I rode 40 miles, can now go no-handed for a hundred feet or so at a time, and when I'm done riding I have no pains anywhere. Even after 40 miles. I'm just tired. . The more you ride, the better you get. It's really a great bike.

Watch the training videos, and have fun learning to ride again!

 

[Romagjack]

I have several thousand mile

I have several thousand mile on my Quest 2. My bike came mostly assembled but there were a few quirks setting it up properly. I had been riding a Cruzbike conversion for several years so learning to ride the Quest not a problem. I didn't like the stock handle bars at first and tried many adjustments but eventually grew to like them a lot. I absolutely love the disc brakes and SRAM dual drive system - hard to imagine going back to conventional shifters (no more worries about stopping in the wrong gear since you can shift down to low gear at a complete stop). I'm still using the original tires but make sure they are properly inflated - haven't had a flat (probably shouldn't have said that!). Took me about 3 days to feel confident riding a Cruzbike - lots of coasting down long hills before I felt ready to lift my feet to the pedals. Once comfortable with your balance at speed and doing a lot of figure 8's in an open area, you'll have mastered it. There's nothing like the "rider's high" you get on a Cruzbike once you have patiently "paid your dues" with the learning curve. I've had 3 spinal fusion surgeries and had to give up mountain biking years ago. The Quest riding position is so relaxed and comfortable that I still enjoy century rides without pain. My normal ride is 16 miles 3 times per week at 16 - 17 mph. Great for staying in shape without promoting back, neck or joint pain. Welcome to the club and keep us updated on your progress.

 

[Trekster]

Thanks for hints and help

Thanks, to both of you for the hints and help. I'm very anxious to get started with the new adventure. No delivery yet, but should be any time now.

 

[Charles.Plager]

I definitely recommend Kim's

I definitely recommend Kim's videos (if you haven't already seen them). You can also read about my experiences learning here.

Cheers,
Charles

 

[Trekster]

Assmbly???

Yes, I have viewed all of Kim's videos will I was waiting for my Quest to arrive. They are very good.

However, after an hour and a half of just unwrapping things, and attempting to layout the frame and components as they are pictured in the "instructions"(?) - I really question if I will eventually get to ride this -- or not. Wow! How many hours is average for just putting it together, and getting it all adjusted?

My handle bar did not come with the down-tube attached, so that sort of confused me for awhile. But the real problem that had me stumped for several minutes is the fact that the headset is being held together (for shipping) by the handle bar bracket that actually goes on the handlebar. I assume I must remove that bracket from the top of the headset, so that it can be placed on the handlebar. Then the bracket with the quick-release clamps, on the end of the black tube that goes into the tube leading to the bottom bracket, probably takes the place of the handlebar bracket that I must remove.

I spent many years in an engineering environment, and have written my share of operating and assembly instructions - and I must say; these instructions(?) leave me a bit cold. I suppose if I already knew what one of these looked like fully assembled, it might of helped.

I've quit messing with it for today, as I have another appointment this evening. But will be back at it tomorrow. Looking at the mass of brake and shifter cables - I can't imagine that I will get them oriented correctly the first time (or second or third). I can certainly appreciate the above comments from Richa.

 

[richa]

You are correct


I too had trouble with the instructions, but understand that it's difficult to describe how to assemble something with words, and have never been a big reader of instructions anyway, so I figued maybe it was me. I'd really have liked just a diagram showing how to assemble it, with the parts clearly labeled. I recall finding the pictures clear and helpful.

Mine had the stem attached as well. I think it's to keep the headset from loosening up during shipping, as it appears this headset needs something above it in order to keep from loosening up. The instructions don't mention it, but it does need to come off and put where it belongs.

There's really not that much to assemble, but I do recall it taking me a few hours. I'm kind of glad it wasn't just me.

If all else fails, after you get the front triangle attached, it's pretty easy to then see where the cables should be routed. And taking it apart and moving them is pretty easy at that point. So if at first you don't succeed, just try again! It worked for me.

I also ziptied all the cables together in front of the handlebars to keep my leg from hitting them.

Rich

 

[Eric Winn]

Here is my Quest photo set.

Here is my Quest photo set. It may be helpful. I was going to do an assembly post but have never gotten to it.

I took photos of the box, unpacking little by little, and assembly bit-by-bit.

Click photo for a new window with my photo set:


-Eric

 

[Trekster]

Photo Set

Thanks for the help Richa.

And, Eric; it appears you spent as much (or more) time taking those pictures as you did putting it together. Those will be very helpful. Thanks for putting them on here.

I was gone all evening, and tomorrow I will be busy with other things until about 11AM. But then I am determined to finish the assembly of my Quest, and try to get started adjusting brakes and shifters. I would like to be on it practicing by Friday or Saturday of this week.

Thanks again, everyone, for all your help.

 

[John Tolhurst]

You shouldn't need to adjust

You shouldn't need to adjust brakes. There may be slight cable stretch in the gear cables, turn the adjustor 1/4 turn left (anticlockwise). Let everything pull up and you'll likely not need any other adjustments.