Building a Cruz Clone

[JW1951]

I have been interested in Recumbents for many years and " bit the bullet" last Fall.
I just finish a MBB build. Started with a Rans Endoro Frame and modified it to a Mid-Racer 20-20 MBB.
Took the first ride today - the Nuvinci n360 and belt drive were great !!

 

[RojoRacing]

That's very clean

 

[JW1951]

Appreciate it!!

 

[Charles.Plager]

Nice!

I want to see pictures with a human on it and video of it being rided. (Or it never really happened. )

 

[bladderhead]

There seems to be hardly any Rans left. The back half looks like it was stolen from a Rans, but how did you make the front?

And yes it does look very clean.

 

[JW1951]

I cut off the frame near the head tube and welded a new piece with a new head tube (Frame Builders Supply).

Built the boom from pieces I had laying around

Purchased a bottom bracket from Frame Builders - made the Chain Stays from 1/2 x 1 rect tube and split clamps

 

[JW1951]

Charlie - I don't know how to upload a video - but here's a couple screen shots for proof of human power !!

 

[JW1951]

I made the Headrest from a foam roller off of an old weight bench. Just split it and zip tied.

 

[ak-tux]

I don't know how to upload a video

Nice work! If you want to share a video better to upload to youtube then share the link here.

 

[benphyr]

Nicely done. You have my respect for your skills and making it look good.

 

[3bs]

Good work. How is it geared what does it weigh?

 

[JW1951]

Thanks - Appreciate the kudos.
The fork was purchased from Performer (great folks) 20" FWD

3bs- the drive is a Nuvinci 360 CVT with a CDrive belt drive. Not sure of the gear ratio. Ended up weighing right at 40 pounds. The Nuvinci is pretty heavy. The price I pay for “must have “ CVT and belt drive.
Few years ago I had an Origin 8 Fatbike with the Nuvinci and loved it. But I’m done with the MTB.
I am a casual rider for fun and exercise mainly on the Tow Path along the old Ohio-Erie Canal which is essentially flat. Trailhead is about 3 minutes from my house and its just over 100 miles long.

 

[JW1951]

Hey Charles- here’s video proof!!
Please keep laughter to minimum.

 

[3bs]

yes i have one of those forks sitting in my shop waiting for me to do something with it. i had started a similar project to yours using a cb frame, but got distracted. i get distracted a lot

 

[RojoRacing]

Hey Charles- here’s video proof!!
Please keep laughter to minimum.

Glad to see the cars in your area have just as much patient as they do in my area

 

[JW1951]

My total mileage on a recumbent is less than 100 miles so in reality - I don't what I don't know. I built the bike based more on aesthetics - and I was dead set on a belt drive so I built the front end to match it.

Took it out today and using Robert from CB technique, I was able to start smoothly and reasonable control going slow. That said - the front end is REALLY heavy in the turns. I almost spiraled into a left hand crash.

To correct that I am shortening the chain stays by ~6" and the steer tube by and inch as in the pic. The feel of it ,even in the garage, is significantly better. I will loose my belt drive and go to a chain drive until I find a short enough Belt to match this drive.

 

[3bs]

I think you may find the crank to be a bit high compared to your seat

 

[JW1951]

Well- I shortened the chain stays and used a single speed chain I had. Big difference on the handling. This was a "rush" job so I will remake the stays at some point - not happy with the aesthetics, but functional.
Took it out today for some very successful practice on starts and slow turns. Getting pretty comfortable on it so hopefully Friday i can put on a few miles. View attachment 9340

 

[Bentas]

Shortening the chainstays on my homebuilt made for a less twitchy riding experience, Marco Ruga Italian builder who is featured on the latest LBR , likes BB level with seat, (really worth a look)

 

[JW1951]

Bentas - what is LBR?