commuting and recreational?
- Thread starter John Tolhurst
- Start date
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
In very simplistic terms, small wheels are for city riding and large wheels are for open roads, simply because small wheels turn better while large wheels bridge the bumps better.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
I agree you'll have no trouble. But smaller wheels still do turn more quickly, you'll have to try it out to get the feeling I mean.
currystomper
Well-Known Member
...and small wheels accelerate quicker. also good news in town
Just got a little preview of the Quest 451 today, riding it around the Spin Shed. The 451 is a hot little bike!!! You can do the little boxing match with your hands to get the acceleration a'humpin countering out your legs strokes and get the bike moving quite quickly. The brakes are sharp and effective, the Microshift shifting snappy, and the 451mm 100psi Kenda Kwest roll nicely (good call John T.). The whole bike feels very responsive, and it reminded me of the Mazda Miata I used to autocross and take out on track day, yet would also use commute to work daily in (always tempted to take the twisty way home). The turning radii (with practice) is impressive, and you have plenty of confidence with the close reach to the ground and overall smalls stature of the design.
I've had two other customers take the 451 for a spin already (one took his home today
looking for a travel bike to take to Hawaii), and they were able to learn even quicker then on the Sofrider or Silvio. My guess is the lower seat height & lower bb height, quicker acceleration and shorter chainstays (less leg leverage on the moving bottom bracket) contribute to a shorter learning curve. One customer who owns a Trice trike, guesstimated the price at $1800-1900, and was blown away with the price. He is now reconsidering the 451 for a border to border west coast tour, as well as his general fitness riding.
There are two post mount rear rack booms (one from Topeak, and Delta) that I am going to try out, as well as some other racking options. The 451 should prove to be a handle commuter with outfitted with some lite load hauling capability, and possible a longer range touring rig if some lower CG higher volume racking schemes are sorted out.
Can't wait to get some more seat time when the weather opens up. We have a 40 miler planned for Friday on the 451 and Sofrider. There are some rougher roads on the way out to Tomales from Petaluma, so the suspension will be a welcomed treat.
I've had two other customers take the 451 for a spin already (one took his home today
looking for a travel bike to take to Hawaii), and they were able to learn even quicker then on the Sofrider or Silvio. My guess is the lower seat height & lower bb height, quicker acceleration and shorter chainstays (less leg leverage on the moving bottom bracket) contribute to a shorter learning curve. One customer who owns a Trice trike, guesstimated the price at $1800-1900, and was blown away with the price. He is now reconsidering the 451 for a border to border west coast tour, as well as his general fitness riding.There are two post mount rear rack booms (one from Topeak, and Delta) that I am going to try out, as well as some other racking options. The 451 should prove to be a handle commuter with outfitted with some lite load hauling capability, and possible a longer range touring rig if some lower CG higher volume racking schemes are sorted out.
Can't wait to get some more seat time when the weather opens up. We have a 40 miler planned for Friday on the 451 and Sofrider. There are some rougher roads on the way out to Tomales from Petaluma, so the suspension will be a welcomed treat.
borealbliss
New Member
Sounds like a blast! I've never wished I lived closer to Petaluma than I do now. After all this talk about the experience, I look forward to seeing pics of people riding it!
Thanks for the pictures you've posted of the assembly - there's some very useful perspectives that I haven't seen before. I'm curious about the racking options you try out. I've seen your other bikes; you come up with very good solutions.
Thanks for the pictures you've posted of the assembly - there's some very useful perspectives that I haven't seen before. I'm curious about the racking options you try out. I've seen your other bikes; you come up with very good solutions.
borealbliss
New Member
Wow, thanks! I was hoping to see a few pics tomorrow, but this is great! It hadn't occurred to me before, but it looks like there isn't much clearance between the back of your heel and the derailleur on the hub. I suppose this is a limiting factor on shortest practical length the chainstay can have.
Again, great perspectives. It is amazing to see so much bike in so small a package!
Again, great perspectives. It is amazing to see so much bike in so small a package!
You mean you haven't seen John's Quest Youtube vid's yet:
Quest folding Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCmelOCiOHk
Quest folding Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoDxav9Clo8
Quest overview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngUiJ37_ues
Off topic Sofrider overview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqSnwXaoJuI
Off topic Sigma assembly 1 & 2:
http://www.youtube.com/user/johntolhurst#p/u/6/snN2jCKFWf0
http://www.youtube.com/user/johntolhurst#p/u/5/qYksMtJSHu8
borealbliss
New Member
Nanda, in your photos of riding the bike, it looks like there is still a lot of room left for reclining the seat back. How far can it go? I also wonder what an internally geared hub on the front wheel would look like and if that's a possible modification worth trying out.
I haven't touched the seat adjustment with regards to seat angle or base pan position. There are 3 holes in the top of the seat post bar linkage, and I am on the outer one, so I still have est. 2-3" of additional recline. I can't imagine why a IGH (internally geared hub) would not work on this bike, and possibly a belt drive since the chain-stay is removable. The derailleur hanger could be used for the chain tensioning as on other IGH conversions.
I didn't notice any heal rub on the chainstay, maybe a little unintentional on the u-turn practice, but nothing in a straight line, and no contact with the heal and the derailleur.
I didn't notice any heal rub on the chainstay, maybe a little unintentional on the u-turn practice, but nothing in a straight line, and no contact with the heal and the derailleur.
What an incredible array of mouth watering photos taken and submitted by Nanda H. http://www.cruzbike.com/forums/posting.php?mode=reply&f=22&t=2261# It really shows off the versatility of the Quest 451. I wonder if someone could do this same task when the 26" - 559 hits the highways!
A photo from this evenings ride. My buddy Pierre is 6'3" and fits great. He is a first time rider on a MBB, and said the Quest 451 is more forgiving with the lower BB and seat height which made it less intimidating then the Sofrider. We swapped back and forth 3-4x so we could compare the differences. I was also very impressed with the ride quality of the Sofrider and the speed that it would carry/sustain. Riding the two back to back to back gives me a little hint of what the Quest 559 would feel like :lol:
The rear post rack is a Delta unit, and was not a perfect fit as the little horns on the bottom would make contact with the rear disc brake caliper over bigger bumps. I had to rotate a little to get a bit to clearance on the caliper. I might snip the front horn on the left side or play with the seat adjustments, and still have the Topeak post rack to try without side rails.
borealbliss
New Member
More good photos! Now the coup de gr?ce would be to provide a video(s) of riding the Quest from side and head-on perspectives, turning, etc. But you've done a lot already!
The rack looks nice even though not a perfect fit. Pierre looks good on the bike, but I am more of your stature.
The rack looks nice even though not a perfect fit. Pierre looks good on the bike, but I am more of your stature.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
I have what you want on disk, just have to get it written and uploaded to youtube.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
Done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEExqATNWZQ
borealbliss
New Member
Thank you for the video! Two characteristics about the Quest that stand out for me among its many unique features (FWD MBB etc. ...need I say more) are the smaller wheels and the shorter chainstay (the shortest of all the bikes in the Cruzbike lineup). This allows a lower BB and a more open hip angle when riding - a very user friendly position. So I was a little disappointed to notice that while one of the Quests in the video is using the short chainstay, the other one has the long chainstay, and this is the bike you ride during the entire second half of the video! (I do realize, however, that the 26" setup will appeal more to some people.) But disregarding this minor point, I have just seen the most compelling evidence that the Quest offers a high quality riding experience. I'd like a test ride now please.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
Yes, one was a 451 (with 451 wheels) and the other was a 559 with 451 wheels. We did this to show the different crank heights between the models.
It really is nice to have a lower crank height for comfort, but others have other priorities, like speeeeeeed. :twisted: because of its highly efficient drive and its reasonable good aero performance, this bike performs pretty well, especially with the longer chainstay of the 559 where the cranks are higher up. Not extreme by any means, but higher that the 451.
Now, to make it so there is a bike for you to test, we have only a few dealers. :shock: If you expect it down the local bike shop on any main street USA, then you'd be looking at 2000 bikes just to put one in half the shops. :lol: We're a small niche or boutique design house and supplier, we don't do 1000s. But every time we get a new customer we reckon we might get there one day! :mrgreen:
It really is nice to have a lower crank height for comfort, but others have other priorities, like speeeeeeed. :twisted: because of its highly efficient drive and its reasonable good aero performance, this bike performs pretty well, especially with the longer chainstay of the 559 where the cranks are higher up. Not extreme by any means, but higher that the 451.
Now, to make it so there is a bike for you to test, we have only a few dealers. :shock: If you expect it down the local bike shop on any main street USA, then you'd be looking at 2000 bikes just to put one in half the shops. :lol: We're a small niche or boutique design house and supplier, we don't do 1000s. But every time we get a new customer we reckon we might get there one day! :mrgreen:
Took the 451 out on my climbing test loop the other day, and the top is just beyond that large house straight ahead up the hillside:
The Quest FWD finds traction and urges you to go further eh.
This is about a 1000' climb in 3 miles, that starts out gradually and goes up quick towards the end:
The Quest can definitely climb, no bull...except for the ones in the background
Already farther up then I expected, since it's been 3mo that I have really ridden anywhere. Stopping frequently to take pix helps
The toughest part of Morelli just aheah
Well almost, ran out of steam 20' to go, so stayed seated and pedaled half a stroke, grabbed brakes, pedaled....repeat to the top. The final pitch is 10-12deg. est with broken pavement and loose bits.
A new appreciation for Mr. Tolhurst's design!!!
I've climbing up this loop several times on a RANS crank forward bike, but never on a recumbent as I just don't have the legs. But being able to engage the upper body on the Cruzbike, along with the small wheels and low gearing of the Quest 451, I was able to make my way up the entire grade. Going down hill was a total blast, the brakes were awesome as expected, and I felt like I could attack the turns (within reasonable limits
The Quest FWD finds traction and urges you to go further eh.
This is about a 1000' climb in 3 miles, that starts out gradually and goes up quick towards the end:
The Quest can definitely climb, no bull...except for the ones in the background
Already farther up then I expected, since it's been 3mo that I have really ridden anywhere. Stopping frequently to take pix helps
The toughest part of Morelli just aheah
Well almost, ran out of steam 20' to go, so stayed seated and pedaled half a stroke, grabbed brakes, pedaled....repeat to the top. The final pitch is 10-12deg. est with broken pavement and loose bits.
A new appreciation for Mr. Tolhurst's design!!!
I've climbing up this loop several times on a RANS crank forward bike, but never on a recumbent as I just don't have the legs. But being able to engage the upper body on the Cruzbike, along with the small wheels and low gearing of the Quest 451, I was able to make my way up the entire grade. Going down hill was a total blast, the brakes were awesome as expected, and I felt like I could attack the turns (within reasonable limits
