Concerns about a lower seat angle: anyone been there?

[Bob10]

I am exploring getting back to riding a Cruzbike after having built two a number of years ago. I currently ride a Liner Limo and V-Rex.

I plan to take a good bit of time to get up to date with all of the incredible changes that have occurred since I was last active on the Forum. My prior username was BobD.

So....I am curious. I rode the Silvio 1.0 comfortably, and was fine with the angle of the seat. I have been thinking that I will likely pick up a Silvio 1.0 some time in the next 8 months. I never could quite see me handling the lower inclined seat of the Vendetta.....or now a new generations of Silvio.

However, I am reading a bunch of posts regarding seat angle degree. It seems there are many advantages I hadn't thought about before other than air resistance. Folks have talked about decreasing the likelihood of foot numbness with less pressure on the butt.....increased comfort for the back that is not compressed, greater comfort for longer rides (a big plus for me)....

Have any of you been really hesitant to go with a Cruzbike with a low angled seat......and then went for it? What were your concerns? Why do you like OR....don't like about the lower angled seats? How long did it take for you to get accustomed to the lower angled seat? I am particularly concerned about balance.

I have ridden many bents over the years.....but none with an inclined seat. However, I am always up for a new adventure. Would really appreciate your thoughts and experiences, especially if you were apprehensive/hesitant as I am to think about going with a lower angled seat.

Many thanks all....
Bob

 

[BJ686]

Bob, one note that might be of interest, is that I believe the new Silvio S30 that was just released now has a 33 degree seat (whereas the prior Silvio was around 27%). It does take some getting used to, but I wouldn't label a 33% recline as being too extreme. When I first started riding recumbents, I never thought I would want to be significantly reclined, but over the years I find myself wanting more and more recline. As you allude to above, more recline spreads more of the weight of your body over your whole back. Personally I find this more comfortable and that it alleviates "recumbutt". Good luck

 

[Emeljay]

In my experience "recumbutt" (don't actually know what that is as I have been totally comfortable riding CruzBikes), is better than on DFs where at times I thought my seat was on fire!

I currently have a Quest 559 and Quest X100. They both have the same frame and adjustable seat. Seat adjusts forward and back, and also seat back angle is adjustable. In fact for awhile I added brackets to bring the seat back maybe 50 degrees. That was easier for learning FWD, but now I have set my X100 seat angle to about 35 where I don't need a headrest but it is reclined enough for some aero fun especially on downhills!
Loving it!

 

[ReklinedRider]

Have any of you been really hesitant to go with a Cruzbike with a low angled seat......and then went for it? What were your concerns? Why do you like OR....don't like about the lower angled seats? How long did it take for you to get accustomed to the lower angled seat? I am particularly concerned about balance.

I have ridden many bents over the years.....but none with an inclined seat. However, I am always up for a new adventure. Would really appreciate your thoughts and experiences, especially if you were apprehensive/hesitant as I am to think about going with a lower angled seat.

Many thanks all....
Bob

Bob,
Like you, I have ridden other 'bents over the years, starting w a Rans Stratus, Rans V(2), Hase Kettwiesel,
Bachetta CA2, Cruzbike Sofrider, and Silvio v1.5. I had no problem w the recline of the Bachetta, which I rode at 26degrees from horizontal, but the thought of the Vendetta at 20degrees gave me serious pause. I was leaning toward the S30 but after hearing from those on this forum who had extensive experience w both Silvio 2.x AND Vendetta, and hearing them say they rarely rode the Silvio after mastering the Vendetta, that the Silvio feels like you're sitting bolt upright in the wind compared to the V, the V is a better climber, and that the V is not just for racing but is a comfortable all day tourer if that's what is wanted, I took a deep breath and pulled the trigger on the V20 frameset.
At my height, the neckrest took some work to get dialed in, but once I got that squared away, I couldn't be happier with the 20degree seat. I was concerned about visibility, fit, comfort, safety and on and on, but none of those have been a problem. A short period in the parking lot to get used to the differences in Vendetta handling compared to Sofrider or Silvio and now I can't imagine going to a less reclined seat except to tool around the neighborhood (which I do on the Sofrider--I sold the Silvio 1.5, wonderful as it was, to help get the Vendetta). Any other rides I'll take the Vendetta hands down over any other bike I've ever owned.
Hope this helps. Happy to answer any specific questions.

 

[Rick Youngblood]

Bob, here are just a few of the many threads discussing the Silvio : Vendetta, seat angles, and more.

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/new-to-cruzbike-cant-decide-between-silvio-or-vendetta.11059/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/vendetta-versus-silvio-on-less-than-ideal-road-surfaces.10947/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/t...e-who-owns-both-a-vendetta-and-a-silvio.8394/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/transition-from-silvio-to-vendetta.7732/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/seat-mod.8978/

 

[Bob10]

Bob, one note that might be of interest, is that I believe the new Silvio S30 that was just released now has a 33 degree seat (whereas the prior Silvio was around 27%). It does take some getting used to, but I wouldn't label a 33% recline as being too extreme. When I first started riding recumbents, I never thought I would want to be significantly reclined, but over the years I find myself wanting more and more recline. As you allude to above, more recline spreads more of the weight of your body over your whole back. Personally I find this more comfortable and that it alleviates "recumbutt". Good luck

Thanks BJ686....
A good point there re: the 33% incline on the S30.
I need to adjust the incline on my bent and actually see what it feels like.

 

[Bob10]

Bob, here are just a few of the many threads discussing the Silvio : Vendetta, seat angles, and more.

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/new-to-cruzbike-cant-decide-between-silvio-or-vendetta.11059/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/vendetta-versus-silvio-on-less-than-ideal-road-surfaces.10947/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/t...e-who-owns-both-a-vendetta-and-a-silvio.8394/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/transition-from-silvio-to-vendetta.7732/

http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/seat-mod.8978/

Great threads there Rick....many thanks!
I hope to actually "meet" and recline on a Vendetta and Silvio 2.0 this week.....looking forward.

 

[Bob10]

Bob,
Like you, I have ridden other 'bents over the years, starting w a Rans Stratus, Rans V(2), Hase Kettwiesel,
Bachetta CA2, Cruzbike Sofrider, and Silvio v1.5. I had no problem w the recline of the Bachetta, which I rode at 26degrees from horizontal, but the thought of the Vendetta at 20degrees gave me serious pause. I was leaning toward the S30 but after hearing from those on this forum who had extensive experience w both Silvio 2.x AND Vendetta, and hearing them say they rarely rode the Silvio after mastering the Vendetta, that the Silvio feels like you're sitting bolt upright in the wind compared to the V, the V is a better climber, and that the V is not just for racing but is a comfortable all day tourer if that's what is wanted, I took a deep breath and pulled the trigger on the V20 frameset.
At my height, the neckrest took some work to get dialed in, but once I got that squared away, I couldn't be happier with the 20degree seat. I was concerned about visibility, fit, comfort, safety and on and on, but none of those have been a problem. A short period in the parking lot to get used to the differences in Vendetta handling compared to Sofrider or Silvio and now I can't imagine going to a less reclined seat except to tool around the neighborhood (which I do on the Sofrider--I sold the Silvio 1.5, wonderful as it was, to help get the Vendetta). Any other rides I'll take the Vendetta hands down over any other bike I've ever owned.
Hope this helps. Happy to answer any specific questions.

You've given me a really good perspective Kline. I will be checking out a Vendetta and a Silvio 2.0 this week. I have an idea that I will be taking you up on your offer to answer some questions as I continue learning about these bents. Many thanks! Bob

 

[Bob10]

In my experience "recumbutt" (don't actually know what that is as I have been totally comfortable riding CruzBikes), is better than on DFs where at times I thought my seat was on fire!

I currently have a Quest 559 and Quest X100. They both have the same frame and adjustable seat. Seat adjusts forward and back, and also seat back angle is adjustable. In fact for awhile I added brackets to bring the seat back maybe 50 degrees. That was easier for learning FWD, but now I have set my X100 seat angle to about 35 where I don't need a headrest but it is reclined enough for some aero fun especially on downhills!
Loving it!

I plan to check out some varying inclines on my bent. Sounds like I may be worrying about something that may not exist. Thanks Emeljay

 

[pedlpadl]

I went straight from a DF to the Vendetta. Other than the usual learning curve with MBB and balance in a reclined position, I had little trouble adapting. The aerodynamic advantages over my old DF make me smile every time I ride. Headwinds don't bother me much when riding solo. Going downhill is scary fast and fun as hell. I can't imagine wanting a more upright position.

 

[Bob10]

After riding a Silvio 2.0 and sitting on a Vendetta this weekend....I am beginning to "get it".
Thanks pedlpadl!

 

[bubbabent]

My Corsa has always been around 17 to 20 degrees, so going to a Silvio at ~36 has been an adjustment and starting to wish it was more reclined, even though it is a lot of fun.