Cruzbike Quest 2.0 vs. Any Rear Wheel Drive Bent

[hacktorious]

OK, I know this question has been asked a million times before, but I'm going to ask anyways. I'm currently in the search for a new bike. I currently ride a RANS Rocket.

So far I am interested in the Bacchetta Giro 20 ATT, and possibly a Cruzbike.

My purposes for riding are: Commuting, Touring, and speeding around on the weekends.

Why would I choose a Quest 2.0 or other Cruzbike over any other rear wheel bent? Specifically the Giro, or P38?

I've heard the front wheel drive bikes have pretty good power and can climb pretty well. Is there any truth to this? How do they compare to a standard rear wheel drive bent on hills?

I'm a pretty fast rider so I don't want a bike any slower than my rocket if possible. The rocket isn't that great on hills.

Thanks.

 

[Romagjack]

I try to ride my Quest 2

I try to ride my Quest 2 about 15 miles per day on flat roads and paved bike paths - no hills in Savannah, GA. I tend to ride for fitness on a similar route everyday using my Garmin 305 sports watch. I am in pretty good physical shape, considering I had major lumbar surgery on May 25th, and easily maintain 15 mph overall average according to the Garmin. The bike is quite fast, stable and very comfortable for me. I think the FWD with a shorter chain might give the Quest a little more power than the Rans on flat roads, but RWD might have a slight advantage on steep hills where the transfer of weight on the rear wheel may help.

 

[pjotr320]

Perfect chainline
Suspension,

Perfect chainline
Suspension, simple but effective, a must have
Cruzbike ergonomics
Pretty quick, faster than it looks, I often average 18mph. (that's with 451 wheels, 559's are faster)

 

[MrSteve]

I've had my Sofrider V1 for a

I've had my Sofrider V1 for a while:
long enough to get accustomed to the moving bottom bracket.

My riding routes are all very hilly, with rare flat roads, none longer than a mile.

When I'm in good shape at the end of the Fall, my average speed
is a little over 17 miles per hour.

I've only ridden with one recumbent, on two different rides.
It was a Bachetta Corsa.

The Corsa is much faster than my Sofrider downhill,
my Sofrider is equally fast on flat roads and
the Corsa was very, very slow up hills.

Overall, in the hilly sections, the Sofrider has the edge.
On the flatter roads, I could go slightly faster... but that was probably
due to our different fitness levels.

I have passed every recumbent (all rear-wheel drive) I have ever met on the road...
the Sofrider is deceptively quick and is really a very good climber.