From Garage Innovation to Road Revolution: The Six-Generation Evolution of the Cruzbike S40

[bromclist]

Apart from the obvious that has been stated, I sometimes find that during uphill, I seem to loose my head a bit. Sometimes on flat as well.
Its hard to describe. I suddenly find myself asking "where am I?" and it takes about a second or two to realize the place even though
it is my standard 60km odd training loop. (twice a week)
I am not sure how to describe this. Has anyone else faced this particular issue?
Apart from this, the standard seat cushion seems to lose its shape and has become flatter.
Do you guys suggest ventisit? Thor is out of question because I do not want to modify the frame related to seating.

One more question
Just under the fork crown, there is a space for attaching fenders (a protrusion with hole for attaching nuts/bolts and fenders)
Can this be shaved a little to accommodate fatter tyres?

 

[Robert Holler]

One more question
Just under the fork crown, there is a space for attaching fenders (a protrusion with hole for attaching nuts/bolts and fenders)
Can this be shaved a little to accommodate fatter tyres?

This would be no for sure. That can very easily cause damage to the structural integrity of the fork, and you arent going to really gain much even if you could do it. For fatter tires it is better to opt for smaller wheels to accommodate.

On a 700c wheel that fork will get to a 38c maybe a 40c tire. The 700c rims are too narrow anyway for wider tires.

With a 650b wheel size you can get a 47c and still fit a fender or even a bit wider tire in that fork. A 650b wheel will have a wider rim for the wider tires as well.

If you need wider than a 47c tire I am not sure what you are actually accomplishing other than going much slower than you really need to for the effort. In my experience - on uprights AND recumbents - any tire over 2.1" wide or so and you sail right off the cliff of diminishing returns.

Also people get wide fat tires and they run them at max pressure - which is also counter to the entire point of the wide tire... but I digress.

 

[kizarmynot]

On a 700c wheel that fork will get to a 38c maybe a 40c tire.

FWIW, I’ve run 700x40 on my 6th gen S40 without a problem.

 

[bromclist]

This would be no for sure. That can very easily cause damage to the structural integrity of the fork, and you arent going to really gain much even if you could do it. For fatter tires it is better to opt for smaller wheels to accommodate.

On a 700c wheel that fork will get to a 38c maybe a 40c tire. The 700c rims are too narrow anyway for wider tires.

With a 650b wheel size you can get a 47c and still fit a fender or even a bit wider tire in that fork. A 650b wheel will have a wider rim for the wider tires as well.

If you need wider than a 47c tire I am not sure what you are actually accomplishing other than going much slower than you really need to for the effort. In my experience - on uprights AND recumbents - any tire over 2.1" wide or so and you sail right off the cliff of diminishing returns.

Also people get wide fat tires and they run them at max pressure - which is also counter to the entire point of the wide tire... but I digress.

Hi Robert,
My S40 is the gen3 I think (Larry would know because I purchased it from him).
That does not have clearance beyond 32c. (I an trying to fit a schwalbe marathon plus 700x35c).

 

[Damien]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I know the strengths and weaknesses of my S40—I love it, but I hate its flaws and see room for improvement.

A kickstand would be really useful. It hurts to see scratches (especially on the shifters) caused by the bike falling over so easily. During long rides like brevets, when I’m tired, I’m not always careful when leaning the bike against something. A kickstand would be perfect for those moments.

As for the weight—sorry, but every 1 kg (2.2 lbs) less is a game changer. I am a lightweight rider at 62 kg (about 137 lbs), and I really feel that extra weight on climbs. Last year, I tried a pre-production Bacchetta Quattro that weighed around 10 kg (22 lbs), and it made a huge difference. I’m not a big fan of rear-wheel drive in recumbent road bikes, so I haven't ordered that frame yet, but I'm thinking about it all the time.