Hi! New To Cruzbikes & Trying to Decide.

[Velocivixen]

Hello, I’m new to recumbents as of August, 2017 when I bought a new Bacchetta Giro ATT 20 from Rose City Recumbents in Portland. They were extremely helpful and encouraging. I have since bought a 2011 Giro 20 because I wanted a “project” and I love to tinker with and work on bikes (primarily vintage lugged steel).

I’m ready for a new challenge, because......you know, as you get older you gotta keep your body and mind on their toes. Rose City Recumbents is a Cruzbike dealer, and I’ve been toying with the idea off & on about getting one, but always had the same hesitation. What if I spent a bunch of money, then decided I didn’t like the platform of this particular type of recumbent? I’ve watched all the “learn to ride” videos, read Cruzbike “drills”, and have read a ton here on this site, and I’m confident I will learn how to ride one.

I will have an opportunity to borrow one for a couple of days just to get the hang of it so I’m excited about that. There’s a “like new” used Quest 451 V2 for sale in southern Oregon that finally lit a fire under me. Not saying I will get that one, and am actually attracted to the Q45.

At Rose City a few days ago and test “rode” a Q45, and coasted down an incline with feet spread eagle like they recommend. Then I got confident and decided to pedal.....only to realize that I can’t use my arms to steer. I know, intellectually, how I’m supposed to ride and control the bike, but actually doing it will take a minute. My other option is to buy a S40 frame and use components I have, however that would mean cannibalizing wheels from another bike, etc.

I ride in town on low volume streets, busy streets with bike lanes, and multi user paths. I’m a leisure rider who likes to just ride because it’s fun and I go sightseeing or bird watching by bike. I have no physical limitations.

So Hi!

 

[DavidCH]

Hi... It will make you feel like a kid again. It's an incredible experience. So low and so fast... well that's the Vendetta. Try and borrow/rent a cruzbike for a week and get the S40 frameset. Think big. You'll get more out of it.

 

[Velocivixen]

Thanks @DavidCH - I'd have to use 650b wheels on it since those are the only spare disc wheels I've got. They're on my Surly Straggler right now, as is the 105 shifters, 105 RD, etc. Well, at least I'd have a dynamo!

The encouragement is a help.

 

[paco1961]

I'm about 2 months into a new S40 build. Awesomely fun bike if a bit scary during the ongoing learning curve. You won't regret the move to CB

 

[Bill K]

That sounds a lot like my story!
Rode an ATT 26 for a while, then in search of a new adventure I went to Rose City Recumbents to see if I could "tame the beast" (e.g. test ride an mbb).
I'm sure the neighbors were quite amused...
Anyway, if you could kinda pedal and kinda steer (at the same time) in your first 15 minute test ride, that is a good sign. At least it was for me.

Welcome!

 

[Velocivixen]

@Bill K - it was actually in the first 3 minutes! Lol. So that’s a good sign, I guess.

I will be loaned something like an S40, so.....we’ll see.

The two things I don’t like about the S40 is no ability to adjust recline and it only takes 700c x 32 with fenders. I’m one to play around with different tires a lot and 32 is too limiting for what I like. I suppose if I used 650b I could get a little wider tire.

Also I am really keen on the yellow/red Q45. Looks really hot in my eyes.

 

[dtseng]

I also like to tinker with bikes and was never happy to ride a bike in as-received condition. You could move the seat of Q45 forward and back rest to 30 degrees, cut down the steerer tube, install a drop bar and brifters, a pair of 700C wheels, then you have a speed machine like V20 with rear suspension.

 

[Velocivixen]

I have a Silvio 1.0 to use for a week. So far I can coast down an incline in a straight line with feet very lightly on the pedals.

I managed to tip over when I decided I could just go from a dead stop without practicing first. There was bruising and blood nvolved.

 

[jond]

I have a Silvio 1.0 to use for a week. So far I can coast down an incline in a straight line with feet very lightly on the pedals.

I managed to tip over when I decided I could just go from a dead stop without practicing first. There was bruising and blood nvolved.

Ouch that hurts. Do ratz s training drills it is for the best. As to which bike to buy...just go with what you think. I reckon either would suit your needs with s 40 being the faster pick.

 

[Suz]

It sounds like you may be more satisfied with the Q45 in my opinion. If you like to have tire versatility and the ability to look around at the scenery I think the Q45 falls more into that category.
To me it’s easier to stop and look around if you want on the more upright versions because you can just put your feet down instead and scooching back at a stop and then repositioning back to a more reclined position after starting.
Now I haven’t ridden the S40 so maybe it’s easier to ride casually than my S30. I love love my S30 for the road but when I’m doing paths or just feel like tooling around I love my T50 and Sofrider. I put 2” tires on my sofrider and love it for meandering around.
Good luck with your decision and welcome.

 

[Velocivixen]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging welcome.

It’s the day after I tipped over (how embarrassing) & feeling a little achy. I’m tough as gristle so I’ll manage.
I’m sitting here wondering, “What was I thinking?!”. I understand this to be a fairly typical thought when folks are trying to learn. I also recognize that I’m trying to learn on a performance bike, which probably feels a lot different than if I were learning on a more basic Cruzbike....

@Suz - Thanks for chiming in. I do just the kind of riding the Q45 is meant for. I will NEVER be out in the rural farming areas riding miles and miles. To me that’s boring and laborious. I’m definitely an urban/suburban rider with lots of looking around, saying “Hi” to people I pass, stop to get my binoculars out to birdwatch, go get coffee. Tell me about your T50, if you will. I’ve read up on it and it’s definitely more budget friendly. My concern is that I may “outgrow” it too soon & wish I had something else.

 

[dtseng]

Buy them all! if budget is of no concern. I have 7 Kg road bike, hybrid bike, mountain bike, and 2 folding bikes for every occasion. Like Suz, one needs to own T50, Q45, S30 or 40, and V20.

 

[dtseng]

People who insist on sitting up-right (40 degrees and higher) should be riding traditional DF bikes. You don't get any benefit from riding MBB bikes; you'll get butt pains anyway plus learning curve.

 

[bladderhead]

I am on the border of London and Essex in the UK. I commute on my Silvio2. I use it to go shopping. I ride in central London. I ride off-road. No problem. They do like to give a new rider a hard time and show off when everybody is looking, but they soon calm down and behave themselves.

I agree with dtseng. I tried a 'bent with an upright seat and it felt really weird.

 

[Velocivixen]

Budget is the limiting factor, so either used or a more entry level. I've got about 12 bikes (various uprights), and really like recumbents.

 

[bladderhead]

Budget? What about space? Where do you put them all?

 

[Velocivixen]

@bladderhead - we have a 2 car garage & 1 car. I hang my road bikes from hooks on the ceilings. I have 4 vintage Raleigh Twenty’s with kickstands. So, they’re sprinkled around. I’ve got some listed on CL.

Update. I went to a corporate park with parking lots that are undulating slopes. Fortunately the buildings are being remodeled inside so no cars in the lot. I pedaled the distance of almost 2 blocks, with gentle grip on handlebars and looking where I wanted to go. I still don’t have a sense of how I’m steering, and my straight line is a slightly wavy straight line. I rode down the inclines for about 30 or 40 minutes and I’m pretty happy about that.

I was also able to sometimes just push off and pedal on flat surfaces......so I’m getting the hang of it. I still need to figure out how I am steering, so I can control it.

 

[Suz]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging welcome.

It’s the day after I tipped over (how embarrassing) & feeling a little achy. I’m tough as gristle so I’ll manage.
I’m sitting here wondering, “What was I thinking?!”. I understand this to be a fairly typical thought when folks are trying to learn. I also recognize that I’m trying to learn on a performance bike, which probably feels a lot different than if I were learning on a more basic Cruzbike....

@Suz - Thanks for chiming in. I do just the kind of riding the Q45 is meant for. I will NEVER be out in the rural farming areas riding miles and miles. To me that’s boring and laborious. I’m definitely an urban/suburban rider with lots of looking around, saying “Hi” to people I pass, stop to get my binoculars out to birdwatch, go get coffee. Tell me about your T50, if you will. I’ve read up on it and it’s definitely more budget friendly. My concern is that I may “outgrow” it too soon & wish I had something else.

Hmmm, that’s a tough question because knowing myself if I think I may want something “more”, then I may not be as happy with a lower model regardless if it meets my needs. But that’s just me.

So by “outgrowing it” what are your concerns?
I would say if you’re ok with 8 gears and packing small things around with panniers then the T50 is perfect. If you want to break out and tour someday or take on more hilly or rough terrain I would say the Q45 would be more flexible over time. Plus you have the cool factor with the colors.

I thought I would miss the shock that the sofrider has but I really don’t. I use the T50 as your classic simple cruiser model, around town, on the bike path, I’m not sure how else to describe it. It’s cute. I bought the special Kickstarter model with wooden rack/fenders, wide tires and cork grips. Ya, that’s right it’s cute, ha, and I get a lot of compliments on it. I love my sofrider (old blue) but the T50 has a more classic simple design that I preferred over old blue. So aesthetics won me over and the ride is great.
Lots of people have tinkered with more gearing etc on their T50’s, or different width tires, I’m not that big of a tinkerer. I bought it with the intent of selling my sofrider but im having a hard time parting with old blue.
The T50 starts (from a stop) noticeably more smoothly than the older models, less wobbly, but I’m guessing they made that same improvement to the Q45, but someone else would have to expand on that.

Either way I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in the ride.

 

[Suz]

People who insist on sitting up-right (40 degrees and higher) should be riding traditional DF bikes. You don't get any benefit from riding MBB bikes; you'll get butt pains anyway plus learning curve.

I may agree with this if I didn’t have such bad back, neck, and elbow issues with DF’s. Crazy enough I couldn’t even ride my most upright cruiser with my skeletal issues. So the upright seat is a real treat for me because it’s fun and pain free, for me at least. And when are you going to add a Cruzbike to your corral?
And hey now, I only have three! Haha.

 

[Emeljay]

the upright seat is a real treat for me because it’s fun and pain free

I second this! Not only pain free, but safer as I am able to look around on my comutting with a more upright seat angle as well easier to sight see on my touring and adventure rides.