Hi! New To Cruzbikes & Trying to Decide.

[Velocivixen]

@Suz - by “outgrow” I mean thatsince I’m new to Cruzbike & can’t ride yet, I might be tempted to go with the “base” model, then as I become more proficient, with I had something maybe with more options or flexibility? I’m not looking at the T50, as it’s a lot less expensive and would be a nice entry into Cruzbikes.

Years ago, after years of not riding and weight gain I was certain the Electra Townie 3 Speed was for me. I bought it, enjoyed riding, but soon realized I couldn’t do hills.....so I got a 21 speed Townie. Guess what? I still couldn’t do hills. By then I thought the bike was heavy, slow and not responsive. I didn’t know much about bikes at the time. I eventually test rode a bunch and bought a new Trek FX 7.3 hybrid and I was in love. It was stable, yet zippy. I rode it forever......and now I’m here.

That’s what I mean by outgrow. I guess I’m afraid I’ll buy the wrong Cruzbike for my riding style......

Ok, new day, so gotta go practice.

 

[Velocivixen]

OOPS. I meant that I will consider a T50.

Not sure how to edit my prior post.

 

[Suz]

@Suz - by “outgrow” I mean thatsince I’m new to Cruzbike & can’t ride yet, I might be tempted to go with the “base” model, then as I become more proficient, with I had something maybe with more options or flexibility? I’m not looking at the T50, as it’s a lot less expensive and would be a nice entry into Cruzbikes.

Years ago, after years of not riding and weight gain I was certain the Electra Townie 3 Speed was for me. I bought it, enjoyed riding, but soon realized I couldn’t do hills.....so I got a 21 speed Townie. Guess what? I still couldn’t do hills. By then I thought the bike was heavy, slow and not responsive. I didn’t know much about bikes at the time. I eventually test rode a bunch and bought a new Trek FX 7.3 hybrid and I was in love. It was stable, yet zippy. I rode it forever......and now I’m here.

That’s what I mean by outgrow. I guess I’m afraid I’ll buy the wrong Cruzbike for my riding style......

Ok, new day, so gotta go practice.

That’s what I did. I bought the sofrider, then loved it so much I bought the S30 because I wanted to ride on the road.

I think if you practice and think you will love it, I’d get the one you really want. It took me a long time to get my balance down but once you get it, it’s a blast.

I had a townie as well and the angle of the pedals made hills difficult.

 

[bladderhead]

Electra website says the Loft is a lightweight Al commuter. So is my Silvio.

Loft. That is where it will end up, when you get a Cruzbike.

 

[paco1961]

As a life long runner who moved to cycling for knee issues I several times made the 'aiming too low on first purchase' move. Road bike and mtb both saw me start at entry level and move up within a year. I don't consider those as bad decisions. Just look at the cost of time and $ to bump up nothing more than thecost of knowledge acquisition. When CB time came around I went straight to the S40. Still learning but happy I didn't start on the 50 as the S40 is a perfect fit for my riding - spirited club rides and occasional centuries with a few gravel and endurance rides peppered in here and there. Just match your choice to your intended riding style and don't worry about the learning curve.

 

[Velocivixen]

@paco1961 - glad I’m not alone.
I’m in the process of selling a bunch of my vintage uprights for funding. You know how that can be.

I’m fairly sure tha, if I get a CB it will be the Q45.

Question: Cruzbike seems to come out fairly regularly with different bikes. I realize that things change, but I’m wondering if they’re making changes often because they’re still figuring out what works or what people want. I understand their performance vs adventure lines, but it just seems like they change often. Or at least seems that way to me.

 

[cpml123]

As a life long runner who moved to cycling for knee issues I several times made the 'aiming too low on first purchase' move. Road bike and mtb both saw me start at entry level and move up within a year. I don't consider those as bad decisions. Just look at the cost of time and $ to bump up nothing more than thecost of knowledge acquisition. When CB time came around I went straight to the S40. Still learning but happy I didn't start on the 50 as the S40 is a perfect fit for my riding - spirited club rides and occasional centuries with a few gravel and endurance rides peppered in here and there. Just match your choice to your intended riding style and don't worry about the learning curve.

Paco1961 - did you find that you use different muscle group since you transitioned from riding DF to recumbent bike? I feel like I am starting from scratch, similar to the first time I rode a roadbike to train with a group of friends. Even my Strava time on the same route showed similar slowness as when I just started riding roadbike. Similar to you, I jumped directly from roadbike to S40 since I learned my lesson from the incremental upgrading of road bike/components. Still tweaking the S40 and can't say I am totally happy with all the tweakings needed so far. Maybe just need to reset my expectation.

 

[bladderhead]

selling a bunch of my vintage uprights

At least you can still sell them. The best upright I ever had was a Claud Butler, made when the company was still independent. It got stolen. All I had left was the lock, and that was cut.

tweakings

Tweaking, don't talk to me about tweaking! But this is a bike that is worth the long tweaking process.

 

[paco1961]

@paco1961 - glad I’m not alone.
I’m in the process of selling a bunch of my vintage uprights for funding. You know how that can be.

I’m fairly sure tha, if I get a CB it will be the Q45.

Question: Cruzbike seems to come out fairly regularly with different bikes. I realize that things change, but I’m wondering if they’re making changes often because they’re still figuring out what works or what people want. I understand their performance vs adventure lines, but it just seems like they change often. Or at least seems that way to me.

Don't know about the motivation behind the design development but as an obligate tinkerer myself, I'm sure if I was in the driver's seat at CB I'd have a hard time not constantly adjusting designs. Tweaking is what you do when it's raining (or snowing) too hard to ride!

I actually cannibalized my favorite carbon gravel DF to build my S40 - wheels, groupset, Garmin mount, Spurcycle bell, bottle cages etc. Hurt me to do it but the gravel bike wasn't doing any good hanging in the basement. Putting the frame up for sale next week . . . then maybe the Lynskey . . . if I can get myself to do it!

 

[paco1961]

Paco1961 - did you find that you use different muscle group since you transitioned from riding DF to recumbent bike? I feel like I am starting from scratch, similar to the first time I rode a roadbike to train with a group of friends. Even my Strava time on the same route showed similar slowness as when I just started riding roadbike. Similar to you, I jumped directly from roadbike to S40 since I learned my lesson from the incremental upgrading of road bike/components. Still tweaking the S40 and can't say I am totally happy with all the tweakings needed so far. Maybe just need to reset my expectation.

Certainly different muscle groups are recruited for CB riding vs DF riding. Much more hamstring and glutes and actually quite a bit more core workout which is fine with me. My 56 year old gut is happy to have a bit more work to do. On climbs i find that long, easy climbs I ride about the same as my DFs. Short, rollers are no problem - just a matter of thinking more about carrying speed from the downgrade before the short climb. the biggest limitation I find on the CB is very steep climbs. the inability to stand on the pedals does limit climbing on those 15-20% climbs. I can still get up the hill but it does take more effort and taller gearing.

(slight diversion . . . I have read many bent forum posts, talked with biomechanics folks and even my physics PhD candidate son about the difference in climbing on a DF vs bent. Despite all the soap box diatribes out there, it seems to be largely due to the use of body weight on a DF, stand out of the saddle climb. Partially locking my knee and allowing my 190lb mass to engage the pedal on the down stroke takes less energy than the bent climbing that requires a full leg press on each stroke. The MBB design helps by allowing the rider to engage the upper body, but does not fully match the ability of a DF rider to use their body weight. . . Bring on the naysayers!)

But honestly, I have not found conditioning to be the limiting issue. I'm just now at the point where I can cruise at around 20mph or so. Much faster and it is more balance and fear that are the limiting factors to more speed. It will be quite a while before I'm up to bombing down a mountain at 40-50mph. Actually, 22mph going UP a slight incline is no problem . . . down a hill at the same speed is somewhat terrifying. But a few weeks ago the same was true for 15mph. Slow and steady progress.

 

[bladderhead]

largely due to the use of body weight

So the best thing for Froome to do is get fat, or borrow a backpack from a member of the Marines.

 

[Gary123]

Could revolutionize pro cycling. But I do partially agree on the body weight thing in certain situations.

 

[benphyr]

Beware: my non-expert opinions can be found below in response @paco1961 :

...the biggest limitation I find on the CB is very steep climbs. the inability to stand on the pedals does limit climbing on those 15-20% climbs. I can still get up the hill but it does take more effort ...it seems to be largely due to the use of body weight on a DF, stand out of the saddle climb. Partially locking my knee and allowing my 190lb mass to engage the pedal on the down stroke takes less energy than the bent climbing that requires a full leg press on each stroke.

Even in the same muscle there can be different fibres that would be recruited for different tasks and the Standing DF appears to me to be explosive quick twitch or whatever they are called. Which may be way fresher than the slow twitch endurance fibres which have been in constant use the rest of the ride.

.
The MBB design helps by allowing the rider to engage the upper body, but does not fully match the ability of a DF rider to use their body weight. . .

I think the upper body is much more engaged on the Cruzbike all the time, so less is available for the climb. Some is still available, and that "some" is still more than other recumbents can typically apply, but not nearly as much as a DF.

Some opinions based on intuition, not remotely on thorough scientific research, study or expertise.

 

[Velocivixen]

Well, after trying out this Silvio, I don’t think this platform is for me. Unless a Q45 is a lot easier to ride.

I’m also wondering how aQ45 would be different than, say, my new Bacchetta Giro ATT20? Would a Q45 be more adventuresome?

 

[benphyr]

Well, after trying out this Silvio, I don’t think this platform is for me. Unless a Q45 is a lot easier to ride.

The Silvio 1 is going to be different. The Q45 is at least 3 major generations of improvements upon the Q model away from the S1. I have not ridden either one though so how they would be different would be purely conjecture. The difference between my Conversion Kit in my avatar and the QX100 that I have is pretty huge. The front end is basically the same front triangle but placed on an existing mountain bike for the conversion kit while the QX100 is purpose designed head angle, trail, rake, etc. and works way, way better. I just went for my first outside ride with a friend and discovered I could ride it no hands in first gear and under power where the conversion kit I can wobble on a pedestrian free trail at reasonable speed but it is quite sketchy. There is a lot to be said for the Cruzbike designers and their development work.

 

[Velocivixen]

@benphyr - Thank yumfor reaching out. I appreciate hearing what you said.

My concern about a new Q45 is that it’s similar in purpose to my Bacchetta Giros that I already have. Totally different platform of course, but I don’t want to end up with essential duplicates.

 

[paco1961]

Borrowed a Bachetta Giro 26 rear, 20 front. Much easier to ride right off the bat. 2 spins around the block and I was off to a club ride. But it is completely different from a CB. Speed, handling and just plain fun are off the charts w the CB. But it did take me a few days in a parking lot to get out on the road. And then 2 wks before I tried a group ride. Of course I'm n a S40 The Giro was more like pedaling a wheel barrow - stable but slow.

 

[Gary123]

Wheelbarrows aren't that stable until you learn to handle them. They take coordination and upper body strength to counter forces that try to throw you off balance. Hmmm sounds kinda like a cruzbike but a lot less fun.

 

[benphyr]

Paco must be talking about the 2 wheeled wheel barrows . I agree with Paco: purpose might be the same for the Bachetta, but the design and implementation done by Cruzbike is going to be how it should be, like driving a Honda compared to the cheapest domestic out there. Even after 200,000miles the Honda will feel like it is doing what you want it to do as an extension of your body but the domestic will feel like each part does it's task individually but requires constant controlling by you to get those things done. My two cents, the Cruzbike is like the Honda, a joy to ride every time. There's my bit. I had a blast yesterday on my QX100, the Q45 is even better.

 

[Velocivixen]

I chatted with Robert at Rose City Recumbents quite a bit. I haven’t abandoned the idea of a CB but I’m giving it more thought. For me, coming up with $2300 will take some time anyway, so I can think about more.

I’m almost positive I could ride a Q45 well if given the true motivation of actually paying for and owning one.

I really didn’t get the hang of steering is what it boiled down to.