How do I tell which model of the Silvio I have?

[GeneG]

Hey all - I've owned a Silvio for a while now but haven't dove into the community at all. I'm considering selling the bike and now I'd like to know a thing or two about it.

I know its a Silvio becuase it pretty blatantly says it across the frame, but I can't figure out if its a 1.0, 2.0, or S30, or any other type of Silvio....Is there a way to tell based on the model number or distinguishing features?

Can't seem to find an answer to this question anywhere so I'm posting a new thread. Thanks for the assistance!

G

 

[GeneG]

Ok sorry I was able to find a few things posted below, but I am still not certain.

This was originally posted by benphyr:

"here were a several iterations of the S30. Technically the Silvio and S30 versions could be taken apart and packed into airline luggage (barely). Here are the differences that I can think of:

Silvio 1: (the original performance Cruzbike)
-welded frame
-straight road components
-straight front triangle
-dual suspension

Silvio is the first Performance Cruzbike: Splits into Silvio as Road/touring machine and Vendetta as Race specific

Silvio 2 & 2.1:
-hydroformed frame
-curved front boom
-evolved into S30

In between somewhere people started occasionally calling some of them Silvio 3, or often called Silvio S30 in error - see @Robert Holler 's message several posts below machines that still had the same Silvio 2 features:
-27 degree seat angle
-dual suspension (air head-shock thing and rear elastomer) - some swear it was great, some say gimmicky, some say never really worked - probably depends on the person, setup, type of roads you ride, etc.

S30 (has suspension/geometry changes):
-only sold for a short while
-basically same as original except no front shock, 33 degree seat angle, and different head angle
-slightly different paint scheme
-some say short wheel base good for maneuverability, some found head position hard on balance and short wheel base a little harsher

S40.1:
-no active suspension
-larger tire clearance and larger tires came stock
-rear triangle is welded frame triangle similar to "regular" bike
-wheel base lengthened significantly - improves stability (think loaded touring and straight line no hands)
-adds many attachment points for racks, fenders, etc. that were not on S30

S40.2 (current):
-1x drivetrain
-even more tire clearance and larger tires - up to gravel bike sizes??

S40.3 (Next generation - Hoping for a near future unveiling)"

*****

And then this followup by Robert Holler:
"There was only ever ONE actual S30 production run. "Silvio S30" for the bike before the actual S30 was produced is nomenclature only - that was a "Silvio" production run that became in name "Silvio S30." The actual S30 had a solid front fork (and different head tube angle) and "S30" logo on the side, and a triangular hole in the rear gusset as opposed to the Silvio that has a round hole. If there are pics on the internets of one that have the "S30" paint on the side and a round hole in the gusset those are photoshop - the REAL S30 had a triangular hole."


SO, given that my bike has a circular whole in the rear gusset but does not have any suspension...not sure what that means :|

 

[ChaleJake]

Post a picture of your bike and we should be able to tell you which Silvio you have.

 

[Robert Holler]

Pic is worth a thousand words for sure.

 

[GeneG]

Heres a pic. BTW this bike is FOR SALE. Asking $1900 and willing to ship. I'll post it in the appropriate section later on.

So, is this a 1.0, 2.0? S30? Thanks for your help !

 

[DocS]

Good morning
Your bike looks to have "dual suspension (air head-shock thing and rear elastomer)", so based on the definition, It is a Silvio S30?

I'm sure others will chime in here

Blessings,
DocS

 

[ChaleJake]

I believe it is a Silvio 2.x. Dual suspension. The dual suspension and rear circle gives it away.

The front shock looks flat. The front shock is an air shock. As previously mentioned, the rear shock is an elastomer shock. The S30 only has rear suspension.

Robert Holler is the authority since he works for Cruzbike. Robert states that the S30 had a rear triangular hole. The picture posted shows a circular hole. No front suspension on a S30.

I am sure Robert will come along and validate the bike you have.

 

[Robert Holler]

SO, given that my bike has a circular whole in the rear gusset but does not have any suspension...not sure what that means :|

It is likely that someone upgraded the front end to a non suspended fork and non suspension front chainstay.

The round hole was original Silvio - that was only ever produced with a suspension fork. Some folks did upgrade those though over the years.

Robert

Edit:

Looking at the pic you posted it has a suspension fork - just flat or possibly dead. FWIW we have a lot of replacement suspension forks for that bike - they will not work on other Cruzbikes though (please nobody ask me ) They are cut specifically for those Silvios that has suspension originally.

 

[SSSRemi]

It is likely that someone upgraded the front end to a non suspended fork and non suspension front chainstay.

The round hole was original Silvio - that was only ever produced with a suspension fork. Some folks did upgrade those though over the years.

Robert

Edit:

Looking at the pic you posted it has a suspension fork - just flat or possibly dead. FWIW we have a lot of replacement suspension forks for that bike - they will not work on other Cruzbikes though (please nobody ask me ) They are cut specifically for those Silvios that has suspension originally.

It is likely that someone upgraded the front end to a non suspended fork and non suspension front chainstay.

The round hole was original Silvio - that was only ever produced with a suspension fork. Some folks did upgrade those though over the years.

Robert

Edit:

Looking at the pic you posted it has a suspension fork - just flat or possibly dead. FWIW we have a lot of replacement suspension forks for that bike - they will not work on other Cruzbikes though (please nobody ask me ) They are cut specifically for those Silvios that has suspension originally.

Hi Robert, I'm planning to buy this Silvio this weekend. I'm curious about the front suspension replacement process if this one fails. Are non-suspension replacement forks still available, how to order and what's the cost?
Thank you,

 

[Robert Holler]

View attachment 20168
Hi Robert, I'm planning to buy this Silvio this weekend. I'm curious about the front suspension replacement process if this one fails. Are non-suspension replacement forks still available, how to order and what's the cost?
Thank you,

There might be some suspension forks around but I cannot guarantee it. That is a VERY early Silvio - it is likely nearing 20 years old - when there were literally often ZERO "spare parts" made for the batches of bikes - and the batches of bikes you could sometimes count on two or three hands anyway.

So.... it is basically an antique and I would not go in assuming that there are any more proprietary parts. Most of those very few number of have been gobbled up over the years and some of the "spares" that were made were more "alternate" attempts at parts and not true spare parts.

I have one of those same models - I can tell you that the front suspension didn't work anyway - the action of the fork being leveraged at the axle against the mono shock causes it to bind and blow out at the stanction very quickly - front suspension of this design is technically a dud and doesn't really work. There were good reasons why front suspension disappeared on our bikes - it doesn't really work the way it was designed.

If you lock out the fox at the sanction with a stainless hose clamp (what I did years ago) the bike rides much better anyway with much more positive steering feel (another reason why front suspension isn't open our bikes anymore)

 

[SSSRemi]

There might be some suspension forks around but I cannot guarantee it. That is a VERY early Silvio - it is likely nearing 20 years old - when there were literally often ZERO "spare parts" made for the batches of bikes - and the batches of bikes you could sometimes count on two or three hands anyway.

So.... it is basically an antique and I would not go in assuming that there are any more proprietary parts. Most of those very few number of have been gobbled up over the years and some of the "spares" that were made were more "alternate" attempts at parts and not true spare parts.

I have one of those same models - I can tell you that the front suspension didn't work anyway - the action of the fork being leveraged at the axle against the mono shock causes it to bind and blow out at the stanction very quickly - front suspension of this design is technically a dud and doesn't really work. There were good reasons why front suspension disappeared on our bikes - it doesn't really work the way it was designed.

If you lock out the fox at the sanction with a stainless hose clamp (what I did years ago) the bike rides much better anyway with much more positive steering feel (another reason why front suspension isn't open our bikes anymore)

Thanks for your quick reply. This would be my first recumbent bike. It's a candidate because of the low mileage (advertised at less than 40) and Ultegra group set. Seller asking $800 plus. This could be a problem.

 

[Robert Holler]

Thanks for your quick reply. This would be my first recumbent bike. It's a candidate because of the low mileage (advertised at less than 40) and Ultegra group set. Seller asking $800 plus. This could be a problem.

If it is low mileage and in great shape it is a VERY GOOD first recumbent. One of the reasons I sill baby mine - it is one of my favorite Cruzbikes and one of the best recumbents of the era. It is pre-hydroformed frame design and a real gem. Dual 700c. Lots of positives of this bike.

It's just that it was made very very early on in the company history when batches of bikes were very small (sometimes literally 20 bikes were made and that all that exist in the world) and parts and designs were changing rapidly as the designs evolved and the company grew. This is the case for nearly ALL recumbent bikes out there not just ours.

Of most all the older vintage recumbents of that era out there - there are VERY few I would spend my hard earned Washingtons on. Many I would not even want if someone offered it to me for free. Some older recumbents are so bad in design and ride that I might take them for free simply for the components and I recycle the frames - something I do regularly. The classic Silvio is still a keeper. I say this not just as a Cruzbike guy but as someone who has ridden nearly everything out there.

Also - any other recumbent bike of the same vintage is also going to have serious parts issues - that isn't a thing specific to Cruzbike.

Jerrell had to end up closing down RANS (Phoenix Bike Works) in large part becasue trying to keep alive all the old RANS bikes was literally nickel and dimming him to death - it's not possible.

 

[SSSRemi]

What do you do if the air shock fails?

 

[Robert Holler]

What do you do if the air shock fails?

The air shock in mine failed over ten years ago. You can basically leave it (it wont move most likely) or you can lock it in the extended position with a stainless hose clamp (this is what I did) as mine was not "frozen" but had lost all its pressure and could move up and down (it also has thousand plus miles on it)

It doesn't impact the ability of the shock to function - just the Kind Shock loses its ability to hold pressure. This would ha[pen no matter what as bike shock forks are a replacement/maintenance item - it is just that the design application caused the shock to fail much sooner than when used on an upright.

The ride with the shock either frozen or locked out is much better anyway. Less "floating" of the front. Most recumbents that have front suspension really just do't have a very positive feel unlike things like MTB uprights.

 

[SSSRemi]

Thanks Robert,
I appreciate your input ahead of a decision point on this bike.

 

[IyhelM]

For what it’s worth, the one on my S2.2 has over 25,000 km (probably over 35,000, maybe more, I don’t know all of my bike’s background before 2023) and is still working just fine. I need to pump it up every month or so, which, considering the rough roads and paths I ride, is totally acceptable.

 

[SSSRemi]

For what it’s worth, the one on my S2.2 has over 25,000 km (probably over 35,000, maybe more, I don’t know all of my bike’s background before 2023) and is still working just fine. I need to pump it up every month or so, which, considering the rough roads and paths I ride, is totally acceptable.

Thanks Lyle,
Good to know.