Is Ontario (Canada) Cruzbikeless?

[olde]

I'm one of those fringe-folk, who hang their nose over the idea of owning a Cruzbike, but never pull the trigger -- because there is no way to actually see one. Cruzbike's distribution model is family-factory to end-customer, so places like Canada can get overlooked.

I was wondering if anyone ever rides their Cruzbike into this forgotten part of the world...? I live in Oakville, west of Toronto, which is Canada's biggest city. Turn right at Chicago and aim for Niagara Falls...

 

[Mathew Fy]

At Cycle-con in Xenia, Ohio you will be able to see and ride the Cruzbike models (as well as some rear wheel drive 'bents. It may be worth the seven hour drive. Maybe you'll save Larry from having to take a bike back home.

 

[olde]

Very persuasive idea. Thanks.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

I was wondering if anyone ever rides their Cruzbike into this forgotten part of the world...? I live in Oakville, west of Toronto, which is Canada's biggest city. Turn right at Chicago and aim for Niagara Falls...

Beautiful part of the world! The best bagels come from Ontario and Toronto has the Blue Jays. How could anyone overlook that area.

 

[MNBentRider]

I'm one of those fringe-folk, who hang their nose over the idea of owning a Cruzbike, but never pull the trigger -- because there is no way to actually see one.

I am just like you. I've been thinking about owning a Cruzbike the last several months, but I'd really like to try one before I buy it. The 100 mile trial is a great idea, but it isn't quite enough to get me over the hump, especially since I think there is a good chance I'd prefer to get a frameset and choose my own components. Also, having seen that GCN Cruzbike video, I'm now less convinced that my local bike shop can fit me properly.

I'm in Minnesota, which means the closest Cruzbike dealer is Texas. I considered going to Cycle-con, but that doesn't fit my schedule this year. Oh well.

I'm not trying to hijack your thread, I just want Cruzbike to know: keep looking for more dealers! Something in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Iowa would make it much easier for someone like me to buy one.

 

[olde]

Upright bikes are the default because everyone has ridden one, and because so few have ever ridden a recumbent, let alone seen one. How then could Cruzbike do educational marketing, remotely allowing the Cruzbike to sell itself without Cruzbike staff being involved...?

Hmmm, so may I propose an LBS-Crawl. A set of (not necessarily new) demo-bikes could be ridden or shuttled between local bike shops, all around North America. Perhaps including a couple of stores in Minnesota and Ontario. Potential customers could then be notified of their presence "nearby".

This assumes bike shop owners would be willing to take in a set of recumbent bikes for a week or so, but what bike enthusiast would NOT want to check out competitive designs? However, product placement agreements with competing manufacturers can restrict what store owners are allowed to stock, so these Cruzbikes would need to be on loan there for test and repair, not for resale. It would be an education tour, merely to show where the bike industry is heading, preparing store owners in case their current suppliers invent a Cruzbike-like-bike, perhaps under license from Cruzbike.

Alternatively, Cruzbike could tour a riding position mule, made out of scrap parts, just to get minds thinking... Most folks have never been taught that comfort is an option. If Cruzbike only sells to those who research speed, they leave out a potentially larger demographic, older folk.

What is happening with the eCruztrike, BTW...? Motor-less bikes seem to be getting rarer.

 

[Frito Bandito]

I've got a friend in Kitchener who I used to golf with when he lived in Japan, and he now rides, but it is an upright bike. I am not sure if your LBS-Crawl will come to fruition but I like that idea to get the word out more.

As for the fit, fear not guys. The boom is adjustable for your X-Seam, and so are the head rest bars to adjust for your torso length. As long as you fall within the recommended height I wouldn't give it a 2nd thought. I have not heard of anyone taking longer than me to get accustomed to the MBB system. A 2 solid weeks of puttering around my neighborhood, about a week of that not even being able to keep my feet on the pedals, but followed by almost another week before my V20 stopped trying to throw me off after I was finally able to take it out for proper rides. But once I was able to make it go where I wanted it to go my DF riding days were absolutely over. The funny thing is that I let my French friend here in Tokyo try my bike and on the first day he was able to not only get his feet on the pedals and go under his own power, he even let 1 hand go and waved. I surely let him know how I felt about that by yelling some choice words as he pedaled off, but all of his fears after hearing how long it took me to get comfy were instantly gone. The funny thing is that he had never even seen a recumbent in person prior to that, and was solely going off my recommendations about how fast, efficient and comfortable they are. Keep in mind though that I went from 2 solid years of TT position with my head forward to the 20 degree seat angle, so that is about as close to opposite as you can get.

 

[Maverick1]

I'm also in southern Ontario, Hamilton and would like to try a Cruzbike.
I currently ride a Bacchetta Giro 26, but would like to go faster.
Southern Ontario is a massive Market around 13.5 million.
Cruzbike should definitely try and find a dealer in this area who could have a demo bike available.

 

[Maverick1]

I'm also in southern Ontario, Hamilton and would like to try a Cruzbike.
I currently ride a Bacchetta Giro 26, but would like to go faster.
Southern Ontario is a massive Market

 

[Dennis in Toronto]

Olde and Maverick 1,
Great to hear about potential Cruzbike interest in Southern, Ontario.
I am currently in the process of getting a Cruzbike T50 on the road.
When I am ready I will let you know.
Perhaps a test ride in Toronto's High Park. I am in central Etobicoke.
Best regards.
Dennis Taves.

 

[Deacy]

I'm one of those fringe-folk, who hang their nose over the idea of owning a Cruzbike, but never pull the trigger -- because there is no way to actually see one. Cruzbike's distribution model is family-factory to end-customer, so places like Canada can get overlooked.

I was wondering if anyone ever rides their Cruzbike into this forgotten part of the world...? I live in Oakville, west of Toronto, which is Canada's biggest city. Turn right at Chicago and aim for Niagara Falls...

I have an s40 and you can check it out anytime. Live in Rockwood.

 

[quickbeam]

You can talk to the company owners, they have (or had?) a program where prospective buyers can meet a Cruzbike owner in their area and try out their bike. I have a Q45 and met a couple potential buyers in that way. They were riding under their own power within minutes, but steering is a little wonky at first.
I haven't been contacted in a while, so either my bike is too old or they aren't coordinating that program anymore?

 

[Tuloose]

The problem with prospective buyers wanting to try out a Cruzbike is that a Cruzbike initially feels so different from a legacy bike which can be so disconcerting that the prospect figures they can never surmount the learning curve and gives up on the spot.
Unless there is a patient and experienced guide to help with the transition a sale will be lost. This is why most bike shops do not carry Cruzbikes.
Another way to deal with the learning curve is to just purchase the bike and trust that since many others have learned how to ride you can too. Also putting the big bucks down and taking that leap of faith can be a powerful incentive to putting in the time it takes to become proficient.
This is what happened in my case a dozen years ago when I purchased a Silvio 2.0. This was before they instituted the trial period and I was determined not to let my investment in this strange bike go to waste. It took awhile but I eventually overcame my jitters and realized what a fast, comfortable and fun bike I had purchased.
I've since acquired 5 more Cruzbikes along the way and each one has been it's own source of joy. Cruzbike transformed my cycling life for the better. Now I can keep up with and surpass the legacy bikes on our club rides - something I couldn't do on my previous recumbents.
My suggestion is to put your fears and doubts aside and take a leap of faith. You have almost nothing to lose with the return guarantee and so much to gain.

 

[olde]

I have an s40 and you can check it out anytime. Live in Rockwood.

Rockwood, that's just East of Guelph, right? I can drive over to see you on a Saturday, the kid has horse riding lessons just West of Guelph that day. Otherwise I could make it another time, (I'm in North Oakville) ... ?

 

[olde]

The problem with prospective buyers wanting to try out a Cruzbike is that a Cruzbike initially feels so different from a legacy bike which can be so disconcerting that the prospect figures they can never surmount the learning curve and gives up on the spot.
Unless there is a patient and experienced guide to help with the transition a sale will be lost. This is why most bike shops do not carry Cruzbikes.
Another way to deal with the learning curve is to just purchase the bike and trust that since many others have learned how to ride you can too. Also putting the big bucks down and taking that leap of faith can be a powerful incentive to putting in the time it takes to become proficient.
This is what happened in my case a dozen years ago when I purchased a Silvio 2.0. This was before they instituted the trial period and I was determined not to let my investment in this strange bike go to waste. It took awhile but I eventually overcame my jitters and realized what a fast, comfortable and fun bike I had purchased.
I've since acquired 5 more Cruzbikes along the way and each one has been it's own source of joy. Cruzbike transformed my cycling life for the better. Now I can keep up with and surpass the legacy bikes on our club rides - something I couldn't do on my previous recumbents.
My suggestion is to put your fears and doubts aside and take a leap of faith. You have almost nothing to lose with the return guarantee and so much to gain.

I am this close to buying either an s or v. I like the idea of going fast, but I'm old and my achy-back is a constant source of exhaustion, so maybe such ideas are better left to the younger folks ..?

 

[Tuloose]

I am this close to buying either an s or v. I like the idea of going fast, but I'm old and my achy-back is a constant source of exhaustion, so maybe such ideas are better left to the younger folks ..?

I'm no spring chicken either. I'm 79 and I love fast rides.

 

[olde]

I'm no spring chicken either. I'm 79 and I love fast rides.

OK, we need to see a video of you riding fast. Only with such evidence, can us younger folks actually believe such a momentus claim.

You could use this video to persuade Cruzbike to hire you as a brand ambasador -- Youtube Shorts can be a powerful marketing strategy. As an older person, your choice of race-bike might be a powerful lesson to those who do not want to ache later in life....?

 

[Always-Learnin]

I am this close to buying either an s or v. I like the idea of going fast, but I'm old and my achy-back is a constant source of exhaustion, so maybe such ideas are better left to the younger folks ..?

Get the S40...then in about a year, when you have learned everything you need to know about CBs, sell it here and get the V20c. You will recoup most of your money from the sale. It happens all the time. Used S40s are easy to sell.

 

[chicorider]

The problem with prospective buyers wanting to try out a Cruzbike is that a Cruzbike initially feels so different from a legacy bike which can be so disconcerting that the prospect figures they can never surmount the learning curve and gives up on the spot.
Unless there is a patient and experienced guide to help with the transition a sale will be lost. This is why most bike shops do not carry Cruzbikes.
Another way to deal with the learning curve is to just purchase the bike and trust that since many others have learned how to ride you can too. Also putting the big bucks down and taking that leap of faith can be a powerful incentive to putting in the time it takes to become proficient.
This is what happened in my case a dozen years ago when I purchased a Silvio 2.0. This was before they instituted the trial period and I was determined not to let my investment in this strange bike go to waste. It took awhile but I eventually overcame my jitters and realized what a fast, comfortable and fun bike I had purchased.
I've since acquired 5 more Cruzbikes along the way and each one has been it's own source of joy. Cruzbike transformed my cycling life for the better. Now I can keep up with and surpass the legacy bikes on our club rides - something I couldn't do on my previous recumbents.
My suggestion is to put your fears and doubts aside and take a leap of faith. You have almost nothing to lose with the return guarantee and so much to gain.

You describe my experience almost exactly. Back in 2015, my lower back couldn't take riding a DF bike anymore. I thought my riding days were through. Then I discovered the pre-V20 Vendetta v.2, took a desperate leap of faith, laid down a fair chunk of change building up a frameset, spent the next few hundred miles wondering if I had made an expensive mistake, and wobbled my way through the learning curve out of sheer stubbornness and the pressure of having spent so much money. After the first 1000 or so miles, that gold v.2, now a gold V20c, has been high-speed, high-mileage riding bliss. Best bike I've ever owned, and the one I would keep if I ever had to whittle my five bikes down to one. I did all this back when the Forum was pretty new and offered much less advice than it does now. I had no mentor to guide me. I also did not understand that the V was the hardest of the CB lineup to learn, never mind it being my first recumbent. Yet, it all worked out (maybe because I didn't know any better), and my lower back has been pain free all these years later.