Posting here (the Adventure series forum) since this is likely where the A4X will end up 
I'll document my build and try to get it updated.
The plan :
Steps taken :
As of right now, my $2700 CAD budget for parts has almost 2K left - the take off wheel set is an insane price.
Electrification ideas. I prefer having pedal assist with torque sensor. I don't like the cadence feeling. I heard throttles are cool to get started on a recumbent on an incline and they are actually legal here (up to 32kph/20mph). Never had a throttle on an ebike before. Only middrives (currently Bosch Active Line + on a Trek Verve 3+)
As soon as the stuff starts to get here, I'll post pictures!
I'll document my build and try to get it updated.
The plan :
- Get a A4X Frameset in order to avoid paying 13% tariffs into Canada (bike parts are 5% instead)
- this gives me roughly $2700 CAD to pay for the rest of the components to break even. I would be happy to let Cruz take a cut of the profit on the components but the tariffs are.. yeah, not the same.
- I can configure with the exact components Cruz ships the bike with or get something more to my liking (which I'll do)
- Get a cheap set of 650b gravel bike wheel - probably second hand to see if I like the height and ride, measure clearance and such. If I don't like it, might go with 700C or 24in depending on the height when riding. Undecided for now.
- Get a cheap groupo from AliExpress to get started. I don't like how the new Shimano HG+ 12 speed feels and don't like the NX 12 either. The cues, I hate lol.. Might go with a 2x GRX system too. Undecided here longer term. I want multi gear shifts down (and maybe up!)
- Get a ok crank (155 or 160mm) with 2-3 chainrings (6mm offset) (38-40-42)
- Get cheap Shimano / Tektro hydraulic brakes to get started
- Maybe add electricity in there at one point!
Steps taken :
- 2026-03-17 - Ordered A4X frameset with a few accessories from Cruzbike. Box is already on it's way (we're the 18th!) and expected to arrive by end of week! Nice!
- A4X Frameset in bronze color
- A4X Framebag - might be temporary or permanent but I'd rather have that than a rear rack with weight sitting up high. The official rack isn't MIK compatible either so I didn't find it compelling to me. (I know I can add a plate). To carry tools + spare tube / tubeless repair kit.
- Ventisit cushion
- 2 bottle cages
- light mount stub
- extra derailleur hanger (always carry one, this will save your butt!)
- Front derailer mount in case I go the 2x route
- And the sunlite rollpack just to carry light stuff like jacket or rain coat
- 2026-03-18 - Found a cheap set (~$140 USD) of 650B wheels. Takeoff set from a low-mid range gravel bike.
- Novatec 981/982 hubs (12x100 and 12x142)
- WTB ST i19 TCS 2.0 rims (on the narrow end but at that price I'll get them)
- 14ga black spokes
- comes with 1x 160mm disk and 1x 140mm disk (I have extra 160mm disks at home to use)
- brand new Vittoria Terreno Zero in 650b x 47b
- less than 100km on them
- Guy doesn't know if it has a normal HG or HG road cassette. I'm trying to find time this week to go measure and pick them up. Fingers crossed it has the endcaps and all.
- 2026-03-18 - decided to order a few things from AliExpress
- Since I don't know if the freehub is HG or HG Road, I went with a MTB groupset. If it's HG-Road, I'll add the shim behind the cassette
- Went with a Deore 1x11 derailler, chain & shifter with the 11-51 cassette
- I can upgrade to the XT 1x11 shifter that allows dual upshift if I see the need but usually I want the multi downshift when I slow down abruptly.
- Also picked up a cheap set of MT200 hydraulic brakes. They are super basic but I've had them on a few bikes and they work great. Wanted them because of the long handles on the levers - unsure if that's a good idea or not but we'll see. Might go with the bigger MT420 for later on for other reasons (see below)
- 2026-03-18 - the crank was more problematic
- Wanted 155 or 160mm + chainrings available in the 38-40-42 range + spacing for non-boost (so "minus 6mm")
- I now get why Cruz is going with the Croder crank! Didn't get it at first but yeah...
- Wanted a shimano crank but the MTB stuff has small chainrings.. and the road stuff has the wrong spacing
- Went with a Evocid crank (160mm) + 2 chainrings, one 38 and a 40, both in 6mm offset (3 screw Sram standard)
- 2026-03-18 - final order from Fortnine.ca
- TRP Flatmount 140mm to 160mm Post mount adapters (2x) for my MTB hydraulic brakes
- SM-BH59-JK-SS Brake Hose kit from shimano (2 meters aka 6'6" long hose kit) for the rear caliper
As of right now, my $2700 CAD budget for parts has almost 2K left - the take off wheel set is an insane price.
Electrification ideas. I prefer having pedal assist with torque sensor. I don't like the cadence feeling. I heard throttles are cool to get started on a recumbent on an incline and they are actually legal here (up to 32kph/20mph). Never had a throttle on an ebike before. Only middrives (currently Bosch Active Line + on a Trek Verve 3+)
- Grin All Axle front kit installed in the back with a small-ish battery. I only need assist like on a bosch mid drive, 500wh battery is overkill right now on a upright bike...so a small 36V bottle battery would be perfect here! Supports throttle + torque sensing if I can find a compatible bottom bracket. I have 3d scanner and printer capabilities + access to a machine shop to fab some brackets for the torque arm / battery mount.
- BiMotal : reached out to them, they say using a TRP adapter is ok and I would just need to swap to using a quad pot caliper to fit the larger 180mm disk. Throttle only but this is legal here.
- Skarper : not available in Canada right now. No throttle since the euro market doesn't allow it.
- CYC Photon installed up front. Might not ride nice, who knows, I might do some test with weights. Overpowered for my need but a rare torque sensing mid drive with a throttle in a nice package. A friend has one on his MTB and it feels nice (like my Bosch but more powerful)
- Grin All Axle REAR kit installed in the front. Works with built-in torque sensing through the freehub / cassette. Unsure of the ride quality here. Would give me torque sensing + throttle but wiring won't be as clean as in the back.
- Lights - unsure what I'll do here. I'll pickup some basic Cateye stuff first.
- Flag - needed or not? This isn't as low as a Catrike so maybe not?
- Power meter : I like having that to track my fitness and just because I'm a stats nerd. I could pickup a chainring one but I'll deal with that later. Dual pedals are king here but expensive and I'm not an athlete!
As soon as the stuff starts to get here, I'll post pictures!
