hoyden
Well-Known Member
I ordered Silvio last week after discovering Cruzbike website the week before. Robert promptly answered my email questions as I sifted through the enormous amount of data I encountered in the forum and from links folks posted. I feel like I have been drinking from the Cruzbike firehose these past few weeks.
My current ride is an Azub Max with USS and 26” wheels for the street, and an Azub Origami with USS and 20” wheels that I ride on Kreitler Rollers indoors. I ride 5-7 days/week, 35 miles, weather permitting, with an average speed 13.5 to 15 mph depending on which way the wind blows.
I stumbled upon Cruzbike while reading about recumbents on Wikipedia. I have seen at least one bike in Minneapolis and was intrigued by the implementation. Following links I read how the MBB improved performance by engaging the upper body similar to DF bikes, and has better climbing capability.
Lately I’ve noticed that I seem to be declining in workout performance. I used to be able to maintain 130-145 BPM over a 2+ hour ride but my last ride dropped to 122 even though I felt like was exerting just hard as I could. Maybe it’s old age and my heart has more capacity than my legs.
I do know that with USS my upper body steers the bike but does not participate in the workout. I granny gear up the few hills at 5-8 mph as fast and as hard as my legs will pedal.
After much reading and back-and-forth with Robert I decided to give Cruzbike a try. I initially narrowed my option to either the Q559 or the Silvio. Robert explained the nuances that led me to select the Silvio. I wanted a bike that would challenge me and that I could grow into. Delivery is scheduled out a few weeks. I will update with my experience.
Looking back over the last 16 years I followed a convoluted path to get here. I’ve been very much a casual rider with only limited interest in the detail and selection of bike components.
I bought my first recumbent in 2000 after moving to Minneapolis; a Vision R40 with USS. I discovered I could not ride a DF bike more than about 2 hours without unpleasant butt, back, neck, and wrist hurt. At the same time I became aware of recumbents. The R40 was just what I needed to light off my biking interests, and Minneapolis has abundant opportunities for biking.
I bought a Bacchetta Strada in 2004 while working out of town in Northern VA. I liked having the same size big wheels. I was not so enamoured with above seat steering. I rode the bike mainly on the C&O Canal NP trail that runs beside the Potomac River 184 miles between Georgetown and Cumberland, MD. The dirt/packed gravel path is fairly smooth but prone to slippery mud puddles after a rain. I learned the Strada could slide out in an instant while dodging the puddles and it was better to slow down and drive straight through them.
Along the way I bought a Birdy folding bike and rediscovered how much I dislike upright bike seating. I also discovered I like suspensions.
In 2008 I tried clipless pedals at the suggestion of a colleague and after getting nominally up the learning curve converted all 3 bikes.
In March 2012 I bought a green Strida folding bike and discovered I liked disc brakes. At about this time I began to seriously research finding a big wheel USS recumbent. I wanted what I thought at the time was the best of all worlds in one bike.
Over the summer/fall I discovered Azub and bought a green Max with 26” wheels, disc brakes, suspension, and Alfine 11 rear hub with 3 chainrings up front. This was my dream bike, my magic carpet ride. My magic carpet ride came with a few challenges; the frame was so high I could not recline in the saddle when stopped without being on tiptoes. I was challenged to mount and dismount until I figured out a simple and stable method. I needed about 6 months to become comfortable with the sensitive steering and after sliding out a few times I finally mastered the ride.
When Azub brought out the folding Origami I ordered a green one with USS, Alfine 11, and rim brakes. Origami is lower to the ground and a much more docile ride. I reaffirmed my preference for disc brakes over rim.
In a nutshell that’s where I am at and how I got here. I want to thank Robert, and everyone who has contributed to the forum for sharing their experience and helping me answer my questions, highlighting questions I hadn’t even thought of asking, piquing my curiosity, and contributing to my biking education.
I anticipate mourning the loss of USS and green. God bless USS but I think I have wrung out as much performance as I can with that configuration. I like green.
I will adapt.
My current ride is an Azub Max with USS and 26” wheels for the street, and an Azub Origami with USS and 20” wheels that I ride on Kreitler Rollers indoors. I ride 5-7 days/week, 35 miles, weather permitting, with an average speed 13.5 to 15 mph depending on which way the wind blows.
I stumbled upon Cruzbike while reading about recumbents on Wikipedia. I have seen at least one bike in Minneapolis and was intrigued by the implementation. Following links I read how the MBB improved performance by engaging the upper body similar to DF bikes, and has better climbing capability.
Lately I’ve noticed that I seem to be declining in workout performance. I used to be able to maintain 130-145 BPM over a 2+ hour ride but my last ride dropped to 122 even though I felt like was exerting just hard as I could. Maybe it’s old age and my heart has more capacity than my legs.
I do know that with USS my upper body steers the bike but does not participate in the workout. I granny gear up the few hills at 5-8 mph as fast and as hard as my legs will pedal.
After much reading and back-and-forth with Robert I decided to give Cruzbike a try. I initially narrowed my option to either the Q559 or the Silvio. Robert explained the nuances that led me to select the Silvio. I wanted a bike that would challenge me and that I could grow into. Delivery is scheduled out a few weeks. I will update with my experience.
Looking back over the last 16 years I followed a convoluted path to get here. I’ve been very much a casual rider with only limited interest in the detail and selection of bike components.
I bought my first recumbent in 2000 after moving to Minneapolis; a Vision R40 with USS. I discovered I could not ride a DF bike more than about 2 hours without unpleasant butt, back, neck, and wrist hurt. At the same time I became aware of recumbents. The R40 was just what I needed to light off my biking interests, and Minneapolis has abundant opportunities for biking.
I bought a Bacchetta Strada in 2004 while working out of town in Northern VA. I liked having the same size big wheels. I was not so enamoured with above seat steering. I rode the bike mainly on the C&O Canal NP trail that runs beside the Potomac River 184 miles between Georgetown and Cumberland, MD. The dirt/packed gravel path is fairly smooth but prone to slippery mud puddles after a rain. I learned the Strada could slide out in an instant while dodging the puddles and it was better to slow down and drive straight through them.
Along the way I bought a Birdy folding bike and rediscovered how much I dislike upright bike seating. I also discovered I like suspensions.
In 2008 I tried clipless pedals at the suggestion of a colleague and after getting nominally up the learning curve converted all 3 bikes.
In March 2012 I bought a green Strida folding bike and discovered I liked disc brakes. At about this time I began to seriously research finding a big wheel USS recumbent. I wanted what I thought at the time was the best of all worlds in one bike.
Over the summer/fall I discovered Azub and bought a green Max with 26” wheels, disc brakes, suspension, and Alfine 11 rear hub with 3 chainrings up front. This was my dream bike, my magic carpet ride. My magic carpet ride came with a few challenges; the frame was so high I could not recline in the saddle when stopped without being on tiptoes. I was challenged to mount and dismount until I figured out a simple and stable method. I needed about 6 months to become comfortable with the sensitive steering and after sliding out a few times I finally mastered the ride.
When Azub brought out the folding Origami I ordered a green one with USS, Alfine 11, and rim brakes. Origami is lower to the ground and a much more docile ride. I reaffirmed my preference for disc brakes over rim.
In a nutshell that’s where I am at and how I got here. I want to thank Robert, and everyone who has contributed to the forum for sharing their experience and helping me answer my questions, highlighting questions I hadn’t even thought of asking, piquing my curiosity, and contributing to my biking education.
I anticipate mourning the loss of USS and green. God bless USS but I think I have wrung out as much performance as I can with that configuration. I like green.
I will adapt.
