My Q45 mods for distance touring

[bhave]

I had posted my Q45 for sale, thinking that the S40 would be better for me. But then I decided to just go all the way with modifying it. The end result is pretty sweet. The Q45 is no speed machine, but for distance touring, it's perfect. Last year's GAP-C&O tour pointed out some areas for improvement. Namely, a more reclined seating position, lower stem and handlebar placement, stiffer rear suspension, and the need for lower gears. The under the seat racks bring the panniers too close to the ground, so it's necessary to go with smaller panniers designed for the front of a bike. These small panniers combined with the 2x20 l radical design bag provide ample storage for my needs. Following the emeljay modification route, I also added an 11-50t 11-speed Shimano Deore cassette and rear derailleur and an FSA Omega 50/34t crankset. Under the thor seat is a 4x4 post attachment from the deck-building section. Of the hardware store. Same for the back of seat attachment. The resulting ride feels really quick. The lower handlebars allow my arms to remain closer to my body. The recline on the seat takes the pressure off of my sit bones. No recumbutt. It feels as if there's less wind resistance, although this may just be my imagination. I took the rig out for a short 15 mile run to the grocery store and back. Tomorrow, I'll take it for a longer 70 mile ride.

 

[bhave]

Definitely a distance touring rig. Mounted a Blackburn front rack as a rear pannier rack and put two panniers on it. Zero recumbutt. Had to remain cognizant of my position on the seat. In the middle of my ride, I had slid down such that I was effectively laying on my back, staring at the sky and riding slowly. Sliding back, pressing my shoulder blades into the upper part of the seat allowed me to get more power out of every stroke and ride faster. 63 miles for the day.

 

[Tophat Fiddle]

That's very interesting and helpful too, thanks! I'm setting my Q45 up to do the Katy trail in Missouri pretty soon. I turned the bar behind the seat around and got a super amount of recline--it definitely improves wind resistance and mechanical leverage. My average speed on the little 12ish-mile loop I go on around here went from the mid 11 mphs to mid 14s. I don't mind not going real fast, heh!

 

[rdl03]

I had posted my Q45 for sale, thinking that the S40 would be better for me. But then I decided to just go all the way with modifying it. The end result is pretty sweet. The Q45 is no speed machine, but for distance touring, it's perfect. Last year's GAP-C&O tour pointed out some areas for improvement. Namely, a more reclined seating position, lower stem and handlebar placement, stiffer rear suspension, and the need for lower gears. The under the seat racks bring the panniers too close to the ground, so it's necessary to go with smaller panniers designed for the front of a bike. These small panniers combined with the 2x20 l radical design bag provide ample storage for my needs. Following the emeljay modification route, I also added an 11-50t 11-speed Shimano Deore cassette and rear derailleur and an FSA Omega 50/34t crankset. Under the thor seat is a 4x4 post attachment from the deck-building section. Of the hardware store. Same for the back of seat attachment. The resulting ride feels really quick. The lower handlebars allow my arms to remain closer to my body. The recline on the seat takes the pressure off of my sit bones. No recumbutt. It feels as if there's less wind resistance, although this may just be my imagination. I took the rig out for a short 15 mile run to the grocery store and back. Tomorrow, I'll take it for a longer 70 mile ride.

I've made similar changes to my QX100. The seat is now nearly the same angle as my S40, and I've put the same handlebars I have on the S40 with a backwards facing 145mm stem.
I switched the 155mm crank to 26/36. Loved actually using the small cogs for the first time in years, but pretty quickly moved up to a larger chainrings. I've done several 100km rides with that setup. Quite comfortable, and within a couple kph of my S40.