New Cruzbike rider issues

[gmrviper]

I have been riding different recumbents for the last 15 years. Never really had any issues hoping on one and riding. I purchased an S40 and have been trying to get comfortable on it but its really stressful to ride. I am good at slow speed. Turns are pretty smooth. My main issue seems to just be riding in a straight line at 10-15mph. Most of my practice has been in my neighborhood and parking lots. Last night I decided to try a local trail. Its flat and smooth with low traffic. I rode about a mile and turned around because again it was just too stressful to keep it in a straight line. I would assume its my pedaling technique? I keep a light grip on the bars so I do not think that is the issue.

I am just curious if any other experienced recumbent riders have had similar issues.

 

[castlerobber]

The only two-wheeled recumbents I've owned have been Cruzbikes (almost 11 years now). After the initial learning curve and adjusting the bike fit, I've had no trouble keeping a straight line at those speeds.

OTOH, I tried riding a friend's LWB recumbent last summer. The thing had a mind of its own, wobbling all over the place!

It's a matter of practice. Letting your legs learn how to keep the bike straight as you pedal, and not overthinking it. When I realized several months into owning a Cruzbike that I wasn't veering much worse than I had on my road bike, I relaxed and started enjoying the ride more--and my line got straighter.

A lot of experienced riders here recommend using clipless pedals to improve handling. It was nearly a year before I felt comfortable moving my clipless pedals to the Cruzbike. It did help, though, at that point.

 

[gmrviper]

I tried moving over my clipless pedals the other night. Not sure if that made it better or worse. I think its likely something that would just take a lot of time for me to sort of relearn since I am so used to regular recumbents.

 

[Tuloose]

Sounds like a case of the new Cruzbiker jitters.
I had the same when I started out 12 years ago on a Silvio 2.0.
Trying to keep a straight line with the moving bottom bracket while in a laid back position on the 27 deg seat was a real challenge.
It took me about 3 months of riding to get comfortable with it.
You have the advantage of a higher seat and a Viscoset headset bearing to slow down the steering response.
Just keep at it and you'll soon be gliding along with a huge smile on your face.

 

[Rolling Along]

My advice is practice only on the S40 and don't ride any other recumbents until you get the hang of it. I started with a Bacchetta Corsa 14 years ago, going to a Bacchetta CA2 5 years ago and a V20c a year and a half ago. I now go back and forth between the CA2 and V20c within the same week. The advice often given on this forum is practice, practice practice, but on different days. That is needed to build muscle memory and it works. Once you are fine on the S40 you can go back and forth between different recumbents.

 

[chicorider]

Just echoing what has already been said... I started out nine years ago with a V20, probably the hardest of the CBs to learn. Everyone's trip through the learning curve is different, but it took me about 1,000 miles and equal doses of patience and stubbornness to get to the point where I didn't have to think anymore about what I was doing and holding a line became effortless. The bike has been a blast ever since.

 

[gmrviper]

Thanks for the comments. I was just wanted to get some other peoples opinions. The bike is actually for sale, ill probably hop on it occasionally until someone buys it. Or maybe it will click for me and ill keep it. lol

 

[LarryOz]

I have been riding different recumbents for the last 15 years. Never really had any issues hoping on one and riding. I purchased an S40 and have been trying to get comfortable on it but its really stressful to ride. I am good at slow speed. Turns are pretty smooth. My main issue seems to just be riding in a straight line at 10-15mph. Most of my practice has been in my neighborhood and parking lots. Last night I decided to try a local trail. Its flat and smooth with low traffic. I rode about a mile and turned around because again it was just too stressful to keep it in a straight line. I would assume its my pedaling technique? I keep a light grip on the bars so I do not think that is the issue.

It might be something as easy as improving your fit into your S40. If possible send me some pictures of you from the side while you are pedaling down the road. i.e have someone standing by the side of the road while you pass by so I can see you from the side. Best if up a driveway so they are not too close.

 

[Mathew Fy]

My advice is to relax and let the bike drift some. You'll get smoother with time, but even we seasoned riders wobble. For example:

 

[Always-Learnin]

I find that as a pilot and former flight instructor, the technique is exactly the same for learning to fly...light touch on the controls, small changes, and RELAX! ;-)

 

[chicorider]

My advice is to relax and let the bike drift some. You'll get smoother with time, but even we seasoned riders wobble. For example:

Agreed. I only truly focus on holding a straight line when I have to, like when a car is passing, or a DF rider is trying to draft off me. Otherwise, I let the bike have its small natural wiggle or shimmy. It is part of learning how to relax, which leads to the feet being integrated into the steering rather than being a force to fight against.

 

[gmrviper]

I do not do a lot of on road riding, most of my riding is done on greenways trails. The trails around here are really nice but they are narrow and curvy. They also have some short steep hills which I have no issue walking up. Right now it feels like it would take a lot of practice to hit those trails.

I do seem to be getting a bit better on it. Consistency seems to be the issue right now. I might go out on lunch and ride for 15 minutes and feel pretty comfortable for the first 10 minutes then the last 5 I might be a stressed out mess. lol. Probably just part of the learning curve.

Thanks again for all of the comments. I did send a video to Larry, so he might see an adjustment that is a bit off.