GreenBiker
New Member
Please clarify. Are you using flat pedals? You are not clipping in?
New Cruzbike rider issues
- Thread starter gmrviper
- Start date
Tuloose
Guru
Clipless refers to pedals that attach to a cleat on the bottom of the shoe.
They are called clipless even though the rider's feet are "clipped in" to the pedals because they replaced the cumbersome old fashioned cages and straps that held the foot attached until the rider reached down to loosen the strap.
Forgetting to loosen the strap before coming to a stop would result in a slow motion fall (it happened to me)
I have been riding my S40 for almost 2000 miles now with the stock flat pedals with no problems.
Clipless pedals like the SPD's I use on my Vendetta might be of a benefit to you.
The only way to know is to try them out.
Tophat Fiddle
Member
I'm a pilot too, and it's just the same for me. I feel like I'm back in the right seat repeating myself to students for the umpteenth time not to chase the needle, heh!
I’m still learning, so take this with a grain of salt. But here’s what I think.
An upright bike will balance itself on its own, a Cruzbike will balance itself through your pedaling motion. Get more quiet miles in, try to relax your grip on the bars and you’ll find the small steering direction changes that occur when you put pressure down on the pedal is exactly what’s needed to keep the bike upright.
And when going down fast descents, put pressure on both feet, pressing yourself into the seat. That stabilizes steering significantly.
An upright bike will balance itself on its own, a Cruzbike will balance itself through your pedaling motion. Get more quiet miles in, try to relax your grip on the bars and you’ll find the small steering direction changes that occur when you put pressure down on the pedal is exactly what’s needed to keep the bike upright.
And when going down fast descents, put pressure on both feet, pressing yourself into the seat. That stabilizes steering significantly.
Boreen bimbler
Active Member
Reading this thread back I was wondering if shorter cranks might help? I use 150mm which feel much better that the 170mm I had on before. Might smooth out the peddling a bit if thats whats causing the wobbling problem. And a mirror helps get rid of a lot of stress from traffic.
I completely agree with just riding it more. Then you get more relaxed which helps more than anything.
Over the last 50 years I've spent a lot of time on various bikes and always been keen to ride weird and wonderful examples but my S40 is a completely different machine. Not like riding a bike but like re-learning to ride a bike.
Hope you get comfortable on it as it is worth the effort.
I completely agree with just riding it more. Then you get more relaxed which helps more than anything.
Over the last 50 years I've spent a lot of time on various bikes and always been keen to ride weird and wonderful examples but my S40 is a completely different machine. Not like riding a bike but like re-learning to ride a bike.
Hope you get comfortable on it as it is worth the effort.
McWheels
Off the long run
Good show! It really is learning to ride all over again, it's much more of an ego test than anything else. But if you accept it took you a couple of years to learn as a youngster, then welcome the challenge and embrace the new way. I'm never going back.
I hired an upwrong legacy bike while out in San Diego for work for a fortnight. The first saddle must have been made from cobblestones and barbed wire. The second one was only unacceptably uncomfortable. Overall a reminder of what I've left behind and don't miss.
Last year I picked up a used Cruzbike Qest 3.0 (400 miles to date). This year I picked up a S40 (650 miles to date). I still find that I crush myself into my seat with my arms. My upper body is as tired as my legs when I'm done riding.
Part of the problem is that I will slide down the seat on the S40 as I ride. Pushing on the bars helps slow that process down.
I'm open to suggestions
Part of the problem is that I will slide down the seat on the S40 as I ride. Pushing on the bars helps slow that process down.
I'm open to suggestions
Boreen bimbler
Active Member
I find I slip down the seat a bit and my new ventisit pad seems slippier than the original CB pad. I do find that now I'm completely comfortable and relaxed on the S40 it's not too much of a problem and really only happens while descending bumpy roads. I tend to just wiggle myself back using my feet to push. I never really did use my arms to push back.
Would it be worth moving the crank towards you slightly to see if that improves things?
When I used to ride hard on a road bike I was forever moving myself back on the saddle anyway so it's just swings and roundabouts I suppose. Like I said, I think it's one of those things that gets better as you get more relaxed.
Always-Learnin
Vendetta Love
If sliding forward is an issue, you can, if you choose to, open up the Ventisit pad at the bottom and add some yoga pad foam (~1-1/2 in) to the front lip of the Ventisit and then zip tie the Ventisit to close. The 'lip' will help to keep you from sliding.
This is exactly how I have adjusted my own dentist pads on various bikes to customize the fit and support where needed like at the lip or for lumbar, etc.
