New Cruzbike Silvio 2.0 owner
- Thread starter DocS
- Start date
Thats a slick looking ride!!!
DocS
Guru
Yesterday, I did my standard Monday ride with Team RWB (Red, White & Blue), the Military Veterans Group. We had a confrontation with a motorist last week and the idiot ran two cyclists off the road. To avoid possible confrontation, we decided to ride the route in reverse... It meant a lot more inclines!!!
All but me were on DF Bikes and we had a couple new riders...
One came over and asked what my bike was and asked if was very fast.
I said it's comfortable and told her that it's faster for me. That with my back issues, I have a very hard time riding a DF frame bike because of the pain and explained that not only people with disabilities ride recumbents...
She seemed interested in how it worked, especially with it being front wheel drive...
One of the other riders (a know it all kind of guy, who's a strong touring rider, but averages about 15mph on all his rides) commented that Recumbents were a novelty and that there really wasn't any speed benefits associated with them.
The young lady seemed indifferent to his comment and I said we're all entitled to our opinions, but this bike just works for me...
As the ride started, I decided to start in the rear...
The group seemed to be moving pretty slow the first 2 or 3 miles, but I just followed at about 15 mph...
I decided to move up to a more brisk pace, so stepped it up and caught the lead guy. He looked back and pushed it a bit faster, to about 21mph. I didn't want to fall in behind him and draft, so I just kept pace, riding next to him...
Another rider tried to catch us, but he couldn't...
We stopped to wait for the group at the stop sign (We're a no-drop-group, so we stop every 5 or so miles, to ensure everyone is there).
The lead rider was curious how I went from just starting to ride in late March, to staying in the lead in September. Not only that, but to come up all the way from the back and catch him...
I explained that it's the aerodynamics of the bike and riding position. Plus I've been trying to ride 4 or 5 times per week.
When everyone caught up, we took off again. Again, I started in the back for about a mile, then pushed and caught the lead guy. Again I kept pace with him and we pushed it to about 24 mph for a bit. He started getting winded after about a mile and started slowing, so I kept pace with him...
We get to the next stop and wait for the others to catch up.
As the riders come trickling in, the faster ones were saying that when they initially saw me riding with the lead riders a few weeks ago, they thought I was going to burn out or slow and that they thought it was a one time fluke, but every week, I've been showing up and doing it all over again, plus I seem to be getting faster!
I told them that I was doing what they do... Ride, ride ride and improve.
This time, the route was approaching a bunch of hills and the guy who commented about recumbents being a novelty said that I wouldn't be able to keep up with them in the hills. And so, again, we took off and I started in the rear for the first mile...
I again pushed it and was passing all of the other riders, looking to catch the leader.
The idiot saw me passing and started peddling faster. We were approaching a hill and he stood on his pedals as I stayed next to him for a bit, then flew past him! I was climbing that hill at 19mph
I ended up catching the lead rider just before our next stop. While we were waiting, he asked if I was taking Viagra or something
I told him that I ride two days per week with friends who are much slower riders, so unless I ride by myself, I don't really "turn it up" too often, but it's nice to have a rabbit to chase. He got a kick out of that...
As the other riders come trickling in, the idiot pulls up looking completely exhausted and says, "I've never seen a fat guy on a recumbent move so fast". I laughed and told him maybe it was just the novelty of it all that had me moving. He didn't think I was funny...
As we took off on the last leg of the ride, I again started in the back the first mile, then turned it on and moved up past everyone. When I got to idiot, I rode next to him for a bit. We approached a hill and I took off. My legs were tired, but I pushed through it... He tried to stay with me, but couldn't and finally quit trying...
When we got back to the parking lot, the lead rider asked if he could try my bike sometime...
He just kept looking at it and smiling, looking at the cassette, asking how hard it was to learn to ride, etc.
I told him to let me know when he wants to try and I'll bring regular pedals, so he won't have to clip in. We're planning on hitting the parking lot soon...
Winning of hearts and minds!!!
If anyone else is in the San Antonio area this weekend, consider coming out for the Wheelmen 100 ride and BBQ afterwards!
For those who ride with me, I have a general rule...
If you're slower than me, I stay with you. If you're faster than me, go ahead. You'll be my rabbit and I'll try to chase you down. I may not catch you, but I'll keep trying
I don't leave anyone behind...
Blessings,
DocS
All but me were on DF Bikes and we had a couple new riders...
One came over and asked what my bike was and asked if was very fast.
I said it's comfortable and told her that it's faster for me. That with my back issues, I have a very hard time riding a DF frame bike because of the pain and explained that not only people with disabilities ride recumbents...
She seemed interested in how it worked, especially with it being front wheel drive...
One of the other riders (a know it all kind of guy, who's a strong touring rider, but averages about 15mph on all his rides) commented that Recumbents were a novelty and that there really wasn't any speed benefits associated with them.
The young lady seemed indifferent to his comment and I said we're all entitled to our opinions, but this bike just works for me...
As the ride started, I decided to start in the rear...
The group seemed to be moving pretty slow the first 2 or 3 miles, but I just followed at about 15 mph...
I decided to move up to a more brisk pace, so stepped it up and caught the lead guy. He looked back and pushed it a bit faster, to about 21mph. I didn't want to fall in behind him and draft, so I just kept pace, riding next to him...
Another rider tried to catch us, but he couldn't...
We stopped to wait for the group at the stop sign (We're a no-drop-group, so we stop every 5 or so miles, to ensure everyone is there).
The lead rider was curious how I went from just starting to ride in late March, to staying in the lead in September. Not only that, but to come up all the way from the back and catch him...
I explained that it's the aerodynamics of the bike and riding position. Plus I've been trying to ride 4 or 5 times per week.
When everyone caught up, we took off again. Again, I started in the back for about a mile, then pushed and caught the lead guy. Again I kept pace with him and we pushed it to about 24 mph for a bit. He started getting winded after about a mile and started slowing, so I kept pace with him...
We get to the next stop and wait for the others to catch up.
As the riders come trickling in, the faster ones were saying that when they initially saw me riding with the lead riders a few weeks ago, they thought I was going to burn out or slow and that they thought it was a one time fluke, but every week, I've been showing up and doing it all over again, plus I seem to be getting faster!
I told them that I was doing what they do... Ride, ride ride and improve.
This time, the route was approaching a bunch of hills and the guy who commented about recumbents being a novelty said that I wouldn't be able to keep up with them in the hills. And so, again, we took off and I started in the rear for the first mile...
I again pushed it and was passing all of the other riders, looking to catch the leader.
The idiot saw me passing and started peddling faster. We were approaching a hill and he stood on his pedals as I stayed next to him for a bit, then flew past him! I was climbing that hill at 19mph
I ended up catching the lead rider just before our next stop. While we were waiting, he asked if I was taking Viagra or something
I told him that I ride two days per week with friends who are much slower riders, so unless I ride by myself, I don't really "turn it up" too often, but it's nice to have a rabbit to chase. He got a kick out of that...
As the other riders come trickling in, the idiot pulls up looking completely exhausted and says, "I've never seen a fat guy on a recumbent move so fast". I laughed and told him maybe it was just the novelty of it all that had me moving. He didn't think I was funny...
As we took off on the last leg of the ride, I again started in the back the first mile, then turned it on and moved up past everyone. When I got to idiot, I rode next to him for a bit. We approached a hill and I took off. My legs were tired, but I pushed through it... He tried to stay with me, but couldn't and finally quit trying...
When we got back to the parking lot, the lead rider asked if he could try my bike sometime...
He just kept looking at it and smiling, looking at the cassette, asking how hard it was to learn to ride, etc.
I told him to let me know when he wants to try and I'll bring regular pedals, so he won't have to clip in. We're planning on hitting the parking lot soon...
Winning of hearts and minds!!!
If anyone else is in the San Antonio area this weekend, consider coming out for the Wheelmen 100 ride and BBQ afterwards!
For those who ride with me, I have a general rule...
If you're slower than me, I stay with you. If you're faster than me, go ahead. You'll be my rabbit and I'll try to chase you down. I may not catch you, but I'll keep trying
I don't leave anyone behind...
Blessings,
DocS
DocS
Guru
It's been pretty interesting to be sure...
I really do like this group that I ride with.
As fellow Military Veterans, we enjoy camaraderie that I've not experienced since being Active Duty.
We like to cut up and give each-other a hard time, but we're there for each-other...
The cool thing is that while I think they were kind of treating me like a "Redheaded Step-child" (Yup, I am actually a redhead) initially, because the bike I chose was strange and novel, they've come to respect me and my ride as at least equal... Even to the point that they're willing to break with tradition and consider what they could do on one of these wonderful machines!!!
Cool stuff!
Blessings,
DocS
I really do like this group that I ride with.
As fellow Military Veterans, we enjoy camaraderie that I've not experienced since being Active Duty.
We like to cut up and give each-other a hard time, but we're there for each-other...
The cool thing is that while I think they were kind of treating me like a "Redheaded Step-child" (Yup, I am actually a redhead) initially, because the bike I chose was strange and novel, they've come to respect me and my ride as at least equal... Even to the point that they're willing to break with tradition and consider what they could do on one of these wonderful machines!!!
Cool stuff!
Blessings,
DocS
DocS
Guru
I rode 30 miles last night with a fellow Combat Vet buddy. He's on a Bacchetta Giro and averages between 14 and 15 mph. We took off earlier than my Wednesday group does, so we saw them as we were on our way back to the parking lot. He's too embarrassed about his speed to ride with the group (the Wednesday group averages about 18 mph for 30 or so miles).
He feels bad that he's "holding me back", but I keep telling him that any time I'm in the seat is a good time...
I have other friends that are like this... They're afraid that they're holding me back, so feel guilty when I ride with them, because they know I can ride faster...
I'm more interested in the camaraderie, good conversation and helping them get more riding in and improving...
I ride nearly every day, so tend to ride my pace when I'm alone and ride recovery when I'm with them...
The interesting thing is that all of these folks are Military Veterans. In the Military, they say, "We leave no one behind" and more specifically with the USMC, they say, "We're only as fast as our slowest guy".
When I'm riding with them, I have that same attitude... I never ride faster than them and would never drop them...
Unfortunately, this isn't the case in a lot of group rides...
A lot of people get discouraged and quit riding, or just stay in the back...
Sorry for the musings...
Blessings,
Rudy (DocS).
He feels bad that he's "holding me back", but I keep telling him that any time I'm in the seat is a good time...
I have other friends that are like this... They're afraid that they're holding me back, so feel guilty when I ride with them, because they know I can ride faster...
I'm more interested in the camaraderie, good conversation and helping them get more riding in and improving...
I ride nearly every day, so tend to ride my pace when I'm alone and ride recovery when I'm with them...
The interesting thing is that all of these folks are Military Veterans. In the Military, they say, "We leave no one behind" and more specifically with the USMC, they say, "We're only as fast as our slowest guy".
When I'm riding with them, I have that same attitude... I never ride faster than them and would never drop them...
Unfortunately, this isn't the case in a lot of group rides...
A lot of people get discouraged and quit riding, or just stay in the back...
Sorry for the musings...
Blessings,
Rudy (DocS).
DocS
Guru
DocS
Guru
Oh, @ Benphyr and @ Don1, My Monday Veterans Ride has become my recovery ride 
Part of me wished I could have kept the Silvio 2.0, but I know I wouldn't have ridden it. It's been passed on to another tribe member, who has some very cool plans for it's build...
Blessings all,
DocS (Rudy)
Part of me wished I could have kept the Silvio 2.0, but I know I wouldn't have ridden it. It's been passed on to another tribe member, who has some very cool plans for it's build...
Blessings all,
DocS (Rudy)
BikeGary
Well-Known Member
Quick question, on the Silvo 2.0 vs the Vendetta, do you find that it is similar in stability, ie tracking straight at speed? My DF tracks like a train on rails, my Silvo 2.0 not so much. In fact at speeds over 25mph going downhill I tend to coast because when I pedal it just feels squirrelly. I did recently add a 100cm extension to get my legs up and more forward, and that gives them a bit more leverage over the front wheel to make it turn. So it may be that I'm just not used to it yet. I have recently been uploading my stats to Strava and while I haven't done much comparison the bike with the extension feels more aerodynamic, ie I have some Personal Records on some segments where I wasn't going full out. It may be because of Strava bugs, or it may be variations due to local wind. Won't know for a bit until I can re-ride some routes where I have a long uninterrupted downhill that I can coast the whole section.
BikeGary
Well-Known Member
So how did you attach those bags to your seat?
DocS
Guru
I guess, I track better on the Vendetta... I attribute this in part to the longer wheel-base... At speeds greater than 38mph, it feels more stable, even when pedaling...
I'm not a racer, just a rider; so most of the time, I'm riding for exercise and entertainment. I tend not to coast much and pedal until I run out of gears...
This seems to frustrate some of the DF riders I ride with, because they pedal some... then coast... pedal some... then coast...
When we get to a decline, they almost always coast to the bottom, then ride up... I ride down and let my momentum carry me up as far as it will, pedaling all-the-while...
The wind in the central part of Texas has been pretty strong and shifty this year...
Yesterday, I headed out in a headwind and came back in a headwind...
It doesn't help with my speed, but it definitely makes me stronger
Blessings,
DocS
DocS
Guru
Look here https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/...on-silvio-or-vendetta.7574/page-3#post-156461
post #57
Oh, I'm using those same bags, mounted the same way on my Vendetta...
Blessings,
DocS
