New Cruzbike Silvio 2.0 owner

[bladderhead]

This is definitely not my Bacchetta, but I'm not giving up on it...

Definitely not my Grasshopper. I can ride my Silvio hands-free, which proves that involuntary pedal-steer stops happening eventually. If you are more stubborn than the bike, eventually it will get tired of being uncooperative and trying to murder you. At least your gear problem is not a bike-handling problem. If you put those wheels and gears on your Bacchetta they would still not work.

 

[DocS]

So, my ride didn't start off as I'd hoped.
I decided to move the bars further from my chest, so I could actually sit on my seat when I was stopped without having my bike computer pressing into me.
Everything seemed to be fine until I started riding. My knees were hitting the handlebars, so I had to limp back to my car and the allen wrenches, so I could re-adjust.
Got that done and took off. Man, clipping in made a huge difference in stability. Being able to pull with one leg while pushing with the other seemed to "balance" things out and take some of the effort my arms required for stability.

It also increased my efficiency and speed. Where I was riding 17mph a couple days before, I found myself doing 20 or 21 mph!

Since I left later than the Veterans group I was riding with, I didn't expect to catch-up.
I caught up with a pair of riders the last 2 miles (I had already ridden 19 miles with an average speed of 18.2!).
The Catrike 700 rider was struggling with exhaustion (it was 106F!!!), so I slowed to ride with them and make sure everyone got back safely...

I felt like I had plenty of gas in the tank and could go further, but it was getting late.

For some reason, the shifting is improving. I'm wondering if when I adjusted the bars, etc if I fixed an area that was bound in the cable...

I'm riding tonight. Probably go 30 or so miles, depending on how I feel.

 

[ak-tux]

.. clipping in made a huge difference in stability. Being able to pull with one leg while pushing with the other seemed to "balance" things out and take some of the effort my arms required for stability.

It also increased my efficiency and speed. Where I was riding 17mph a couple days before, I found myself doing 20 or 21 mph!

..

Yeah, it makes a big difference to be attached to the pedals! Even old style toe clips makes a difference!

 

[DocS]

Out of curiosity, how can I order a new Derailleur hanger?
I don't see them on the website...

Thanks and God Bless,
DocS

 

[Robert Holler]

DocS,

Give us an email to support@cruzbike.com

The hangers were not really "standardized" to something universal on all the bikes (save the T50) until the last few years, but we can get you what you need.

Robert

 

[DocS]

Ordered it and a new derailleur.
I love the bike, but hate the shifting problems I'm experiencing...

Blessings,
DocS

 

[Robert Holler]

Also on an older bike - check the cable itself and the housing. If there is corrosion or something is binding shifting problems will remain. Sometimes replacing housing and a cable works wonders.

Robert

 

[DocS]

I already did that, hoping it was the problem, but yesterday's ride illustrated that the problem is still there...
My Derailleur should be in tomorrow. As soon as I get the new hanger in, I'll get it all set up and take her for a spin!

Blessings,
DocS (Rudy)

 

[DocS]

I did some adjustments Friday after work and had it shifting better.
I decided to go with a friend to do a 29 mile ride.

At about mile 15, As I was coming to a stop, I removed my left foot from my pedal and was moving my foot toward the ground, when caught my heal in a spoke and popped it...
I removed it and gently rode back to my car, with a "wobbly" rim, but made it!

I took my bike to our local recumbent shop (after stopping at 2 bike shops along the way to get the proper spoke, because he didn't have the right size in stock) and Joe replaced the missing spoke and trued up the wheel...
While I was there, Joe checked the Derailleur hanger and saw that it was indeed bent, so gently bent it back into place using his awesome hanger tool.

My Derailleur had come in Friday afternoon, so I changed it Saturday after my return from the Recumbent shop.
Still having a slight issue, where when I shift up or down it may skip a cog.
I did notice that a couple are still "wobbly" when cranking. I think this may be an issue. Joe and I thought initially maybe the axle was bent, but if it was, he wouldn't have been able to true the wheel (which is straight as can be).

Hopefully, I can get this thing shifting the way it's supposed to without spending too much more...

Blessings,
DocS

 

[DocS]

Well, I took it out last night and am still having a couple shifting problems, even with the new derailleur. Overall, it was a good ride. Averaged 18.5mph for 20 miles and felt like I had a lot left in the tank. The DF riders were a bit surprised, because I usually hang out in the back, so I can ride my own ride... They were struggling to keep up. It was very hot and humid!



I'm feeling a lot more comfortable on this Cruzbike and will be listing my Bacchetta Corsa up for sale soon.

A group I ride with on Wednesday evenings are planning on doing an unsupported Century ride (rider's choice of either Metric or Mile) Monday (Labor Day) morning.
I'm thinking about joining them, just to see how I feel. I've never attempted a century ride and have the MS150 coming up in early October and would like to know where I stand currently.

I think I'm going to replace the shifting cables and housings to see if that helps...
I also noticed that the cogs in the cassette still seemed to be slightly off, so will remove and take my time checking that they are indeed straight...

Most of the issue is that when I downshift, it skips a gear in the middle of the cassette. I can shift up and it catches it, but it really sucks when I'm going up a hill and I miss the gear I'm thinking I'm shifting into...

Blessings,
DocS
__________________
My small part time company: Creative Design Audio (maker of Unique Audio Delivery Devices, including Bluetooth Ammo Can, Cigar Box and Liquor Bottle Speakers

) https://creativedesignaudio.com

Currently own: Bacchetta A65 Corsa, Scarab 2620, Catrike Villager.

Previously owned:ActionBent Jetstream II SWB-USS Bike, TerraTrike Rambler

"I want to live, not merely exist"

 

[paco1961]

Something to check with your shifting problem. Sram - I think I remember you are running a Sram RD - has two types of systems; X-actuation and Exact actuation. They have different pull ratios and you have to make sure you have the derailleurs and shifters matched. The classic symptom for mismatched Sram components is an occasional jump on the downshift. Guessing your LBC mechanic would have checked that when you had it in but worth a double check.

 

[DocS]

Thank you!
I'll have to check.

 

[DocS]

Alright, so I was getting frustrated with the shifting issues, so decided to just swap out the derailleur and a 10-Speed 11-40T Cassette. I'm happy to say that the shifting issue is fixed!!!

Just to be sure, I did a Labor Day Metric Century yesterday morning in preparation for the MS150 Ride to the River.
Everything just seemed to work very well...

Many of the other riders were suspicious of my bike and after the ride asked a bunch about it...
I explained that as much as I love it, I'm getting the itch for a Vendetta...

I'll be out in the heat this afternoon for a 30 or 40 mile ride (depending on my buddy's endurance).

Thanks for all the help, suggestions and kind words!

Blessings,
DocS

 

[DocS]

I decided to skip the group ride last night after work and went for a solo 40 mile ride instead...
It was very windy, warm and humid, but it was a good ride...
My average was 18.3 mph...

https://www.strava.com/activities/2680783560

Blessings,
DocS

 

[DocS]

I wasn't sure if the storm would let me get out yesterday, but It held off long enough to get 20 miles in...

I got a new HD Mini-Cam that I mounted to my Handlebar, so I could test it...
I decided to get a shot of the group I ride with as we were going, so I passed them all up
They were laughing, saying I was going to gas-out, but I surprised them when I ended up leading them the entire ride

I thought I was going to keep my average at 19 mph, but the last bit and the wind ended up bringing my average down to 18.8mph for 20 miles...

My Strava Ride

One of the faster guys in the group said that he wondered what I could do on a regular bike. I asked what he could do on a Cruzbike...
They're all getting a bit more interested...

I think I'm going to do a 70 Mile solo ride this Saturday morning, in preparation for the MS150 next month...

If anyone's in the San Antonio area and want's to join me, the company would be welcome
Just let me know...


Blessings,
DocS

 

[ak-tux]

..
One of the faster guys in the group said that he wondered what I could do on a regular bike. I asked what he could do on a Cruzbike...
...

I'd say :
My performance on a regular bike is just regular, but my performance on a cuzbike is just cruzin' !

 

[DocS]

Here are a couple pictures.

20190912_055029

• DocS
• Sep 12, 2019

Vacuum 40oz bottles with camelback tube

20190912_054808

• DocS
• Sep 12, 2019

My Silvio 2.0

20190912_054821

• DocS
• Sep 12, 2019

Front Light and Camera Mount

I only have one of the Camelbak hoses hooked up, but each bottle has a separate hose.
The bottles each have a 1 way valve in the "straw", so I guess I could have made a "Y" and connected both bottles to one drinking tube...

I'm going to try it like that for a while and see how it works out..

For my normal 40-60 mile rides, I don't need both bottles; one is enough. I plan on using the extra bottle holder with a piece of capped PVC (painted black of course) to hold the extra stuff I want to carry (phone, tubes, tire levers, etc) for those shorter rides.

For my century ride (longer rides) I'm going to make some "saddle bags" that will sit close to my frame (under the seat), so I can put tubes, pump and my phone in... They'll be long and slender, so they'll sit up close to the seat...

When I get them done, I'll post pics.

Blessings,
DocS

 

[Tuloose]

DocS
I started out with the same bike you have - a Silvio 2.0 - purchased new 6 years ago (see my profile pic).
3 years ago I made the switch to a Vendetta and discovered substantial performance gains.
I feared the slightly more laid back position of the V (22 degree on the V vs 27 deg on the S) would be untenable but the Silvio had gotten my body/brain connection familiar with riding a laid back bike.
I took to the Vendetta like a duck to water.
The V, lacking the suspension of the Silvio, offers a lower rider profile and better handling characteristics.
The Silvio is no slouch but the Vendetta is hands down a flat out performance machine with a very comfortable ride.

Now, after 3 years on the Vendetta, I shake my head in wonder at the riders who refuse to entertain any notion of switching to a bike that offers more comfort and speed not to mention bringing the joy back to cycling.
I'm a volunteer mechanic in a community bike shop and often I hear folks complaining about their saddle discomfort.
Their solution is always to upgrade to the next highly touted wonder saddle of the year, often at great cost.
Here is a saddle I saw at a rest stop on our club's annual Covered Bridge Ride.
The woman whose bike it was on said it cost $300 and was "very comfortable".
I get puckerish just looking at that contraption

 

[DocS]

Yeah, doesn't look very comfortable to me...

I had a boss that rode a DF bike for years and used to brag on how far/fast he could go...
He said he stopped riding century rides, because "sitting on an ass hatchet just hurt too much"...
He compared his saddle to the same profile as a hatchet from the top.

I need to save up not for my next and last bike... The Vendetta!!!

Blessings,
DocS

 

[DocS]

I ended up finding Top Rail bags on Amazon for $11.99 each!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S7B7FWV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They have 2 sides with a divider in the middle. This was very cool, because I could store my phone on the outside separated from keys and other stuff that would scratch it ...

I was able to carry tools, a pump, 2 extra tubes, tire levers, a couple bags of jerky, some trail mix a couple "pickle pops" and still had room. The other bag just had my keys, a wallet, a Sig 365 and phone! and I still had room!

I Did a 70 mile ride Saturday with a friend who has MS in preparation for the MS Ride to the River...
these bags and hydration system worked well!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do a Metric Century at the Wheelmen 100 this weekend.

The only other person I've met in the San Antonio area that rides a Cruzbike just sold hers...
to buy a new Vendetta frameset!!!

I'm jealous...

Don't get me wrong. I love my Silvio 2.0, but I see a Vendetta in my future, now that I've dipped my toe into the Cruzbike pool!

Is anyone here interested in doing a Metric Century this Saturday?

I would do the Century, but a BROL member is meeting me and wants to stick to the Metric (and I don't want to burn myself out before the MS Ride to the River on October 5th and 6th).

Blessings,
DocS