New (to me) Bike Day (S40)

[bromclist]

Hi Folks
Got a used S40 delivered to me from Larry (cruzbike museum). Thanks Larry.
Still not ridden. Am in the phase of assembling the bike.
The standard headrest fixture seems to not go completely inside the frame inspite of loosening the perez clamp.
Any ideas as to what could be the issue?

Please ignore the 20 inch kinetics (https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/) brompton at the back ;-)

 

[bromclist]

Sorry folks.
Never mind.
The bolts had to be loosened completely for the headrest to go in.
Did that and now it seems fine.
Yet to ride it. Have to get new pedals and put the chain.
Wish me luck.

PS: The front end seems very heavy.
Does it get time to get used to?

 

[Doccus]

Sorry folks.
Never mind.
The bolts had to be loosened completely for the headrest to go in.
Did that and now it seems fine.
Yet to ride it. Have to get new pedals and put the chain.
Wish me luck.

PS: The front end seems very heavy.
Does it get time to get used to?

Yes. I got used to the heavy front end with time/miles. While riding I don’t really notice it now but it still surprises me when I move it around or load it in my truck. I am not an expert here…less than 1000 miles on my S40…..but from my experience, I would say to be patient with yourself on this bike. Most of us have ridden diamond frames for many miles and years growing familiar with the feel and handling over that time. The Cruzbike is a little different. I am still improving my handling skills and tweaking the fit. Give yourself time and miles. Also, I can’t say enough about the folks on this forum. Many have lots of experience and are very helpful. You may get different opinions on things but members here don’t seem to be triggered so the different experiences don’t turn into arguments. Be patient…..and enjoy!

 

[Greg S]

Wish me luck.

Good luck! Take it slow. Find yourself a big empty parking lot, ideally with a slight slope. Start at the top and just coast down. Repeat but then put your feet on the pedals. Repeat then do some pedaling. Repeat then make a wide u-turn.

Don't try to master it in a day. These are new skills, give your brain time to assimilate them.

PS: The front end seems very heavy.
Does it get time to get used to?

Yes, both riding and moving the bike around. I can't tell you how many times I tried to move my first S40 in the garage and had the front wheel flop all the way over. I've found the easiest way to move it any distance is to grab it by the boom, right above the clamp and walk next to it.

Good luck and keep us posted with how you get on.

 

[Boreen bimbler]

If I'm maneuvering mine one handed I usually grab the steering boom just in front of the headset and often lift the front wheel a bit.
Enjoy the bike. As was said, it can take a while but it's worth the effort and does become natural.

 

[Frito Bandito]

No need to apologize for the Brompton braddah. Since it was hidden now I wanna see it more lol. I don't think anyone would complain if you uploaded a gratuitous pic of it. N+1 right?
Doccus is right though. Members here are great at showing what works for them on their pride and joy, and plenty of times how they did it if it takes more than a simple bolt on mod.

How are you getting along on your S40 though?

 

[AlexisBV]

If I'm maneuvering mine one handed I usually grab the steering boom just in front of the headset and often lift the front wheel a bit.

I second (third?) this. If one-handed, basically grab the boom a bit forward of its centre of mass and pull it alongside instead of pushing, it'll naturally follow you. That also means if you need to switch sides it's easier to do so passing in front of the bike rather than behind (or over) it.

If you need to lean the bike on a wall, two points suffice: pedal and brifter (or if it's on a low wall/fence, pedal and fork). I have an S30, but I assume it should be the same for an S40.

 

[bromclist]

Rode the bike for about 5 kms around my gated community roads. (so very less traffic) and the parking lot.
It has slight slopes so got some experience on some mild climbs as well.
The core got seriously worked up during the climb. Initially the bike was fighting me and the handlebar had
a mind of its own. Later I understood the push-pull method and was able to climb in a straight line.
Kids around the community were amused seeing a 50 year old trying to learn bike riding

 

[chicorider]

Welcome to the learning curve! It gets easier and easier, especially with short repetitions over time as the brain creates new wiring.

 

[Greg S]

5k for a first ride is awesome! Well done!

 

[Boreen bimbler]

I see you have no mirror. I found that it really helped me to know if anything was behind me so I had one less thing to worry about. And like a lot of others I found being clipped in as soon as your comfortable enough felt better too. If thats your thing.

 

[bromclist]

absolutely. mirror is right on top of my shopping list. without that no going on the main roads at all.

 

[MNBentRider]

absolutely. mirror is right on top of my shopping list. without that no going on the main roads at all.

When I got my S40 this year, I stuck to mostly trails until I got a mirror. You are 100% right. (FYI: The B&M CycleStar Mirror from Cruzbike is slightly smaller than I would like, but I've been happy with its quality.)

And like a lot of others I found being clipped in as soon as your comfortable enough felt better too. If thats your thing.

Also agreed: I was nervous about clipping in, but once I did, my rides were much more comfortable.

 

[Mike Cassera]

absolutely. mirror is right on top of my shopping list. without that no going on the main roads at all.

Also get a Varia rear radar unit. Once you use it you'll wonder how you lived without it!

 

[Mike Cassera]

Also as mentioned above, clipping-in is a game changer. In addition to giving you more confidence and control it also allows you to start using only one leg.

After a few revolutions of the crank with just one leg you will have enough speed and balance to clip-in the other leg.

 

[bromclist]

So took the bike again for a short ride and the front tyre ended up going in those dreaded vertical gutter covers. and then the dreaded psssssss .. air leaking out of the front tube. Didnt have spare tube with me so took it to the local repair shop and he fortunately had an old tube that fit.
A (positive) consequence of that episode was that I rode on main roads for about 2 kms and experienced a lot of eyeballs and wierd / surprised looks.
Starting back from stop are now easier than ever.

 

[Greg S]

On the topic of ”weird/surprised looks”…

I did a couple of longer rides (100k-150k) with a friend, me on my S40 and him on a DF bike. I really enjoyed teasing him by asking ’how many “nice/cool bikes” did YOU get?’.

The score was 6/0 and 4/0.

 

[Joe Riel]

While doing laps a week or so ago, a young kid on the back seat of his dad's electric bike, pointed at me and said "that's a weird bike". Not sure how to score that one.

 

[Boreen bimbler]

Older people seem to call my S40 "weird" and younger people "cool". Being older I usually call it weird but blooming comfy.