Notes from a newbie

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TomR

New Member
I just got my V20c a couple of days ago. So excited.
Here's a brain dump of my observations in no particular order. I have had a few training rides, I'm following the Cruzbike 5 step process. But, I'm a bit impatient, so I crammed a few steps into one day instead of giving each step it's own short session. I learned that I can start on a hill :) . I have no choice since I live on a hill. I feel more confident mashing instead of spinning, so climbing is actually the most comfortable right now. I think this is maybe because I'm not clipped in yet, and the mass of my legs flopping around without something to push against makes me very wobbly, which Maria says is okay.
This bike wants to go FAST!!! Man, I had to keep it on a leash, i.e. ride the brakes. Did I say that I live on a hill.
My legs are sore, even though I have already ridden a couple thousand miles this year. All the little muscles I never used before had to join the party. I was tired from putting around for an hour. Ugh.
Oh, and I completed (without putting a foot down) a U turn on a narrow country road (which I happen to live on). It only took something like 50 tries, but hey.
The seat is super comfy, I don't know how those Ultra riders keep from falling asleep in the middle of the night, on day 2 of some epic ride. I could seriously take a nap on this seat. However, that said, I will change the seat to get more shoulder support. IMO the adjustable seat should be the stock seat for the V20c, just sayin'. I will also very likely change out the cranks to short cranks, I run 155's on my other bikes. Sooo, that will be an excuse to upgrade to carbon. :D I will wait on that until I'm farther along the learning curve. The Black Friday sales have me seriously tempted though.1794667133367.png
PS - Every time I look at my new bike that Tubes song, "She's a Beauty", starts playing in my head. She's definitely one in a million.
 
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Rolling Along

Well-Known Member
Congratulations! Great start! On my V20c, I cut up some yoga mat material and added it to the seat cushion. You can put it where you need a little more cushion. But if you find the shoulder area just not wide enough then a seat upgrade is a good idea.
 
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TomR

New Member
Rolling Along said:
Congratulations! Great start! On my V20c, I cut up some yoga mat material and added it to the seat cushion. You can put it where you need a little more cushion. But if you find the shoulder area just not wide enough then a seat upgrade is a good idea.
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It's not the width of the seat, it's the height. My eyes are about an inch higher than the handlebars. I can ride it as is, but long ride comfort will be better with less recline. Somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees. Here's a comparison shot with my Ti-rex which has the seat at 30 degrees. I don't really even rest my head on the ADEMHR at that angle.
I measured the recline of the stock Cruzbike seat at 19 ish degrees. With a good headrest and shoulder re-curve in the seat, 20 degrees should be fine. I'll have to play around with it to find what works on this bike.
Right now, my line of sight just barely clears the bars. I think I may have a short torso for my leg length. I have the CB headrest all the way in, and it feels right. It's comfortable enough for short training rides, but I am pretty sure I'll want to be tilted up just a bit on longer rides.

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CruzRider

Well-Known Member
TomR said:
I can ride it as is, but long ride comfort will be better with less recline. Somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees.
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Also, try a Thor seat which will bring it to about 28 degrees. I have this and it is a game changer. You may also consider Cruzbikes adjustable carbon seat.

cruzbike.com

Adjustable Carbon Fiber Seat and Headrest

The all-new Adjustable Carbon Fiber Seat and Headrest is designed to fit all hydroformed Cruzbike models - V20c, V20, S40, S30 - and transform your ride. We specifically designed this seat to cradle your backside and fit your shoulders with just the right amount of vertical “kick” to put you in...
cruzbike.com cruzbike.com
 
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Rolling Along

Well-Known Member
There is another thread (or more) where riders have added a foam wedge to boost the angle higher.

forum.cruzbike.com

Some tweaks to the V

As I’ve said a number of times elsewhere, for me and the kind of riding I do, a 30 degree seat angle is perfect. I love riding the V20c but a longer ride this past weekend with some “tricky” situations (sharp turns, traffic, etc) reinforced my opinion that I’d love it even more if the seat angle...
forum.cruzbike.com forum.cruzbike.com
 
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TomR

New Member
Thanks guys. You are spot on. I ordered the Thor seat, and the foam wedges that Greg S linked on the 'Some tweaks to the V' thread. There's enough material in the foam wedges that I should be able to make several variations to see what angle works best for me. I think I may end up back at 20 degrees long term, but to start might be at say 27 degrees.
I am really enjoying getting to know this bike. The potential here is just amazing. I know that it will take my cycling to another level.
Was out on a learning ride this morning, just getting the hang of the bike, still not clipped in, and I passed some roadies. I was coasting, they were just tooling along, but they were pedaling and I just Cruzed on by. :)
 
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TomR

New Member
Frito Bandito said:
I sometimes feel bad for hawking down roadies at 58 years old while they struggle on an uncomfortable and slow bike.

Sometimes.
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I enjoyed watching a video you posted of a ride where your speed and power are displayed. Every time a bike appears on the horizon, the wattage ticks up a bit. :)
I do the same thing.
 
Frito Bandito

Frito Bandito

Zen MBB Master
TomR said:
I enjoyed watching a video you posted of a ride where your speed and power are displayed. Every time a bike appears on the horizon, the wattage ticks up a bit. :)
I do the same thing.
Click to expand...
I'm glad you enjoyed that video :)

I sometimes play a game with them called "moving finish lines" where I select a bridge or other landmark ahead of them and try to beat them to it. I will adjust the finish line either closer or more further away after a few moments depending on whether I can beat them or not, and when that race is over I will look for another rider in front of me for another race.

When I am a kilometer or two away from the approaching turn around point and see a rider going the opposite way I sometimes pick another landmark 5 or 10km ahead of him to race to, then step on the gas to reach the turnaround point and then try to run him down even though he already has a big head start.

Another fun one that I don't do often but is way tougher is ignore my mirror after spotting someone approaching fast and try to not let him catch up. The whole time I just assume he is right on my butt playing the same "moving finish lines" and I don't know where the finish line is so I just get to my own turn off point without letting him pass even though he might have dropped off 4 or 12km ago haha.
 
OldAZCyclist

OldAZCyclist

New Member
Congratulations on the V20C! I've had mine since October 6th and am getting far more comfortable and much faster. Things I have noticed during my learning curve:

1. Relax the grip on the handlebars. surprisingly, a relaxed grip provides better control and less shimming.
2. If you find yourself pedaling to much or at least rotating your feet so much you feel out of control, upshift to a higher gear. Less pedal rotation means more control, IMHO.
3. Of course, post any questions or concerns on the forum. There are a lot of kind and helpful folks here willing to help!

Chris
 
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