Q45 - First ride experience

[Flying Jim]

I know this is a little long (and I wasn't wearing my helmet - doh!) but I think it could help potential owners to understand the learning curve. It took me about 25 minutes to 'discover' that pushing was better than pulling which I would have known if I had re-watched the learn-to-ride video. You'll also see a couple of times that I almost fell off even after 20 minutes of practice! There is a lot to learn about this bike but it is really fun. I'm approaching 10 miles of riding now and am comfortable enough to ride on the streets but I still have a lot to learn!

 

[Bruce B]

Welcome to the world of Cruzbike. I really enjoyed your video. While you were were riding between two airplane hangers for almost thirty minutes you were giving a wonderful commentary on the new Q45, your impressions on the handling of a new bike, the Cruzbike videos and the great Cruzbike team. You have a talent to carry on an engaging conversation with an audience which hears your remarks on a video!

 

[Flying Jim]

Thanks. I knew I had only one chance to have a true first experience so I wanted to capture everything I was feeling.

 

[Brad R]

I know this is a little long (and I wasn't wearing my helmet - doh!) but I think it could help potential owners to understand the learning curve. It took me about 25 minutes to 'discover' that pushing was better than pulling which I would have known if I had re-watched the learn-to-ride video. You'll also see a couple of times that I almost fell off even after 20 minutes of practice! There is a lot to learn about this bike but it is really fun. I'm approaching 10 miles of riding now and am comfortable enough to ride on the streets but I still have a lot to learn!

that was fun to watch and brings back good memories!!

I found that once I clipped in, I could use my legs (vectoring the force slightly to the outside) so that launching, turning, and tracking a straight line required very little upper body involvement except when sprinting or trying to recruit the upper body for climbing.

Stay focused for at least the first few hundred miles. The occasional wobble will happen when you are almost able to ride without thinking and something else grabs your attention.

good luck. It looks like a great bike.

 

[Flying Jim]

Thanks for the advice. I do have that feeling to be careful on this bike even after getting comfortable. I'm sure I still have lots to learn and I will put the clips on soon (but I'm not going to ride up to any tables at Starbucks!).

 

[Robert Holler]

Nice video!

The main thing I tell people to do is to relax but also keep awareness at all times. Your legs do a lot of the work including steering so I always advise people to not let them get out of control.

Remember the rider is controlling the bike not the other way around.

My main advise for beginners as well is to always leverage forward on the bars - don't try to alternate the push-pull - that will come with time and is really only necessary in extreme circumstances like that last bit of a rough climb or a sprint - otherwise relaxing and subtlety is the key.

With the Viscoset the front is so smooth that you can technically do a "no hands" start if you are in a low gear and are smooth enough. I was not able to do that before in my last ride tips video on the YouTube page - but as you can see if you have seen that one - very little upper arm input is needed all the time.

 

[Flying Jim]

Thanks Robert! I just realized that on my Bacchetta I would never push on the handlebars because they pivot forward. That is probably why I didn't even think to try it until later (of course I should have re-watched that video you made before my first ride!). I also figured out that the times I almost fell off, my outside leg was stretched out and touching the frame which kept me from turning the handlebars any farther without taking my feet off the pedals.

 

[benphyr]

I also figured out that the times I almost fell off, my outside leg was stretched out and touching the frame which kept me from turning the handlebars any farther without taking my feet off the pedals.

It is possible that you have the boom too far out. It did appear as though you were stretching but that could have been optical illusion or your personal peddling style (so don't change based on me) but many find it better to err on the side of shorter rather than longer for learning for those reasons.

 

[Donald Harter]

You mentioned front weight of the bike. The front to rear weight percentages is reversed on a Cruzbike. My new Q-45 has the seat pan forward and the back angle about 50 degrees. Sitting in my riding position, I am 60%/40% front/rear. I was just curious to compare to a diamond frame bike.

 

[benphyr]

You mentioned front weight of the bike. The front to rear weight percentages is reversed on a Cruzbike. My new Q-45 has the seat pan forward and the back angle about 50 degrees. Sitting in my riding position, I am 60%/40% front/rear. I was just curious to compare to a diamond frame bike.

If I may, I believe the comment about front weight is comparing the steering input required between a diamond frame / rear wheel drive recumbent to Cruzbike / moving bottom bracket steering input.

The difference is significant because the torque required to steer a diamond frame is based on weights and distances from steering axis of handlebar, stem, fork, and front wheel. Cruzbike adds the bottom bracket, cranks, and chain ring(s), and to a lesser degree the chain stays and boom to the equation. So the forces required are greater with the Cruzbike and the momentums are also greater.

The inputs are not significant enough to cause any difficulties once you are moving or once you are used to them but they do take a little while to get used to when learning especially at very low speeds and are different from what you expect on a bike that doesn’t have gearing on the front wheel.

 

[Flying Jim]

Well put and, yes, exactly what I meant. The extra weight of the dynamic boom system makes the steering feel heavy when you're stopped. Once rolling, it's not a big issue once you get used to it.

 

[benphyr]

Oh, and the he weight added to the front is mostly removed from the rear of the bike , all things being equal.

And I forgot about the weight of the chain. Those things are heavy!

 

[Giloun]

With the Viscoset the front is so smooth that you can technically do a "no hands" start if you are in a low gear and are smooth enough. I was not able to do that before in my last ride tips video on the YouTube page - but as you can see if you have seen that one - very little upper arm input is needed all the time.

Is it possible to retrofit the Viscoset to my 2018 Q45 (1st batch)?

 

[Robert Holler]

Is it possible to retrofit the Viscoset to my 2018 Q45 (1st batch)?

Indeed it is - it is a standard EC headset. The "medium" is what I prefer and what is stock on the new Q45. Note it is a top only - so you don't actually replace the lower cup/bearing/crown race.

https://canecreek.com/product/viscoset/

 

[Giloun]

https://canecreek.com/product/viscoset/

THX, Have it installed today. Will try it out soon.

 

[3bs]

the videos are great.

i was waiting for you to start pulling on the bar rather than pushing it, as that is when you will really be able to power up. then you said it on the video, so i was satisfied you figured it out.

but, lets talk about the silver bird in the hanger........

 

[Flying Jim]

Here is my 50 mile report

 

[cpml123]

Is the Bacchetta seat pan bigger than the stock seat pan? I have been riding the Thor seat in my S40 and feel like the Q45's stock seat pan is too small. Not that I have a big bottom as I am 165 lb.

 

[Flying Jim]

Yes it is bigger. The seat bottom uses a water resistant high density foam with breathing holes covered by a thin fabric. The frame is welded aluminum with a tight breathable mesh for the back. Very durable and Very comfy. Also doubles as a work stand for fixing flats if you turn the bike over and put some padding under the handlebars. It’s called the recurve.

 

[cpml123]

Yes it is bigger. The seat bottom uses a water resistant high density foam with breathing holes covered by a thin fabric. The frame is welded aluminum with a tight breathable mesh for the back. Very durable and Very comfy. Also doubles as a work stand for fixing flats if you turn the bike over and put some padding under the handlebars. It’s called the recurve.

Thanks!