GV_Ottawa
Member
I picked up my new Q45 from Hamilton Trike & Bent (#HamiltonTrike) in mid-November, just as winter was approaching so I really didn't have a chance to ride at that time. However, as the snow is finally melting in Ottawa, I was able to get out for my first two real rides on my new Q45 this weekend!! Thought I'd share my experience for others that may be wondering if they should pick up a Q45 for themselves ...
For reference sake, I've previously owned an HP Velotechnik Spirt and an HP Velotechnik StreetMachine GTE. The used Spirit which I picked up was my first recumbent. I enjoyed it, and it was a great start into the world of recumbents for me, but eventually I found myself looking for something a little faster. A colleague had a StreetMachine which he was interested in selling so I purchased that and rode it for 3 years. I successfully completed the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (174 km from Ottawa to Kingston on a Saturday, and 174 km back to Ottawa the next day) with my StreetMachine - I was the only recumbent of 2300 participants, and the only person walking normally Saturday night in Kingston
While the StreetMachine was a wonderful bike (HP Velo truly make amazing stuff), for a variety of reasons, I found myself looking for something that had a more upright seating position and something that I could stabilize with my feet on the ground faster for times when I needed to come to a sudden stop. After researching a number of alternatives, I ended up purchasing a new Q45 last November.
Back in November I spent about half an hour practicing the new rider techniques suggested by Cruzbike. As I was used to recumbents, things felt quite good and I was doing figure 8s within a few minutes. Yesterday, before starting out on a "real ride", I spent about 15 minutes in an empty parking lot practicing starts / stops, figure 8s, etc. Once things felt okay, I headed out on some of the numerous bike paths in Ottawa. I ended up completing 20 km yesterday. This morning I went out again and completed a 25 km ride on some different paths. All of my rides were on asphalt roads and paths.
Overall, I'm thrilled with my Q45.
I've spent some time this afternoon comparing the Strava segment times using my Q45 vs what I achieved with my StreetMachine. In most cases, the Q45 is coming very close to the StreetMachine which is impressive given how little time I've spent on the Q45, and that my current conditioning level is not particularly good after a long winter hibernating! The ride position is much more upright than my StreetMachine which makes for a safer ride in my opinion - it's much easier to turn my head to look for traffic at awkward angled intersections for example. It is also much easier to put my feet down and stay stabilized when I need to come to a full stop. While clearly subjective, I think I've had a slightly easier time climbing hills on my Q45 than my StreetMachine. I have a couple of short but very steep hills on one route which I have yet to try on my Q45 - that will be a very interesting challenge which I'm anxious to try on my Q45. I certainly made it up every hill I've experienced to-date with no issues whatsoever.
I clearly still need more time learning how to ride my Q45 - sadly 45 km does not make you an expert!! I've noticed I've got a very tight grip on the handlebars which I need to learn to relax. I also need to learn how to "steer with my feet" as I've read about others doing on their Cruzbikes. Finally I need to get more comfortable doing tighter radius turns at slower speeds - the balance isn't quite there yet and I find myself dropping my feet.
The Ventisit seat has been okay but not as comfortable as what I was used to on my StreetMachine. I've not experienced the numbness some others have written about, but my rides haven't been super long yet either. Hopefully my body will get used to the seat, otherwise I may have to explore the Thor seats I've seen folks referencing in these forums. I've not felt the need for a headrest yet (never had one on my StreetMachine either).
I do wish I had some higher gears. On a couple of the downhill segments I rode this weekend, I was in the highest gear possible but I was unable to apply any force to the pedals - they just spun freely as I guess I was going to fast for that gear?? I'd love to hear of suggestions on how to modify the stock gearing to give me some additional gears at the high end.
I'm not sure if I need anything else on the low end of the gears yet. This weekend I had no issues getting up all the hills I encountered, and I was typically in 2nd or 3rd - don't think I was ever in first gear. But I know there are some tougher hills in my area so I'll find out in future rides if the low end is low enough for me or if I need to try to expand that as well.
I do miss the internal hub gearing I had on my StreetMachine - so much nicer to be able to switch to a low gear when you're stopped at an intersection …
Finally, two other questions for the knowledgeable folks out there…
a) does anybody know if it is possible to get a bracket of some sort to be able to mount a light at the very front of the Q45 (end of the boom by the chainring)? There seems to be a piece of metal sticking upright with a hole in it - not sure if some sort of adaptor is available that would allow me to clip a light in that area - seems to me like it would be a great spot for a headlight.
b) does anybody know if there is any way to further adjust (or replace) the stock suspension that comes with the Q45? On my rides this weekend I definitely felt some bumps much more than on my StreetMachine and thus I'm wondering if there are any improvements possible ...
That's it for now! Sorry about the lengthy post but I figured it might be useful to prospective Q45 purchasers … (and my recommendation is a hearty - buy one!!)
Cheers,
Gary
For reference sake, I've previously owned an HP Velotechnik Spirt and an HP Velotechnik StreetMachine GTE. The used Spirit which I picked up was my first recumbent. I enjoyed it, and it was a great start into the world of recumbents for me, but eventually I found myself looking for something a little faster. A colleague had a StreetMachine which he was interested in selling so I purchased that and rode it for 3 years. I successfully completed the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (174 km from Ottawa to Kingston on a Saturday, and 174 km back to Ottawa the next day) with my StreetMachine - I was the only recumbent of 2300 participants, and the only person walking normally Saturday night in Kingston
While the StreetMachine was a wonderful bike (HP Velo truly make amazing stuff), for a variety of reasons, I found myself looking for something that had a more upright seating position and something that I could stabilize with my feet on the ground faster for times when I needed to come to a sudden stop. After researching a number of alternatives, I ended up purchasing a new Q45 last November.
Back in November I spent about half an hour practicing the new rider techniques suggested by Cruzbike. As I was used to recumbents, things felt quite good and I was doing figure 8s within a few minutes. Yesterday, before starting out on a "real ride", I spent about 15 minutes in an empty parking lot practicing starts / stops, figure 8s, etc. Once things felt okay, I headed out on some of the numerous bike paths in Ottawa. I ended up completing 20 km yesterday. This morning I went out again and completed a 25 km ride on some different paths. All of my rides were on asphalt roads and paths.
Overall, I'm thrilled with my Q45.
I've spent some time this afternoon comparing the Strava segment times using my Q45 vs what I achieved with my StreetMachine. In most cases, the Q45 is coming very close to the StreetMachine which is impressive given how little time I've spent on the Q45, and that my current conditioning level is not particularly good after a long winter hibernating! The ride position is much more upright than my StreetMachine which makes for a safer ride in my opinion - it's much easier to turn my head to look for traffic at awkward angled intersections for example. It is also much easier to put my feet down and stay stabilized when I need to come to a full stop. While clearly subjective, I think I've had a slightly easier time climbing hills on my Q45 than my StreetMachine. I have a couple of short but very steep hills on one route which I have yet to try on my Q45 - that will be a very interesting challenge which I'm anxious to try on my Q45. I certainly made it up every hill I've experienced to-date with no issues whatsoever.
I clearly still need more time learning how to ride my Q45 - sadly 45 km does not make you an expert!!
I've noticed I've got a very tight grip on the handlebars which I need to learn to relax. I also need to learn how to "steer with my feet" as I've read about others doing on their Cruzbikes. Finally I need to get more comfortable doing tighter radius turns at slower speeds - the balance isn't quite there yet and I find myself dropping my feet.The Ventisit seat has been okay but not as comfortable as what I was used to on my StreetMachine. I've not experienced the numbness some others have written about, but my rides haven't been super long yet either. Hopefully my body will get used to the seat, otherwise I may have to explore the Thor seats I've seen folks referencing in these forums. I've not felt the need for a headrest yet (never had one on my StreetMachine either).
I do wish I had some higher gears. On a couple of the downhill segments I rode this weekend, I was in the highest gear possible but I was unable to apply any force to the pedals - they just spun freely as I guess I was going to fast for that gear?? I'd love to hear of suggestions on how to modify the stock gearing to give me some additional gears at the high end.
I'm not sure if I need anything else on the low end of the gears yet. This weekend I had no issues getting up all the hills I encountered, and I was typically in 2nd or 3rd - don't think I was ever in first gear. But I know there are some tougher hills in my area so I'll find out in future rides if the low end is low enough for me or if I need to try to expand that as well.
I do miss the internal hub gearing I had on my StreetMachine - so much nicer to be able to switch to a low gear when you're stopped at an intersection …
Finally, two other questions for the knowledgeable folks out there…
a) does anybody know if it is possible to get a bracket of some sort to be able to mount a light at the very front of the Q45 (end of the boom by the chainring)? There seems to be a piece of metal sticking upright with a hole in it - not sure if some sort of adaptor is available that would allow me to clip a light in that area - seems to me like it would be a great spot for a headlight.
b) does anybody know if there is any way to further adjust (or replace) the stock suspension that comes with the Q45? On my rides this weekend I definitely felt some bumps much more than on my StreetMachine and thus I'm wondering if there are any improvements possible ...
That's it for now! Sorry about the lengthy post but I figured it might be useful to prospective Q45 purchasers … (and my recommendation is a hearty - buy one!!)
Cheers,
Gary
