Hello forum
I have been the proud owner of an orange Q45 since Monday.
In the past I rode a Flevobike Greenmachine as a recumbent. But for the last few years I've only been riding folding bikes (Brompton) and velomobiles.
Aches and pains in my shoulders, neck and hands (you know...) have led me to the recumbent position.
I live in northern Germany and there are many beautiful places here that are only accessible on single-track bikes. Along the Baltic coast, through forests or simply along the Kiel Canal.
And that's exactly why I bought the Q45.
Between purchase and delivery (very fast for an overseas order of this size), I was warmly supplied with emails from @Maria Parker , who also pointed out things I didn't know yet. Of course I watched @Robert Holler video on assembly and fitting countless times. Thank you very much for your effort and detailed instructions.
The assembly was pretty unspectacular. There's really nothing to report. The Q45 rolls just as it came out of the box. The only thing I didn't fit was the original seat cushion. It just looked far too comfortable and I was afraid of falling asleep while driving . Out of habit, I fitted a Ventisit cushion.
Today was the first attempt at riding. I first had to push out of the village to be able to practise unobserved.
I actually just wanted to flintstone and try to get my feet on the pedae without ending up in the ditch. Didn't quite work out.
11km/7miles.
Admittedly, it has been a bit wobbly and I needed a bit more lateral space when starting off and accelerating, but when it rolls, it rolls. Even tight turns are less of a problem than I thought. Of courseit is still a long way to a figure 8 or hands free, but what would life be without challenges? And today was my first attempt on a Cruzbike.
The first thing I did was to fit a couple of mirrors. I still need to get a bell.
What I also need is a small bag (keys, cell phone, rain jacket, spare tube, tools, etc.). Maybe a top tube bag on the boom like I've seen on the V20/S40 here in the forum or a RadicalDesign bag behind the seat. I should also think about a small mudguard on the seat. Small stones often flew to the back of my head. Might look a bit funny when it rains. Luckily I'm bald. That wipes it off quickly .
Over the next few days I will experiment with the seat adjustment and bottom bracket distance.
Many thanks to everyone at Cruzbike and to the forum for all the knowledge and inspiration.
Roberto
I have been the proud owner of an orange Q45 since Monday.
In the past I rode a Flevobike Greenmachine as a recumbent. But for the last few years I've only been riding folding bikes (Brompton) and velomobiles.
Aches and pains in my shoulders, neck and hands (you know...) have led me to the recumbent position.
I live in northern Germany and there are many beautiful places here that are only accessible on single-track bikes. Along the Baltic coast, through forests or simply along the Kiel Canal.
And that's exactly why I bought the Q45.
Between purchase and delivery (very fast for an overseas order of this size), I was warmly supplied with emails from @Maria Parker , who also pointed out things I didn't know yet. Of course I watched @Robert Holler video on assembly and fitting countless times. Thank you very much for your effort and detailed instructions.
The assembly was pretty unspectacular. There's really nothing to report. The Q45 rolls just as it came out of the box. The only thing I didn't fit was the original seat cushion. It just looked far too comfortable and I was afraid of falling asleep while driving . Out of habit, I fitted a Ventisit cushion.
Today was the first attempt at riding. I first had to push out of the village to be able to practise unobserved.
I actually just wanted to flintstone and try to get my feet on the pedae without ending up in the ditch. Didn't quite work out.
11km/7miles.
Admittedly, it has been a bit wobbly and I needed a bit more lateral space when starting off and accelerating, but when it rolls, it rolls. Even tight turns are less of a problem than I thought. Of courseit is still a long way to a figure 8 or hands free, but what would life be without challenges? And today was my first attempt on a Cruzbike.
The first thing I did was to fit a couple of mirrors. I still need to get a bell.
What I also need is a small bag (keys, cell phone, rain jacket, spare tube, tools, etc.). Maybe a top tube bag on the boom like I've seen on the V20/S40 here in the forum or a RadicalDesign bag behind the seat. I should also think about a small mudguard on the seat. Small stones often flew to the back of my head. Might look a bit funny when it rains. Luckily I'm bald. That wipes it off quickly .
Over the next few days I will experiment with the seat adjustment and bottom bracket distance.
Many thanks to everyone at Cruzbike and to the forum for all the knowledge and inspiration.
Roberto
I probably have to do a full length mudguard like 
