Q45 Third Ride Reeeeeport! And Question....

[Tophat Fiddle]

Hello, folks; I took the Q45 out again today, started on the paths at Scissortail Park, up and over the bridge there, then onto the bike path by the river to Bricktown, then back home through the city streets (!) It's Saturday, so there's not much traffic here in downtown OKC. I'm feeling better about being able to keep it upright, make turns, avoid the wide variety of obstabcles here and there, stay out of the way of cars, and so forth.

One thing, though--the front end seems very floppy--that is to say, too eager and easy to turn left or right. Before I put it together, I noticed that the fork was very stiff to turn left or right, but the assembly video says that's supposed to be that way, so I didn't mess with it, I just put the front end together. Was I supposed to make an adjustment on the front end to make the turning stiffer? Is it possible to do that? If it could be make a little bit stiffer, I think that might help it not want to heel over so bad, but I'm not going to mess with it until I know that it's possible to adjust it there. It's not unworkable as it is, and that might be the way it needs to be for other reasons.

Okay, thanks!

 

[LarryOz]

Was I supposed to make an adjustment on the front end to make the turning stiffer? Is it possible to do that? If it could be make a little bit stiffer, I think that might help it not want to heel over so bad, but I'm not going to mess with it until I know that it's possible to adjust it there. It's not unworkable as it is, and that might be the way it needs to be for other reasons.

I so not thing there is not really anything you can do to make the front end stiffer. Eventually you will get used to it. If you are making really sharp low speed turns then the best thing you can do is drop you feet sit up some and hold the handlebars tightly to turn - then once you finish the turn and before you loose too much speed straighten out, get you feet back up and keep going. If you are going in a straight line being clipped in really helps you control the front end a lot. Usually your legs will take over after enough miles and you will be able to ride with on hands.

 

[CruzRider]

if you think the Q is floppy, you should try the V . Like Larry said, you will get used to it.

Here is what helps me.

I highly recommend going through the Cruzbike fit video to make sure you have setup the bike to properly fit you. What does that have to do with it being floppy? It makes a big difference in controlling the bike. With the Cruzbike, you counter steer with your hands, basically pulling it back towards center. The bike fit has a lot to do with that. I spent time getting this just right.

Also, if you turn, try to sit up and not pedal. Alternatively, extend the outer leg and pull back the inner leg with the cranks level to the ground. This gives me the most confidence through a turn. Your body needs to lean out of the turn. This is the opposite of an upright.

Happy riding

 

[Tophat Fiddle]

if you think the Q is floppy, you should try the V . Like Larry said, you will get used to it.

Here is what helps me.

I highly recommend going through the Cruzbike fit video to make sure you have setup the bike to properly fit you. What does that have to do with it being floppy? It makes a big difference in controlling the bike. With the Cruzbike, you counter steer with your hands, basically pulling it back towards center. The bike fit has a lot to do with that. I spent time getting this just right.

Also, if you turn, try to sit up and not pedal. Alternatively, extend the outer leg and pull back the inner leg with the cranks level to the ground. This gives me the most confidence through a turn. Your body needs to lean out of the turn. This is the opposite of an upright.

Happy riding

Heh, everything's relative, I guess. Thanks. As I say, it's totally workable as it is, the amount of floppiness is just something that at my present experience level (<20 miles), I have to stay aware of all the time.

 

[Tophat Fiddle]

I so not thing there is not really anything you can do to make the front end stiffer. Eventually you will get used to it. If you are making really sharp low speed turns then the best thing you can do is drop you feet sit up some and hold the handlebars tightly to turn - then once you finish the turn and before you loose too much speed straighten out, get you feet back up and keep going. If you are going in a straight line being clipped in really helps you control the front end a lot. Usually your legs will take over after enough miles and you will be able to ride with on hands.

Okay, thanks, Larry. As I say, it's totally workable as it is, I just have to stay on it all the time at this point in my experience (<20 miles).

 

[LarryOz]

Okay, thanks, Larry. As I say, it's totally workable as it is, I just have to stay on it all the time at this point in my experience (<20 miles).

I am happy to help you dial in your fit - if you can get someone to video you (from the side as you are riding and pedaling I will give you my opinion and things to look into adjusting. Pics not moving (at least 4 with foot at 12, 3, 6, 9, and at one hand on handlebar) are better than nothing but it is obviously hard to duplicate our body position when we are not pedaling and actually holding onto the handlebars controlling the Cruzbike. We all tend to slide farther down in the seat when riding.