Q45 + Thor Easy Seat = more upright seat angle?

[J'adoreParis]

The specs for the Q45 say the seat back angle is adjustable from 30-deg. to 53-deg., which is a similar range to my HPV Grasshopper. For the urban riding I do on some days, I'd like a more upright seat. Do I understand correctly that installing the Thor Easy Seat would make this possible? If so, any idea of how much more upright than 53-deg. the seat could be adjusted?
Thanks!

 

[RojoRacing]

@Greg ?

 

[Rampa]

The aluminum seat you have already is far more adjustable in that regard. Mainly because the back can tilt independent of the bottom.

 

[J'adoreParis]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I haven't purchase the bike yet, so bear with me a second. You mean that provided I fabricate a longer seat-back bracket, the seat back can be moved further forward?

 

[Mathew Fy]

@woodguy Jim,
Do you know the max upright angle you could get from yours?
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/thor-seat-mounting-bracket-for-q45.13010/#post-156573

 

[Rampa]

The rear changes angle independently of the base. It is basically "hinged". The Thor seat is rigid, and so tilting it more upright effects the base as well. It may also be that angling the Thor as high as you are after might make the upper part overly steep. Those seats have a shallower angle in the lower part that ramps to a steeper angle for the shoulders.

If you do get the bike, it is probably best to experiment with the stock seat first, I would think. Then upgrade later if you need to.

 

[benphyr]

Also, there are a few different Thor seat models and they are designed with specific seat angle ratios in mind. (If you have a seat designed for 30 degree seat back angle and you tip it up to 50 or 60 degrees you quite likely will find yourself slipping off the front of the seat so those seats designed for higher angles have a different shape at the bottom of the seat.) Read up on http://www.thorseat.eu/en/thor-composite-recumbent-seats/ and then contact @Greg (the master craftsman) if you need to. There is a wealth of information can be found on his website. All reports are that he is the best.

From thorseat.eu a quick summary of info on bike seats:

Model G Sport=Sport, Race, need for speed= 17-40 degrees

Model GS Easy: 40-60 degrees=Traffic, Tourism

Model Carrier=40-60 degrees=extra support =Same as GS Easy + backpack tabs/shoulder support

 

[woodguy]

I installed the Thor Easy on my 2018 Q45 & I love it, but it isn’t adjustable like the stock seat. As Rampa said, the stock seat is 2 piece, so adjusting is easy. The single piece Thor would be more difficult to adjust on a regular basis to change from one type of riding to another.

I think if you made a longer seat bracket (the U shaped piece with multiple holes), the standard seat could sit more upright. You might even be able to bolt extension pieces on the bracket to achieve that result.

The real benefit of the Thor for me is to recline more, get more of my body weight off my butt & on my back, and the lumbar shaped support. I agree with Rampa & benphyr that installing the Thor too upright would probably not be the best idea even though Thor says it can be installed up to 60 degrees.

You can see what my installation looks like at the post Matthew Fy references above - search for “Thor seat mounting bracket for Q45”.

 

[J'adoreParis]

Many thanks for the clarification. I just watched the Q45 assembly video and now have a better idea of the hinging action of the stock seat.

It could be that the max angle of 53-deg of the stock seat will be enough, but it's good to know that I could make it a little more upright is necessary just by using a lengthening the seat bracket.

 

[castlerobber]

The specs for the Q45 say the seat back angle is adjustable from 30-deg. to 53-deg., which is a similar range to my HPV Grasshopper. For the urban riding I do on some days, I'd like a more upright seat.

I ride an older Q. I have the seat at 45 degrees. I don't think I'd want it any more upright. I can turn my head easily to check traffic from the side, and navigate in fairly tight spaces.

Have you tried adjusting your Grasshopper's seat to its most upright setting and riding it like that for a while? Are you pleased with it at that angle?

If sitting bolt upright is your primary concern, you might consider the T50 over the Q45. The seat angle is adjustable from 53 to 76 degrees. The seat height (standover) is also a couple of inches lower on the T50 (22" vs the Q45's 25"), which may or may not be what you want.

 

[J'adoreParis]

Although I posted above that the Q and the GH have the same seat adjustment range, after rechecking it turns out the GH's seat only goes up to 47-deg, not 53.
Even with the GH's seat at the most upright setting, the BB height compared to the seat is another issue in stop-and-go traffic. Anyway, since I don't really need rear suspension for the smooth roads I ride on, maybe the T50 is what I should consider.

 

[rx7mark]

I've got a Thor GS Easy on my T50, and started with about a 45 degree angle for the center of the seat back. Its actually sort of hard to measure seat angle on a Thor seat due to the complex shape.

Over time I have leaned the seat back farther and farther until I now have it at about 34 degrees, which works better for me on longer rides, but still works for commuting. If I only rode short rides of an hour or less I would have left it at about 45 degrees.

Like Woodguy I love my Thor seat for the lumbar support and more shapely seat pan. Good luck.

Mark

 

[J'adoreParis]

Great to know the Easy seat works as advertised on the T50 as well. Thanks for the first-hand info.

 

[onmyback]

There isn't much difference in the height of your head or ability to shoulder check, with a seat angle above 53 degrees. It will start to move your weight more forward, which can lead to "nosies", in hard braking situations.
My Q45 is my urban commuter and I have the seat almost fully reclined. I have used a "Take A Look", glasses mounted mirror, for many years, so my need to shoulder check is greatly reduced.

 

[artchris0002@yahoo.com]

I installed a Thor seat. Mounting the seat is a whole different story. I am going to redesign the mounting this winter. My first try actually sucks.
However, I chose the Thor seat for the dual seat angle and back support. In mounting the seat, If you use only one of the "U" brackets in the front, then the seat pivots from the front mount and the angle is defined by the back bracket position. I have tested it set at a lower angle than the stock seat and found this requires a neck support, Period. For me this is a show stopper. Since I have not got a neck support, I replaced the original seat as it work just fine as is. Just looking for a more comfortable seat than can be set at a lower angle.

 

[woodguy]

I also find that the neck support is important with the Thor. I got the one from Thor & really like it. On long rides it makes a big difference, but I don’t always rest against it especially when climbing hills or coming up to intersections where I want to see better what is coming.

My problem with the stock seat was getting some recumbutt pain on a long day because so much weight was on my butt. The shape & angle of the Thor pretty much eliminated that.