billyk
Guru
Quest 2/559, upgraded to (approximately) QX100. $900
Lovingly maintained for more than 9000 miles: Excellent condition.
I'm selling it because I got a Q45.
Very minor cosmetic damage appropriate to these miles. No crashes (couple of low-speed or no-speed drops while I was learning to ride it).
Major upgrades from original:
- Beefier boom/slider from a QX100.
- Replaced the original spring headtube with the rigid QX100 head tube.
- Air shock: Kindshock A5-RR1 (double chamber).
These three together produced a dramatic stiffening of the ride.
See full discussions in the threads "Upgrading a Quest v2" (http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/upgrading-a-quest-v2.12009/) and "A dramatic upgrade: Air shock for Quest" (http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/a-dramatic-upgrade-air-shock-for-quest.8638/) and "Quest frame flex tested" (http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/quest-frame-flex-tested.7794/).
I have all the original pieces from the above mods if you want to restore it to as-sold setup (but why would you?).
The bike has the original SRAM dual-drive (internal 3-speed hub, 9-speed derailleur). Works great. According to Sheldon Brown's calculator, with the 38-tooth oval chainring the gear inch range is 24.5 to 115.9.
The result has the combined advantages of the QX100 (rigid front end) and Q2 (internal hub allowing shifting while stopped). The internal hub also means a single front chainring, leaving space for a guard ring so you aren't facing the world with pointy, greasy gear-teeth. It's much friendlier in a crowd.
Also has the original rack (see photo).
Minor mods/additions:
- Fenders (funky mounts, but I like a full front fender on these bikes to keep my drivetrain cleaner in the rain)
- "not a steering damper". This is an inner tube between the fork crown and the seatpan (see photo). It has no effect while riding, but just stabilizes the front end so you can wheel it one-handed by the seat back (with a bit of care). Or lean it against a wall, etc, with confidence. Or stand over the bike without needing to hold the handlebars. It just keeps the front end from flopping over.
- 26x1.5 slick tires (You're welcome to the original narrower tires/tubes with about zero miles on them)
- Handlebar stem to my preference. I have a pile of these if you want to try different ones, and an adjustable stem for figuring the length you want; available for borrowing.
- Various spares (e.g. for the SRAM dual-drive)
- I took off the kickstand because it was unreliable, but have it sitting in my garage. Never found a useful one (hence the not-a-steering-damper).
All these changes are easily reversible/removable.
Normal maintenance is up-to-date: recent chain, cables, housings, brake pads. I was riding it regularly until the day my Q45 arrived.
I have a Ventisit for this bike that I'm not using now, would throw that in for $50 (half price; not much used).
I would much prefer to sell it locally (Seattle area, and I get down to Portland/Eugene pretty regularly), so you can see it and try it. This bike is in excellent condition. Detail photos on request, and any questions answered.
Billy K
Lovingly maintained for more than 9000 miles: Excellent condition.
I'm selling it because I got a Q45.
Very minor cosmetic damage appropriate to these miles. No crashes (couple of low-speed or no-speed drops while I was learning to ride it).
Major upgrades from original:
- Beefier boom/slider from a QX100.
- Replaced the original spring headtube with the rigid QX100 head tube.
- Air shock: Kindshock A5-RR1 (double chamber).
These three together produced a dramatic stiffening of the ride.
See full discussions in the threads "Upgrading a Quest v2" (http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/upgrading-a-quest-v2.12009/) and "A dramatic upgrade: Air shock for Quest" (http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/a-dramatic-upgrade-air-shock-for-quest.8638/) and "Quest frame flex tested" (http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/quest-frame-flex-tested.7794/).
I have all the original pieces from the above mods if you want to restore it to as-sold setup (but why would you?).
The bike has the original SRAM dual-drive (internal 3-speed hub, 9-speed derailleur). Works great. According to Sheldon Brown's calculator, with the 38-tooth oval chainring the gear inch range is 24.5 to 115.9.
The result has the combined advantages of the QX100 (rigid front end) and Q2 (internal hub allowing shifting while stopped). The internal hub also means a single front chainring, leaving space for a guard ring so you aren't facing the world with pointy, greasy gear-teeth. It's much friendlier in a crowd.
Also has the original rack (see photo).
Minor mods/additions:
- Fenders (funky mounts, but I like a full front fender on these bikes to keep my drivetrain cleaner in the rain)
- "not a steering damper". This is an inner tube between the fork crown and the seatpan (see photo). It has no effect while riding, but just stabilizes the front end so you can wheel it one-handed by the seat back (with a bit of care). Or lean it against a wall, etc, with confidence. Or stand over the bike without needing to hold the handlebars. It just keeps the front end from flopping over.
- 26x1.5 slick tires (You're welcome to the original narrower tires/tubes with about zero miles on them)
- Handlebar stem to my preference. I have a pile of these if you want to try different ones, and an adjustable stem for figuring the length you want; available for borrowing.
- Various spares (e.g. for the SRAM dual-drive)
- I took off the kickstand because it was unreliable, but have it sitting in my garage. Never found a useful one (hence the not-a-steering-damper).
All these changes are easily reversible/removable.
Normal maintenance is up-to-date: recent chain, cables, housings, brake pads. I was riding it regularly until the day my Q45 arrived.
I have a Ventisit for this bike that I'm not using now, would throw that in for $50 (half price; not much used).
I would much prefer to sell it locally (Seattle area, and I get down to Portland/Eugene pretty regularly), so you can see it and try it. This bike is in excellent condition. Detail photos on request, and any questions answered.
Billy K
