Quest conversion kit?

[borealbliss]

I would simply buy a Cruzbike Quest right now if price were not a consideration. Cruzbike offers a fine product and does their best to keep costs low without sacrificing performance, so I am sure the Quest is worth every dollar, but if can get something similar that is more affordable and within my DIY ability, I'd like to know. From the beginning, Cruzbike products have always appealed to the DIY consumer.

Like many of you here, I've been following the development of the Cruzbike line over the last three years since the first Sofrider was introduced (just search the yahoo cruzbike group for my login name: borealbliss). The new Cruzbike Quest has reignited my interest in FWD MBB bikes. Now I can buy one with the feature I most want: a lower BB height. But it appears there may be more than one way to get that, if I am willing to do a small amount of DIY work. However, I need more input from forum members to help me evaluate my options:

Option 1:
Downtube conversion

I have seen a lot of Cruzbike conversions that use foldable bikes with 20" wheels, especially the Downtube line of foldable bikes. Would it be possible to buy a Downtube foldable bike, modify it with a conversion kit, and substitute the Quest short chainstay (available separately for the Quest 451)?
http://www.cruzbike.com/content/quest-short-chainstay

Since this is a common conversion, are plans available online?

Option 2:
20" Sofrider

On a Sofrider V2, Would it be possible to switch the stock wheels and chainstay out for 20" wheels and the Quest short chainstay? (Maybe the new V2 kit would be more useful here.)

Some concerns:
If I modify a Sofrider V2 in this way, I would probably need to change the position/type of brakes I use, or, and maybe more appropriately, I could get a new fork (any spare Quest forks available?).
Would there be enough trail with 20" wheels?
Would the CoG to front tire patch angle remain within EEC braking performance standards?

Option 3:
Forget about modifying a Downtube folder or the Sofrider V2 and just buy the Cruzbike Quest. :geek:

 

[John Tolhurst]

The Quest short chainstay is interchangable with both the kit and the sofrider, so any rider of those bikes can elect to drop down to 20" wheels, provided the brake situation can be solved. On a kit, this will take a bit of thought, on a sofrider it means a disk brake.

Of course Option 3 is a real nice way to go.

 

[Doug Burton]

Hi Borealbliss...

The short answer for all the Cruzbike goodness is "buy the Quest 451".

However, we pride ourselves on being straight-up with our customers on everything here at Cruzbike. So let me explore your options.

Downtube option:
Lets say you start with a Downtube Nova.

Downtube makes a fine product, that converts really well with our conversion kit. SO you've got a Downtube Nova 20" folder, which will cost about $325 after shipping. Add a Cruzbike Kit at about $450 with shipping. Add the short chainstay at about $100 with shipping. You should have a "problematically-foldable" bike at just under $1000 when you're done. ( I say problematically because I haven't worked out the folding/packing details. The two bottle cage bolts on the Nova are pretty well situated to take our seat mount (with a lot of seat recline), and the fork steerer tube looks to be a standard 1 1/8", so it will accept our stem tube with no problems.The seat post will need attention, and there are no doubt other details that need sorting out.) No suspension, though... and the frame is a static length when folded in the middle. Dunno if it would fit in an airline case.

V2K option: The issue here is to get the rear brakes working on a 20" wheel. You could use a 20" front fork with headset reducers and make the V2K frame work with the 20 inch wheels, but the rear brakes will be extremely problematic. Discs can be made to work on the rear, if you are a good garage machinist. V-brakes would be very difficult on the rear wheel. Discs are not possible on the front with the conversion kit, because the fork legs will occupy the space needed by the disc. Same issues if you start with a Sofrider or Freerider and use small wheels.

So I think the Quest 451 will make you the happiest, and will consume the least amount of your time. Depending on what you value your leisure time and aggravation at per hour, the Quest 451 could be a bargain.

But I'm willing to help you work through the other options.

Lemme know if I can help.

Best,

Doug

 

[borealbliss]

Thanks for the help!

Clearly, if I eliminate suspension and foldability the resulting bike is hardly comparable to a Quest, and is simply a small wheel Cruzbike conversion. It looks like the V2K option lies outside of my ability, but the 20 inch wheel donor bike option is still a possiblity. Would I be able to buy a conversion kit with the Quest short chainstay substituted for the original chainstay size that normally comes with the kit?

The particular Downtube conversion that got me interested in this possibility is described in this thread:
Converted folding recumbent
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?267025-Converted-folding-recumbent
And featured in this video:
Downtube Cruzbike with child seat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kt_d3fy_pU
A similar conversion is pictured here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthworm/tags/cruzbike/

The Nova model looks slightly different, but it is also the least expensive model they sell. Would the Downtube model with front suspension make a better donor? All these small wheel bikes have a low top tube, and come with a wider gear range than a 20 inch wheel BMX bike or child's bike would. They seem to be the best 20 inch wheel donor bikes I have found in my limited search so far, although less slant on the top tube would be preferable. From your more extensive knowledge of what folks have used, could you recommend any other good 20 inch donor bikes, folding or not, that I should consider for a "small wheel/low BB cruzbike conversion" (assuming any other 20 inch bikes have been successfully tried)?

Should this thread be moved to or reposted in the conversion kit forum?

 

[borealbliss]

It is difficult to find a fully suspended (or even an unsuspended) 20" wheel bike that has the same low seat height and the narrow front fork of the Quest (to eliminate interference with the knees while pedaling, I assume?). In addition, BMX or child's bikes make bad donor bikes due to either being single speed, or having poor quality parts. To top it off, only the Quest is built with the final end product in view, eliminating any unforeseen complications that could arise with a donor bike. So I definitely think this model fills a much needed niche in the Cruzbike line-up. My conclusion so far: the difference in cost between the Quest and a DIY small wheel FWD MBB is definitely worth it, there's just no other way to get the same value without making significant compromises.

 

[John Tolhurst]

So while you could save dollars, you still wouldn't be getting better value from the conversion route?

 

[borealbliss]

As far as I can see right now, given a brief survey of the options, that's correct. The Quest is a complete package that taken together cannot be duplicated easily; it's a very polished looking product. I'd be happy if someone could prove me wrong. A small wheel conversion makes compromises in comfort when the seat can't be optimally placed, and the front end triangle on a Quest is much cleaner than a conversion as well. Add this to the other features and I think that the difference in cost is justified.

 

[John Tolhurst]

Thanks borealbliss,
I for one a very glad its a better option than cobbling something together, as the designer it would be a disappointment if it were not!

 

[currystomper]

The reach from pacific cycles probably could be converted http://www.pacific-cycles.com/, but its not going to be cheap....

unless you have one.....

Currystomp.. :lol:

 

[borealbliss]

The Reach is a nice bike. And it would be an interesting conversion (though like you pointed out, no savings over Quest at all). It has a flat top bar, but the seat height once the conversion is complete would be much higher than on a Quest, probably more forward, and in a position that's an overall disadvantage I'd think. But I could be wrong, though I doubt I'll ever find out. Who would go this route? Again, like you pointed out, only a current owner or someone who can get one at a big discount!

 

[Robert Holler]

The 20" Q is a great bike.

The 20" Q is a great bike. There is a lot that can be done with it. I have a Downtube folder frame hanging in my shop that "may" get a conversion, but I do not see a need. The Q is a tested design and works great as a daily rider!

Robert