Question on bending neck rest tubes

[Andrew Wilson]

I've searched but not found anything on changing the bend on the stock neck rest tube.
How hard would it be to bend it a little more upright ? I dont want to risk kinking it and dont have a tube bender the correct radius.
Thanks

 

[Don1]

Being alloy... You'll just crack em.then bin them. Look at the adjustable headrest options in the accessories options on the cruzbike website.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

That was my concern, but not knowing the alloy or hardness. I thought I’d ask.
Thanks

 

[RojoRacing]

If you have a simple map gas torch you heat up where you want it bent and then bend it hot. This will keep it from cracking and overall fatigue over time. Without heat you can kind of bend it a little but don’t try and bend it back, it’ll crack for sure.

Question
The vertical section should be vertical as stock so you want to bend it forward beyond its current vertical position? Another option if you need more height is to cut the tubes in the vertical area and glue in extender tubes in the middle to lengthen the height. You could use small hose clamps to adjust for temporary positions to test it before gluing.

Pro tip
Take lots of pictures from as close to the same side angle as possible after each adjustment so you understand what it’s doing to your head tilt. Sometimes an adjustment moves your head in the opposite way because the contact point changes instead of just moving the same contact point to a new position.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Hi Jason. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, I was really hoping you would. Here is the head position That I'm striving for. I noticed the vertical tubes are not quite vertical and was going to try getting them vertical first. Then raise if needed. Looking at this pic I really do need to extend the vert section. I tried sliding the tubes out and that didnt help at all.There is already extra foam at the top, but still not enough. I like your idea of cutting and extending if needed. I'm a CNC programmer/ machinist and handle all of the Design, CNC and 3D printing needs in our college so have access to tools needed. If I extend, which I think I'll have to do, I'll turn a pair of ID sleeves and Tig or epoxy in place. I want to wait until I get the Ventisit pad and Perez Clamp ( great job BTW) then go from there. Thanks again for your help

 

[RojoRacing]

Based on the picture I was going to say slide the headrest out further and let your neck angle out and head contact the pad but if you didn’t like that then you’re already onto the next option.

If you have the machine shop capability and time maybe try mimicing the “adjustable headrest” aftermarket option CruzBike sells. It’s a bit of an afterthought style design but for people like us who can make things, there’s no harm in experimenting.

I’d almost suggest heating and forming the top of the tubes to better match the back of your head angle before cutting and extending the tubes. It’ll be easier to form virgin tubes then those which are glued together and you can’t risk the heat.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Good points, I'll give that a try. I just added another piece of dense foam 1/2" thick just to the top of the rest as a test.

 

[jond]

Yes from pic headrest needs to out more. Seems counterintuitive and it’s a common error for initial set up to have headrest too far in.

By letting it out your head will be more vertical and your shoulders flatter on seat.

Lots on this on bike fit threads.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Yes from pic headrest needs to out more. Seems counterintuitive and it’s a common error for initial set up to have headrest too far in.
By letting it out your head will be more vertical and your shoulders flatter on seat.
Lots on this on bike fit threads.

Thanks, I tried letting it out but then I wasnt making contact with the rest at all, shoulders or neck. Guess I'm just a hunch back
I will try it again though. Thanks again

 

[Andrew Wilson]

The tubes were off about 5 deg from vertical. I was able to clamp to my welding table and ‘cold’ bend about 10 deg. This seemed to make a nice improvement. This also allowed me to extend the neck rest out more. Feels better but I’ll have to wait for the hurricane to pass before I can test.

 

[benphyr]

... I’ll have to wait for the hurricane to pass before I can test.

Cruzbikes are great hurricane/flood insurance:

https://www.facebook.com/cruzbike/videos/506127949850683/

 

[Andrew Wilson]

I don’t have the skills for that.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

That seemed to do the trick !!!
Rode 26 miles today and I think it's perfect. Thanks for all the help
Edit: Road another 26 and seems perfect. In addition to bending, I also added 1/2" of foam just to the top part of the rest.

 

[jond]

View attachment 8326 That seemed to do the trick !!!
Rode 26 miles today and I think it's perfect. Thanks for all the help
Edit: Road another 26 and seems perfect. In addition to bending, I also added 1/2" of foam just to the top part of the rest.

For what I think is the cheapest most comfortable addition to oem headrest cut down an old inner tube 25 mm make 3 passes inside headrest. Put between hard and soft foam. Pump up to your comfort setting. It takes out any conducted jarring to the noggin and back to the tubes of headrest. Wish I had done it straight away. You don’t even need to vulcanise the ends. Just roll up ends several times and a couple cable ties small each end. Stays up for days. Naturally orientate valve filler at bottom pointing down. Ahhh comfy. Been years with it. Your fit looks good now. And remember literally 5 mm adjustment can make a world of difference. Once happy score mark and measure that sucker front n back

 

[jond]

I guess in the end individual variation of physiques will be the determining factor in why what works for me might not work at all for you.

Try the inner tube though it’s magic.