Recent Trade-in ONLY 10 MILES ON BIKE Ready for a New Home
- Thread starter BIKEANDSOUL
- Start date
jond
Zen MBB Master
Couple people have fitted the v20 front end to V2 mainframe. David ch for example.
The v20 front end is a big leap in adjustability fitment practicality and ease of manufacture. Also add longevity to the mix. Sure it’s not chrome or polished aluminium and painted yella. And those swords are gone.......but the finish is of the highest caliber and the v20 finish is a marked improvement over the v1.5 and 2.
I think the mix up of bikes looks cool . David went for an all black front end. Search his postings for a look .
First ride and initial impressions
Well, I finally got the opportunity to take this Vendetta out for a 40 mile "get acquainted" ride. I chose the "Van Fleet Trial" a flat, straight, 50 mile stretch of rail trail with no intersections and light user traffic.
First off, the bike looks great. A virtual time capsule. I believe it's an older model, but it looks brand new. Lifting the bike into the back of the truck, I'm struck at how the weight distribution favors the front axle by a wide margin.
I strap on an old seat bag to the back of the headrest and insert a water bottle into the cage and off I go... Sort of. The bike swerves from side to side and runs of the trail a couple of times before I wrestle it into submission and gingerly clip in the pedals. Wow this is cool, I've never really notice the tops of the trees while riding before.
About 5 miles in I began to realized my legs were not getting the proper extension and made a note to extend the boom more for the next ride. The first cyclist I see is another recumbent coming from the other direction. He waves as I concentrate on holding my line. Not ready to let go with one hand just yet. There are a few wooden bridges on this trail and I enjoyed having my chiropractic adjustment when crossing them.
20 miles in. I bring the bike to a halt, pick it up, and spin it 180 degrees to return. Taking this opportunity to stretch and drink some water, I watch as another biker rides by on a carbon DF. He gets about a quarter mile ahead before I begin my "Fred Flintstone" and attempt to real him in. It wasn't to long before I was on his wheel and with abundant caution, powered by on his left. Ok, so he was just casually riding and I would have easily passed him on my Cannondale, but it was fun nonetheless. I began to wonder if he had latched on to my wheel? How would I know, I can't see behind me! Note to self... must get rear view mirror.
My first trip ends. With the exception of my tired legs, I feel great. Strava records a 16 mph average. This is abut 2 mph below my usual average, but I understand that the speed will come as I get more familiar with recumbent riding. I look forward to taking this Vendetta out on the open road with curves and hills for a more complete test. In my opinion the Vendetta lives up to the reputation for comfort and speed but as with all recumbents will remain a small niche market. Speed and comfort are one thing but stability and versatility are equally important. Being able to move your body mass independent from the bike is why diamond frames dominate.
Looking forward to the next ride!
Well, I finally got the opportunity to take this Vendetta out for a 40 mile "get acquainted" ride. I chose the "Van Fleet Trial" a flat, straight, 50 mile stretch of rail trail with no intersections and light user traffic.
First off, the bike looks great. A virtual time capsule. I believe it's an older model, but it looks brand new. Lifting the bike into the back of the truck, I'm struck at how the weight distribution favors the front axle by a wide margin.
I strap on an old seat bag to the back of the headrest and insert a water bottle into the cage and off I go... Sort of. The bike swerves from side to side and runs of the trail a couple of times before I wrestle it into submission and gingerly clip in the pedals. Wow this is cool, I've never really notice the tops of the trees while riding before.
About 5 miles in I began to realized my legs were not getting the proper extension and made a note to extend the boom more for the next ride. The first cyclist I see is another recumbent coming from the other direction. He waves as I concentrate on holding my line. Not ready to let go with one hand just yet. There are a few wooden bridges on this trail and I enjoyed having my chiropractic adjustment when crossing them.
20 miles in. I bring the bike to a halt, pick it up, and spin it 180 degrees to return. Taking this opportunity to stretch and drink some water, I watch as another biker rides by on a carbon DF. He gets about a quarter mile ahead before I begin my "Fred Flintstone" and attempt to real him in. It wasn't to long before I was on his wheel and with abundant caution, powered by on his left. Ok, so he was just casually riding and I would have easily passed him on my Cannondale, but it was fun nonetheless. I began to wonder if he had latched on to my wheel? How would I know, I can't see behind me! Note to self... must get rear view mirror.
My first trip ends. With the exception of my tired legs, I feel great. Strava records a 16 mph average. This is abut 2 mph below my usual average, but I understand that the speed will come as I get more familiar with recumbent riding. I look forward to taking this Vendetta out on the open road with curves and hills for a more complete test. In my opinion the Vendetta lives up to the reputation for comfort and speed but as with all recumbents will remain a small niche market. Speed and comfort are one thing but stability and versatility are equally important. Being able to move your body mass independent from the bike is why diamond frames dominate.
Looking forward to the next ride!
jond
Zen MBB Master
Doby there are bike fitting instructions and learning to ride instructions aplenty here in the forum and home site. Take your time it is an individual journey that can be immensely assisted by using this no brainer resource
Moving your body mass is critically important I agree on mtb terrain but on road much less so if at all. In many ways I feel the bike handling is as nimble on the vendetta as on my df. Just a variation of inputs. Certainly I can put both bikes on a white line. And on the vendetta I don’t have to worry about cornering pedal strike. However there is no levitating off the saddle or bunny hopping going on.
I believe the later model vendettas have slightly less twitchy handling with a geometry tweak.
if you post a pic of you on bike side on I’m sure you’ll get some fitting tips.
most of us start off with neckrest in way too far. You should have some double chinning going on with your head more vertical. Not looking at tree tops or down your nose at df bikes lol.
enjoy.
Moving your body mass is critically important I agree on mtb terrain but on road much less so if at all. In many ways I feel the bike handling is as nimble on the vendetta as on my df. Just a variation of inputs. Certainly I can put both bikes on a white line. And on the vendetta I don’t have to worry about cornering pedal strike. However there is no levitating off the saddle or bunny hopping going on.
I believe the later model vendettas have slightly less twitchy handling with a geometry tweak.
if you post a pic of you on bike side on I’m sure you’ll get some fitting tips.
most of us start off with neckrest in way too far. You should have some double chinning going on with your head more vertical. Not looking at tree tops or down your nose at df bikes lol.
enjoy.
IndianaDave
Zen MBB Apprentice
Thank you for your thoughts with your first Vendetta rides. Having just purchased a new Vendetta, I'm struggling learning how to balance and pedal this most interesting bicycle.
FYI, I'm 80 and have been riding and racing the DFs for 50 years. I've owned a Catrike 700 for nearly 10 years and was getting bored with the trike tribe and their 8 - 10 mph rides, thus my purchasing a Cruzbike v20.
I've about 20, 2-3 mile rides on my V20 and am slowly getting more comfortable pedaling and balancing in the prone position on a 2 wheeler.
I'll get it and am looking forward returning to 20 - 30 mile rides. Not yet tho, as learning how to ride this V20 is quite a challenge, for me.
Again, thank you for your post ...
Indiana Dave
FYI, I'm 80 and have been riding and racing the DFs for 50 years. I've owned a Catrike 700 for nearly 10 years and was getting bored with the trike tribe and their 8 - 10 mph rides, thus my purchasing a Cruzbike v20.
I've about 20, 2-3 mile rides on my V20 and am slowly getting more comfortable pedaling and balancing in the prone position on a 2 wheeler.
I'll get it and am looking forward returning to 20 - 30 mile rides. Not yet tho, as learning how to ride this V20 is quite a challenge, for me.
Again, thank you for your post ...
Indiana Dave
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Keep at it Dave. I am sure you'll be whizzing by much faster than on your Catrike 700 in the group rides in no time.
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
Hi @IndianaDave
It took me a while to get there too, but it has been totally worth it ever since. Keep at it, and welcome!
It took me a while to get there too, but it has been totally worth it ever since. Keep at it, and welcome!
IndianaDave
Zen MBB Apprentice
CruzeTribe
Rode 6 miles this afternoon on a 10 foot wide trail. Glad it wasn't busy, because my ride wasn't pretty. But, I'm getting it. Hopefully this time next year I'll be setting speed records for 80 - 85 age group ...
For what it's worth ...
My 20-20-20
V20
20" wheels
20 pounds
Let's RIDE ...
Rode 6 miles this afternoon on a 10 foot wide trail. Glad it wasn't busy, because my ride wasn't pretty. But, I'm getting it. Hopefully this time next year I'll be setting speed records for 80 - 85 age group ...
For what it's worth ...
My 20-20-20
V20
20" wheels
20 pounds
Let's RIDE ...
Attachments
jond
Zen MBB Master
wow never seen the v with 406 wheels and a flat bar. Industrial might. Enjoy.
benphyr
Guru-me-not
Hi @IndianaDave and welcome to the family. I think you might find it much easier with flared handlebars positioning the hands almost vertical. That works much better for me anyway. If you need a bar for mountain bike components there is one on the Cruzbike site or check out Soma Gator for options.
Again welcome and keep us in mind if you have updates, want advice, tips, questions, etc.
Again welcome and keep us in mind if you have updates, want advice, tips, questions, etc.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Not used to seeing a V20 with such small wheels, so it looks a bit odd, but with the right wheel/tire combination could it be not only lighter than a V20 with a 700c set, but more aero as well? 20" Monokote wheels?
IndianaDave
Zen MBB Apprentice
Not used to seeing a V20 with such small wheels, so it looks a bit odd, but with the right wheel/tire combination could it be not only lighter than a V20 with a 700c set, but more aero as well? 20" Monokote wheels?
Frito
Great suggestion (monokote)
Stay tuned ...
Let's RIDE ...
Indiana Dave
IndianaDave
Zen MBB Apprentice
Cruz'ers
One thing I have noticed with my very limited mileage to date ...
This thing accelerates like a rocket !
Which to me means = future SPEED
Yesssssssssssssizzle
Let's RIDE !
One thing I have noticed with my very limited mileage to date ...
This thing accelerates like a rocket !
Which to me means = future SPEED
Yesssssssssssssizzle
Let's RIDE !
bladderhead
Zen MBB Master
@Doby Some more miles and you will be doing a U and having a guzzle without stopping at all. If you are lucky, there is enough space between your guts and your handlebars for you to lean forward. This enables body English.
It seems that @IndianaDave has mastered the front wheel spin.
You are on white lines and not levitating? Try different drugsjond said:
It seems that @IndianaDave has mastered the front wheel spin.
LarryOz
Cruzeum Curator & Sigma Wrangler
Dave, Join WUCA - you can set some WUCA world records on a recumbent in the 80+ age category.
Check out https://www.ultracycling.com/how-set-world-record
I am the records chair - and we need more records set by recumbents of any age!
IndianaDave
Zen MBB Apprentice
Larry
6 times your Captcha FAILED ...
MAYBE another day ...
ID
6 times your Captcha FAILED ...
MAYBE another day ...
ID
IndianaDave
Zen MBB Apprentice
3lb
Probably ...
26 pounds down the road.
If we are ever close, wear a mask as this "gram weenie" thing is a disease ...
Probably ...
26 pounds down the road.
If we are ever close, wear a mask as this "gram weenie" thing is a disease ...
