S40 or Q45?

[djr]

I am considering purchasing a Cruzbike, and wondering what current riders feel about the relative merits of the S40 or Q45.

Over the years, I have ridden a classic road bike (Cannondale Caad8), a recumbent (Bachetta GIRO 700ATT), and most recently a Spot Acme 700c city bike with a Gates belt drive. I got into the recumbent because of pelvic pain, and I actually loved the bike, but I got romanced back onto my road bike and eventually the city bike. Anyway, I'm going back around the circle now to protect my back and my bits, looking at the Cruzbikes.

Most of my riding is and will be on Denver's Cherry Creek bike path, which is paved, if not always smooth and dry. I like to do 10-20 mile rides, getting my heart rate up into a good training zone. I suppose speed doesn't matter to me as much as fluidity. After all, the goal is to put in effort. Apart from the trail, I could be tempted to try some of the local climbs, 50 or 100 milers (I did a 50 on the Bachetta), and maybe some days further afield in Colorado.

So, S40 or Q45?

Cheers,

Jeff

P.S. I wonder if the design crew is considering a belt drive version of the Cruzbike. Long recumbents don't have this option, but it would seem that Cruzbike, uniquely, does. Low maintenance. Low noise.

 

[Robert Holler]

Jeff,

Definitely no belt drive. Not as long as I have a say in it. They have more resistance and are overall less efficient than a chain for the average riders wattage - and I have always said when belts start to show up on race bikes with efficiency greater than a good chain - then...maybe.

I have been on the same trail you mention when I used to live in Cherry Creek and attended Denver University for a few terms a million years ago.

That environment is going to be S40 territory mainly, BUT if you want to have a more social cushy ride the Q45 can be a good choice too. If you are going to also "open it up" for more speed on the trail outside of the city though - the S40 will always be faster for the same effort than the Q45. The S40 is also lighter and will be a better rabbit on the climbs.

When we recently did RAGBRAI, I rode the Q45. It was great and very comfy. It was also slower. Other riders on the S40's would easily outpace me. But I had not done a long organized ride on the Q before so I wanted to give it a shot. I had no complaints, but for that ride I was not really concerned about faster speeds with tens of thousands of other riders.

 

[LarryOz]

I am considering purchasing a Cruzbike, and wondering what current riders feel about the relative merits of the S40 or Q45.

Over the years, I have ridden a classic road bike (Cannondale Caad8), a recumbent (Bachetta GIRO 700ATT), and most recently a Spot Acme 700c city bike with a Gates belt drive. I got into the recumbent because of pelvic pain, and I actually loved the bike, but I got romanced back onto my road bike and eventually the city bike. Anyway, I'm going back around the circle now to protect my back and my bits, looking at the Cruzbikes.

Most of my riding is and will be on Denver's Cherry Creek bike path, which is paved, if not always smooth and dry. I like to do 10-20 mile rides, getting my heart rate up into a good training zone. I suppose speed doesn't matter to me as much as fluidity. After all, the goal is to put in effort. Apart from the trail, I could be tempted to try some of the local climbs, 50 or 100 milers (I did a 50 on the Bachetta), and maybe some days further afield in Colorado.

So, S40 or Q45?

Cheers,

Jeff

P.S. I wonder if the design crew is considering a belt drive version of the Cruzbike. Long recumbents don't have this option, but it would seem that Cruzbike, uniquely, does. Low maintenance. Low noise.

Take a mini vacation to Hilton Head Island this fall or winter and visit me and the Cruzbike Museum. I have a proven teaching method that uses an electric Cruzbike first, then I move you to the other models. I have all the models here for you to ride. If you make the trip from Co, you can stay with me here on the Island. Once you choose on which model you want, I can pack up a new Q45 or S40 and send it back with you. - I am guessing you will end up with an S40 - but either will do nicely for you - it just depending on how fast you want to go. Feel free to call me to chat - 828-216-7860

 

[djr]

Such a generous offer, and I would take almost any excuse to go to Hilton Head. Unfortunately, I just don't have that freedom at the moment. So I went ahead and ordered the S40, which will arrive today. I am trusting that my experience with a recumbent in the recent past will help me on the learning curve, and in any case I am not worried about learning!

I'll send a report!

By the way, I'm not sure that the science supports the "belt drives are a drag" conclusion, especially not for something like the Q45, which is already not designed for speed and efficiency. Also, if we compare belt efficiency to the chain resistance on a long recumbent, I suspect the story is even muddier. My own experience with the Gates belt drive is that it is quiet, maintenance free, and fun. The hubs also give the option for generator driven lights. I know that there are lots of angles to this question, and everyone will have a sweet spot, but I think that Cruzbike has a unique opportunity in the recumbent market to do a belt drive and see!

Anyway, looking forward to that truck arriving and me spending some hours in the garage building a bike.

Jeff

 

[Robert Holler]

....I think that Cruzbike has a unique opportunity in the recumbent market to do a belt drive and see!


Jeff

Possibly. Part of the challenge here (for Gates brand at least) is that to use the Gates drive - the frame has to be "approved" by Gates - so that's something we have to consider. Also other things would need to change with the front end - specific areas would have to be re-designed and strengthened significantly due to the amount of tension that the belts need to work correctly, which doesn't apply to chains. And each one of those changes means new design, new tooling, now prototyping, new jigs, and other changes to existing elements that connect to those new parts thereby creating the need for new tools and jigs for those parts... like pushing a domino over.

In the meantime though - as always - I can promise you that we here at Cruzbike are always doing something and always innovating...................