S40 Question about Seat / Headrest / Turning

[david_kcmo]

Took the plunge. Bought used S40. Love it. Trying to tune it in. As to the seat, it came with a thor seat. I couldn't get over just putting a piece of foam on it. Tried the original seat with pad. Starting to like it.

Question 1: What does the seat extender do?
Question 2: Having ridden a recumbent for a while, I don't remember my twig and berries being so close to a bar, etc. If I come to an unexpected stop too quickly, I am worried about going on octave higher. Is this a valid concern?
Question 3: Headrest. It came with headrest tubes but not headrest. I have a pretty basic helmet with a little point in the back. Not sure what my head should be resting on. Or is it my neck resting? I am trying to figure out how to try a cushion or something as the headrest to see if I should buy one. Suggestions?
Question 4: I've been riding up and down our side street. I cannot turn around without sitting up in the seat. How tight of a turn radius should be expecting to reach?

 

[Robert Holler]

Congrats on your S40! With some practice you will be riding like a pro.

-The extender is for the front of the seat - to extend it if needed for a bit more of a platform for your butt to rest on.
-I have never had an issue with the position related to the seat/main tube being close to the nether-regions. Its actually not as tight as many recumbents, where the main tube is quite literally pressed up against the crotch (Optima Barons anyone?)
-The rest is designed for the tubes to fit the curve of your neck. If you need a pad you can order a replacement. Possibly they were using an aftermarket one with the other seat - or no headrest?
-With time making tight turns will become very natural, but sitting up in very tight turns to help with balance is a common maneuver on any recumbent brand.

Robert

 

[Mathew Fy]

Headrest. It came with headrest tubes but not headrest.

Many S40 riders do not use a headrest. I ride the V20, so a headrest is important. The Vendetta came with a slip-on foam & mesh cushion,

followed by a strap-on one.


Before switching to Thor seat with an ADEM 2 headrest, I used PeteClark's modification:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/headache-from-riding-v.8994/page-2#post-122765
I taped the inner-tube to the headrest bar following the curve. I found that to be very comfortable.

 

[Mathew Fy]

I cannot turn around without sitting up in the seat. How tight of a turn radius should be expecting to reach?

Four years later, I still sit up to turn sharply, requiring most of a two-lane roadway. I probably could get a tighter circle with practice, though.

 

[paco1961]

No head rest needed on the S40.
No problem with octave jumping on short stops.
Every once in a while I can make a U turn in 1 lane width but rarely.
Sitting upright helps on sharp turns but becomes less essential over time

 

[david_kcmo]

First, I appreciate the great responses and the help. Having ridden recumbents for a few years, the cruzbike just made sense. At this point, and with only a few miles under my belt (back and forth on my side street) it feels like I’m entering a cockpit when I get in. It’s a cool feeling. I have a Thor seat (came with purchase) but the original seat is feeling better and better. Just trying to figure out where to put my head. I have some pool noodles that I’m thinking of adding to head rest bars to try. It didn’t come with a headrest. Thoughts?

 

[paco1961]

Tinker away. Lots of people have come up with lots of home made variations. I found I didnt' need the rest on the S40 but you may. We're all a little different. On my V20 I have an aftermarket, home made head/neck rest cushioned with foam pipe wrap. I didn't come up with it. It was on the bike when I bought it second hand.

 

[Robert Holler]

First, I appreciate the great responses and the help. Having ridden recumbents for a few years, the cruzbike just made sense. At this point, and with only a few miles under my belt (back and forth on my side street) it feels like I’m entering a cockpit when I get in. It’s a cool feeling. I have a Thor seat (came with purchase) but the original seat is feeling better and better. Just trying to figure out where to put my head. I have some pool noodles that I’m thinking of adding to head rest bars to try. It didn’t come with a headrest. Thoughts?

For a small amount of $ send an email to us at support@cruzbike.com and Marianne will hook you up with a set of the headrest tube/pad that comes with the bike. We have spares. The stock headrest setup on the S40 is pretty good for most people.

Take a look inside the headrest holes at he top of the frame, and see if the headrest Perez clamp is inside the frame. It will be a black plastic looking piece that is bolted in. If nothing is in there we can get you one of those too, as that will be necessary to hold the headrest tube securely.

 

[cpml123]

I have some pool noodles that I’m thinking of adding to head rest bars to try.

That's what I use. Works great.

 

[david_kcmo]

Thank you!

 

[david_kcmo]

I know this sounds crazy but if standing on right hand side of bike looking back does it for this way? Having problems getting it in frame.

 

[velocio]

I know this sounds crazy but if standing on right hand side of bike looking back does it for this way? Having problems getting it in frame.

As a headrest it's intended to be inserted the direction in your photo.

 

[cpml123]

This is my pool noodle headrest setup.

 

[david_kcmo]

As a headrest it's intended to be inserted the direction in your photo.

“As a headrest” suggests other uses. Please tell.

 

[velocio]

There are tales told in whispers late at night of people who, in defiance of all that's good and holy, mount the headrest backwards to use as an ersatz rack. Philistines and blasphemers!

I use a rack as my rack and the headrest serves as my headrest, but I've always been a conformist.

 

[david_kcmo]

So I’m trying to put in bars for headrest I unscrewed the lower screw too much and I heard something slide down inside the frame. Will this forever haunt me? What was it, how do I get it back and how could I possibly reconnect it

 

[markyon]

As Headrests go, I did a lot of experimenting too! Everyone is different. I finally settled on the spring version (You may be able to see it in my profile pic). It is found among the accessories. I have it adjusted to support the base of my scull... just under the adjustment knob on my helmet. I only rest my head on it lightly when I'm coasting. It just gives my neck a little relief on longer rides but I could probably do without a headrest altogether.

 

[Mathew Fy]

Whatever it was, shake the bike upside down and let gravity be your friend. It helps to yell “Hulk mad!”
For some history of the change from scissor clamp to Perez clamp, read here.
I still use the older scissor clamp. Loosen both screws enough that you can push the middle down, just enough to allow the bars to move in or out. The tighten both when positioned. See video.
Here’s another resource:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/search/3160128/?q=Scissor+clamp&o=date

Oh, and Happy Easter, everyone.

 

[david_kcmo]

Whatever it was, shake the bike upside down and let gravity be your friend. It helps to yell “Hulk mad!”
For some history of the change from scissor clamp to Perez clamp, read here.
I still use the older scissor clamp. Loosen both screws enough that you can push the middle down, just enough to allow the bars to move in or out. The tighten both when positioned. See video.
Here’s another resource:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/search/3160128/?q=Scissor+clamp&o=date

Oh, and Happy Easter, everyone.

ha! I can do it. Happy Easter.

 

[david_kcmo]

Whatever it was, shake the bike upside down and let gravity be your friend. It helps to yell “Hulk mad!”
For some history of the change from scissor clamp to Perez clamp, read here.
I still use the older scissor clamp. Loosen both screws enough that you can push the middle down, just enough to allow the bars to move in or out. The tighten both when positioned. See video.
Here’s another resource:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/search/3160128/?q=Scissor+clamp&o=date

Oh, and Happy Easter, everyone.

I picked up the bike and yelled “hulk mad” and this came out. Of course one of the rubber pieces is missing the headless screw that secures the piece to the rod.