John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
Please note my new blog on Sofrider and Quest. We went without front suspension this time, so I thought I better explain why. Here's the link this time.
Cheers to all.
Cheers to all.
Sofrider and Quest incremented to V3
- Thread starter John Tolhurst
- Start date
Charles.Plager
Recumbent Quant
Are there pictures
Are there pictures somwhere?
I didn't see this coming, although it doesn't sound crazy. I'd love to be able to ride a Sofrider 2 and 3 to see what I think...
Are there pictures somwhere?
I didn't see this coming, although it doesn't sound crazy. I'd love to be able to ride a Sofrider 2 and 3 to see what I think...
currystomper
Well-Known Member
In the long term
I'm saving up for a Quest (eta end of the year) to replace my conversion. I do a far amount of off road riding on cobbles and path/ green lanes, the ablity to fold the quest was useful because I would like to take it on a long train jouney next year.
However the New Silivo looks fantasic - I would love a fast road recumbent....
So what do I go for a new Quest or a Silivo frame...
The new features on both bikes seem to have got me thinking again - so I'm now not sure which one to go for!!
My Head and my Heart are fighting again!!
Looking forward to ride reports on both bikes!!
CS
I'm saving up for a Quest (eta end of the year) to replace my conversion. I do a far amount of off road riding on cobbles and path/ green lanes, the ablity to fold the quest was useful because I would like to take it on a long train jouney next year.
However the New Silivo looks fantasic - I would love a fast road recumbent....
So what do I go for a new Quest or a Silivo frame...
The new features on both bikes seem to have got me thinking again - so I'm now not sure which one to go for!!
My Head and my Heart are fighting again!!
Looking forward to ride reports on both bikes!!
CS
Vargas
Well-Known Member
I am very disappointed. The
I am very disappointed. The Quest was my dream bike. Without suspension no longer.
Let me share my experience with suspension.
I built a converted Sofrider (V2K + Kit) and used a fork without suspension. I ride on all kind of roads, paved and unpaved.
A couple of months ago I installed a fork with suspension. The bike became something else. VERY confortable; there is no comparison between a bike with and without front suspension.
JT said "On a recumbent, a bump travels up the fork, into the handlebars, but the arms are horizontal and do not transfer the shock into the shoulders and head.". This is false. The bump travels the fork into the frame and you are seating on the frame.
I am very disappointed. The Quest was my dream bike. Without suspension no longer.
Let me share my experience with suspension.
I built a converted Sofrider (V2K + Kit) and used a fork without suspension. I ride on all kind of roads, paved and unpaved.
A couple of months ago I installed a fork with suspension. The bike became something else. VERY confortable; there is no comparison between a bike with and without front suspension.
JT said "On a recumbent, a bump travels up the fork, into the handlebars, but the arms are horizontal and do not transfer the shock into the shoulders and head.". This is false. The bump travels the fork into the frame and you are seating on the frame.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
What we are most concerned
What we are most concerned about is for the eyes to not go blurry over the bumps. In the sofrider and quest, the rear suspension delivers this.
I knew not all would like this change. If plush is where you want to be, the V2/K with conversion kit really delivers.
What we are most concerned about is for the eyes to not go blurry over the bumps. In the sofrider and quest, the rear suspension delivers this.
I knew not all would like this change. If plush is where you want to be, the V2/K with conversion kit really delivers.
Gromit
Guru
Big Apple Tires?
JT, in your blog post, you say, "Also, by revising to a conventional fork we have been able to support larger tire diameters."
Will the new Sofrider and Quest front fork support the use of Schwalbe Big Apple tires now? For folks that are worried about the loss of the front suspension on the new models, these tires would give a welcome suspension effect.
I use them on my Swift folding bike. The most famous bike designer in the world rates the Big Apple tires highly too. He told me that they roll really well despite the lower pressure within them.
BTW will the Big Apple also fit into the rear forks in both bikes?
JT, in your blog post, you say, "Also, by revising to a conventional fork we have been able to support larger tire diameters."
Will the new Sofrider and Quest front fork support the use of Schwalbe Big Apple tires now? For folks that are worried about the loss of the front suspension on the new models, these tires would give a welcome suspension effect.
I use them on my Swift folding bike. The most famous bike designer in the world rates the Big Apple tires highly too. He told me that they roll really well despite the lower pressure within them.
BTW will the Big Apple also fit into the rear forks in both bikes?
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
The width below the crown of
The width below the crown of the fork is 60 mm. The crown clearance is 343 mm. As I understand it, that accommodates 26 x 2.25.
The width below the crown of the fork is 60 mm. The crown clearance is 343 mm. As I understand it, that accommodates 26 x 2.25.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
Unclear, Gromit, it will need
Unclear, Gromit, it will need testing. Are you in the market for a bike?
Unclear, Gromit, it will need testing. Are you in the market for a bike?
Gromit
Guru
Different tire at rear of Sofrider/Quest V3?
As the Sofrider and Quest V3 have rear suspension then maybe a more conventional tire would work well in the rear rather than a Big Apple?
I'm not in the market for a Sofrider or Quest V3, John. You may remember, that I had a Sofrider some years ago. If I bought another Cruzbike then my preference would be for the new version of the Silvio with Shimano Alfine 11 transmission. I'm currently using a recumbent from another manufacturer though. I've recently fitted an Alfine 8 in the rear wheel of that.
As the Sofrider and Quest V3 have rear suspension then maybe a more conventional tire would work well in the rear rather than a Big Apple?
I'm not in the market for a Sofrider or Quest V3, John. You may remember, that I had a Sofrider some years ago. If I bought another Cruzbike then my preference would be for the new version of the Silvio with Shimano Alfine 11 transmission. I'm currently using a recumbent from another manufacturer though. I've recently fitted an Alfine 8 in the rear wheel of that.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
Yes, about an inch, lower on
Yes, about an inch, lower on both Sofrider and Quest.
Yes, about an inch, lower on both Sofrider and Quest.
Gromit
Guru
Change of plans
I've decided to rejoin the Cruzbike community, John. I guess that after my questions about the Quest V3.0, you wont be too surprised that I've just ordered a Q V3.0 559 rather than a Silvio? I believe that the Q 559 will suit my needs best and is an upgrade from the Sofrider V2.0 which I sold a while ago.
I'll keep my Shimano Alfine 8 (Nexus 8 twist shifter) in reserve and may fit it later but I'll give the SRAM Dual Drive, a good try first.
I've decided to rejoin the Cruzbike community, John. I guess that after my questions about the Quest V3.0, you wont be too surprised that I've just ordered a Q V3.0 559 rather than a Silvio? I believe that the Q 559 will suit my needs best and is an upgrade from the Sofrider V2.0 which I sold a while ago.
I'll keep my Shimano Alfine 8 (Nexus 8 twist shifter) in reserve and may fit it later but I'll give the SRAM Dual Drive, a good try first.
thebean
Well-Known Member
I mtn bent on a hard tail
I mtn bent on a hard tail Bacchetta Cafe, and I am talking some knarly trails. While I would love rear suspension, I simply do not see the need for front suspension. It would add more weight, and it's my butt that needs the relief. I still bounce like a bumble a laugh all the way.
I mtn bent on a hard tail Bacchetta Cafe, and I am talking some knarly trails. While I would love rear suspension, I simply do not see the need for front suspension. It would add more weight, and it's my butt that needs the relief. I still bounce like a bumble a laugh all the way.
