Sofrider or Quest

[Charles.Plager]

Hello,

(I couldn't quite fiture out where to post this, but I ended up here...)

I've almost decided to buy myself a Cruzbike and am deciding between the Quest and the Sofrider. With the sofrider I'd probably update to a triple upfront and maybe add a front disk brake. I realize that the Quest already has both of these features, but costs quite a bit more coin.

My thought was that if in a couple years, I thougth I'd out-grown the sofrider and wanted another Cruzbike, at that point I'd upgrade to the Silvio or Vendetta.

I'd love to hear from anybody with an opinion (particularly those who have experience wtih both). How does a Quest compare to a Sofrider with an upgraded drivetrain (e.g., triple up front, 9 speed in back, etc).

Thanks,
Charles

 

[billyk]

Sofrider vs Quest

Hi Charles -

I've only ridden a Quest (and that only for 2 months), but I was facing the same choice and went with the Quest. FWIW:

* The disk brakes are great. Does the Sofrider have the appropriate braze-ons to mount disk brakes? If not, you won't be able to do that.

* One big difference in the handling compared to other recumbents (or any bike) is the sheer mass of the front end. The whole bicycle is effectively in the front, and turns with the handlebars. It's a very different feeling. The Quest, with its single chainring in the front and internal hub shifter, puts more of that mass straight in line with the steering axis, whereas having 3 chainrings+derailleur extended out from the steering axis would add a lot of moment arm that will increase the work/effort required to turn the handlebars.

* The internal hub shifter is great, aside from the above. If you need to stop suddenly, and have not downshifted, you can do that using the hub shifter even while stopped. My experience is that the hub shifting is buttery-smooth.