Sofrider questions

[Slightly Bent]

Hello legacy CruzBikers,
I have owned two LWB recumbents, but have not ridden a SWB recumbent or a CruzBike. I have the opportunity to purchase a used Sofrider and was hoping this forum could help me decide whether it will be a good fit for me? I am a casual recreation rider, but of necessity do some of my riding on steep dirt/gravel roads.

Will I be unhappy either climbing or descending steep dirt roads with a SWB FWD bike?

Will the suspension system work well for me on bumpy gravel roads? Are after-market rear shocks available/preferred?

I've been told this bike has 2x5 gearing. I assume I will be dissatisfied with that on the steep roads I ride. How expensive/practical would it be to convert to a 3x8 derailleur system?

I'm reading that a lot of CruzBikers prefer aftermarket seats. Will these seats work on this older Sofrider?

I'm thinking I will be happier with wider, low-pressure tires to absorb road bumps. How wide of a tire will this bike take?

Can I put fenders on this bike?

What sort of racks/packs are available for this bike? This would be for food/water/tools/clothes for day rides.

I've only ridden with platform pedals. Will getting a clipless system be an asset or liability?

How much different/better are newer Cruzbike models?

What other questions should I be asking?

Thanks for your thoughts!

John

 

[jankdc]

I just got a Sofrider a few weeks ago. Here is a thread on racks: https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/latest-on-rear-rack-for-sofrider.13589/

In the Cruzbike accessory store, the Scarab, Sling, and Roll should all work. A seat post mounted rack would also work.

It has standard mounting points for fenders.

It originally came with 1.5" tires. It appears that mine could fit 2", but I'm unsure about the fenders.

I am amazed at the power going uphill compared to my other recumbents; I have both a LWB and a SWB. I wouldn't swap anything before getting used to it first.

David Byrne (not the musician) took a Sofrider for some long-distance traveling. You might want to check out his site for ideas: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3d2&page_id=418793&v=1Ih&src=page_first

Most seem to be riding clipless. I'm starting with platform.

 

[EricConrad]

Has anyone tried the newest Q rack mounted to a Sofrider. Maybe I'm missing something but it seems adaptable. You should avoid mounting weight to the suspension arm, it is a fast way to ruin the ride. Mounting above the suspension like the Q rack does is ideal.

 

[jankdc]

It won't work. They changed how the rear suspension works.

 

[EricConrad]

It won't work. They changed how the rear suspension works. View attachment 19041

I see how it's changed, though it looks to me like there is some chance that you could still mount the rack to the top of the shock bolt. With some adaptation perhaps, though to my eye from afar it seems plausible. Curious what the obstructions might be.

 

[Tuloose]

I had a Freerider which is kissing cousin to a Sofrider. Mine had a single chainring and an 8 spd cassette. I wouldn't change the gearing, especially to a triple which would likely mean a new frt der and shifter. I had a triple on my 1st Cruzbike, a Silvio 2.0, and I regretted the choice. I mistakenly thought Cruzbikes were like my other bents, slow climbers which required super low gearing. Cruzbikes climb so much better you won't miss not having a 28t granny. If it does get that steep the front wheel will slip if you're on gravel anyway. Remember, as the grade steepens your weight bias shifts to the rear and Cruzbikes being FWD, well you see the problem here. That being said, I have gotten my T50 up some steep gravel switchbacks so the trick is to refine your climbing technique and you'll get up most gravel climbs. I mounted fenders on mine and a rear rack tho you don't really need a rear fender. I had a doggy box on my rack for my pooch. I use flat pedals on my T50 and my S40 and clip ins on my Vendetta.
I would definitely not even think of mounting an aftermarket seat.. The Sofrider was an entry level bike marketed for just the purpose you intend to use it for. As the old saying goes: Don't try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I think you will find the Sofrider to be an excellent choice if you decide to get it. Remember, it takes some practice to unlock it's amazing potential.

 

[1happyreader]

Best option I found was an old man mountain kind of rack . It has attach points at the V-brake posts and the fender eyelets. /this kludge shows the kind of attachments old man mountain uses.
If you don't recline your seat too much a seatpost rack might work for you.

 

[Slightly Bent]

Thanks to all for your helpful comments to a forum newbie!

Jankdc, David Byrne's rides on his Sofrider are certainly inspiring. It's more the person than the bike, though I see he now has a Q-45.

Tuloose's comments on spinning out on steep gravel roads is part of what I was wondering about. At what grade/road condition does it become a problem? And is any SWB recumbent more at risk going down a steep incline than a DF bike? Although I'm not a mountain biker my curiosity occasionally impells me to wander off-road. So wondering what to expect from a CruzBike on rough backwoods roads and easier single tracks? I'm hoping that the suspension will absorb some of the shock I experience on my LWB.

John

 

[McWheels]

Gearing. I went with a Sturmey Archer 8Sp IGH and it matched the bike quite well. First is 1:1 so you need a small chainring but the range is just over 300%. Climbing is OK. It's not a light bike so don't expect exceptional.

Rack and mudguards (fenders). Yes possible, in fact quite successful. I would advocate that your front fender reaches forward to the bottom bracket, otherwise you are just throwing wet and skog at it, your chain, pedals, cranks and feet.

Another view of the rear rack and mudguard mounting:

I did not find any fender mountings at the front so this was the answer:

 

[Slightly Bent]

McWheels, thanks for your rack and fender suggestions. Two fewer reasons not to consider buying the Sofrider. I hadn't thought about the front fender best being extended to the BB.

I'm attracted to internally geared hubs. But the 300% ratio that you say the Sturmey Archer 8-speed has doesn't seem wide enough for my steep roads (or at least for my weak muscles). The DF that I have has over 500%, and I'm considering changing the 28T chainring to a 24T.

If I went for an IGH I think a Rohloff would be great... but my accountant is making strained sounds at the price.

Which again raises the question whether front wheel slippage is going to be a significant problem for me on my steep gravel roads? I see the wisdom of the response that jankdc made earlier -- to first learn to ride the bike as-is before throwing a lot of additional time and expense into modifying it.