I used a 13 inch Specialized Hardrock for my conversion. Got the bike from the local bikeshop the owner had purchased for his son and he had outgrown it. The bike has suspension only on the front fork and I have over 5000 miles ridden in the last year and a half.
http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/xoba/packing.htm
Check out the picture of me cruising on last years XOBA (Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure).
The converswion kit arrived swathed in plastic as the package had received some rough handling in transit. A quick check of the packing list versus the parts showed that they had all made the trip. It took me and a more knowledgable friend a total of 14 hours to make the conversion. The first rides in the local area went without too much trouble a little wild swinging of the front from side to side but a little more upper arm input stopped most of that. Later went for a longer ride and it was miserable couldn't get over 11 mph in an area I normally would be going 15+ on my Burly recumbent. Got home and chucked the cruzbike ionto a corner and rode the burley for the next year plus. A week before 2007 XOBA the seat on my Burley Canto cracked so I ordered a replacement seat and hauled the Cruzbike out and really tightened the front axle and went for a training ride decided hey this may actually work. The Burley seat came in before I had to leave for 2007 XOBA so I put it on and used the Burley. When I got back from that XOBA I started riding the conversion and it took a while before I could ride without a little wobble say 6 months. Rode the Cruzbike conversion on the 2008 XOBA. A friend was interested in trying out recumbents so I loaned him the Burley and he ended up buying it. Now interested in getting a Silvio but waiting for the adapter plate for the triple crank to be available.
John
http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/xoba/packing.htm
Check out the picture of me cruising on last years XOBA (Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure).
The converswion kit arrived swathed in plastic as the package had received some rough handling in transit. A quick check of the packing list versus the parts showed that they had all made the trip. It took me and a more knowledgable friend a total of 14 hours to make the conversion. The first rides in the local area went without too much trouble a little wild swinging of the front from side to side but a little more upper arm input stopped most of that. Later went for a longer ride and it was miserable couldn't get over 11 mph in an area I normally would be going 15+ on my Burly recumbent. Got home and chucked the cruzbike ionto a corner and rode the burley for the next year plus. A week before 2007 XOBA the seat on my Burley Canto cracked so I ordered a replacement seat and hauled the Cruzbike out and really tightened the front axle and went for a training ride decided hey this may actually work. The Burley seat came in before I had to leave for 2007 XOBA so I put it on and used the Burley. When I got back from that XOBA I started riding the conversion and it took a while before I could ride without a little wobble say 6 months. Rode the Cruzbike conversion on the 2008 XOBA. A friend was interested in trying out recumbents so I loaned him the Burley and he ended up buying it. Now interested in getting a Silvio but waiting for the adapter plate for the triple crank to be available.
John
