The Scottish Conversion

[currystomper]

I've gone and taken the first step to getting a Cruzbike, I've bought my donor bike - well donor bits actually!!

The donor bike is a failed rebuild of a mountain bike that was going cheap on EBay.

The headset wasn't all there and my first worry was that the forks wouldn't fit the frame - got a head set and this seems OK.

Next worry - the threadless steering tube is 25.4mm is this going to be a problem. (any one like to comment??)

The fork have normal brake mounting points so I plan to remove the disk from the wheel, so hopefully this will not be a problem.

...I get the feeling I may be adding to this thread for a while!! :lol:

 

[Doug Burton]

Hello...

Looks like a quite suitable frame. I've always liked the rear swing arms that arch over the bottom bracket; you can even remove the bottom bracket if you're careful!

The steerer tube shouldn't be a problem. My assumption is the tube has a 25.4 mm outer diameter, which makes this a 1-inch threadless headset. Not many around, but it shouldn't generate any real problems. If the length of steerer tube above the upper headset bearing is reasonable, you can use a seatpost shim, installed upside down on the steerer tube, to match it to the inner diameter of the kit stem extension tube, which is 28.6mm inner diameter. The kit provides a short piece of steel to reinforce the inside of the steerer tube.

If you use one of these adjustable preload headset spacers:

http://www.amazon.com/Problem-Solvers-Adjustable-headset-spacer/dp/B001C59WZ6

Or if you can find a Diacompe Diatech headset that incorporates this feature (I can't find them retail right now) it will allow you to divorce setting the headset preload up from setting up the steering configuration - this can make things a lot easier at assembly time. Then you can use a simple aheadset adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Threadless-Bicycle-Headset-Adapter/dp/B000FGYKY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1215438289&sr=1-1

and set the steering up that way.

The bike looks like it's very convertible - please bring all your questions because that way the answers contribute to the knowlege base we all use!

best,

 

[Mark B]

Hardtailcruzer wrote: Hello...

Looks like a quite suitable frame. I've always liked the rear swing arms that arch over the bottom bracket; you can even remove the bottom bracket if you're careful!

+1 I like that frame and love the looks of that swingarm. You'll probably be very happy with that conversion. Be sure to keep us posted on the progress with many pictures. Bike porn is good.

Mark

 

[currystomper]

OK - looking to buy a rear mech (Deraileur) for the bike. I need a hanger mech for the existing frame - do I need a hanger mech for the conversion or a direct screw in mech or will either do.

Looking at all the pictures I could find it looks as if a screw in will work, but will a hanger mech work.

Mmmm

:roll:

 

[Mark B]

currystomper wrote: OK - looking to buy a rear mech (Deraileur) for the bike. I need a hanger mech for the existing frame - do I need a hanger mech for the conversion or a direct screw in mech or will either do.

Mmmm

The conversion kit is drilled and tapped for a "rear" derailleur. No claw required.

Mark

 

[currystomper]

Looks like this conversion isn't going anywhere fast - The UK (british) dealer for Cruz is out of stock and doesn't know when he will get any more conversion kits in..

 

[Mark B]

currystomper wrote: Looks like this conversion isn't going anywhere fast - The UK (british) dealer for Cruz is out of stock and doesn't know when he will get any more conversion kits in..

So, order it direct from Cruzbike... Or did I miss something?

Mark

 

[currystomper]

On another tread the cost of importing a conversion kit to the UK has been estimated:

Dark Lord wrote: yo curry and JonB
Yes, its tricky because of the VAT and import tax a total of 32.5% plus delivery, which is quoted at $95, then there will be a fee from the freight agent for holding your package until you collect and pay the taxes perhaps ?30.
conversion kit
My guess is:
$395 = ?199.18
+
?64.675 tax
+
?50 delivery
+
?30 freight agent

So ?300 - ?350

cf. ?229 plus uk delivery

http://www.trikesandstuff.co.uk/cruzbike.html

Ian has also sold out of sofriders he says he will put up prices end of July due to freight charge increases.

...I have not contacted Cruzbike directly, but if this post is right the problem is ~?100 (200USD).

I should contact Cruz and see what they have to say.. I'll do it now!!

..later.

PS Mark: Thanks for all the comments!!

 

[currystomper]

Just checked the Cruzbike online shop and the cost isn't that great its ?247.74 UKP that's only 20 pounds more than the cost from the UK distributor.

...right deep breath, shipping address work or home MMMmmm

 

[Mark B]

currystomper wrote: Just checked the Cruzbike online shop and the cost isn't that great its ?247.74 UKP that's only 20 pounds more than the cost from the UK distributor.

...right deep breath, shipping address work or home MMMmmm

Alls well that ends well!

Mark

 

[John Tolhurst]

Some postal UK customers for the conversion kit report they missed getting some of the charges, perhaps because it comes in quite a small box, about 500 x 300 x 180mm, which we send door to door.

 

[Mark B]

Dark Lord wrote: Package arrived today unmolested by customs

TA-Daaaaaaaaaa! :lol: :lol: :lol: Now, get busy and build a bike. Don't forget to take pictures. We demand bike porn.

Mark

 

[currystomper]

I going on Holiday for a few weeks -- so there is not going to be much progress on the "scottish conversion!

 

[currystomper]

Mark

Not much happening on the conversion at the moment, Family summer holidays are taking all my time/money at the moment. Also - I'm a bit disappointed that the kit is not available from the British dealer.

I was hoping to have the conversation available for the 50 mile "Pedal for Scotland event" http://www.pedalforscotland.org/ but I think that this is not going to be possible and it will have to be a winter project ready for next year.

Buying the conversation kit is the big next step!!

Brian

 

[JonB]

currystomper wrote: Not much happening on the conversion at the moment, Family summer holidays are taking all my time/money at the moment. Also - I'm a bit disappointed that the kit is not available from the British dealer.

Maybe they sold out. They wrote in another thread that they didnt have any more Sofrider V2's, but was getting a batch soon. Being a small company i can understand why they cant and dont want to get a large batch produced. Or maybe the problem is the success? the production cant keep up with the demand?

 

[currystomper]

This conversion must be the slowest in History....

Anyway just ordered "The Kit"

Will try and document the build and post here.

currystomp'

 

[currystomper]

I was thinking of documenting my conversion build - Do we had a wiki somewhere that I could put all the info, forums are fine, but the info gets buried over time.

cheers

Currystom'

 

[currystomper]

My conversion kit came a couple of days ago and now that I've read the instructions (twice) the things that I'm worrying about have changed - not worried about the head stock its an ahead unit which is what I need.

But I'll need another seatpost as I have a micro adjustable one that you can't rotate as required for the kit. Also front tires clearance seems to be a possible problem - but I'll see when I start building.

I'll put some photo's up as I build.

Cheers.... wish me luck

Ps isn't the Viagra "advert" in the wrong place you don't get those problems with a recumbent..

 

[John Tolhurst]

currystomper wrote: I was thinking of documenting my conversion build - Do we had a wiki somewhere that I could put all the info, forums are fine, but the info gets buried over time.

cheers

Currystom'

Yeah Curry', we did have a wiki but it got repeatedly buried by spam, controlling which was way troublesome.

If you make a post in a new tread you can edit the head post any time.

 

[currystomper]

The build has started!!

Generally going well, the head set is the right size for the conversation, The disk brake mount is not getting in the way of the front whell conversion (just clears the brackets).

A few minor points to sort and minor questions, but the main one is the freewheel at the back. The new axle fits the wheel fine, but when I put it into the bike the spacers don't seem to be long enough. Have I built it wrong or do I need some more spacers...

I have the same gap on both sides.

I have been taking loads of pictures so I will document the build and upload it at some stage.

Cheers

Currystomper

 

[Doug Burton]

Hi Currystomper,

Looks like you could put another axle nut on the inside, use it to snug up the spacer, and come out about right...

Let us know how you go...

Best,

Doug