This may be a dumb question, but...

[jwitten]

Rather than converting to a triple chainring, I am toying with the possibility of using my Quest 451 front wheel on my Sofrider to take advantage of the DualDrive hub. The fork width of the two bikes looks to be the same, and the only real concern I have is the change in the angle of the fork due to lowering the front end. The bike is configured for a front disk brake and I could get a separate clickbox and shifter for the hub.

So here is the dumb question...

Would the change in fork angle have much of an impact on the riding characteristics. If so, in what way? If it were detrimental to the riding characteristics, would it be possible to have the front fork bent (by a professional pipe bender) to regain the proper angle to the road? I'm not sure what type of metal the fork is made of and if it can be bent without weakening, or breaking it??

Perhaps its just a stupid idea????? I certainly wouldn't want to risk any damage to the bike. I suppose the triple chainring is the safe option.

Jeff

 

[John Tolhurst]

You will want to level out

You will want to level out the bike by putting a shorter rear shock in, otherwise the headtube is canted forward significantly and this will be noticed in the handling. You might lose a bit of rear wheel travel, so check it out first.

 

[WhiteSilvio]

Leveling out the bike

Jeff,
If you are using the front wheel out of your Quest, is it a stretch to think that you could also use the rear wheel as well?

I speak without any knowledge of the dropout sizings for the rear wheel from your Quest or the Sofrider.

But it may well be worth a look.

Maybe, if the Quest back wheel isn't compatable, you could obtain a small "front" wheel from somewhere else that will fit in the rear of the Sofrider and achieve the level result on the bike you reqire.

No work required to the front end.

Ta for now.
John

 

[jwitten]

Hadn't thought of that

Thanks for the tip on the shorter shock John. I hadn't even considered that. Any idea where to get a shorter shock, and/or a recommendation on shock size? I'll probably go with the triple crank (Charles sent me links for all the parts), but I am still toying with the 451 wheel. I think the 451 up front and 26" in back just looks kinda cool!

For the other John... the problem with a matching smaller wheel on the rear is that it doesn't have a mounting bracket for a disk brake on the rear.

BTW - I suppose you're wondering why I don't just ride the Quest instead of the Sofrider. It is primarily because I keep it in a suitcase ready for travel. It's just a lot easier to pull the Sofrider out of the garage to go for a ride, than it is to go through the assemble/dis-assemble process. Although I just bought the Quest, and haven't traveled with it yet (other than to fly it home from Anchorage, Alaska), I plan to leave it at the airport locked up in our crew room as do some of our other pilots. They have the typical Bike Friday's, Dahon's, and even a Ritchie breakaway. I suppose they unfold and are ready to ride a bit quicker than the Quest, but they are not as comfortable or cool either! The first few times I assembled the Quest, I clocked in at close to an hour, but there is definitely a learning curve involved and once I get the routine down, I imagine it'll be closer to 30 minutes. I found an extremely stout, double kickstand (link & photo attached) that helps to support the bike for assembling so its no just laying on the floor. The kickstand is a bit heavy, and I had to block it up a bit to get enough height, but the convenience and stability factor is worth it to me (it probably wouldn't be compatible with 26" wheels). I also plan to make a few other mod's to make the assembly process a bit quicker, perhaps MKS quick release pedals, studs with thumbsrews at the top of the seat post instaed of the allen screws, and a quick-release seat-post rack.

Anyway, thanks for the info!

Jeff

Ursus Jumbo kickstand: http://www.albabici.com/ursus/kickstands/ursus-kickstand-80.htm

 

[Doug Burton]

If you're a bit handy with tools...

... you can make a disc caliper adapter for your Sofrider rear wheel.

I put a drawing here:

http://www.cruzbike.com/SofriderV2-DiscBrakeMount.pdf

http://s153.photobucket.com/user/db1488/media/V2K-29er-02.jpg.html?sort=3&o=81

I designed this to be as simple to make as possible. There is a 1:1 drilling guide on the drawing. Print it out on label paper, stick it to a piece of aluminum stock (identified on the drawing), drill some holes, and you should be good.

You'll need a caliper bracket for a 185mm disc instead to the 203mm disc bracket listed, to accept the 140mm rear disc for the Quest wheel (the adapter was designed for a 160mm disc.)

Lemme know if you have any questions.

Best,

Doug

 

[Doug Burton]

And...

There are no dumb questions. We get a lot of ideas and information from questions that are routinely labeled "dumb".

We do, occasionally, however, provide dumb answers...

 

[billyk]

(a dumb answer) who needs a rear brake?

My experience (Quest 2) is that the rear brake skids the wheel with only the slightest pressure. It can be useful for gradually slowing down - and I've trained to use it that way - but it contributes very little to a short stop unless you also want to dealing with a sliding rear wheel.

I'd be tempted to go without a rear brake.

The photos of your kickstand show the front wheel in line with the bike. Doesn't the front end swing around like it does with the regular kickstand?

BK

 

[jwitten]

Kickstand

BillyK,

Regarding the kickstand... that's one reason I like it is because the front wheel doesn't swing around. The reason is that the bike is in a vertical position, rather than being tilted to the side, which causes the swinging.

I bought this kickstand because it had a very wide stance, and I was looking for a stand that would stabilize the Quest for the assembly / dis-assembly process while traveling. It works well in that regard. It would also be great or stabalizing a bike that has a heavy load on the rack. The drawbacks are that it is a bit heavy (for those concerned by added weight), and quite expensive ($65). It is also a bit too short for the 451 Quest and I had to insert a 1" block to get the height I wanted. With the block installed, and the stand extended, the rear wheel is lifted off the ground slightly so I can spin the wheel freely to adjust the rear disk brake. This stand probably also wouldn't work with the Quest 559 wheels due to the higher stance of the bike. I measured the kickstand mount height of my Sofrider, and it looks like it would require about the same 1" block as required on my 451 Quest. Due to the weight, I doubt anyone would use it on a Silvio

I ordered a different double kickstand for my Sofrider from eBay that has adjustable height legs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BICYCLE-BIKE-ADJUSTABLE-DOUBLE-TWO-LEG-ALUMINUM-ALLOY-KICK-STAND-IN-BLACK-/271164189814?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f22a52c76

I'll be interested to see how heavy it is, how far the legs extend, and if it provides as stable of a platform. It is much more affordable at about $23. If it works just as well, I may send the more expensive Ursus Jumbo back for a refund. There are also a few others that you'll see on eBay if you do a search for "double kickstand".

Hope this helps?!? A kickstand is such a silly thing, but it is kinda nice when the bike is stablized and not on the verge of tipping over.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Jeff,
I've seen that

Hi Jeff,

I've seen that kickstand before and thought about buying it. Please do let us know what you think about it.

Thanks,
Charles

 

[floridabike]

Kickstand

Hi,

I have that kickstand and it's OK. Very light but the bike will tip over if you're not careful. The stance is not real wide.
Phil

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Phil,
Do you find it is

Hi Phil,

Do you find it is more stable than the "standard" kick stand (I don't know if you ever put one on your V2k)? Both my Sofrider and my Cruzigami Mantis are quite tippy on their stands.

Cheers,
Charles

 

[floridabike]

Kickstand

Yes, I tried a couple of different kickstands before I got this one, including one with adjustable length. I didn't like having the bike tilted to the side and when I would stop to rest I didn't have a level surface to put anything on. I have a flexible rod with a flag on the rear and bend it over under the handlebars. That also helps to keep the front wheel from turning to the side.

Phil

 

[floridabike]

Kickstand

Yes, I tried a couple of different kickstands before I got this one, including one with adjustable length. I didn't like having the bike tilted to the side and when I would stop to rest I didn't have a level surface to put anything on. I have a flexible rod with a flag on the rear and bend it over under the handlebars. That also helps to keep the front wheel from turning to the side.

Phil

 

[jwitten]

More on the Ursus Jumbo kickstand

More for BillyK,

I went out for a 30 mile ride on the Quest today... the first real ride that I've done since buying it. The weather has been terrible in the Northwest!

Anyway, while parking the bike, I noticed that the front end did swing around a few times on its own. If there is a bit of friction on the front tire (parked on carpet or grass) it is stable, but on hard pavement, it will typically stay in the forward position, unless the bike is bumped, or if it is not parked on a completely flat surface. The stand is wide enough that it will not tip over if the wheel swings around on its own.

Anyway, it was a gret ride! I connected the Pandora App on my iPhone to my custom speaker setup, and it was awsome. I'll have to post a photo for all to view. My next challenge is to mount some larger mirrors, perhaps scooter mirrors, for better rear visibility.

Take care all!

Jeff