That's pretty odd. I have TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes on my S40. For the past couple thousand or so miles, I think I had to twist the little knob thing on the brake lines maybe 2-3 times to move the pads slightly in. That's about it. No other adjustment needed.
Thor Easy GS Medium mount to S40
- Thread starter Black Hawk Down
- Start date
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
I've been riding the S40 for about a week with the Sorbothane pads. I can't tell if they are causing any vibration damping, but I'll trust the science on that. The seat tends to sway from side to side sometimes. It's easy for me to cause this, but I don't notice it most of the time. I don't see the bolts coming loose or any other problems with the seat. The swaying bothers me some. Feels a little squishy. I'm going to leave it alone for a while and monitor it. If I see any issues, I'll switch to the plastic mold. I still like the idea of vibration damping when doing long tours.
Some other observation with the new seat:
1. You sit with a significantly larger angle, I feel like I'm sitting straight up. I found that I don't need my head rest at all, even on long rides.
2. I don't experience the same level of recumbutt that I did with the stock seat. This was the primary driver for the Thor seat. I think it'll work out well for my long tours.
3. Sitting higher, I can see the road in front much better and can turn my head almost all the way around behind as needed. It feels safer.
4. I go up hills faster than with my V20. Like 1-2 mile per hour. I believe this is because the force on the pedals is coming from my back and hips in addition to my legs.
5. My back and hip muscles are really out of shape from riding the V20. I was doing 100 mi/day, 4-5 days a week on the V20 for several months. Only real issue in the end was my hands. They take a beating by pulling and pushing so much all day long. I don't see this issue with the S40 as my back and hips are doing that work. With the S40, I had to back off my daily mileage to 50 mi/day for 4 days. Today I upped it to 70, but was very tired and sore. It'll take a while to get used to the S40.
Cheers.
Robert K Hall
Member
I have a problem with recumbutt on my S40 also. Have tried several different seat cushions & also the 19" chain stay to try to eliminate this without much success. Went back to the original seat cushions & added extra padding on the front to lengthen & have a lip to keep me from feeling like I was sliding out of the seat & seems to have helped. I just don't like the stock cushions Cruzbike uses on their bikes....too short for me. Always wondered if the Thor seat was a better option.
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Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
The jury is still out on the Thor seat for recumbutt. Will know more over the next month or so. I am able to ride 70 miles in a day, 3 days in a row, without concerning pain in the butt but I may be overlooking it due to the back pain I'm experiencing. I expect that to improve with time. I can mitigate the back pain by taking 2-4 minute breaks (walk around) whenever it gets bad. In some areas where there are stop lights, I don't have pain issues. If I can get to 100 mi/day without aching pain, problem solved.
Your pictures are exactly what I was looking for!
How well does the suspension headrest work with the Thor seat? Right now I rigged a headrest made of yoga mat but am interested to see if the suspension headrest would work better.
Thanks.
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
On the stock seat, I had to use the head rest. With the Thor seat, I can use it but mostly don't need to. I had to bend the head rest support to make it reach my head and now it bounces when my head is against it and I am peddling. I still like the seat but I'm still getting my back used to it. Really aches with long miles.
Black Hawk Down do you feel by riding the S40 has improved your performance on the V20
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
Since I switched to the S40, I haven't been riding the V20. I don't see why it would. The V20 is going into storage as I will be touring on the S40 all next year.
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
I had that problem for about a week. Decided if I needed to revert back, I could drill new holes in the old seat to match the new holes in the frame tabs.My Thor seat has been here since ... Sept? Still sitting near the bike. I think next week may be the time to cringe and take a saw so the wings. Yes, I have been putting it off worried about screwing it up
For me, it is less about drilling new holes in the seat and more about screwing up and breaking the lower wings so nothing works. It twice, measure once?
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
The tough part is the weld under the tab blocks the area needed by the nut. I had to gouge the weld out with a dremel so the nut would fit. On reflection, it may have been better to fatten the nut on one side with the dremel so that the flat would go against the weld and hold it in place while tightening the screw. If you screw up the nut (pun intended), you can get another one.For me, it is less about drilling new holes in the seat and more about screwing up and breaking the lower wings so nothing works. It twice, measure once?
Mathew Fy
GRU
I mounted the Thor seat today. First some double sided acrylic mounting tape to the seat and Velcro tapes to the bike. Then thermoplastic was molded to fit the gap of the lower portion. After removing the backing from the tapes the plastic was sandwiched between the Velcro and the seat. This should make the seat easy to remove and reinstall.
I decided to continue using the Suspension Adjustable Headrest in combination with the Race Case.
I decided to continue using the Suspension Adjustable Headrest in combination with the Race Case.
Mathew Fy
GRU
No trimming was done. The thermoplastic is about a half inch thick. Trimming the lower wings or the carbon fiber seat ribs would probably allow the seat to sit a fraction of an inch lower, maybe avoiding the need for the plastic fill.
How well does the headrest work with Thor seat? I am curious if I should upgrade my yoga mat headrest to this one.
Mathew Fy
GRU
The headrest seems to be positioned well for relaxing my head back. I'm 5'10" and this is the large GS Easy seat. I'll update when I get out to ride - too rainy & cold this weekend.How well does the headrest work with Thor seat? I am curious if I should upgrade my yoga mat headrest to this one.
I'll try out the Neck Rest Comfort sometime, but I'll have to either try to heat & bend the "Elastic Bearer" back or put on a block (a la @woodguy ) seen in his pic posted here from his cross-country ride.
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
I'm back on my V20. The S40 w/Thor seat put a lot of pressure on my back and right hip. My back would get in shape eventually but the hip is more like injury pain. I kept reducing my daily miles until I couldn't ride anymore. I'm hoping the hip will heal so I can tour with the S40. If not, I'll have to tour with the V20. Not too excited about that.
