jeffssmith1
Member
This post is for anyone considering buying a CruzBike. Don't be afraid of not being able to learn how to ride the front wheel drive.
I wanted a bike for modest off-road riding and also one that can be packed for air travel, so bought a factory clearance Q45 three weeks ago.
I reversed the seat post so I have a decent recline angle. The first mile was wobbly and I briefly wondered what I had gotten myself into! But I managed 10 miles on that first ride and steered by forcing every turn.
But I fairly quickly got used to the balance and I've been riding clipped in since my 3rd ride. Yesterday I rode some singletrack and had no trouble maintaining a straight line.
The Q45 climbs better than my Bacchetta and I can keep up with 3 of my 4 DF riding buddies on climbs and I'm a little faster than they are on flats and downhills.
I've ridden almost 300 miles so far and I had a front tire flat last weekend, far from home on a dirt trail. Changing the front tire in my garage with all my tools is not difficult. Doing it in 90 degree weather in the dirt was very difficult and unpleasant!
My advice is to have a small plastic bag with you to store the thru axle while changing or patching the tube. I didn't have that and it got some grit on it which I struggled mightily to get off. I also recommend reducing the risk of a flat in the first place with very puncture resistant tires. I got Mr Tuffy liners and Schwalbe Hurricanes 27.5 x 2.0 (very good gravel tires).
Anyway, I love the bike and get lots of compliments on it along the trails (especially from kids). Tomorrow morning I'm climbing Lookout Mountain before it gets hot.
Thanks for reading.
I wanted a bike for modest off-road riding and also one that can be packed for air travel, so bought a factory clearance Q45 three weeks ago.
I reversed the seat post so I have a decent recline angle. The first mile was wobbly and I briefly wondered what I had gotten myself into! But I managed 10 miles on that first ride and steered by forcing every turn.
But I fairly quickly got used to the balance and I've been riding clipped in since my 3rd ride. Yesterday I rode some singletrack and had no trouble maintaining a straight line.
The Q45 climbs better than my Bacchetta and I can keep up with 3 of my 4 DF riding buddies on climbs and I'm a little faster than they are on flats and downhills.
I've ridden almost 300 miles so far and I had a front tire flat last weekend, far from home on a dirt trail. Changing the front tire in my garage with all my tools is not difficult. Doing it in 90 degree weather in the dirt was very difficult and unpleasant!
My advice is to have a small plastic bag with you to store the thru axle while changing or patching the tube. I didn't have that and it got some grit on it which I struggled mightily to get off. I also recommend reducing the risk of a flat in the first place with very puncture resistant tires. I got Mr Tuffy liners and Schwalbe Hurricanes 27.5 x 2.0 (very good gravel tires).
Anyway, I love the bike and get lots of compliments on it along the trails (especially from kids). Tomorrow morning I'm climbing Lookout Mountain before it gets hot.
Thanks for reading.
