Thoughts on my new Q45

[jeffssmith1]

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.

 

[jeffssmith1]

Near the top of Lookout Mountain. I wasn't swift, but I made it.

 

[LazarGator]

Nice bike! Good amount of recline you got from flipping the seat post. Have you done any dirt or gravel climbing? Wondering about wheel slip on off-road hills.

 

[jeffssmith1]

Nice bike! Good amount of recline you got from flipping the seat post. Have you done any dirt or gravel climbing? Wondering about wheel slip on off-road hills.

Thanks!

Yes, I ride on dirt/gravel a lot and the wheel slip isn't a problem until the grade is over 6%. At that incline, I lean forward to put more weight in the front wheel. I've made it up a medium long 10% grade without much slip with my Hurricane tires this way.

 

[3bs]

when you add that much seat angle did that make you want to drop the steer bar too?

 

[jeffssmith1]

I just adjusted it until it felt comfortable. Having long arms also played a role.

 

[bromclist]

That flipped seatpost without any (base) support - will it not be risky?

 

[jeffssmith1]

The bar is very strong. A number of other people here have flipped their seatpost too.

 

[LotsaCruzn]

What’s the seat angle? I’ve got my Q45 set to 45 degrees.

Just as a data point for you… I’ve got Panaracer Gravel King SK 48’s. They perform very well on gravel and allow me to handle looser surfaces and steeper slopes before wheel slip happens. I also dropped the chainring to a 34T. This has dramatically improved climbs - I can comfortably spin instead of mashing. I can still cruise around 20mph in top gear before spinning out - not that I get there often on this bike unless going downhill!

 

[jeffssmith1]

It appears to be roughly 40 degrees but I haven't measured it. Your gravel kings look like great tires for dirt. My Hurricanes have a little less bite on dirt but probably roll a little better on pavement.

I might reduce my chain ring to something smaller for better climbing too since I'm primarily on dirt or paved bike paths. I'm riding the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota in September so I'm motivated to switch it out before then.