Upgrade to T50?

[David Pfahler]

I am a 69 year old owner of an early model Sofrider living in South Dakota. It has been my go-to bicycle for highway and well-groomed gravel trails including the Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills. It is still going strong but I have been tempted to upgrade to a T50. I am 6'3" so probably near the height limit for a T50. I have never seen another Cruzbike on the road and don't believe there are any nearby dealers that I can go to for advice. For those with experience with both models, what differences could I anticipate if I were to upgrade?

For the record, I love the Sofrider and have logged more miles on this bike than all others combined that I have owned over time. My only "issue" with the Sofrider is the gearing. I don't understand the technical details of derailleur systems, but unless recently tuned, I don't get the full range of gears without some chain noise- particularly in the low end of the high gear (does that make sense?).

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[benphyr]

I can't comment on the T50 compared to Sofrider as I have never ridden either to be able to compare the ride. However, the issue of gear noise is probably something that can be fixed if you want to stay with the current bike, it just means that you need someone qualified to replace cables and whichever are worn of the chain, cassette, and chainrings and maybe even derailleur if you want to really do an upgrade if you are anything like me and make due until past necessary to replace parts. I listed them in order of what wears out fastest. Sometimes you need to replace just one component, sometimes all are worn enough that the parts are not worth keeping with new other parts 'cuz they just cause premature wear on the new pieces. Keep in mind that as a general rule the 7-8-9 speed components are cheaper and last longer - primarily because they are heavier ie. have more metal to spread weight and wear.

 

[ak-tux]

I can't comment on the T50 compared to Sofrider as I have never ridden either to be able to compare the ride. However, the issue of gear noise is probably something that can be fixed if you want to stay with the current bike, ..

+1 on this.

gear noise has nothing to do with the model of the bicycle, just tuning , cleaning or general wear. It can be fixed unless the frame is damaged and misaligned, which is not the case here.

 

[jond]

Cheapest insurance on any bike is a chain check tool.

Cross chaining is always not recommended especially mechanical actuated.

So many u tube vids to help these days.

I encourage everyone to maintain their own machines if possible.

Maintenance cannot be ignored. It gets expensive quickly otherwise.

 

[DavidCH]

I second that, best to change your chains once a year otherwise cassettes and chainwheels and chains will cost more. Come to think of it, the next time I change cassettes I might go for the di2 titanium cassette. It's lighter and will be more durable. (Just started to get chainslip going up steeper hills).

 

[super slim]

On my Shimano gear train, I use the noise of the front derailleur rubbing the chain, to remind me to change the front up or down, so chain misalignment from front to rear is only 3 cassettes!!