Used S1.0 pre-purchase questions

[RobertM]

Hello All, my first post to this group.

I've been interested in MBB bikes for quite some time, but never owned or even ridden one. I'm a 20+ year rider of SWB RWD recumbents, and am considering taking the plunge on a second hand Silvio 1.0.

I was looking for some general information about the bikes, and also had specific questions.

In the general category:

• Is there anything fundamentally wrong with the design? I ask in particular because Cruzbike seems to have moved away from the flat, flexing stay suspension configuration. has it been a problem in the long term?
• Are there known areas that should be checked on a used S1.0? Does the front suspension age well?

In the more particular category:

• I think I saw somewhere on line that the 1.0 in particular wasn't short leg friendly. I'm 39.5" x-seam. ~29" in-seam. is an S 1.0 going to work for me? In particular, while I'm looking at the bike with a hope of getting back into riding centuries and possibly randonneuring (in my dreams ), the reality is much of the riding will be urban commuting, with an abundance of stop-and-start riding.
• What are the widest tires this frame can manage?
  
• Regarding commuting, (or possible long distance riding) is it possible to rack and fender the bike? (I thought I had seen photos on this site of what appeared to be an S1.0 set up for touring, with racks, a full rear fender, and a front fender that started at the fork crown and covered the rear of the front wheel.
• What's the going market for a used S1.0? I'm trying to figure out if the bike I'm looking at is red-flag under-priced or about right.

Thanks in advance, hope to see you on the road.
RobertM

 

[Mathew Fy]

Apparently the rear leaf spring cracked in some models. The front suspension does require servicing and replacement parts may be difficult to find. Otherwise the bike still gives many people enjoyment.
Some posts you may like:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/...ot-as-we-know-it-the-silvio.3803/#post-103803
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/s1-instruction-manual.13026/#post-157134
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/broken-titanium-rear-suspension-1.2131/#post-102131
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/broken-titanium-rear-spring-2.2132/

 

[bladderhead]

A few people, including me, cut the boom to bring the BB in closer. I am glad I did this. It means that the BB will be very high but I do no mind this. Most of my mileage is commuting on a Silvio2 and it works so well I almost forget the inability to do bunny-hops or trackstands. Anyway, have you tried that on a Grasshopper? I have an Easy Reacher rack under the seat. It is not supposed to fit but I fixed it on. The mudguards are not supposed to fit either. They were a terrible job, to say the least, but I think mudguards are important. Especially if you are a commuter. The front one really needs to extend forward under the BB unless you like mud all over your drive-train. You are going to love getting that to work. And it narrows your choice of tyres, literally.

The air shock and rubber thingy feel a bit weird if you are used to springs, but they continue to work for years. You need to get the pressure right. When I first got my Silvio I pumped the shock up really hard. The bike was really uncomfortable and I kept getting pinch flats. Then I let some air out. Much better. Then it started happening again. The shock had gone completely flat. It leaks very slightly. Just keep the right amount of air in there.

 

[McWheels]

Hello Rob,
I don't know what your price point limit is, but for what you're asking a second hand S40 sounds like a better fit. The Gen1s are coming on the market bit by bit which have the best tyre clearance (the brightly coloured Gen2s are tighter on tyres). I can run a 650b x 42 up front and 700c x 35 at the back. I may have to look at the mudguards again as they're not as wide as I think they ought to be. Underseat or rear-mounted racks are all designed in, and I even bodged a narrow rack with some spacer-nuts. Not sure all of this applies to the S1.

 

[Doug Burton]

My x-seam and inseam are almost exactly the same as yours. I was working directly with Cruzbike when the S1.0 was introduced. I had to make a series of modifications to get proper fit and to get the drivetrain to work properly for my x-seam and height (5'6"). I can describe those for you if you're interested. These modifications were necessary to get Campangnolo 10-speed groupsets to work. 9-speed Shimano and SRAM may work without them.

On the frame, carefully check the rear carbostay attachment where the aluminum frame clamp holds the carbostay. If the bike was ridden with the retaining bolts loose, this can cause the stay clamp to crack. This isn't really repairable, so check carefully.

It is a great-riding bike if set up properly.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Tuloose]

I have a Silvio 1.0. It is a lively little bike and the suspension takes the edge off of bumps.
The front shock holds air pressure very well. I keep it at 150 lbs and when I check it, every 3 months or so, it is right at 150.
I have adapted a rear rack and once did an overnight camping trip with it.
The best modification I made to it was to add a 100mm chain stay extender, ordered from Rose City Cycles. It placed the handlebars at a much more comfortable position. I also added one of those air flowly seat cushions, also from Rose City.
It's a good starter bike to learn the handling characteristics of the FWD, MBB before moving up to a Vendetta.

 

[kling]

Hi Robert,

I have an original Silvio 1.0 (with the rear titanium suspension upgrade and a shortened boom, thanks to JT&DB).
It's a great bike and still my regular commuter. [I use a T50 in winter for the disc brakes]

Nothing fundamentally wrong with the design as others have said- suspension adds complexity, so Cruzbike has shifted to wider tyres. Front suspension has been reliable. I've had to change the valve core twice (easily available & cheap as it's a car tyre stem valve core)

Tyre wise- I use 700c x 25. This can be a bit tight on the rear, and dirt does make a bit of a noise when wet.
Rack on the rear- Old Man Mountain Sherpa FRONT 700C rack

Best wishes
Kendrick

 

[super slim]

I have a Silvio V1.0 with 700*28 Schwalbe ZR slick tyres, that fit with a bit of filing of the front and rear fork crown top to match the tyre profile, with no problems after 15,000 km!
The extra comfort and grip is amazing compared to 700*23!