Vianney's V20 build

[antec51]

After trying out an S40 and then a V20 at Roulecouché near Paris, I finally received, assembled, and rode mine (180 km).

So far, I'm happy with my build:
- 150mm cranks
- 38T single chainring
- Wheelset and 10-44 cassette taken from my gravel bike's road wheelset
- SRAM Apex XPLR electronic derailleur

The sense of speed is amazing.
I was already familiar with recumbent bikes but had sold off all my previous ones five years ago (Catrike, Velokraft, Kerttwiessel).

My current issue is adjusting the headrest (it's tricky with a helmet and ponytail) and some pain between my shoulder blades.
I'm experimenting with adjustments, but I've read some things about Thor seats.

Here are a few photos.
Cheers!
(PS: automatic translation from French)

 

[Mathew Fy]

I used a folded inner tube until I switched to a Thor seat:

Got my first Cruzbike, a V20

Hi guys! New V20 rider here. I've been riding a Metabikes Metaphysic, which was my first recumbent, for about 9 months and got my V20 today. I've ridden around the neighborhood several times already and feel like I'm taking to it pretty well. Not having to worry about heel strike in slow corners...

forum.cruzbike.com

 

[IyhelM]

Nice to see you finally jumped in, looking forward to see you on French roads!
I just realised we had talked about your VK2 some years ago.

I wonder how fast you can speed these 150 cranks and what your top speed might be, I reckon you may want to go for bigger than 38T soon.

Regarding your shoulder blades, maybe you still need to find the right setting for the handlebars. Neckrest… well with the old basic flat seat, I’ve always found them uncomfortable, the adjustable one form CB or the equivalent from Icletta might do the trick for you.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Glad you are enjoying it and hope you can get it sorted to be even more comfortable and faster. I can't vouch for the Thor seat's long term comfort because I haven't ridden with one on my V20, but from testing a Thor out on a friend's home setup it felt good and I didn't envision it causing any trouble if ridden for longer periods. The stock V20 seat works well (enough) for me to not feel the need to seek another solution.

I am using the Performance Adjustable head rest with a custom made pad that supports my head well and still provides clearance for the helmet and even a bit of cushioning. I cut a piece of curved plastic that seemed to match the shape of my neck, and put a thin 1cm-thick pad on it, then a neoprene sleeve. On the back of the curved plastic I put two strips of velcro that attach to velcro on two pads on the headrest bars. Here is a pic of mine, but you might be able to do something similar cheaply for your head rest bars.