I just measured my weight on each of the wheels of my v20c: front wheel: 70 lbs, rear wheel: 55 lbs. The electronic scale I used was zeroed for each measurement, while supporting the unloaded bike, so that is reasonable (I weight 126 lbs). The weight distribution is about the reverse of what is typically seen on a road bike. Will that mean the front wheel will wear faster, as does the rear on a standard bike? Or is that wear difference mainly due to which wheel is driven, in which case the front wheel will wear even faster on the CruzBike?
Weight Distribution
- Thread starter Joe Riel
- Start date
I used the SpringLoader stand to hold one wheel, and put the other wheel on the scale. The height difference is minimal.
From a stadard road bike both are flipped: Which wheel is driven and which wheel bears more weight. So does it matter which mechanism produces the wear? (And I'd say it's probably both.)
Also it depends in your braking style. If you're afraid of the front brake and often only use the rear, it will still get extra wear from that. If you drag the rear brake a lot to control your speed on long descends and keep the front brake cool for a possible hard stop, that will still use up some rear tire. If you typically mainly brake hard on the front wheel, your rear tire might live a long life.
By the way: Why do you even ask? Are you planning on putting a longer lasting tire where there is more wear? Or are you just curious?
Also it depends in your braking style. If you're afraid of the front brake and often only use the rear, it will still get extra wear from that. If you drag the rear brake a lot to control your speed on long descends and keep the front brake cool for a possible hard stop, that will still use up some rear tire. If you typically mainly brake hard on the front wheel, your rear tire might live a long life.
By the way: Why do you even ask? Are you planning on putting a longer lasting tire where there is more wear? Or are you just curious?
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
After nine years on a V20 and S30, I have noticed that the front/drive tire wears faster than the rear/non-drive tire, at about the same rate as the difference between front and rear wear on a standard road bike. I weigh 130lbs.
Andrew Wilson
Guru
126 lbs ??? 130 lbs ? man.... I need to loose some weight I'm at 175lbs. BTW, you would want the front wheel to carry more weight for traction being that its FWD.
I'm at 175lbs. BTW, you would want the front wheel to carry more weight for traction being that its FWD.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
I am between 178-180lbs, and while I haven't tested the weight difference on my V20 I have noticed that my front wheel wears more quickly.
Rolling Along
Well-Known Member
I am not sure of the default weight distribution. Some things to consider on front/rear tire wear are where added weight is like distribution of body weight, water bottles and bags or a tailbox. Also there would be more slippage against the road surface on the front wheel.
The front wheel is doing a lot of heavy lifting on a Cruzbike - more than an upright or other RWD recumbent - laying down power, turning while doing so, and taking more weight. so a bit earlier wear would be expected. Like a FWD car tires.126 lbs ??? 130 lbs ? man.... I need to loose some weight
Rolling Along
Well-Known Member
If you put a Race Cage on the back of a V20c with full water bottles and minimum tools you are adding about 5 pounds behind the rear axle (based on illustration of Cruzbike Race Cage). You might try weighing it that way or whatever configuration you ride.
Rolling Along
Well-Known Member
I just checked the miles on the Continental Grand Prix 5000 tires I put on my V20c. The tires have similar wear and I intend to change them out for new tires within 500 miles. The front has 3968 miles and the rear has 5024 miles.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
I believe I recall in Cruzebike marketing for the V20 they mention 50/50 weight distribution, and although I've never measured it myself, I've always thought that claim somewhat off. A 56/44 distribution is further off than what would have guessed, that in the MTB ratio territory but in reverse.
I would as think the more horizontal a model of recumbent is, the more the riders own body proportions affect the ratio compared to a DF where you're weight is mostly focused on a single saddle point. Someone like myself with strong legs and low upper body mass would have a heavier front wheel weight when compared to a GYM rat who always skips leg day, or Santa Clause carrying a kegger.
Maybe the marketing is based on the bike alone but still I'd think the front would still be heavier so not 50/50
I would as think the more horizontal a model of recumbent is, the more the riders own body proportions affect the ratio compared to a DF where you're weight is mostly focused on a single saddle point. Someone like myself with strong legs and low upper body mass would have a heavier front wheel weight when compared to a GYM rat who always skips leg day, or Santa Clause carrying a kegger.
Maybe the marketing is based on the bike alone but still I'd think the front would still be heavier so not 50/50
Kind of depends on the rider. I think that measurement was done with Jim on the bike if I remember - he is tall, so more upper body closer to the rear, but also light in the legs compared to some of us hammock style guys... so YMMV I think.
Black Hawk Down
Senior Rookie
175 lbs??? I'm at 227 lbs, and I lost a lot of weight.126 lbs ??? 130 lbs ? man.... I need to loose some weight
Karl42
Well-Known Member
My front tires wear out quickly when I do a lot of climbing. My very first tire was a 25-662, and that lasted about 1500 km (900 mi), as my pedal stroke uphill wasn't very smooth yet and would cause a lot of tire slippage. Then I switched to 28-662 and learned to pedal much more smoothly and now the front tire lasts a few thousand kms. My rear tires have never yet reached the end of their service life due to being worn out, because I always had to replace them earlier because of cuts due to glass or sharp stones. The front tires usually last until I replace them when the threading starts to show.
So for climbing to minimize tire wear and maximize grip, you want more weight in the front.
So for climbing to minimize tire wear and maximize grip, you want more weight in the front.
