What about an S30?

[Black Hawk Down]

I get why CruzBike redesigned the Q45. Almost all the A4x changes were most definitely needed on the Q45. The one exception is they made the seat back range 44 to 77 deg, which is the opposite of what I need. And now it looks like the design would make it extremely difficult to DIY it to 30 degrees, like I did on my Q45. I would have been much happier if the money and time were spent improving the S40. The Q45/A4X are just too heavy for touring, in my opinion. Modifying the S40 to have an adjustable seat back so that it can have a 30 degree angle would make it the best touring bike on the road. I did a major modification to my S40 to have the Thor Carrier seat leaning back closer to 30 deg (see photos), but I'm not yet sure it'll work. I'll report back after I've ridden it a few hundred miles. Some day I'll have the ultimate touring bike even if I need to use AI to design it and a custom shop to make the frame.

 

[Greg S]

I agree. For me, 30 degrees is the sweet spot. The V20c is a great speed machine but not so much in busy/technical/urban environments. The S40 is a great "do it all" bike but it'd be better IMO if the seat were adjustable (or even fixed) at 30 degrees.

I have another 'bent where the seat angle is adjustable and (no surprise) it's at 30 degrees - perfect!

 

[IyhelM]

Depends as much on the angle of the lower part of the backrest as on the shape and angle of the higher part (shoulder blades area). Which, if not aligned with the bottom will help get more power through the pedals and maybe get rid of a neckrest.

 

[LarryOz]

Yes, the S30 was a fan favorite for many - but Cruzbike just did not see the need in having those 3 models.
I do have an S30 in my Cruzbike Museum available for purchase. Decked out with SRAM RED etap, Deep Dish CF wheels. A real beauty.
Send me an email to cruzbikemuseum@gmail.com if you want to know more.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Yes, the S30 was a fan favorite for many - but Cruzbike just did not see the need in having those 3 models.
I do have an S30 in my Cruzbike Museum available for purchase. Decked out with SRAM RED etap, Deep Dish CF wheels. A real beauty.
Send me an email to cruzbikemuseum@gmail.com if you want to know more.
View attachment 20183

Hi Larry. I considered the S30 before buying the Q45 frame from you. The S30 does not have any attachments for touring racks. For me, that's show stopper. An S40 with the S30 angle is the most optimal touring bike in my opinion.

 

[cpml123]

I get why CruzBike redesigned the Q45. Almost all the A4x changes were most definitely needed on the Q45. The one exception is they made the seat back range 44 to 77 deg, which is the opposite of what I need. And now it looks like the design would make it extremely difficult to DIY it to 30 degrees, like I did on my Q45. I would have been much happier if the money and time were spent improving the S40. The Q45/A4X are just too heavy for touring, in my opinion. Modifying the S40 to have an adjustable seat back so that it can have a 30 degree angle would make it the best touring bike on the road. I did a major modification to my S40 to have the Thor Carrier seat leaning back closer to 30 deg (see photos), but I'm not yet sure it'll work. I'll report back after I've ridden it a few hundred miles. Some day I'll have the ultimate touring bike even if I need to use AI to design it and a custom shop to make the frame.

It looks like if you ride the bike without other stuff, most of the weight will be on the front wheel because the center of the body is moved a few inches toward the front. However, once you load up the bike with gears on the bike, I think it will be perfect! More equally distributed weight.

 

[kizarmynot]

I get why CruzBike redesigned the Q45. Almost all the A4x changes were most definitely needed on the Q45. The one exception is they made the seat back range 44 to 77 deg, which is the opposite of what I need. And now it looks like the design would make it extremely difficult to DIY it to 30 degrees, like I did on my Q45. I would have been much happier if the money and time were spent improving the S40. The Q45/A4X are just too heavy for touring, in my opinion. Modifying the S40 to have an adjustable seat back so that it can have a 30 degree angle would make it the best touring bike on the road. I did a major modification to my S40 to have the Thor Carrier seat leaning back closer to 30 deg (see photos), but I'm not yet sure it'll work. I'll report back after I've ridden it a few hundred miles. Some day I'll have the ultimate touring bike even if I need to use AI to design it and a custom shop to make the frame.

Lots of tinkering going on there, but not surprising based on previous posts ;-)
I was wondering how you got 30 degrees until I saw the last pic with the seat shifted forward.
Also like what you did at the back with TT bars. I was thinking of doing something similar when I’m back on my feet before my next tour.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Lots of tinkering going on there, but not surprising based on previous posts ;-)
I was wondering how you got 30 degrees until I saw the last pic with the seat shifted forward.
Also like what you did at the back with TT bars. I was thinking of doing something similar when I’m back on my feet before my next tour.

I just changed the back again yesterday. I attached a head rest directly to the back of the seat. I still have the simulated seat post and room for one water bottle. I can't remember what I used the seat post for, but I'm sure it will come to me later. As a minimum, I can hang flashy lights. I often use the two bars to hook shopping bags when in town on a tour. It now looks like this:



I put a wool cap over the head rest so that I can easily remove it and wash it once in a while. It's also a little more comfortable on the neck.

 

[Robert Holler]

Attaching an aftermarket seat - like a hardshell - to the A4x and simply using a different stock diameter 31.2mm tube bent to a different angle to get to 30 degrees would actually be exceedingly simple.

The seat rail system (like on the newest T50 and also is on the Meta Mystique and all Performer 2-wheelers) makes it more universal of a fit for different seats than any of our bikes to date. (particularly due to the seat rail)