What would you do?

[Rishi@Cruzbike]

The frames can take any weight, but the wheels AND tyres cannot!

For 700C to 26"(559) tyres, the max recommended load per tyre at its max tyre pressure, for Schwalbe tyres is:-
23 mm(70 kg, 145 psi), 28 mm(75 kg, 115 psi), 32 mm(90 kg, 95 psi), 35 mm(100 kg, 95 psi), 38 mm(105 kg, 85 psi), 42 mm(120 kg, 85 psi), 50 mm(130 kg, 70 psi), 60 mm(145 kg, 55 psi).

The T50 can take a 26"*2.3"(60 mm) tyre, and the S40 can take a 700c*38 or 650B*42, OR (26")559*42.

The wheel loads for all Cruzbikes, Front and Rear are very close to 50% with just the rider.
Any luggage on the rear rack goes to the rear wheel load, and approx 75% of the weight of the S40 forward rack to the rear wheel.

Finding the load rating for wheels are MUCH harder, as the hub manufacturers don't state it, and only some rim suppliers do, and they are VERY conservative!

I rode around the South Island of New Zealand, staying in Hostels, with 3 rear Ortlieb bags (20 kg total) , with two under the frame mid way between the wheels(BIG air brakes!!!), so Front wheel load 70 kgs, Rear 76 kgs, using TWE hand built wheels, 32 spoke, 26" rims, 19 mm inside, 25 mm outside, 22 mm deep and 26"*35 mm Kojak tyres(100 kg rated), with no problems.

In 2020 I hope to ride 5,100 km total, 1600 km Van supported, and the rest self supported, in USA and Canada eastern areas.
I will try to have 3 off rear ortlieb, and 1 off front Ortlieb and 4 large Ortlieb pockets(26 kgs), mounted off the rear rack, so the max DESIGN load on the rear wheel will be 97 kg, and 7 kg on the front wheel when no rider. I still have to build the stays and see if the tail wags or not, AND the front wheel ACTUALLY does not get airborne when the rider dismounts!

I am looking to build new wheels from Hope Pro 4 disk hubs with 36 hole, Ryde Andra 30 26" (559) rims as these seem to be the preferred fully loaded Tandem rear rims, and Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes (so I can use a spoke key to stop the blade turning when tightening the nipple) in a 3 or 4 cross pattern.

Any recommendations for the 100 Kg 100 mm non drive wheel???
The drive front wheel will be the same spec, to allow for braking loads, which could reach 150 kgs, if emergency braking lifts the rear wheel off the ground with a 185 mm front disk!!!!

Thanks!
As I'm right now the combined weight for me, when commuting on the S40, would be 110-115 kgs. On the electric T50 I'm planing to build would be higher. Also I was not sure if I should let my heavier acquaintances try the S40 I'm sure I'll get a lot of requests to try the bikes.

 

[thwaters]

Get the S40. It rides better and handles better than the T50. If you want more of a 45 degree seat, put a Thor Easy GS seat on. I have all three V20, S40, T50 and the S40 is my favorite. I've taken it all over, roads, gravel roads, greenways, mountains. It's the most versatile.
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/s40-build-notes.11777/#post-135857

The T-50 reminds me a lot of my old Softrider. I've had the Softrider since 2008 when Maria Parker helped me find one in North Carolina. I have put over 15,000 miles on it. Last weekend, I made a serious mistake. I went to Bicycle Evolution (new store in Dallas area) and rode an S40! Now I see what the fuss is all about! The S40 might seem intimidating if you've never ridden a Cruzbike; but it's worth just taking the plunge and learning to ride it. The S40 just flies! I test rode the Q45 also; nice bike, it's just not an S40!

 

[Rishi@Cruzbike]

HERE WE GO!!!

With the fantastic support and knowledge shared here, I got my S40 built and just completed my first ride

The most important parts of my build:
R8050GS - RD
R8050F - FD
R8050PA - Shifter set
R8000 50/34T 165mm Crankset
M8000 11/40T Cassette
Wolf tooth
26" Alex Rims with DT-Swiss 32 Hole front and rear hubs, and 26x1.6" Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires
***Still not received and installed the Thor Carrier seat with Comfort Ventisit

So my impressions on my 1st S40 ride. Only did 9 miles on a Rail Trail near me. Here are the highlights:
1. I had the wrong type of helmet. Need a helmet with a flat back. I'll need to take the headrest pad with me when in go helmet shopping.
--> a nice hack --> I placed an external battery in the headrest. See last image.
2. Just from the 1st ride, I'm faster, and way more comfortable, than on a DF.
3. I find it easier to pull my chest right against the handlebar when I'm starting. I'm not using my abdominal muscles here, I'm using my arms. Not sure if that's the general practice, but for me it works best.
4. Reaching for my hydration pack's tube, was scary. I'll need to find a way to have it always near my face.
5. The 26" wheels were the best choice for me.

Just the 1st ride and I'm already loving it. I went with the roof rack, because every time I look in the rear-view mirror, I seen them on their cellphones. No way was I going to trust them to not rear-end me, when they can't see my break and/or signal lights.

Thank you all very, very, very much. My S40 adventuring begins.

 

[Pollock]

Congrats on your build! That orange really stands out. The build looks great!

Go find a parking lot and spend a few hours doing the drills for new riders. It will help you get comfortable with the bikes handling.

Where is your hydration tube located? Mine was down by my left side. The first few times, yes it was a bit scary going for a drink. That went away after a while, partly from those drills

 

[anotherbrian]

Looks nice.

You’ll probably want to disconnect the Di2 cable (you can do it with a fingernail but the little plastic tool is easier) if you need to remove your front wheel. The “rear” derailleur is on a hanger that may fall towards the ground when you remove the wheel, so you’ll want to be extra careful with that wire.

 

[Rishi@Cruzbike]

Congrats on your build! That orange really stands out. The build looks great!

Go find a parking lot and spend a few hours doing the drills for new riders. It will help you get comfortable with the bikes handling.

Where is your hydration tube located? Mine was down by my left side. The first few times, yes it was a bit scary going for a drink. That went away after a while, partly from those drills

Thanks!
I have the tube hooked between the headrest mount. It's reaching up, while still new to the S40. Just did some of the drills and trying to get the stroke smooth. Like you said, it was much easier reaching up for the tube today.

 

[Rishi@Cruzbike]

Looks nice.

You’ll probably want to disconnect the Di2 cable (you can do it with a fingernail but the little plastic tool is easier) if you need to remove your front wheel. The “rear” derailleur is on a hanger that may fall towards the ground when you remove the wheel, so you’ll want to be extra careful with that wire.

Yep, forgot about the thru axle and the Wolf Tooth. The DI2 plastic tool is now part of the tools I carry on the bike. Thanks