Whoo Hoo

[leakyduck]

I now own a Sofrider. Only problem is that I live in California and my new bike is in Arizona. Will be going over to pick it up in a couple of weeks.

I have been reading the forums for quite a while. In fact the forum helped me decide to buy the Sofrider. Will post pictures as soon as I get my hands on it.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi,
Congratulations on your

Hi,

Congratulations on your purchase!

If you aren't experienced in riding a Cruzbike, I highly recommend looking at Kim's videos and following the steps (and you can read about my first experiences here). The last piece of advice I'd give to new riders is that when starting out, if you suddenly feel out of control, take your feet off of the pedals. I found that this trick made a huge difference.

Cheers,
Charles

 

[leakyduck]

Congratulations on my purchase!

Thanks for the heads up Charles. So far I have watched all the videos on You Tube, the ones on the Cruz web site, the Cruz Australian site, I have read your blog and a whole bunch more. When I get my hands on the bike it will be fun. I think the pedal steer is the issue that gets to most people in the beginning. I am hopeing that since I am well forwarned it will not catch me by surprise and that I can cope with it.

 

[leakyduck]

Gearing on V1

My new Sofrider appears to be a V1. From the pictures I can tell it is an 8 speed. Can any one tell me what is the gearing? Specifically how many teeth on the crank and what is the cassette?

 

[John Tolhurst]

The gearing was 44 x 11-34 on

The gearing was 44 x 11-34 on the V1 Sofrider.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Leaky Duck,
If you live

Hi Leaky Duck,

If you live anywhere hilly, I'd recommend throwing a triple crank on there. You'll clearly need to add a shifter and a front derailleur, but that shouldn't be too hard. If it's flat enough, then 8 speeds might work for you just fine.

Good luck and have fun!
Charles

 

[leakyduck]

Triple Crank

I already have a Sugino triple that has had a custom shortening performed. I was concerned that it was going to cover the gear range I need. I will end up 21 gear inches to 112. That will cover me just fine. I use the middle ring primarily, so I will be good to go.
Read all the posts on how to mount a triple. Now all I need is to get my hands on my new bike.

 

[leakyduck]

My New Bike

Well I'm in Arizona on borrowed computer so I can't post any pictures yet. The poor bike sufferes from a lot of defered maintaince but that is not a problem for me. Most important I rode it. Thanks to everybody here on the forum I was ready for every thing that happened when I went for my first ride. Even more important I knew how to adjust it to fit me. My arms are killing me. It does give one an upper body work out. That was a point that interested me, I need to build some strength. Would rather do it riding my bike than driving to the gym.

 

[Eric Winn]

Congrats on the new bike

Congrats on the new bike. Keep us posted on your maintenance and ride progress.

-Eric

 

[leakyduck]

My First Three Days

Got the bike home on Mon. To late to try riding it. Tue. morn wobbled around the block. Back to the house for some adjustments and wobbled around the block again. Wed morn made two laps around the block with less wobble. Wed afternoon made two laps, again with less wobble. This morn went around twice with hardly any wobble. Each time around I would practice stopping and starting. This afternoon we needed to go to the recycling yard and off we went. 3.5 miles each way, route with bike paths and little traffic. By the time we got home my arms were like noodles and I found muscles in my back that I didn't know I had.

All things considered I am quite pleased with my progress and my Sofrider.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Very nice!  Keep up the

Very nice! Keep up the riding (and the updates)!

 

[leakyduck]

Day Ten

Clipped in yesterday for the first time. What a difference, pedal stroke smoothed out and pedal steer diminished considerably.
Bike now has a rack and front derraileur and neck rest.
Rode to Walmart to do some shopping. Arms are doing better, smother pedal stroke is helping. Bike feels more comfortable every day.