Wider bars would end most riding control issues, IMHO

CruzinSusan

New Member
The wider the handlebar grips, the less I feel the nose dive effect from the heavy front end, and the easier I can hold a straight glide path. With this greater leverage, I find I can relax my arm muscles, and the Cruzbike conversion feels more like a normal bike, with all the seat comfort advantages.

I was about to give up on this project, because of my conversion bike's inherent risky awkwardness, at sudden obstacles, getting launched into slight road rises or getting going from traffic lights. Then I moved my bar ends so as to widen my handlebar grips, and was surprised to find I could overpower this abnormal front end swing pressure with two fingers.

The site below lists many steel and aluminum oversize handlebars, at least 800mm (31.5 inches) wide, although for me, wider would be better (if your arm span can handle it.) Note: most handlebars are less than 660mm (26".)

You'll probably need a shim for your stem to grip these 1 1/8 inch diameter bars. The top bar grades here are for hard dirtbike use, leaps and hard landings, etc. Cheapest 1 1/8"...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/43056/ITEM/Moose-Racing-Carbon-Steel-1-1-8-Oversized-Handlebars.aspx

There could, of course, be many custom solutions that address Cruzbike's need for a wider bar.
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
Hi Susan,
I think wider bars


Hi Susan,

I think wider bars might help people be more stable in the beginning. There are many people who after spending time becoming comfortable ride with no hands at all. Being clipped in I find helps stability a lot (and I've ridden stretches as long as500 feet or so without hands).

That being said, if people aren't comfortable on the bike, then there won't be a later, so your advice is quite relevant.

Cheers,
Charles
 

John Tolhurst

Zen MBB Master
http://cruzbike.com/freerider

http://cruzbike.com/freerider-handlebars

These are designed by me specifically to make for easier riding. They will fit any sofrider, any Q26 or Q20 and any conversion kit.
 

Kim Tolhurst

Well-Known Member
Wider bars, cont.

Steering is taught from the Never fail riding instructions by pushing equally forward on the handle bars with open palms. The key here being that the legs are the main input for steering backed up by the arms, of course. Now, in continuing to farmiliarise yourself in the learning, push harder with your arms as you peddle to go faster on the flat and pull on the handle bars for power up hills. This being the case the handle bar width (best) would be what is the most comfortable for you to push or pull. Now then,, if you are one who gets to think that wider (than best) adds more control from leverage point of view then you are taking longer to learn and especially your body to learn how riding a CB works. Simply, kindly, the handle bars on a CB are not a leverage function under power but a push pull one. When we do use our hands for steering such as learning with open palms (roll) or gentle turning while peddling here or there our hands have light touch or finger tip control.

Be encouraged, push pull you will feel how leverage disappears.

best, Kim.







 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
One last comment (famouse

One last comment (famouse last words):

I've said this elsewhere, but I think it's worth repeating here.

When I was learning how to ride, one of the most important things I found for helping when I was feeling stable was taking my feet of the pedals. I would go from feeling "Oh WAIT WHAT Huh??" to "Ahhh..." almost instantly.

Kim is (of course) right. Learning how to ride a Cruzbike means learning how to steer with both your feet and your hands. This is quite different than any other bicycle (although maybe riding a unicyucle does have transferable skills here :) )..

After riding for a solid month, I added clipless pedals. I found that these actually made me feel more in control as my legs were now more firmly attached to the steering. I do strongly advice, however, not to do this part too soon since I claim above that taking your feet of the pedals is a great way to restore stability when first learning. (If you are clipped in, pulling both feet "back" so there's no pressure on the pedals either forwards or backwards does help).

Cheers,
Charles
 

Bill Wilby

New Member
Freerider handle bars

"These are designed by me specifically to make for easier riding. They will fit any sofrider, any Q26 or Q20 and any conversion kit."

http://cruzbike.com/freerider-handlebars

We have a Freerider set up as a trainer for people interested in trying a Cruzbike as I have found it is the easiest for people to start on. The wider handle bars help as well as me running along side for support and verbal encouragement.

Bill Wilby www.cycleforfun.ca check out our new site
 

kenhardwick

Well-Known Member
Charles...Stable vs Unstable ?

Charles...
"When I was learning how to ride, one of the most important things I found for helping when I was feeling stable was taking my feet of the pedals."
Did you mean to say...
When I was learning how to ride, one of the most important things I found for helping when I was feeling unstable was taking my feet of the pedals.

......
Great comments from both Charles and Kim...I'm in the early learning stages (about 2 weeks/150 miles) so appreciate all the suggestions and advice from the more experienced Cruzbikers...
 
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