Packing the Cruzbike Quest 20" in a suitcase

In mid-July, 2012, I had a Skype text exchange with an international customer.  I'm calling him "D" to maintain his privacy.  D had bought from me a Cruzbike Quest with 20" wheels and the heavy duty touring rack.  We were doing something fairly common when working with international customers: figuring out a testing, purchase and delivery plan for someone who was constantly on the move.

D visited me (and New York City) en route from New Zealand to Washington, DC, to NYC, to Toronto, Canada and then to Vancouver.  He planned to ride from British Columbia down to Washington state and maybe Oregon and thought a Quest 20" may be the vehicle of choice.  Not having rode or even seen a Cruzbike before, D dropped by my place to try it, to make sure he liked it, was comfortable with the seat, and to ask whatever questions he had.  Then, if everything was copacetic, we were placing the order and having it drop-shipped to him in Toronto.

The other week, I followed up to see how everything went.  I was also curious to hear a "first timer's" experience with packing the Quest 20" into a suitcase and traveling with it.  It's one thing for a manufacturer to say that a given bike packs into a suitcase.  It can be quite another matter for the rider/traveler to make it fit.  In this case, with the Quest 20", everything went smoothly.

- - -

RM: D- How is the Quest? Did everything go smoothly?

D: Yep, it got to Toronto before I did, assembled it and rode about 150 km to get it adjusted right, packed it up and brought it to Vancouver in a suitcase.

D: Will be unpacking and  assembling it tomorrow morning, so I can hit the harbour bike trail with the family.  ;)

RM: Cool. Glad to hear it. From 1(hard)-10 (easy), how easily did it pack up? What exactly is the brand/model of the suitcase you used?

D: Samsonite F'Lite 31" suitcase. I bought the 2-wheel version, there's also a "Spinner" 4-wheel version, not sure if the latter is also OK (probably).  (US $171 at the time of writing).

D: Packing up was fairly easy in terms of steps, following the YouTube videos on the CB site, so maybe rate that a 7/10. Most of the steps are easy, and the Quest 2.0 has quick releases to make things a bit easier still.

D: The only hard part is fitting the folded bike into the suitcase - a bit of a tight fit, had to coax a few cables and parts into the right configuration.

D: Took me 2 hours the first time, probably 1 hour next time.  :)

D: Packed weight is 46-48 pounds, so close to the weight limit on most airlines.


- - -

A related discussion in the Cruzbike forum is here.


Sounds to me like a good start to his trip.


Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson

Radical Design recumbent bags. Now available here.

I'm very pleased that the first Radical Design bags arrived.  I had high hopes because they also make HP Velotechnik's excellent panniers, but they've more than exceeded expectations.  Wow.  Designed very practically for recumbent riders, the bags are light, attractive, aerodynamic, well-made, and highly adjustable to fit nearly any bent.  Made in the Netherlands, for real.

Radical Design's Banana small side panniers with 40(!) liters capacity.
Depending on your seat, a rear rack may not be required
for carrying groceries or minimal touring gear.

Radical Design's bags are unique in that many do not require racks (but some do).  Some slip onto seat backs (no tools required), some simply hang from the seat, and others, especially the larger sizes, while they do require a rear rack, do not require an underseat rack, reducing weight as well as overall cost.  In addition, several of the designs are easily mounted on bikes that do not easily accept racks, like Cruzbikes (CB Quests come with a rack).

The panniers are streamline-shaped and are either tucked under or behind the seat, or partly in the slipstream.  I've done day-rides with the large panniers and prefer them over standard frame touring panniers which tend to feel like you're dragging bricks through the wind.  While I continue to be a fan of waterproof Ortlieb panniers, Radical Design offers a larger suite of products designed specifically for recumbents, greatly increasing the options for bent riders who need to carry stuff.

Radical Design's Solo Aero 12 liter seatback bag.
That's a fabric bottle holder on the side.

There is an enormous variety of bag sizes, styles, and carrying capacity, from small, medium, large, and extra-large.  There are small bags for day riders, medium bags for commuters, and their large panniers for touring have as much capacity (70 liters) as an expedition backpack.  Seat back bags come in several different designs to fit nearly every recumbent seat, whether narrow or wide, mesh or hardshell.

Radical Design's 30 liter Rackbag Extended weighs only 720 grams.
Serves as a soft-shell tail box for improved aerodynamics.

They also make attractive and roomy rack-top bags.  Unlike the rack bags designed for standard frame bikes, which are generally of small capacity, Rad D's rack bags take advantage of the fact that they sit in the slipstream, where large doesn't matter (if they're light).  In fact, large can be better: these rackbags serve as a  soft-shell tail box, improving the bike's aerodynamics and speed while providing ample low-weight storage.

Here's an interesting comparison.  Radical Design's Rackbag Extended, versus the excellent and rightly popular waterproof Ortlieb Recumbent Backpack-Rackbag, versus Topeak's MTX TrunkBag DX:

Bag / Capacity / Bag Weight
Radical Design's Rackbag Extended / 30 liter capacity / 720 grams
Ortlieb Recumbent Backpack-Rackbag / 18 liter / 980 gms
Topeak MTX TrunkBag DX / 12.3 liter / 1020 gms

There are people who pay huge bucks to save that much weight on their bike and get this kind of aerodynamic improvement.

For those who prioritize color and style, the bags come in five attractive colors: "dusty" yellow, tomato red, blue (royal blue?), "dusty" Dutch orange and then flat New York black.  (New Yorkers, listen, you no longer  have to choose between black and black!)  All bags have good reflective strips.  Water-resistant, but not water proof, making them lighter in weight, but if you're riding through a lake, put your laptop and sleeping bag in a dry bag.

Contact me for more info. and to get some.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson

Cruzbiking the city.

For my city beater bike, I'm now riding a Cruzbike Sofrider 8-speed.  I feel I've graduated to a new level, now that I feel comfortable taking it in NYC street traffic.  (It took me about 7 hrs. of off-street/in-park riding to get to this point.)  As much as I prefer high-end machines and components, the CB Sofrider makes a pretty good city bike for many reasons: not too expensive, has a tight turning radius, good head height in traffic, fairly lockable, room for fat 26" wheels, space for fenders, satisfactory front/rear suspension, and if the components get stolen or vandalized, who cares.

The SofR handles our lovely potholed streets pretty well.  I just need to resolve the cargo-carrying issues.  I can't use most seat-post mounts such as the 20 lb capacity Topeak which Sofrider easily accepts because it isn't strong enough for cargos I often carry (e.g., groceries, hardware, whatever).  To make it lockable, I pitlocked the front and rear wheels.  This seems to be the best way to secure it though there are still lots of bolts a thief could undue, though in (un)doing so, he (or she) would render it unrideable.  An errant child could also vandalize the seat cushions.  Whatever.  I can't worry about everything.  There's a chain-sized hole in the middle of the frame which makes it easy to lock the bike to the streetscape.  So, all in all, not bad at all but I really must address the cargo issues or else the bike will be relegated to only cargo-free runs.

Another Cruzbike out the door.
Yesterday, another tentative but happy customer took home a Sofrider.  I gave him an hour lesson and within that time he became quite competent.  I think he'll enjoy it.  I wasn't sure, though, if he fully appreciated how nice a bike it was.  I think the low price throws off some people and they feel they're getting a bargain-priced bent as opposed to a bent that's been carefully specced to give the max bang for the buck.  It's actually an extremely capable bike.


For me, probably what I enjoyed most, besides seeing a new rider "get" the Cruzbike, was seeing the Sofrider's current spec and how it reflected the company's attitude towards its riders.  In the current edition, CB upgraded some components in the drivetrain.  The gears were faster to setup and shift better than the old system.  I also appreciated the new wheelset, since this is one of those things that your average beginner rider would not necessarily know how to judge.  Some manufacturers skimp on the wheelset to expand the profit margin even if it's at the expense of ride quality.  And, too often, bike reviewers don't say much about the wheels.  The previous Alex "Subs" -- a stiff, light and aerodynamic rim -- were rather nice, surprisingly good, even, for a bike at this price, but the new model came in with the Alex G6000 Cross rims (review) and Maxis slick tires.  (Should've taken a photo. Didn't. Too busy. Sorry.)  It further supports CB's credentials as a bike maker who seems to genuinely enjoy making good bikes, even if they look weird.  (It still throws me to see the drive wheel in the front and the SofR's MTB Y-frame isn't as pretty as CB's other designs.)


There's something particularly notable about this drivetrain upgrade that, again, your average new rider wouldn't think about.  Some background: most manufacturers reserve the right to change components mid-season just in case they can't get a certain component at a certain moment.  I've seen lesser manufacturers abuse that "right" by downgrading bike components or even frame materials.  It may or may not be to improve profits, but it bugs me when they don't bring the bike back to original spec because there'll be reviews out there saying the bike comes with this or that brand of whatever when in fact it's shipping with something else entirely.  More ethical manufacturers will substitute an original component with -- often -- a slightly cheaper component as a temporary stop-gap till the supply starts running again, after which time I'll see the original spec return.  In this case, what I appreciated seeing from CruzB was that they actually improved the wheelset.  Whether this is temporary or "permanent" -- nothing is permanent -- I don't know, but either way, the wheels on that new arrival were better than those on my demo, bought in spring 2012.  As a rider, I really appreciate this attitude and generosity.  It reflects a courtesy and respect towards the end-rider, and demonstrates a sincere interest in seeing their riders move to a higher level.  Good job guys.

My experience with CruzB continues to be positive.  For riders who want a fast bent at a competitive price, they really should consider a Cruzbike.  There's a learning curve, yes, but it's worth it.

Have fun, stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson

Escape New York Registration Now Open!

Very possibly the next generation of recumbent riders shown here after a past year's Escape New York.

The registration for New York Cycle Club's "Escape New York" ride is now open!

Sign up, ride, and have a blast.

http://nycc.org/eny

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson

HP Velotechnik Gekko fx in black

Thought you'd enjoy seeing this, a custom HP Velotechnik Gekko fx with black matte paint, carbon fiber front boom and fenders, SON dynohub with B&M IQ Fly, 81-speed Shimano XT/SRAM DualDrive drivetrain, Avid BB7 disk brakes, rear rack...and more.

The result?  It's light, fast, handles like a dream, folds into a tiny package and is still as practical as all get out.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson

Of course recumbents do hills.

Standard frame (or "diamond frame") riders often ask me how recumbents are on hills.  (Answer: "You pedal up them.")  Yes, there is the disadvantage that you can't stand on the pedals, but I don't need to since I have mountain bike gearing.  And on those steepest hills, where I'd stand up and power through on a standard frame bike, on a bent I just sit and power through.  Same thing.  When I started riding a bent, I admit I'd sometimes have to walk up a hill.  I didn't yet have a fine sense of balance or strong "recumbent muscles."  But I haven't had to walk up a hill in years.  I just ride up.

I was thinking about this the other day after riding through Harriman State Park, from Garrison to Camp Nawakwa on Lake Sebago and back again to Garrison.  We had taken the train up to Garrison and started riding from there.  It's a 46-mile round trip that begins with about 15 miles of steady climbing, without much more than a few yards of level road, then gives you a steep down, a long uphill false flat, more hills than I can bother remembering, and then you hit Lake Sebago.  The camp's road is then a series of very steep un-graded hills, more up than down.  On the way back, reverse it.  Lots of down, some up, a long and steep uphill climb, and one very, very long downhill coast on a windy road with frequent blind turns where your brakes are very much your best friend.

The next day, no soreness.  Wow.  That's a recumbent for you.

What were we riding?  There was an HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx and a Street Machine Gte, with racks, fenders, and lighting systems.  They're simply the easiest for throwing on a couple panniers for a day-ride and it's always welcome to have the folding Grasshopper when taking the train.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson

Riding a Cruzbike: easy for some.

I get a lot of interest in Cruzbikes.  However, with every new inquiry, there is a question: how long will it take the prospective rider to learn to ride it?

People ask how long it took me to get it.  I think they imagine they'll have the same success as me.  Now, I no longer think I'm a good example.  It took me about 2 hours before I was comfortable taking it out on the street and to Prospect Park where I had space to practice.  It looks like I was a slow learner!

The other week, I had two new Cruzbike riders, a woman and a man.  I'd love to take credit for being a good teacher, but I don't think I can.  Both were fit and that probably helped.  They were both off and riding within minutes.  Minutes, I tell you.


The woman, who will remain nameless since she wishes to maintain her privacy on the internet, was off and riding immediately.  Her fitness routine seems to consist of hiking on weekends and 30 minutes of pilates every morning.  (But maybe that explains it: strong core muscles.)  I gave her my usual basic starting instructions and then she was off and riding immediately with minimal control issues.  She did admit that she'd like some time to practice in the park before heading off on a long ride, however this was clearly a natural Cruzbiker.  Total time required to learn to ride: 5 seconds.

The fellow, a longtime recumbent rider, struggled for maybe 10 minutes, but then he was riding up and down the bike path like it was almost second nature.  We headed to Prospect Park, spent a little time doing handling drills on one of the cross-park drives, then did a little off-roading and downhilling including going over erosion control bars with an 8" drop-off, and then came back via city streets with traffic.  His control was rather impressive.  Wow.  Total time required to learn to ride: 10 minutes.

It reminded me of the following video from Cruzbike showing a brand new rider.




It had taken me a couple hours before I was riding with control.  And, after seeing a few others struggle to control the bike, I had begun to think it would take everyone a fair amount of practice.  Clearly that's not true.  Yours truly is simply slow.

Some people are able to ride a Cruzbike immediately.  For some it takes a while.  You simply have to try it and have faith that when -- not if -- you get the hang of it, you'll enjoy the performance advantages of the design.

Have fun and stay healthy and take a good look at a Cruzbike,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2012 Robert Matson