Cruzbike S40 Recumbent Bike Review
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- I tell you all about my Cruzbike S40 recumbent bike in this review. I've ridden my Cruzbike S40 for 150 miles so far and I'm going to give you information about the features, accessories, riding experience, and riding tips from my experience so far. My channel features recumbent bikes such as the Bacchetta Giro 20 also. Stay tuned for more recumbent bike adventures and informative videos - including more about the Cruzbike S40.
Great review. I had an S40 and really enjoyed it but after 500 miles or so, the fact that I could not dial in the seat position to the exact degree bothered me. I know that many riders on the Cruzbike site have made modifications to their frames to accommodate after markets seats but I really think the ability to get the bike fit exactly dialed in is what caused me to sell it go back to my Schlitter Freestyle with the adjustable B3 seat, which I can adjust the angle to the millimeter and get it just right. Being able to only adjust the boom on the S40 just wasn’t enough for me.
All that being said they are very well-built bikes and I was even taught to ride one by Jim Parker himself so I am a fan. I currently have a Q45, which has the ability to make seat adjustments and boom adjustments so I have one in my stable that I enjoy riding. Having a shock to absorb the all the bumps doesn't hurt (pun intended) either. Have fun!
Helpful video. Not much about these bikes on the net.
You should get one and make some videos about it
Interesting and informative. Could you show how you climb in and out of the bike in a next video, because this can be tricky on some designs? Have you tried climbing any real gradients yet ? Thanks and enjoy the miles rolling by ! 😎
Thanks for the questions Bruce! Great ideas for upcoming videos.
Cory please make another video and let us know how you still like your S40 since you got it. Thanks
I note that you mention that this bike - a "high racer" with a 26" or 700c front wheel - would fit shorter people down to 5'2". I'm 5'8", and wouldn't feel comfortable on a high racer style bike, as it would be quite difficult to mount and dismount. The height of the seat is considerably higher than a SWB with 20" front wheel, like your former Bacchetta (and my Barcroft, as well as P-38s). Just my take - perhaps there are other shorter folks who have no issues.
I understand the concern. But have another look, because I just did a quick measure of my S40 and the seat is only about 23 to 24 inches from the ground. The front wheel drive allows for the top tube to be lower than a Bacchetta (which has that straight frame that has to rise above the front wheel). It may be a game change for you!
l am interested in a recumbent bike, been riding bikes my whole life and never even think of riding a recumbent.. l know they are fast in the flats because l chased them in my road bike days.. been riding mountain and gravel and now l am looking at these bikes for comfort and road.. l definitely do not want to ride road bikes like that again, shoulders and neck sore, back ache ect.. Yeah the Cruzbike looks fun, S40 is perfect, l really would order a frame and build it to my riding style, pricey but looks worth it
Great reasons! I think a recumbent would meet those requirements perfectly.
As John Schlitter says: "Ride what you like and like what you ride." I owned a Vendetta several years ago and found it problematic on the steep, twisty, mountain descents. Since then the Parkers have come out with several different models so that issue may no longer be the case. You didn't (but should have) mention that your bike has a carbon fiber hard shell seat. That wasn't the case when I had the Vendetta. Aluminum. A big improvement with CFHS. The newer Cruzbikes now have tillers that are far more narrow in diameter than the earlier Cruzbikes. Also a big improvement. Now for the issue of `faster'. Among the top ten or twelve recumbents none are slower or faster than one another. The rider is what makes the bike faster. I've done the Sebring (Florida) races several times. Dead flat. I live in the central mountains of Arizona where there are no flat roads. NONE. I now ride: Bacchetta CA3, Bacchetta CA2, Bacchetta Ti Aero, Pelso-Brevet and the Schlitter FreeStyle. All rear wheel drive bikes. One-by, two-by, triple crank. Rear cassettes are eleven speed 11/42 and eleven speed 10/51. A few of my vids in my location: czcams.com/video/T5dpMfRLfMk/video.html czcams.com/video/MJbWBrFjd24/video.html czcams.com/video/fS7SDxbx_co/video.html
One feature I guess is great, is that the chain is in front of both wheels, so should not get splattered with Road crap…is this so. It is a pain with a normal bike, where I live, Scotland, you ideally have to clean the chain each time you use it.
Yes, that seems to be true. I'm typically riding on pretty clean pavement, but I think you're right.
Thanks for this informative video. Looking forward to performance comparison video compared to other bikes.
I had one of the bolt on kits years ago before they did away with them. It was nice on flat level ground, but the moment I started going up a serious hill the tire started to slip. Made it worse if I was pulling a trailer. As someone who is visually impaired and cycles for transportation and not just enjoyment I couldn't deal with that so I didn't have it long.
Bolt on to what exactly?
@@cebruthius They used to have a kit you could bolt onto a normal bicycle to convert it into a cruzbike. I can't link you any images etc cause youtube keeps removing them, but you can google it.
eu tive que fazer uma recumbent bk, tração frontal 700x25,,ao meu estilo,,
na verdade eu já fiz 3 tipos diferentes é maravilho fazer a sua propria bike
Olá, vc tem como falar mais sobre, estou querendo fazer, pena não saber soldar e tal... Vou pedir um serralheiro, mas queria trocar ideias com quem já fez. A sua é de aço ou alumínio?
@@DDiegoBigode aluminio
@@welitonoliveiraoliveira8558 parabéns, mas alumínio não é difícil soldar não? Como vc fez
No suspension?
Does it miss it, a bit?
Can you go over gutters and stuff?
Btw, those are the best Over Seat Steering handlebars I've seen yet.
Thanks for the video
@alexsainsbury2176 No suspension on this bike nor the Bacchetta I owned prior. There are very few gutters or other bumps I come across so I don't feel I need suspension for my area. I guess I would just consider it added weight.
When I go over gutters sometimes I will sit up a moment to better absorb it. Great questions!
Congrats on the S40! I've got an older Cruzbike Quest that I really enjoy. I think at some point I'll probably splurge and pick up an S40 too.
One thing I'm hoping I'll enjoy about the newer Cruzbikes is the lateral stability. My Quest has a rear shock (which I like), but that in combination with how flexible the frame and specifically the back wheel gets makes me long for the stiffness of my old carbon fiber diamond frame bike. I think your bike has through axles which should make things a little stiffer. But I'm curious to see what these newer Cruzbikes feel like myself.
Very cool. I considered the newer Q45 for the potential to go on dirt trails, but the speed of the S40 was a better choice since we have so many paved paths here. I think you will feel and be much faster on the S40. For the reasons you accurately outlined in my opinion. Keep riding!
I have a Q45 and modified it to make the seat angle more reclined than is possible with the stock seat post. This gave the rear tire a lot less clearance, so I swapped the coil spring for the stiffest one I could find and replaced the shock with one with a lockout. It's plenty stiff this way. Though I suppose on paper, a rigid frame would be stiffer. I just wanted a V20 seat angle but with wide tires. I don't think the S40 from the video has thru axles though.
@@brauljo very cool idea on the rear shock with lockout. I've got a Kind Shock A5-RR1 which allows me to play around with suspension settings to get a noticeably different ride based on what trails I might be riding. But I don't have the ability to fully lockout.
To your other point though. I thought all the new S40s had thru axles
@@BikesAndBanjos Do you use the negative air valve on the A5-RR1? My shock is of the same brand, a KS Exa Form 382RL. Exa Form also has air shocks with lockouts like the 582RL and 588RL. The S40 from the video isn't new, it has quick release axles and post mount brakes instead of thru axles and flat mount brakes.
@@brauljo thanks for the confirmation on the thru axles. I definitely use the negative chamber and am constantly tweaking the settings on both valves. I really do like it but I might pickup another KS with a lockout at some point. I'll probably just get another Cruzbike w/o rear suspension before that happens though. Hopefully an S40.
Thank you for posting a review however, everyone expecting an in-depth summary should look elsewhere. This is just a delightful, easy-going Sunday Drive.
One concern I would have is the CoG being near the front. Have an ICE Sprint X Tour trike, the Cog being near the front as 2/3 of he weight is there. The trike's rear wheel looses traction on rough roads, both at speed on slight bends and on tight bends at low speed. On a bike , losing traction would be alot harder to control.
Since the back wheel is under my torso when riding, the center of gravity is actually very good. But riding a recumbent bike, I've learned to be cautious around loose dirt or patches of sand. Since the rider lays back, there are fewer bodily adjustments available to handle loss in traction. I've never had a spill.
Why the headrest? Can you ride with the back of your head supported? And if you never use the headrest, does your neck get tired of the constant forward position, relative to your upper body?
Good question Tom. I ride 98% of the time without laying my head back on the headrest. It can help a little on very long rides, where you can rest your head back for a couple minutes here and there. For me, I think it serves 2 purposes: I can mount accessories and if I was hit from behind, it would protect my neck.
I´ve been commuting on a GIro26 for about ten years now, still a lovely bike but I´m interested in Cruz Bike for my next commuter. Thanks for the info/video. The front wheel drive is what concerned me about the Cruz Bike, would I find it too ¨weird.¨ Your video helped allay my worries.
I have a Performer FWD, not same as a Cruz bike but similar. It's very sketchy on hill starts and steep hills are impossible, so be aware. Once moving and feet clipped in I'm very happy and confident. It has good power transfer and speed.
@@ferventheat Performer uses a fixed boom, as opposed to the pivoting boom on a Cruzbike. I don't get the point of front wheel drive if it's just gonna have a fixed boom that bends the chain and puts the chain and pulleys closer to your legs. I'd rather ride rear wheel drive.
Great information, thanks Cory
Nice review. Love the mosquitos lol
Who doesn't?! Lol
I currently ride a Bacchetta Giro 26 and am interested in buying a used Cruzbike V20 Vendetta, for its increased speed and climbing performance.
Glad to see transitioning from the Bacchetta to the S40 was not too difficult.
Is there a reason why you don't use clipless pedals, much more efficient with the pushing and pulling motion.
I find climbing on the Bacchetta very challenging.
I've developed a liking for speed, which is one of the reasons I'm interested in a V20.
Just wondering why you went with the S40 instead of the V20 which is a much faster bike, I've read?
Was the seat angle on the V20 too extreme for your liking?
Cheers.
Enjoy.
Hi Doug! I liked the more casual angle of the S40 seat and they are more inexpensive. In fact I purchased this one slightly used. I would love a V20 in addition to this one. I understand they are so fast! I actually have clippers sitting on the shelf and have no good excuse actually. Enjoy your awesome bike and keep riding!!
Great video and review, will you be able to go into deeper resolution if you see any significant advantages in the front wheel drive in compare to the RWD Bacchetta Giro that you have been used or just as you mention the MBB a different type of bike? will appreciate if you can give your point of view focusing on comfort , climbing, wheelspin(if you had)...... Thx a lot
I like it and thank you for the request!
Cory can steer with his legs. Too much baloney.
Do the tires come tubeless ready? If you had a limited budget and could only have one bike the V20 or S40?
@danielgill3016 Yes, my wheels are tubeless ready. I haven't ridden the V20 but pretty sure what kind of ride that would provide. I personally would get the V20 because I have a lot of nice paved trails around here and can go fast fast fast. I would probably go with an S40 if there are some stops along the way. Like road crossings and such. That slightly more upright posture is a little better for visibility and starting from a stop. Just my take bit would like to hear from others here.
Do you find that this seat retains body heat more than the mesh seat of your Bachetta? If so, that could be a plus on cold days, but perhaps a negative dynamic on warm and hot days.
steve
Hey Steve! It's about the same. The Cruzbike seat is also somewhat breathable but narrower. I like the less bulky seat on the Cruzbike. Hope that helps!
ola jovem como vai,, uma informação. minha bike tinha esse pedais de esfera por muito tempo.
á bike andava bem,, até que um dia eu estava no aliExpress,, e navegando por lá.
descobrir um pedal que tem ,,3 rolamento por pedal ,,ual
coloquei na minha bike,, e hoje ela anda muito melhor,, 40 %
á diferença é gritante.
boa sorte pra vc ai.,,, acredite
Your Cruzbike S40 seems to have a 2 speed crank with a derailleur. The current Cruzbike web site show the S40 to have a single speed crank. Was yours a special order?
Good eye! I am the second owner of this bike. It's a previous year model and was barely used.
great video I have a bacchettta 3,0 since 4 years realy nice on down hill but hard on top.
I am considering changing it for an S 40 but is the cruzbike really effective in terms of rating despite its heavier weight than upright bikes?
secondly I am tall and I saw that there are several fork lengths before how to choose.
thirdly, is it difficult to switch from propulsion to direct traction?
@georgesfromsouth2991 1. Since the steering and pedaling is connected the legs and arms can all work together to generate power. So I think the s40 is more effective at climbs than a Bacchetta but an upright bike is better at climbing overall in my opinion.
2. The Cruzbike has a sliding front boom so it can accommodate various sizes without having to choose part sizes.
3. Not difficult. It takes a little practice bit really not difficult. About 10 miles to get comfortable and 100 miles for I to feel like second nature. Thanks for the questions!
More videos
Does the pedal angle change with the steering direction? That sounds like it would be awkward if so.
Great question. Have a look at another video I have titled "Can You Handle a Recumbent Bike". Hopefully that displays how good it actuallyworks.
For almost all turns on a bike the wheel turns very little actually. And for the very sharp turns it's common on all bikes to pause pedaling to avoid a spin out or whatever.
So no, I haven't had an issue with pedaling while steering.
@@corybikes Thanks, I will!
Which trail was this? I'm in Florida, looks perfect for a shakedown cruise.
This is Starkey Wilderness Park. Also check out the Good Neighbor trail through Croom. Super beautiful!
Thanks for great videos. Which of your two bikes would you prefer for bikepacking?
Great question. I think both bikes are about equally fit for bikepacking. They both are able to mount a rack and use panniers. They also both have under seat mounts. They both have touring tires with a little tread so they can both travel on dirt. One thing to consider is that Cruzbike offers the Q45 which is specifically built for multi terrain tours - with suspension and wider tires etc.
This vs the bachetta?
For a first recumbent I’ll avoid pedaling that steers the bike back and forth. Otherwise would test one out.
I agree that's good advice Scott. If someone out there has their mind set on a Cruzbike however, I would say, follow your dreams!! ;-)
Just like learning to ride a recumbent is like learning to a ride a bike again, learning to ride a pivoting boom is like learning to ride a recumbent again. That being said, people who learn to ride a pivoting boom as their first recumbent can instantly ride a fixed boom.
Are you clipped in with that high foot position.
For this video I am not clipped in. However I currently have SPD SL pedals on the bike. I liked to be clipped if there are few stops or intersections. But like flat pedals otherwise.
How do you turn??? Take a foot off a pedal???
The bike wheel doesn't have to turn much to make a typical turn. Probably 2 or 3 degrees. To make a hairpin turn on a 10 foot wide path, I have to stop pedaling but my feet can still be on the pedals. So it's really not an issue.
You’re supposed to ride fast and straight.
Turning is for babies.
Look up other videos of Cruzbikes, you'll see people cornering
Just got a Streetmachine GT. Find the steering a bit over sensitive and it is hard work / sometimes wobbly on hills.
Just wondering how this compares.
I am from UK and I would really like to try the Cruzbike S40. How faster S20 is compared to V40?
The V20 is faster than the S40 from what I've seen and read. I have only ridden the S40, but I've seen videos on CZcams of people riding V20's about 45 km/h. The first few times of riding a Cruzbike is a little stressful, but as you become comfortable, it becomes very fun riding so comfortably and quick. Cruzbike offers a 100 mile trial - which is great. You could order online. But here is their dealer listing: cruzbike.com/pages/dealers
You've got the numbers mixed up
Great video! I'm curious if having the pedals connected to the steering limit how tight you can go around corners?
Is the tail light a blinking one? Asking because the reflectors on the pedal don't face forwards and backwards like a usual bike.
Great questions! You are right that since the pedals are connected to the steering, the rider's legs have to be able to turn with it. When making this video I attempted to make several tight turns to fetch the camera. I think my turning radius is about 7 to 8 feet. So still really good. Yes the tail light blinks and has high or low modes.
My thoughts, as well. Also, when you turn, your reach to the pedal must lengthen and shorten with each cycle stroke. Bizarre design.
Cruzbike is actually one of the better bents on cornering, because you can corner really tight without worrying about heel strike.
Most other 2 wheel bents turning radius are limited by heel strike
Can turn a 90° corner on a sidewalk without a problem and without the back tire leaving the sidewalk. Tight turns it does well.
@@taufikabidin412 Heel strike would only occur with a fixed boom if you had to pedal thru the tight corner. While heel strikes don't happen on a pivoting boom, tight turns lengthen and shorten the distance to the pedals, so you wouldn't always be able to pedal thru the tight turn since you wouldn't always be able to reach the outside pedal. Clips only make this worse, unless you make a point of unclipping the outside and pedaling full circles with the inside leg. Ratchet pedaling is a better solution and can be used with both types of booms.
I'm considering turning my vision r40 into a high racer. Has a 20" front on it right now. Is the feel alot different having a larger front wheel?
Not too much difference. Typically causes your feet to be higher, but Depends on the bike frame design and is not really a concern in my view.
@@corybikes yeah the wheelbase isn't quite as stretched as a bachetta. Will have to play around with rake i suppose.
@@RaneBane Yeah the wheelbase is shorter on Cruzbikes because there can be plenty of heel overlap without the risk of heel strike since the boom pivots with the wheel.
What year is this S40? Looks like it has post mount brakes and quick release axles, the newer ones have flat mount brakes and thru axles
Pretty sure this is 2020.
Does the V20c interest you?
I would love to see a video review of the V20C
Yes the vendetta would be awesome! Super fast and I have a great route here to run!
where do you get recumbent bikes?
Specialty bike shops are a great way. So you can test ride. But many, like cruzbike offer guarantees. You could search for recumbent bikes on Google maps or start with the manufacturer websites.
Cannot ride this bike in urban areas with that steering setup.
Me and my friend commute and do rides daily into the city. Its actually better as you can do toghter turns and not be limited by heel strikes
I was doing some pretty tight turning when I recorded this to come back and fetch the camera. I think this would do well in a city setting. On my Bacchetta, I would have to stop peddling on tight turns to avoid the wheel hitting my foot/pedals.
I found the Cruzbike easier to learn than the deFelice underseat steered recumbent I had years ago. Cruzbike puts you about eye level with car drivers.
Why not?
انت تتحدث كثيرا .. نحن نريد ان نرى الدراجة على ارض الواقع وكيف عملها واستجابتها لسهولة الحركة دون النظر الى وجهك والاستماع الى الكثير من الكلام ..!!؟؟؟
"can steer with your legs". Baloney. This review is bad.
See the video on CZcams -- Riding figure of 8 hands free 放手踩8字 Cruzbike Q45
I just practiced doing some slaloms on the street today and did not use my hands to steer. Riding without hands on Cruzbike work the abs.
Your take is bad. You could've stopped to think for a moment and searched for "cruzbike no hands" instead of looking like a complete tool
Nice Review! Got one too. Took me a while to get it dialed in, especially the seat and pedal cleats but once I did, it is a joy to ride! Here is mine: czcams.com/video/2_YQaUaMK7w/video.html
Andrew! Your video was one of the first I saw about the S40. I liked how fast you looked on the video but I didn't like when you rode close to that big truck. 😀
I noticed you also installed a top tube bag. Nice bike and keep in touch!
@@corybikes Oh, great, I didn't know you'd already watched it! Sorry, about the trucks in my video, but sometimes they are inevitable on our roads, no matter the type of bike.
Recumbent bikes are ergonomically wrong! Here's why: Stand straight and lift one leg. Now sit down on a chair and stick one leg out horizontally. Move that stretched leg up and down and feel how much more muscle power it takes and how much more fatiguing it is compared to the vertical leg lift. Resting your feet on the bike paddles does not make any difference. Pure physiology!
Your view is myopic
@@LorenzoDeprado Hi Lorenzo, I'm Dutch and I know a thing or two about bicycles! Prove me wrong about the horizontal position....
@@Leonardo-ql1qu hi! I’m Floridian and have biked across my state! Not sure why we are listing our locations. Surely you don’t actually think being Dutch has anything to do with your ability to assess the efficiency of bikes right? That wouldn’t be very rational of you. You are talking about one specific metric and ignoring other metrics that overall contribute to the efficiency of recumbents over upright bikes. You can not wildly claim “increases fatigue” without factoring in the reduced fatigue on your back and, most importantly, your reduced aerodynamic footprint. There is a reason recumbents are more efficient in wind tunnels and there is a reason many older people with mobility and fatigue issues turn to them. Your one point of ergonomic benefit to the upright is outweighed by the significant difference in efficiency and ergonomics across the bored. I love my upright bike but that doesn’t somehow make basic science not apply here. Surface area is simple physics!
@@LorenzoDeprado Lorenzo, thanks for joining the discussion!
What you described is just the torque of gravity on your legs. Resting your feet on the paddles literally makes all the difference, it’s simple physics.