Recumbent - Rans Xtreme vs Cruzbike

I am looking for a recumbent that is fast and can handle traffic and is fairly easy to ride. I have settled on Rans Xtreme or Cruzbike. Does anyone have any experience with either bike. Their pros and cons

Thanks.

C200-
I would recommend at least taking the Cruzbike for a test ride. I built my own front-drive recumbent, and it was a little strange at first. Now that I've gotten used to it, more or less, I really like it. The movable bottom bracket forces you to steer with your legs. Your hands/arms really want to take control but you need to resist that and just relax your upper body.
There's a learning curve, but the more miles I put on it, the better rider I become (funny how that works:) ). Just don't take any tight turns right away.

Just one more thing, I think the Cruz is way overpriced. No offense Cruzbike owners, I'm just sayin'. You can buy the conversion kit and get yourself a Y-frame suspension bike cheap and save alot of money if you're mechanically inclined.

I agree, WAY overpriced.

You're talking about two TOTALLY different bikes. You really need to ride before you buy.

I agree, WAY overpriced.

You're talking about two TOTALLY different bikes. You really need to ride before you buy.

The only problem that I have is that no one around my area sells recumbents. When I do decide to buy I will get a frame set and build it up myself. I had a Tour Easy and Gold Rush at one time but sold them to buy a diamond frame bike. I rode Skyline Drive in VA on my Tour Easy. That was a trip. I really don't believe the Tour Easy climbs all that well. The bike handled well enough but it was slow on those hills. I understand that the Xtreme and the Cruzbike are better climbers. It is puzzling to me how the Xtreme can that much of a better climber than the Tour Easy but I read that it is.

I think the reports of the X-Stream climbing prowess are a case of new-bike-placebo. We heard the same thing about the V2 and the Stratus-XP when they first came out. The V2, particularly, was designed and marketed as a GRR-killer. After the hype wore off, we found they were not all that much better than the previous models.

The MBB of a Cruzbike is... different. I like the looks of the Cruzbikes, but when I actually got on one, I hated it. Definitely don't buy without a test ride!

Cruzbike has a pretty good forum on their web site. I think that test riding one, isn't going to tell you much, because apparently it might take a couple of weeks to really feel comfortable on it the Cruzbike.

I think that test riding one, isn't going to tell you much, because apparently it might take a couple of weeks to really feel comfortable on the Cruzbike.

Maybe that's the thing. I have no reason to switch, so I'm not willing to put in the time and effort to learn.
The same can be said for a lot of upright riders, who don't have an overpowering reason to switch to recumbents; I've seen that if they get one just to try it, they'll probably leave unhappy.

Cruzbike seems to me like it would be the better climber of the two. The Xtreme did pretty well in RAMM this year. However, would a Gold Rush have done just as well with the same riders? I cannot believe that a long wheel base like the Xtreme will climb well. I have read the Cruzbike forums. They are interesting to read. The only Cruzbike that I would be interest in would be the Silvio. The other bikes cannot be that fast and they don't look much different than the ones that the average person can build. The down fall with the Silvio is the high price tag for the frame set.

When I did skyline drive on my Tour Easy I only managed five miles per hour on some of those grades. The bike was very stable but it was anything but fast. Two years later I went back and rode Skyline Drive on a Raleigh C200 Hybrid. I averaged over 11 miles per hour and I was two years older. I really liked the Tour Easy but I sold it because of the way that it climbs...really slow compared to a Hybrid.

I can tell you for sure the ability of the xtreme is not a placebo. I was the original prototype tester for the bike and have a production version now. It's not as nimble as my carbet by ANY means, but it's way faster than it looks. I don't know why, but it hits a sweet spot between aero and body position.

And I don't believe the cruzbike is any kind of climber. Typically FWD bikes are known to be lacking in their ability to climb. All the recent "records" they have broken have been time trials on flat ground. Not to diminish the accomplishment by any means. I hope they come to Sebring where there are already established records to break. Would be a bigger feather in the cap.

I think you need to define your expectations more. Are ou wanting a cmmuting bike, so you're in traffic a lot, or are you wanting a climber or a racer? Your "want" from your posts make things a bit unclear.

Skyline Drive? Are you in the SF Bay Area? Nanda Holz at Spincyclz has a Silvio that you could test ride.

Skyline Drive? Are you in the SF Bay Area? Nanda Holz at Spincyclz has a Silvio that you could test ride.

I am on the East Coast. There is a road that runs across the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains in VA called Skyline Drive. This road turns into the Blue Ridge Parkway after 110 miles and runs another 400 miles into North Carolina. One of the prettiest roads that I have ever ridden.

Sorry for the confusion. I do ride in traffic at times with our local riders. However, I like climbing hills. Where I just moved from an 8% grade was our level ground so to speak. I do like to travel at a nice rate of speed. I am not one that just meanders along at a slow pace. I did that on my Tour Easy riding hills and realized that going slow is not for me. I also realize that a fairing going up a mountain is useless when it comes to speed. If anything, the fairing is a hindrance because of the extra weight. That is why I am looking a bike that is best in all worlds...slow speed handling, good climbing ability with some speed and fast on the flatter road ways. That is why after some research, I narrowed it down to the Cruzbike and the Xtreme.

. . . slow speed handling, good climbing ability with some speed and fast on the flatter road ways . . .

You might also want to consider the Volae Team, either steel (http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/readitem.pl?Bike=1050509764) or carbon (http://www.hostelshoppe.com/team_carbon.php).

All the recent "records" they have broken have been time trials on flat ground. Not to diminish the accomplishment by any means. I hope they come to Sebring where there are already established records to break. Would be a bigger feather in the cap.

Aikigreg, "a bigger feather"?, you have got to be kidding. On October 10th Maria Parker set a women's world 12-hour bicycle record on a Cruzbike Silvio on real roads with real dogs, real potholes and real traffic. It is yet to be certified since it just happened. Read her account of it here (http://www.cruzbike.com/content/new-record-pending-certfication). I challenge your statement that there is a bigger feather. There may be different feathers, but there is no bigger feather.

Aikigreg, "a bigger feather"?, you have got to be kidding. On October 10th Maria Parker set a women's world 12-hour bicycle record on a Cruzbike Silvio on real roads with real dogs, real potholes and real traffic. It is yet to be certified since it just happened. Read her account of it here (http://www.cruzbike.com/content/new-record-pending-certfication). I challenge your statement that there is a bigger feather. There may be different feathers, but there is no bigger feather.

From what I could see, it was a flat loop course. Real roads, but I bet they didn't choose a course with lots of rough chip seal or Michigan-style expansion joints every 30 feet. With a support -oops- verification vehicle following her the entire way. I doubt that dogs or potholes were a big problem. Exactly what was the women's 12-hour record before Maria's performance?

I don't want to detract from her performance too much, but I really don't think it 'proved' anything.

I can see right away how this discussion has turned away from giving an objective answer to the OP's question into that of attempting to down play a remarkable woman's (Maria Parker) accomplishment (12 hour record) on a proven platform (Cruzbike Silvio).

YEARS BEFORE Maria Parker's impressive ride in New Jersey several months ago, and her new woman's 12 hour record almost 2 weeks ago...when Cruzbike only offered the conversion kits, (no factory built bikes), reports were coming in left and right from owners reporting how well their conversions climbed hills in spite of the fact that many of these were based on cheap, heavy department store full suspension mountain bikes.

Another poster on this thread claims that FWD bikes are "are known to be lacking in their ability to climb" is just plain disinformation. No disrespect meant but that is misleading when ironically, Cruzbike is well known for it's climbing performance.

I've observed that Cruzbike has a well established online community, and I recommend to the OP to look for advice there. Doug Burton is their "techie" guy, and can offer a wealth of information on those bikes. He has gone through the whole Cruzbike experience starting with a couple of conversions, through the mid range models like the Softrider, and now rides a Silvio. He is a good guy.

Best of luck to you in whatever you choose to ride.

Edward Wong III
"Bentless in Orlando, FL"

From what I could see, it was a flat loop course. Real roads, but I bet they didn't choose a course with lots of rough chip seal or Michigan-style expansion joints every 30 feet. With a support -oops- verification vehicle following her the entire way. I doubt that dogs or potholes were a big problem. Exactly what was the women's 12-hour record before Maria's performance?

I don't want to detract from her performance too much, but I really don't think it 'proved' anything.

I can't remember the woman's name but I believe the previous woman's 12 hour recumbent record was 229 miles riding a Bacchetta Aero Ti or Carbon.

And as for the last remark, I am assuming you meant that there was no serious climbing involved in the course used to break the 12 hour woman's record recently by Maria Parker. Certainly you don't mean to detract the feat of riding 241+ miles in 12 hours on a bicycle right? After all, what percentage of the cycling population right now, whether male or female can do that...on any bicycle? Very small? Very little? Very few? Yea, I thought so.

Edward Wong III
"Bentless in Orlando, FL"

Oh, I think it proves a few things. Maria is obviously a great cyclist and doing those kind of miles on ANY bike, even a streamliner, is no mean feat. I'm quite certain she could shame most all of us.

But by a bigger feather I meant trying to break existing women's records on the same course at the same time.



From what I could see, it was a flat loop course. Real roads, but I bet they didn't choose a course with lots of rough chip seal or Michigan-style expansion joints every 30 feet. With a support -oops- verification vehicle following her the entire way. I doubt that dogs or potholes were a big problem. Exactly what was the women's 12-hour record before Maria's performance?

I don't want to detract from her performance too much, but I really don't think it 'proved' anything.

From what I could see, it was a flat loop course. Real roads, but I bet they didn't choose a course with lots of rough chip seal or Michigan-style expansion joints every 30 feet. With a support -oops- verification vehicle following her the entire way. I doubt that dogs or potholes were a big problem. Exactly what was the women's 12-hour record before Maria's performance?

I don't want to detract from her performance too much, but I really don't think it 'proved' anything.

Nancy Raposo set the 12-hour women's bicycling record of 240 miles on a DF in New Jersey in 1992. Maria crashed at about half way after rubbing up against an SUV and still went on to set the record.

BlazingPedals, what is the point of you belittling this phenomenal accomplishment? From the above you criticize the roads, the elevations, the support vehicle, but you "don't want to detract from her performance too much. "Too much"?. WTF are you? What's your motive? A small 46 year old woman accomplishes an incredible task and you trash her? Shame on you and your house.

Oh get over yourself man. He's entitled to his opinion. You act like you're about to cry. He's not trashing her, he's just stating the facts as she sees. I think Maria has broken st least two records now, actually. Both of which were not pre-existing. That doesn't change that she is an awesome athlete. Head-to-head is a whole different ballgame though. I have 4 international records myself, either solo or as part of a team, and I can assure you that only one of those is worthy of real note. The others are just pure bragging where there was no previous recordholder. We'll see what happens as I attempt several others this next year, all of which will be contested.

Oh, and Mr. Wong, I am not spreading disinformation. I happen to have a fair amount of seat time on a cruzbike, so I have exnough experience to call it as I see it. Scoff all you want, but I am giving an INFORMED opinion, unlike a lot of the crap tossed about here and on BROL by folks who have never ridden the bikes they denigrate.

I'm done threadjacking. No more replies off topic on this from me.


Nancy Raposa set the 12-hour women's bicycling record of 240 miles on a DF in New Jersey in 1992. Maria crashed at about half way after rubbing up against an SUV and still went on to set the record.

BlazingPedals, what is the point of you belittling this phenomenal accomplishment? From the above you criticize the roads, the elevations, the support vehicle, but you "don't want to detract from her performance too much. "Too much"?. WTF are you? What's your motive? A small 46 year old woman accomplishes an incredible task and you trash her? Shame on you and your house.

Oh get over yourself man. He's entitled to his opinion. You act like you're about to cry. He's not trashing her, he's just stating the facts as she sees......... I have 4 international records myself,.........I'm done threadjacking. No more replies off topic on this from me.

So you attack the person, not the issue. Argumentum ad hominem, not a very mature strategy, but you're the same guy that trashes a 46 year old woman and her accomplishment of setting a World Record for all bicycles, DFs and bents. And also supports similar activity from your blow buddy BlazingPedals.

So, you have 4 International Records. Is this supposed to give you bully rights? Why is this pertinent to your attacking people on this thread and Ms. Parker?

I am looking for a recumbent that is fast and can handle traffic and is fairly easy to ride. I have settled on Rans Xtreme or Cruzbike. Does anyone have any experience with either bike. Their pros and cons

Thanks.

C200....I have an Xstream (Angletech SHO build) and now have about 1,500 miles on it. I did a 700 mile review in August over on BROL that may be of some help. I can try to answer any additional questions you may have....hope this helps...

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=52308

C200....I have an Xstream (Angletech SHO build) and now have about 1,500 miles on it. I did a 700 mile review in August over on BROL that may be of some help. I can try to answer any additional questions you may have....hope this helps...

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=52308

Milkman, that was a great review and your bike looks great. For the sake of me I cannot see how a long wheel base recumbent can out climb a short wheel base recumbent. Like I said before, the Tour Easy was slow on hills. Have you increased your speed on the hills since your review? Does the bike hurt your back while hammering?

I am leaning towards the Xtreme when I decide to buy, I just want to make sure that I make the right decision when I do decide to buy.

Oh, and Mr. Wong, I am not spreading disinformation. I happen to have a fair amount of seat time on a cruzbike, so I have exnough experience to call it as I see it. Scoff all you want, but I am giving an INFORMED opinion, unlike a lot of the crap tossed about here and on BROL by folks who have never ridden the bikes they denigrate.

I'm done threadjacking. No more replies off topic on this from me.

Aikigreg,

I do do acknowledge your opinion now that you've made it clear that you're talking about your experience with these bikes. Maybe it just didn't work out for you as it has for others.

My concern was the fact that you made a blanket statement that FWD's "are lacking in their ability to climb". That can be misleading if you don't clarify that this is your personal experience. Remember how some people add, "YMMV" after making a statement or giving their opinion about something.

Personally, I don't feel that anyone was blatantly attacking Cruzbikes, or Maria's performance on the Silvio, but I did detect a slight "so what?" kind of attitude.

Anyway, enough of thread jacking for me too.

Edward Wong III
"Bentless in Orlando, FL"

Milkman, that was a great review and your bike looks great. For the sake of me I cannot see how a long wheel base recumbent can out climb a short wheel base recumbent. Like I said before, the Tour Easy was slow on hills. Have you increased your speed on the hills since your review? Does the bike hurt your back while hammering?

I am leaning towards the Xtreme when I decide to buy, I just want to make sure that I make the right decision when I do decide to buy.

Thanks for the compliment. Now I'm no expert on these matters and all my personal riding experience is based on my Trice QNT and Xstream. As you may already know, hill climbing ability is highly dictated by bike weight, the version of XStream I have weighs in at about 23.3lbs without add ons, which is relatively light for a recumbent. SWB vs LWB, weight is key regardless. I'd bet a years salary I'd be even faster hill climbing on an 18lb SWB Carbent. This next comment may be more subjective and others may chime in with personal experience, but I believe the seat to crank relationship on the Xstream would provide for more efficient and power stroke position while pedaling than the tour easy. When I was test riding LWB bikes, I didn't like care for the seat to crank relationship on the tour easy other simililar LWBs.

I have increased my hill climbing speed, I'm much more comfortable now and just recently have been applying more "mash" to my "spin" on the hills. The bike is very stiff and transfers power well. Back never hurts on this bike, but occasional recumbutt does occur when in upright position, adjusting the seat and laying it back helps. What i'm really enjoying about this bike is the seat adjustment ability, when i've got alot of hill climbing I'll usually bring the seat more upright, I'm finding I can generate more power in this position. When i'm facing a very stiff head wind or just want to get very aero I'll lay the seat all the way back....this bike really flies on the flats......

It's understandable wanting to make the right decision, I bought without a test ride and I have no regrets on the purchase. I commute on my trike and use the Xstream for weekend "speed" rides. I would not buy this bike if I had to ride in alot of stop and go situations though....this bike is meant for long distance open roads...Hope this helps!? :)

Thanks for the compliment. Now I'm no expert on these matters and all my personal riding experience is based on my Trice QNT and Xstream. As you may already know, hill climbing ability is highly dictated by bike weight, the version of XStream I have weighs in at about 23.3lbs without add ons, which is relatively light for a recumbent. SWB vs LWB, weight is key regardless. I'd bet a years salary I'd be even faster hill climbing on an 18lb SWB Carbent. This next comment may be more subjective and others may chime in with personal experience, but I believe the seat to crank relationship on the Xstream would provide for more efficient and power stroke position while pedaling than the tour easy. When I was test riding LWB bikes, I didn't like care for the seat to crank relationship on the tour easy other simililar LWBs.

I have increased my hill climbing speed, I'm much more comfortable now and just recently have been applying more "mash" to my "spin" on the hills. The bike is very stiff and transfers power well. Back never hurts on this bike, but occasional recumbutt does occur when in upright position, adjusting the seat and laying it back helps. What i'm really enjoying about this bike is the seat adjustment ability, when i've got alot of hill climbing I'll usually bring the seat more upright, I'm finding I can generate more power in this position. When i'm facing a very stiff head wind or just want to get very aero I'll lay the seat all the way back....this bike really flies on the flats......

It's understandable wanting to make the right decision, I bought without a test ride and I have no regrets on the purchase. I commute on my trike and use the Xstream for weekend "speed" rides. I would not buy this bike if I had to ride in a lot of stop and go situations though....this bike is meant for long distance open roads...Hope this helps!? :)

Thanks for your time to tell everyone about your experience on your Xtreme. I will probably look for a previously owned Xtreme sometime in the near future. I really like the looks of the Cruzbike Silvio but I feel that the price for the frame set is too high and out of my budget range.

I would like to comment on one other thing and that is the record that was set by Maria on her Cruzbike a few weeks ago. She has shown the world that she can hang in there with the best of them. It really makes no difference if it was in an area where there aren't any hills or not. 240 miles on a bike in 12 hours is something to be proud of and my hat goes off to her. Great job Maria. It takes a lot of stamina to what she has done. It also goes to show how well the Cruzbike Silvio works. I just wish the frame set was a little less expensive.

Personally, I don't feel that anyone was blatantly attacking Cruzbikes, or Maria's performance on the Silvio, but I did detect a slight "so what?" kind of attitude.



Yes, you do. It comes from the record not only being newly-set, but as far as I can tell, newly-created. Maria seems to be the first. Also, almost anyone of us who are 'performance-oriented' realize that that record could well have been established on any of a dozen other 'bents; it was done on a Cruzbike only because Maria is a part-owner of the company. When John Schlitter was winning the Bike Across Florida, we didn't hear near the hype about the bike itself; it was understood that bikes other than his company's flagship model could have done equally well. But when Maria's performance is mentioned, it's held up as proof that the Cruzbike is one of the fastest bikes out there. And anyone who raises the BS flag is called a "hater." I think, based on others' reports, that the Cruzbikes are good performers, but not outstanding. And they apparently take a bit of dedication to learn, too.

I'm more interested in why C200 has narrowed his choices down to these two, very different bikes. What kind of traffic, terrain, etc will it be ridden in, and what is the budget?

Yes, you do. It comes from the record not only being newly-set, but as far as I can tell, newly-created. Maria seems to be the first. Also, almost anyone of us who are 'performance-oriented' realize that that record could well have been established on any of a dozen other 'bents; it was done on a Cruzbike only because Maria is a part-owner of the company. When John Schlitter was winning the Bike Across Florida, we didn't hear near the hype about the bike itself; it was understood that bikes other than his company's flagship model could have done equally well. But when Maria's performance is mentioned, it's held up as proof that the Cruzbike is one of the fastest bikes out there. And anyone who raises the BS flag is called a "hater." I think, based on others' reports, that the Cruzbikes are good performers, but not outstanding. And they apparently take a bit of dedication to learn, too.

I'm more interested in why C200 has narrowed his choices down to these two, very different bikes. What kind of traffic, terrain, etc will it be ridden in, and what is the budget?

Yes I do what? Are you agreeing with me, or saying that I am misrepresenting my point of view?

The "force" that created this so called "hype" about the Cruzbike's performance potential was actually set off by the detractors who wanted to vent their counter point on a video that was posted by Jim Parker on BROL showing him, and his wife Maria doing quite well in comparison to other bikes. It was they (detractors) who challenged Parker to "prove something" by racing the Silvio, and setting records.

Well guess what, they did just that and now some are coming out and saying that she could have set that record on any bike, and stopping short of completely disregarding the Silvio's performance.

Truthfully, I have to point out that Maria Parker is an exceptional rider, and would be fast on any bike but the point is that the Cruzbike didn't prevent her from establishing that new 12 hour record. The detractors were claiming in so many words or less that it wouldn't be efficient enough due to the slight side to side movement of the MBB.

My earlier remark came forward in that I did not believe that hardline anti Cruzbike attitudes were present in this thread....YET! But it seems that I am soon to be proven wrong.

Edward Wong III
"Bentless in Orlando, FL"

Personally to me it would have meant more if Maria brought the Silvio to Sebring and laps everyone in the field and set a record there with other recumbent racers out there on the same ride on a course that wasn't personally selected. Of course you could still say it was the rider and not the bike but at least you had other bikes and other athletes out there plus perhaps a few years worth of riding records/results to compare to? Still it was a great ride and a feather in their cap.

To the OP.. I have a cruzbike sofrider (I assume you are looking a a silvio though) and I have test ridden two different X-Streme. I am a slow rider but I personally can't see either of these bikes holding someone back. If weaving traffic were the key though and you really needed to be able to manuever quick at slow speeds or take bike paths which have tight hairpin corners the Silvio probably has the edge if only because of it's wheelbase. If your not trying to ride like a jacked up NYC messenger then the X-Streme would definately be a nice ride.

Yes, you do. It comes from the record not only being newly-set, but as far as I can tell, newly-created. Maria seems to be the first. Also, almost anyone of us who are 'performance-oriented' realize that that record could well have been established on any of a dozen other 'bents; it was done on a Cruzbike only because Maria is a part-owner of the company. When John Schlitter was winning the Bike Across Florida, we didn't hear near the hype about the bike itself; it was understood that bikes other than his company's flagship model could have done equally well. But when Maria's performance is mentioned, it's held up as proof that the Cruzbike is one of the fastest bikes out there. And anyone who raises the BS flag is called a "hater." I think, based on others' reports, that the Cruzbikes are good performers, but not outstanding. And they apparently take a bit of dedication to learn, too.

I'm more interested in why C200 has narrowed his choices down to these two, very different bikes. What kind of traffic, terrain, etc will it be ridden in, and what is the budget?

I narrowed it down to these two bikes for many reasons. I don't like the high racers with their extremely high bottom bracket. I have owned a Tour Easy and Gold Rush and feel that they are not all that good at climbing. Stable yes, fast on hills, no. I have been reading about the different recumbent that seem to climb well. The Cruzbike and the Xtreme seem to have a good following and I believe it is for their over all performance. I feel if a bike is a good climber than it will fast on the road. I know a lot depends on the engine and I am taking that into consideration. The Xtreme had a great showing in RAAM this year over all types of terrain. The Cruzbike had a good showing this year over a 12 hour endurance run. I also need something that is not going to be a problem in traffic. In other words a bike that is stable at slow speeds.

Budget. I have a Cannondale Synapse HI-MOD all carbon Frame that I have to sell. This is the best all carbon frame that Cannondale makes and it is a beauty. This frame has less than 125 miles on it and it is in perfect condition. I am selling the frame because of an injury that occurred right after I bought it. I can no longer ride this bike without pain. The money that I receive from the sale of this frame will go into the recumbent that I decide to buy This is a high end frame with very little miles on it. Not exactly the way I wanted to go but sometimes we have to do things that we don't want to do.

Personally to me it would have meant more if Maria brought the Silvio to Sebring and laps everyone in the field and set a record there with other recumbent racers out there on the same ride on a course that wasn't personally selected. Of course you could still say it was the rider and not the bike but at least you had other bikes and other athletes out there plus perhaps a few years worth of riding records/results to compare to? Still it was a great ride and a feather in their cap.

Personally I don't know what the big deal is about Sebring. Yes numerous records have been set there by riders who have YEARS of racing experience. Maria Parker just started competitively a FEW months ago. We're talking about a 46 year old housewife, mother of 4 children with a husband to attend to, and all the responsibilities of running a household.

And though I'm not sure, she probably takes an active part in running the Cruzbike distributorship...after all, she is part owner of the company. Yet she finds the time, and the wherewithal to train to perform at the levels we witnessed almost two weeks ago.

Forget for a moment about the Silvio, but I just can't get it through my head that anyone would say, "it would have meant more if Maria brought the Silvio to Sebring...yada, yada, yada", as if to mean her accomplishment is not somehow in the same league.

Whatever. To each their own I guess.

To the OP, good luck in selling your Cannondale to buy a new recumbent. Please keep in touch and let us know what you've decided.

Happy trails,
Edward Wong III
"Bentless in Orlando, FL"

Personally I don't know what the big deal is about Sebring. Yes numerous records have been set there by riders who have YEARS of racing experience. Maria Parker just started competitively a FEW months ago. We're talking about a 46 year old housewife, mother of 4 children with a husband to attend to, and all the responsibilities of running a household.

And though I'm not sure, she probably takes an active part in running the Cruzbike distributorship...after all, she is part owner of the company. Yet she finds the time, and the wherewithal to train to perform at the levels we witnessed almost two weeks ago.

Forget for a moment about the Silvio, but I just can't get it through my head that anyone would say, "it would have meant more if Maria brought the Silvio to Sebring...yada, yada, yada", as if to mean her accomplishment is not somehow in the same league.

Whatever. To each their own I guess.

To the OP, good luck in selling your Cannondale to buy a new recumbent. Please keep in touch and let us know what you've decided.

Happy trails,
Edward Wong III
"Bentless in Orlando, FL"

Edward,

Thanks. I just placed the Cannondale on Ebay a few mintues ago. Time will tell.

Forget for a moment about the Silvio, but I just can't get it through my head that anyone would say, "it would have meant more if Maria brought the Silvio to Sebring...yada, yada, yada", as if to mean her accomplishment is not somehow in the same league.
Ok forget all details for the moment.

Rider has governing body come in to survey and approve a course no other rider has ridden on. Rider rides course and sets a 12 hour record on a course which may or may not have had similar characteristics to previous 12 hour record.
VS
Rider enters into a race that has happened for some number of years previously with other riders riding the same course. Rider rides in a class/division others have ridden in or are currently competing in. Rider sets record.

Yes both are great I'm only trying to say that perhaps the second one might hold a little more weight? Even like a billionth of a percent?


C200 if you wre near DFW, TX you could borrow my sofrider for a bit. It isn't a silvio but it will have drop bars and is a MBB FWD and might give you some idea of how it rides. That is why I got it myself because I didn't want to spend all the money on a silvio if it wasn't going to work out. A short test ride would have killed it for me I still dont' liek it but that is mostly due to the high seat and even the X-Streme was too high for me. Maybe one a conversion kit on a 20" wheel folding bike would be more my speed.

Ok forget all details for the moment.

Rider has governing body come in to survey and approve a course no other rider has ridden on. Rider rides course and sets a 12 hour record on a course which may or may not have had similar characteristics to previous 12 hour record.
VS
Rider enters into a race that has happened for some number of years previously with other riders riding the same course. Rider rides in a class/division others have ridden in or are currently competing in. Rider sets record.

Yes both are great I'm only trying to say that perhaps the second one might hold a little more weight? Even like a billionth of a percent?


C200 if you wre near DFW, TX you could borrow my sofrider for a bit. It isn't a silvio but it will have drop bars and is a MBB FWD and might give you some idea of how it rides. That is why I got it myself because I didn't want to spend all the money on a silvio if it wasn't going to work out. A short test ride would have killed it for me I still dont' liek it but that is mostly due to the high seat and even the X-Streme was too high for me. Maybe one a conversion kit on a 20" wheel folding bike would be more my speed.

Thanks evblazer for the offer, but I am a long way from Texas. I am in NC on the East Coast.

Thanks evblazer for the offer, but I am a long way from Texas. I am in NC on the East Coast.

You'd be the first :D I offered it to all the folks locally including the dozens of bent riders I know and no takers. Half a dozen or more buying/bought an XStream though. Way too many of those things around here ;)

You'd be the first :D I offered it to all the folks locally including the dozens of bent riders I know and no takers. Half a dozen or more buying/bought an XStream though. Way too many of those things around here ;)

There does seem to be an overwhelming amount of XStreams in Texas...have they been giving them away over there!? :)

You'd be the first :D I offered it to all the folks locally including the dozens of bent riders I know and no takers. Half a dozen or more buying/bought an XStream though. Way too many of those things around here ;)

I realize that the Cruzbike is a bike that has a learning curve. That doesn't bother me. Success to anything new is to take it slow until you get use to it. You may learn immediately that it not for you.

When I sell my frame I will seriously look for a used Xtreme. I have not seen one anywhere. Recumbents don't seem to be that big here on the East coast of NC. I will keep my eyes open on Ebay or Craigslist

New Bern area has numerous recumbent riders (I test rode a Lightning at the Flythe Bike Shop in that city). Don't know if anyone would have an Extreme.

Hawleys, in Fayetteville, has a Silvia set up for test riding (or at least they did in August, when I test rode it!)

As someone else has pointed out, the Xtreme may not be the best for traffic riding/in town, but will shine on the open road. And I do not doubt the claims of those who ride one that it climbs well. Its low weight helps there.

If as you say, you don't mind the learning curve (and if you can afford one), the Silvio will be good on most any road. Great visibility in traffic. Excellent turning ability. And fantastic climbing ability. It weighs a bit more than an Xtreme, 25 pounds or so, I believe.

What no one has mentioned yet is that because of the FWD on the Silvio (and Sofrider), the steering sensation is completely in sync with your pedaling. If rides more like a DF in that regard than other recumbents, and you can get your whole body into the climb (or level sprint) much like you do on a regular diamond frame. In fact, you can put as much upper body into the ride as you like (not that that makes you faster). Which means you can get more of a whole-body workout on a Cruzbike. I've noticed that my upper body has become stronger just by riding my Cruzbike. And I do nothing else in the way of working out for upper body strength. When I test rode the Lightning P-38, I missed that ability to add upper body input.

I ride a Sofrider V1, by the way, and, though it weighs well over 35 pounds, the DF people I ride with take note of how well I can climb with it. In a 16-17mph (overall average) group ride, I do not get dropped, and though I'm just getting back into distance riding and am not particularly in shape, I'm not out-of-breath after these climbs. And the Sofrider cruises great on the open road. The much lighter and lower Silvio (compared to a Sofrider), climbs and cruises even better, of course.

You can't fit more than a 28mm tire on a Silvio, though---if your roads tend to the rough side, or if for any other reason of comfort or handling you would want a wider tire. I understand the front air suspension is fully adjustable, so that might help with awful road surfaces. But I gather from your two choices that you aren't thinking of going "off highway" much anyway.

It took me weeks to feel comfortable with the handling of the Cruzbike (but I had never ridden any recumbent), and several hundred miles to feel strong and fast, but I think any recumbent requires developing the different riding muscles.

I live in Roxboro, NC. I have two Sofriders if you want to try FWD out for a bit, and happen to be heading this way.

Good luck with your decision and purchase.
D. Hardt


>>>> I realize that the Cruzbike is a bike that has a learning curve. That doesn't bother me. Success to anything new is to take it slow until you get use to it. You may learn immediately that it not for you.

When I sell my frame I will seriously look for a used Xtreme. I have not seen one anywhere. Recumbents don't seem to be that big here on the East coast of NC. I will keep my eyes open on Ebay or Craigslist

New Bern area has numerous recumbent riders (I test rode a Lightning at the Flythe Bike Shop in that city). Don't know if anyone would have an Extreme.

Hawleys, in Fayetteville, has a Silvia set up for test riding (or at least they did in August, when I test rode it!)

As someone else has pointed out, the Xtreme may not be the best for traffic riding/in town, but will shine on the open road. And I do not doubt the claims of those who ride one that it climbs well. Its low weight helps there.

If as you say, you don't mind the learning curve (and if you can afford one), the Silvio will be good on most any road. Great visibility in traffic. Excellent turning ability. And fantastic climbing ability. It weighs a bit more than an Xtreme, 25 pounds or so, I believe.

What no one has mentioned yet is that because of the FWD on the Silvio (and Sofrider), the steering sensation is completely in sync with your pedaling. If rides more like a DF in that regard than other recumbents, and you can get your whole body into the climb (or level sprint) much like you do on a regular diamond frame. In fact, you can put as much upper body into the ride as you like (not that that makes you faster). Which means you can get more of a whole-body workout on a Cruzbike. I've noticed that my upper body has become stronger just by riding my Cruzbike. And I do nothing else in the way of working out for upper body strength. When I test rode the Lightning P-38, I missed that ability to add upper body input.

I ride a Sofrider V1, by the way, and, though it weighs well over 35 pounds, the DF people I ride with take note of how well I can climb with it. In a 16-17mph (overall average) group ride, I do not get dropped, and though I'm just getting back into distance riding and am not particularly in shape, I'm not out-of-breath after these climbs. And the Sofrider cruises great on the open road. The much lighter and lower Silvio (compared to a Sofrider), climbs and cruises even better, of course.

You can't fit more than a 28mm tire on a Silvio, though---if your roads tend to the rough side, or if for any other reason of comfort or handling you would want a wider tire. I understand the front air suspension is fully adjustable, so that might help with awful road surfaces. But I gather from your two choices that you aren't thinking of going "off highway" much anyway.

It took me weeks to feel comfortable with the handling of the Cruzbike (but I had never ridden any recumbent), and several hundred miles to feel strong and fast, but I think any recumbent requires developing the different riding muscles.

I live in Roxboro, NC. I have two Sofriders if you want to try FWD out for a bit, and happen to be heading this way.

Good luck with your decision and purchase.
D. Hardt


>>>> I realize that the Cruzbike is a bike that has a learning curve. That doesn't bother me. Success to anything new is to take it slow until you get use to it. You may learn immediately that it not for you.

When I sell my frame I will seriously look for a used Xtreme. I have not seen one anywhere. Recumbents don't seem to be that big here on the East coast of NC. I will keep my eyes open on Ebay or Craigslist

Hardtdavid,

I appreciate the offer. That is kind of you to do that.
It looks like I am 190 miles from Foxboro and 98 miles from New Bern. If I travel up that way than I will contact with you. However, I have to sell my frame before I can buy any other bike.

I don't plan on going off road with any bike. I want a bike for road use only. I am going medical issues with my hamstring and back and that is why I am selling my DF frame. I feel that a recumbent should work better since I have those kind of issues.

You'd be the first :D I offered it to all the folks locally including the dozens of bent riders I know and no takers. Half a dozen or more buying/bought an XStream though. Way too many of those things around here ;)

It's good to hear to RANS scoring some sales, but the lack of interest in trying your bike threatens my conception of bent riders. I've thought of us as willing to try new things.

It's good to hear to RANS scoring some sales, but the lack of interest in trying your bike threatens my conception of bent riders. I've thought of us as willing to try new things.

DFW may be sort of an unfair area of comparison. The prototype RANS made it's rounds through DFW before it came out. Alot of people saw it on rides and a few folks had an extended test ride (hundreds or thousands of miles test ride). Since it was a prototype and not someones bike I wonder if it made it easier for some people to take a test ride more so then another persons ride. Also having it there blowing by you might peek your interest a bit more too. The owner of Bacchetta also makes quite a few appearances here on rides and in events so those two brands get alot of publicity around here from that and having a large number of models available for test rides in local stores.
I know of a Silvio rider who rides at white rock lake but I've never seem them on the bike I've only seen the bike on the roof rack. I'm a slow/heavy rider so am not exactly a great advertisement on making my sofrider seem like a fast bike even if I do get it dialed in. I'm going to go put my WTB drop bars on now and see if that make a positive difference.

Actually, Mark, I'd love to try one for a much longer test drive, but since we don't live that close, Iv'e never bothered to respond. I'd hate to take your bike not knowing when I'd see you next.

See now that would have given me a reason to come to that there picnic thing and drop it off for a few weeks or whatever.
Now I gotta try the new bars that I finally got in along with the extended seat back I put on to see if it makes it more ridable. I'm not going to go as far as modifying the chainstay because I have enough problems with it being so high. I've mostly been trying to figure out how to make what I have a foot lower and may end up trading it for a conversion kit or just selling it after I've figured if a silvio which is a few inches lower might ever been in my future.

If it is stable as it was or better in a few weeks I might be up to somehow doing some kind of handoff somewhere to get it over to you for a few weeks if ya like. It is the sofrider v1 one that BROL reviewed so isn't super fancy so I don't know if they'll count you opinion even after you test ride it for a few weeks :lol:

No one pays attention to my opinion anyways, which is as it should be. Of course, I won't say what I think of Bryan's opinions by comparison :)

Let me know when you're done messing with it and we'll find a way to get together.