Recumbent - mtn bike conversion to recumbent

Just in case anyone hasn't seen this yet. Go to cruzbike.com. They have a kit that you can convert a double supension bike to a recumbent. Or you can also use a non supension bike also. I hear that they are doing well selling these kits. Have a nice day Roger

I don't know about the front drive aspect of this thing.
Somehow, I suspect an EZ-1 Lite would blow this thing away.

That's being discussed over at BROL, too. I can't imagine how lossy the resultant bent would be, but OTOH it looks like the kit would be a good fit with these plans (http://www.geocities.com/coppola1962/mutant/mutant.htm) to create an unsuspended FWD based on a road (700c wheeled) bike. Some brazing required. As with any moving-BB FWD bike, good pedaling technique would be required in order to ride it smoothly.

it does not look to bad for the price really. 26" wheels all around would be nice. I doubt front wheel drive would be a big issue as it looks like the weight is far enough forward. the seat does nto look padded enough though.

I don't know about the front drive aspect of this thing.
Somehow, I suspect an EZ-1 Lite would blow this thing away.

I wouldn't be so sure about an EZ-1 Lite blowing one of these away, if the front wheel drive is as efficient as it appears, the finished bike should be substatially lighter than the EZ1 and there are plenty of "road" tyres for mtb's. It also opens the door for a custom build by using a MTB with disc brake, suspension basically what ever you want.
I'm into trikes but find fwd very tempting, I'm waiting for a review by someone who has tried one.

I wouldn't be so sure about an EZ-1 Lite blowing one of these away, if the front wheel drive is as efficient as it appears, the finished bike should be substatially lighter than the EZ1 and there are plenty of "road" tyres for mtb's. It also opens the door for a custom build by using a MTB with disc brake, suspension basically what ever you want.
I'm into trikes but find fwd very tempting, I'm waiting for a review by someone who has tried one.

I don't believe there are suspended front disc brake forks with 1" headsets.
Might need either give up the suspension or front disc.

We are also preparing conversion kits to suit the threadless A-head, so that widens the field of what MTBs can be converted. The Cruzbike does open the door to many possibilities. Choose the MTB with the frame and components that suit you, do the conversion and away you go.

At present it is not possible to fit disk brakes using the Cruzbike FWD Bracket.

The conversion is completely reversible, so you can have the MTB back any time. :)

Regards,
John
www.cruzbike.com

My experience with front wheel drive recumbents hasn't been too good. I feel like I'm fighting control between my legs and arms with allot of pedal steer. I suppose you can get use to it eventually but I never did.

That's interesting. What were these FWDs? I'd love to see a photo. IMHO there is an art to getting the steering geometry right.
JOhn

My experience with front wheel drive recumbents hasn't been too good. I feel like I'm fighting control between my legs and arms with allot of pedal steer. I suppose you can get use to it eventually but I never did.

That's interesting. What were these FWDs? I'd love to see a photo. IMHO there is an art to getting the steering geometry right.
JOhn

They were home made by a proffesional frame builder. Short wheel base 20" front, 20" back, simular to a Challenger low racer.

FWD I (http://www.patchwork.org/bikes/FWDBent.html)
FWD II (http://traylorfwd.home.mindspring.com/fwd.html)
FWD III (http://www.barcroftcycles.com/bikes.html)
FWD IV (http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents/News/Archives/000073.html)
How about FWD trike? (http://www.sidewindercycle.com/)
OK, how about a No Hands, FWD Trike? (http://www.fastfwd.nl/eng/artikel.php)

Another FWD tilt steer trike done right. There is DEFINITELY a black art or subtle science involved in getting the geometry right.

http://www.rohorn.com/