New Crank Forward Cruiser
#1
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#2
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According to the site this is the first bicycle to be designed from the seat out.
What have we been riding?
What have we been riding?
#3
Senior Member
What's with the raised part in the middle of the saddle? It looks a bit on the kinky side to me!
Designed from the seat out? Funny!
Designed from the seat out? Funny!
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
What's with the raised part in the middle of the saddle? It looks a bit on the kinky side to me!
Designed from the seat out? Funny!
Designed from the seat out? Funny!
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I actually tried this thing at Interbike. It was simply awful. There were a few designs at the show where I asked myself why anyone would actually think it was a good idea. This bike was just about the worst of every possible combination. The people selling them designed the seat first, but it wouldn't work with a conventional bike so they designed a bike for the seat. You can't sit on it; you lean back on it. It is really horrid.
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Seems a bit expensive to me. I bought a Raliegh Gurv '06, crank forward type bike; basic model 8 speed for $249.00 end of year sale. I'm still mainly into road bikes, have three (thinking next might be a bent) but this one is a blast to ride; it's just so different in a good way. A fun happy sort of ride. lol...
#9
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Try a RANS if you can
The thing I saw about a couple other "crank-forward" bikes is that they are crank-forward, but they are not "crank-forward enough". -And most still use a regular bicycle saddle, which is a big part of their discomfort problem.
Try one of the Rans bikes if you get the chance. I got a Fusion and it is not as comfortable as my LWB, but it is much more comfortable to ride than a normal upright, and it still rides like an upright. Unlike a recumbent it is easy to ride, people who have only rode "regular" bikes can sit on it and ride around right away. I don't know how fast I could average on it, but I could definitely see riding it long distances (30-50 mile rides wouldn't be too bad).
~
Try one of the Rans bikes if you get the chance. I got a Fusion and it is not as comfortable as my LWB, but it is much more comfortable to ride than a normal upright, and it still rides like an upright. Unlike a recumbent it is easy to ride, people who have only rode "regular" bikes can sit on it and ride around right away. I don't know how fast I could average on it, but I could definitely see riding it long distances (30-50 mile rides wouldn't be too bad).
~
#10
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Most of the crank forwards I've checked out use lower-end componentry than even their hybrid counterparts Few are building "serious" crank-forward, RANS being the primary exception.
Now this may reflect their market, as many crank-forward buyers seem to be looking for a very comfortable bike for short trips around neighborhoods or bike paths.
I also believe that the frame cost is higher, due to the production numbers not being very high yet.
For example, we all know Cannondale builds some very good quality bikes. However the $600 crank-forward Daytripper uses a SRAM SX4 rear derailleur and a common SRAM PG-730 7-speed cassette. Fairly low-end gear at that price range.
Likewise the Giant Suede and Trek Pure Sport use SRAM 3.0 rear derailleurs. And the Giant uses a lightly-regarded Suntour fork.
By comparison a Fuji Crosstown 1.0 hybrid, list $560, uses Shimano Deore front & rear derailleurs, Alex wheels, RST fork, SRAM PG-950 cassette, etc... So one downgrades components almost across the board and still pay $40 more to go from this Fuji to a Cannondale crank-forward.
Nearly all of the crank-forwards use ballon tires too, usually ranging from 1.90" to 2.125"
These bikes probably provide what a lot of people need, but where hybrids & road bikes offer nice steps up the quality ladder, that is still a missing piece on most crank-forward lines.
RANS aims their line at both comfort riders and those wanting more performance out of a crank-forward. The prices on many of their designs are substantially higher too.
Now this may reflect their market, as many crank-forward buyers seem to be looking for a very comfortable bike for short trips around neighborhoods or bike paths.
I also believe that the frame cost is higher, due to the production numbers not being very high yet.
For example, we all know Cannondale builds some very good quality bikes. However the $600 crank-forward Daytripper uses a SRAM SX4 rear derailleur and a common SRAM PG-730 7-speed cassette. Fairly low-end gear at that price range.
Likewise the Giant Suede and Trek Pure Sport use SRAM 3.0 rear derailleurs. And the Giant uses a lightly-regarded Suntour fork.
By comparison a Fuji Crosstown 1.0 hybrid, list $560, uses Shimano Deore front & rear derailleurs, Alex wheels, RST fork, SRAM PG-950 cassette, etc... So one downgrades components almost across the board and still pay $40 more to go from this Fuji to a Cannondale crank-forward.
Nearly all of the crank-forwards use ballon tires too, usually ranging from 1.90" to 2.125"
These bikes probably provide what a lot of people need, but where hybrids & road bikes offer nice steps up the quality ladder, that is still a missing piece on most crank-forward lines.
RANS aims their line at both comfort riders and those wanting more performance out of a crank-forward. The prices on many of their designs are substantially higher too.
Last edited by Tom Bombadil; 10-12-06 at 11:11 PM.
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Blazing Pedals ... Possibly beyond your grasp, but the raised central ridge fits between the buttocks and holds the rider centrally, removing lateral hip movement (the cause of pelvic float and lower back strain) and there is no bodily contact with the rear half of the pelvic floor (get someone to explain that)
Katysax ... you obviously have much greater insight and vision than the three major brand marketers who have made approaches to produce this bike under their brands, the CEO of the world's number three manufacturer
who is seeking to produce it and a large number of IBD's who have stated this bike is something their customers have been requesting for a long time.
Ah... sad that these people don't have your vision and openness on new design to stop them going in them wrong direction.
Katysax ... you obviously have much greater insight and vision than the three major brand marketers who have made approaches to produce this bike under their brands, the CEO of the world's number three manufacturer
who is seeking to produce it and a large number of IBD's who have stated this bike is something their customers have been requesting for a long time.
Ah... sad that these people don't have your vision and openness on new design to stop them going in them wrong direction.
#12
Take Your Lane
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Originally Posted by stylyx
Blazing Pedals ... Possibly beyond your grasp, but the raised central ridge fits between the buttocks and holds the rider centrally, removing lateral hip movement (the cause of pelvic float and lower back strain) and there is no bodily contact with the rear half of the pelvic floor (get someone to explain that)
Katysax ... you obviously have much greater insight and vision than the three major brand marketers who have made approaches to produce this bike under their brands, the CEO of the world's number three manufacturer
who is seeking to produce it and a large number of IBD's who have stated this bike is something their customers have been requesting for a long time.
Ah... sad that these people don't have your vision and openness on new design to stop them going in them wrong direction.
Katysax ... you obviously have much greater insight and vision than the three major brand marketers who have made approaches to produce this bike under their brands, the CEO of the world's number three manufacturer
who is seeking to produce it and a large number of IBD's who have stated this bike is something their customers have been requesting for a long time.
Ah... sad that these people don't have your vision and openness on new design to stop them going in them wrong direction.
Drum Brakes???
And don't mess with Blazing Pedals; he's logged more miles already than the entire "fleet" of stylyx bikes will.
#13
Senior Member
I wonder what the weight distribution is on that thing? With the saddle right over the rear wheel and the rider sitting upright, it has to be heavily rear-biased, like maybe 80/20% ?