Warmonger

Fisrt of all, I do not know where the crank forward bikes fit into. I have heard some people refer to it as an off-shoot of recumbents. I really do not know. I come to the experts for some advise.

I am in need of bike for my significant other who is a scant 4'10. The extra small frame women bike I bought for her is too tall because of the 26' wheels. Make matters worst, she is not a very coordinated or very adept bike rider but she has the spirit of a Marine so she keeps coming back for more. I love her for that.
I have discovered Rans bikes, specifically the Fusion St model. It is the only step through model they have, which she needs. I don't have to explain how this bike has a lower height seat (any crank forward for that matter) which allows for flat footed steadiness on stops. I really think the Fusion St will work for her but there is only one way to know; ride it.
At $1,100 bucks, it is pretty difficult for me to buy one to test and see if 'it works'

Rans does not have many distributors. The closest one to me, does not have them in stock. You pay them in advance and they order the bike (they mostly have regular recumbents) for you. Again, not much of an option for a non-millionaire like me.

I have searched in vain for a 'used' Fusion St but you guessed it; zilch. Craig's List, ebay, even this forum. Nada. I was willing to spend some bucks for a used one but I knew that it would NOT be 1100 as in a new one.

If someone can suggest where I can find a used Rans crank forward, step through type, I would appreciate it. Again, the flatfoot factor is a must for my 'unsteady' equilibrium wife. She can only start from zero if she is seating on her seat (usually by placing her foot on the sidewalk with one foot and the other foot on the pedal) to start from zero. Not always available where we go. The flatfoot stance on the crank forward, while seating, is the way to go, I believe.

Lastly, 24' wheels is another option but the seat post on those is vertically up. Usually they are kiddy bikes and the quality is not there. Besides, mostly all 24' wheel bikes we find that are 'adult oriented' are mountain bikes. We do not do mb cycling at all. That's why I truly believe the Rans Fusion St is our way to go. I only wish I had $1,100.00 to spend on this experiment but I don't.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this long post.

gcottay

You might want to post your question on the Bentrider Online crank forward forum.

Your wife might also be interested in one of the many great trikes available. Those machines have turned many uncertain riders into mean cycling machines.

Peter_C

FYI - my wife is 4'11" (on a good hair day) and we found that the Giant Suede DX (womans) bike with the seat all the way down fit her fine. She had not been on a bike in 30yrs, and is able to be flat-footed while sitting on it as well, and it's all of $480 bucks for a 21 speed with a life-time frame warranty from Giant.

Hope that helps...

Warmonger

I will check it out right away... thanks brother

Peter_C

To be more exact, it was a 2010 Giant Suede DX (woman's model) and since the seatpost was too long to allow the seat *ALL* the way down, we took a hacksaw to the seatpost, and took off bout 2 inches, so the seat rests right on the seatpost quick release. My wife wears cheap tennis shoes while riding it, and other than lowering the stem down, we did nothing else to the bike. Stock Kenda tires, left the handle-bars in the stock position too - the neat thing on a crank-forward is the seat height changes all the angles.

Her brother visiting from CA can ride it simply by raising the seat, and he is 5'6".


This is my wife's bike.

raymeedc

I was facing the same dilemma a couple of months ago. I live in New York City, where you can get "anything", except, apparently, a Crank Forward bike! I was on the phone for three days trying to track one down. Not only didn't I find one, but was amazed that most dealers didn't even know what it is!
For some reason, bikers on both sides of the spectrum (DF especially, & Recumbent riders less so), most of whom, obviously, have never ridden one, don't give them serious drift..... there's not even a forum on this "all-inclusive" bike site for this fantastic bikes..... absurd! Consequently, these machines remain the industries best kept secret.
Do yourself a huge favor, & ignore the general disinterest. I decided to bite the bullet & order one (Cruz..... same as Fusion, curved tubes), although I had never ridden one or even seen one in person up to that point. What a revelation!
I live in the densest bike neighborhood in America..... Brooklyn's Greenpoint/Williamsburg section. 12 bike shops within this small area, each always backed up with a week's worth of repairs. Everyone that gives my bike a spin, including some of the most experienced, jaded bike mechanics, return with a wide, pleasantly surprised grin on their face & bodies. If comfort is you main goal (like sitting in your living room chair), & you want a bike with a more "normal" stance than a recumbent, there really is no competition. I just ordered another (used Fusion). The only problem you might face is that you'll like it more than your current ride.
You might have a difficult time locating a used one, though, especially the step through model you're looking for. You wouldn't, however, be taking much of a chance ordering a new one, though, & will probably consider it cheap at twice the price when you see how much it will add to your wife's (& consequently your) life. Your best bet would be to post a want ad on the Rans forum site, which is how I got mine..... the going price for a used Fusion is about half that of a new one.
P.S. - Other "Crank Forward" bikes only offer slight crank forward positioning, nothing like the Rans bikes, which are, as far as I can tell, the only bikes that utilize the crank forward concept to it's true potential, not to mention the fact that these, unlike other CFs, are also performance bikes (26 lbs.), which adds immensely to the delightful experience.

Warmonger

Yes, I agree. All the others are slightly crank forward but not the extent that Rans does.
I have already signed up at the Ran's Forum and it did not occur to me to 'ask' for one. Instead I was simply waiting for one to appear on their Classifieds.
Since you have had the chance of owning and riding both the Cruz and the Fusion, would you recommend one over the other?
To me, the only reason I have chosen the Fusion St is because it has a somewhat step-through option. I can't remember if the Cruz has an obstructing bar or not (again, this is for my wife) and if you see one anywhere else, please make sure to alert me.
I thank you profusely for your input.

raymeedc

As I'm not scheduled to receive my bike until Friday, I haven't as of yet had an opportunity to ride the Fusion. It is, however, exactly the same as the Cruz in every respect, except, of course, the shape of the frame tubes. The Cruz, however, does not come in a step-through model. Just as well in your case, actually, as the Fusion is $150 less (bent tubing of the Cruz costs more in labor to produce). I purchased the second Rans in order to share this experience with my significant others (daughters, son-in-law, etc.)..... I'll keep an eye open for you.