SesameCrunch

I'm a recumbent newbie. Usually a roadie, but just converted a mountain bike to an FWD recumbent with a kit from Cruzbike.com. I'm planning to use this bike for double centuries this year.

After my first ride of 30 minutes today, I found my tailbone hurting from my sitting position. Here's a picture of my setup. Can someone help me figure what adjustments I should make? Is my seatpan angle too shallow? Is my seatback too far back?

Thanks for your help.

Floyd

I'll start with my 2 cents... I do find that when I have the seat back angle way back it does cause different pressures on the bottom. My main advice would be try different angles on the back and if you can change the angle on the seat pan, as you call it, then try different there too.. It is kind of like a car seat that is adjustable, ya gotta play with it for awhile to see what works the best .. that is why they are adjustable all of us have different bottoms. Even with a diamond frame the seat angle is different for different people. again my 2 cents.

bobkat

My own personal seat is set up with the front of the seat pan being up a bit more than yours, and I personally prefer the seatback to be a bit more upright - but this is on my LWB bent so may not apply to yours. As Floyd says, it's kind of a trial and error situation. Nice conversion!

aikigreg

And it could also bee TOO upright, causing most of your weight to fall on the tailbone.

You're gonna have to try a bunch of different ways to make sure it's right for you.

N_C

Since when does Specialized make a recumbent? This is the first time I've seen one. Guess I'll have to check their web site & my LBS, they're a Specialized dealer.

aikigreg

They don't. It's a recumbent kit that uses other bikes as parts.

BlazingPedals

It looks to me like you might want to raise the nose of the seat base up a little bit, the current angle between the base and the back might not be enough to prevent you from sliding down (onto your tailbone.)

What double century are you planning? Isn't there a Davis Double? Or maybe the Death Valley ride? Be sure to report back on how the bike works for long distances.

SesameCrunch

Yes, the Davis Double is the one I'm shooting for. Some of my friends want me to join them in the Death Valley Double, but I don't want to ride in March - too little daylight.

I'm hoping for a good outcome at Davis. Then I'll look at doing more!

And, yes, I think I will raise the seat nose a bit. Hopefully that will do the trick.

SesameCrunch

+1. This bike started out looking like this:


The kit is from www.cruzbike.com. I was attracted to the Front Wheel Drive design. Some of the bio-mechanical advantages appealed to me...

Learning to ride it is takes a little work....

Recumbomatic

That seat looks way too close to the fork for me. How does the bike handle?

As for your seat issue, try reclining more to shift weight onto your back (and off your backside).

SesameCrunch

Ding ding ding ding! Good eye!

I did move the seat back quite a bit (4-5 inches). Also tilted the seat. Recline is about the same though. The more time I spend on the seat, the more I'm learning what to tweek. It's getting closer, but still more to do.

The bike handles well. The Front Wheel Drive pedaling takes some getting used to. I have to avoid turning the bike with my feet. But, I'm over that now. Still getting used to starting on an incline, however. Controlling the direction of the bike as I mash on the pedals is difficult. Downhills is cool since the bike has a lower center of gravity after the conversion. The dual suspension makes the ride very comfy and I sure as heck like the reclined position. It's much more comfortable and I get to see much more scenery!

mcjabos

i'm reading this thread with interest. i just got a mwb bacchetta cafe--training for an ll day tour in march but having lower back pain on even 10 mile rides--the problem is that i'm training in the mountains of nc to ride in the hills of texas.

my butt tends to slip forward, giving me no back support, then i hit a big hard hill and pay for it the next day.

i don't know if i have the option to life the nose of the seat up, but will try.

any other ideas? seat belt? velcro? i just can't stay still on it

other than that -- it's all love. my neck won't let me wedgie bike anymore.

mm

aikigreg

have you tried tilting the seatpan up a bit?

SesameCrunch

Yes, I did. Tilted it up and I no longer have a pain in my a** . As everyone has said already, it does take a while to dial in the right position.

Hope yours works out also.