I got my Q45 in late 2019. I was a bit overconfident about getting into city traffic when I did. I went back on rail trails until about 100 miles. I knew in my heart I'd be keeping the bike at 22 miles (my first out and back on the closest rail trail.). After going into some sand where the city multi use trail is being rebuilt because of a new high rise building I immediately envisioned the practicality of a knobby on front for off road. The Schwalbe Big Apple I swapped in for balloon comfort loses pulling grip before I lose the strength to rotate the drive train on a steep uphill even on wet asphalt. I'm very pleased that I put in the hours in a parking lot to get accustomed to the kinds of actions required to command the bike through it's full range of capabilities before getting out near cars. One key to mastery as a noob is to start with underinflated tires then do the same series of the recommended exercises again after adding a few pounds of pressure.
Hey based on your long term experience and after with more miles road and off road, will you recommended to go on with this bike if i need all around bike ? will appreciate your perspective about this bike since i consider to purchase and have no chance for testing them. thx
I appreciate the video Jim. I purchased my Q45 in October 2018. I took 5 days and road the final 250 miles home after getting off the train and picking up my bike in 2018. Road around locally in 2019. COVID hit and life changed. I have not rode since April 2020. My bike is in San Diego and I am now in Seattle. In the next 2 months, I will get my bike and begin getting ready for a grand adventure in October. I will break my bike down, pack it up, and go to the Philippines for 5 months. Part of that 5 months will be spent bikepacking. I am beginning to prepare for it now. I will most likely end up leaving my bike in the Philippines and return to the US to prepare to move to the Philippines in 2024.
Hi Outdoor Jim I have had a S40 for about a month now. I also think the cassette range isn't right with a 1x11, for me I need a bigger top end and don't need too small of a climbing gear. A 10-42 with a 44 in the front should work ok. (currently 40 and 11-46) I'm in Boise - where are you? Your terrain looks very similar to Idaho - looks like you are on FS roads or ATV trails. I am glad I saw your video as I thought the front wheel drive would be a problem off road. Looks like not. Agree with your comment about upper body engagement but I'm getting a sore shoulder after 20 miles or so, so my current goal is learning to ride fast and straight with a light upper body touch. I skate XC ski and have a skierg (concept 2 machine, like their rower but for skate ski training) so don't need the upper body workout from the bike. This is my first recumbent so I haven't a comparison - soon will ride it up to Bogus Basin ski resort so will find out how well it climbs (3500' gain) Joe
The ‘Dynamic Boom’, I get this now, basically it just means you pull on the bars to counteract the foot pressure. Is this a bonus, or a necessity? I assume cruising on the road it is not necessary as you can counteract by steering, but up steep hills it comes into play. (I have a Velotechnik Streetmachine, it is hard work up hills)
Interesting that you chose this for riding trails as there is no front suspension. I guess the Cruzbike format makes that difficult for them to incorporate.
Outdoor Jim, nice video. I sat on a S40 and Q45 last week at Bike Guerrero in San Antonio. I’ve been riding recumbents since 1989, (Lightning P-38, Sun tadpole trike, and Catrike 559 tadpole trike) and am used to the upright lawnchair seat. The Q45 seat was too narrow, and too short, definitely a deal breaker. What recumbent seat did you adapt to your Q45? Hopefully Cruzbike will take note that a different style seat can make the Q45 more comfortable. Thanks, Dave
Hello: I have a 2019 Q45. You will have to get your rack through Cruzebike due to the suspension. Also, I love mine BUT.....It kinda sucks off road. It is by no means an off road bicycle due to no weight over the front drive wheel (gravel OK but not sand nor mud). I run 1.75" tires.
What seat are you riding? I have a Lightening P-38 and it looks exactly like that. I really like that type of seat instead of the stock Q45. Watching you ride going over some of that terrain I'm really leaning towards trying a Q45 out. No way can I do that in my P-38... Thanks
Another European here that would be really interested in them but they're just way too freaking expensive to import on my own.. S40 would be over 6000€ .. I mean, I'm prepared to pay quite a bit but I don't think there's a single European manufacturer that has that expensive recumbent bike.. even full carbon ones.
@@digitalspecter Absolutely agreed. For that I can almost get a hp speedmachine with s-pedelec registration. Or even a VM isn't out of reach at that price point. And most significantly finding a metal shop that builds it for you is already in sight. And I'm certain the patent is not going to hold up anyway.
Well done!
I would really like to hear more about your seat!
That looks like a Rans or Bacchetta seat..
This answer's my exact question. I want a bike good for Gravel roads and also regular roads.
I enjoy your videos. I have a used Quest with 451 wheels. I'm learning to ride, thanks.
Thank sso much for this Jim!!!
Add a Schlumf Mountain Drive for a crazy big gear range.
I got my Q45 in late 2019. I was a bit overconfident about getting into city traffic when I did. I went back on rail trails until about 100 miles. I knew in my heart I'd be keeping the bike at 22 miles (my first out and back on the closest rail trail.). After going into some sand where the city multi use trail is being rebuilt because of a new high rise building I immediately envisioned the practicality of a knobby on front for off road. The Schwalbe Big Apple I swapped in for balloon comfort loses pulling grip before I lose the strength to rotate the drive train on a steep uphill even on wet asphalt. I'm very pleased that I put in the hours in a parking lot to get accustomed to the kinds of actions required to command the bike through it's full range of capabilities before getting out near cars. One key to mastery as a noob is to start with underinflated tires then do the same series of the recommended exercises again after adding a few pounds of pressure.
Hey based on your long term experience and after with more miles road and off road, will you recommended to go on with this bike if i need all around bike ? will appreciate your perspective about this bike since i consider to purchase and have no chance for testing them. thx
I appreciate the video Jim. I purchased my Q45 in October 2018. I took 5 days and road the final 250 miles home after getting off the train and picking up my bike in 2018. Road around locally in 2019. COVID hit and life changed. I have not rode since April 2020. My bike is in San Diego and I am now in Seattle. In the next 2 months, I will get my bike and begin getting ready for a grand adventure in October. I will break my bike down, pack it up, and go to the Philippines for 5 months. Part of that 5 months will be spent bikepacking. I am beginning to prepare for it now.
I will most likely end up leaving my bike in the Philippines and return to the US to prepare to move to the Philippines in 2024.
first i thought, oh neat story. then i clicked to check out your channel. now i wish i didn't visit your channel
You should try a Schlumf speed / mountain drive.
I run a Sram 12 speed 32/11-50. It works fine in the Rocky Mountains.
Hi Outdoor Jim I have had a S40 for about a month now. I also think the cassette range isn't right with a 1x11, for me I need a bigger top end and don't need too small of a climbing gear. A 10-42 with a 44 in the front should work ok. (currently 40 and 11-46) I'm in Boise - where are you? Your terrain looks very similar to Idaho - looks like you are on FS roads or ATV trails. I am glad I saw your video as I thought the front wheel drive would be a problem off road. Looks like not. Agree with your comment about upper body engagement but I'm getting a sore shoulder after 20 miles or so, so my current goal is learning to ride fast and straight with a light upper body touch. I skate XC ski and have a skierg (concept 2 machine, like their rower but for skate ski training) so don't need the upper body workout from the bike. This is my first recumbent so I haven't a comparison - soon will ride it up to Bogus Basin ski resort so will find out how well it climbs (3500' gain) Joe
The ‘Dynamic Boom’, I get this now, basically it just means you pull on the bars to counteract the foot pressure.
Is this a bonus, or a necessity?
I assume cruising on the road it is not necessary as you can counteract by steering, but up steep hills it comes into play.
(I have a Velotechnik Streetmachine, it is hard work up hills)
Interesting that you chose this for riding trails as there is no front suspension.
I guess the Cruzbike format makes that difficult for them to incorporate.
Great review!
Outdoor Jim, nice video. I sat on a S40 and Q45 last week at Bike Guerrero in San Antonio. I’ve been riding recumbents since 1989, (Lightning P-38, Sun tadpole trike, and Catrike 559 tadpole trike) and am used to the upright lawnchair seat. The Q45 seat was too narrow, and too short, definitely a deal breaker. What recumbent seat did you adapt to your Q45? Hopefully Cruzbike will take note that a different style seat can make the Q45 more comfortable. Thanks, Dave
Great video! Question about your pannier rack.......What's the brand/make? I may have missed it being mentioned. Thanks. Now, go for a ride!
Hello:
I have a 2019 Q45. You will have to get your rack through Cruzebike due to the suspension. Also, I love mine BUT.....It kinda sucks off road. It is by no means an off road bicycle due to no weight over the front drive wheel (gravel OK but not sand nor mud). I run 1.75" tires.
Great video! Which forum are you talking about?
Probably the Cruzbikes forum.
Amazing!
What seat are you riding? I have a Lightening P-38 and it looks exactly like that. I really like that type of seat instead of the stock Q45. Watching you ride going over some of that terrain I'm really leaning towards trying a Q45 out. No way can I do that in my P-38... Thanks
Looks like a Bacchetta B3 seat. Very comfortable. I put one on mine.
That’s what I want
Jim hey, do you have udated and/or long term perspective about q45 off Road performances? Thx
How do transport it? Thanks
Where can we try them in Europe?
Why are they so expensive? Even compared to high quality stuff like hp Velotechnik?
Another European here that would be really interested in them but they're just way too freaking expensive to import on my own.. S40 would be over 6000€ .. I mean, I'm prepared to pay quite a bit but I don't think there's a single European manufacturer that has that expensive recumbent bike.. even full carbon ones.
@@digitalspecter Absolutely agreed. For that I can almost get a hp speedmachine with s-pedelec registration. Or even a VM isn't out of reach at that price point. And most significantly finding a metal shop that builds it for you is already in sight.
And I'm certain the patent is not going to hold up anyway.
Is that rear shock adjustable?
Cruzbikes look nice but 2 downsides - price and american, not easy to get in the UK. the 100 mile trial I think, only refers to america.
Yes, in EU there is no dealer. Price is a way too high to pay without trial ride. To big risk. This is sad