QX100 or Sofrider 2

[RAGBRAI VI]

I'm a long time recumbent rider and am seriously considering a Cruz bike. Would I be better off buying a new QX100 or a good used S2. Have there been significant upgrades in performance & handling in this newer model? I'm sure some of you have ridden/owned both bikes and have an opinion. Thanks for your input.

 

[Emeljay]

What are your goals?

The X100 is an all around utility and touring recumbent bike with options for rack and that has adjustable seat (forward and back and seat angle), adjustable boom that allows it to fit different leg lengths, allows larger tire widths, suspension on rear, disc brakes. I use my X for commuting to work and day touring trips.

I don't have a a Sylvio, but it is more aero and as such will be faster than the X. The Vendetta would be faster than the Sylvio.

 

[Jeremy S]

If you can afford it, I would definitely go with a new Q over a used Sofrider. I had a Sofrider v2. It was heavy, bulky, and the tuning of the front derrailleur was never right after many visits to my local bike shop. I'm sure the QX100 is an improvement.

 

[ChaleJake]

I have both the Q559 and a sofrider. I would go with the Q. Great versatile bike.

 

[hudsonvalcruzer]

If you can afford it, I would definitey go with a new Q over a used Sofrider. I had a Sofrider v2. It was heavy, bulky, and the tuning of the front derrailleur was never right after many visits to my local bike shop. I'm sure the QX100 is an improvement.

I recently purchased an excellent condition used Softrider V2, including a Cateye Velo 8, and I paid less than 23% of what a new Q100 costs. It was a no brainer. Regardless of its improvements, the Q100 cannot beat this value. If one is patient, there are very good deals out there to be had on a Softrider V2.

 

[1happyreader]

purchased an excellent condition used Softrider V2

I paid less than 23% of what a new Q100 costs

Use that savings to put a disc brake on the front eliminating the whole bumping the brake and its cable issue.
later,,,, bye

 

[super slim]

Also add an Manitou Radium R 165 mm length 38mm stroke rear air shocker $150, to stop pogo bumps when going over manhole covers!

 

[hudsonvalcruzer]

Also add an Manitou Radium R 165 mm length 38mm stroke rear air shocker $150, to stop pogo bumps when going over manhole covers!

Searched the internet and nothing showed up for this item. Is there a substitute?

 

[super slim]

http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/dnm-ao42ar-mountain-bike-air-rear-shock-with-locko/AO42AR-165

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DNM-Mountai...304295?hash=item41ac57b8a7:g:AAgAAOSwzJ5XWqhz

165 mm extended length 38 mm stroke

 

[hudsonvalcruzer]

http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/dnm-ao42ar-mountain-bike-air-rear-shock-with-locko/AO42AR-165

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DNM-Mountai...304295?hash=item41ac57b8a7:g:AAgAAOSwzJ5XWqhz

165 mm extended length 38 mm stroke

Thanks for the suggestions. I had seen the DNM on the big auction site but was not sure if it would work.

 

[super slim]

Photo taken before Tibetan trip in 2009

 

[hudsonvalcruzer]

View attachment 2784

Photo taken before Tibetan trip in 2009

Looks good with the air shock and the disk brakes. I just ordered my air shock from the big auction site. Given my weight of 130 lbs. how much pressure should I pump the shock to?

 

[super slim]

There should be an O ring on the shocker shaft.
Dump all air in the shocker, and Before you sit on the bike, push the O ring up to the body, then gently sit on the bike, get off the bike, and measure the maximum movement and should be 38 mm.
Make certain that the rear wheel does not hit the rear rack if fitted.

Pump the shocker to your weight in lbs as PSI using a air shocker pump, with a screw on connection, so minimal air pressure is lost from the shocker, when removing the pump.
http://cruzbike.com/DOWNLOADS/KindShockPumpOperation.pdf

Before you sit on the bike, push the O ring up to the body, then gently sit on the bike, get off the bike, and measure movement.
This should be 20% of the max. movement, approx 7.6 mm.
If not, adjust the shocker pressure until it is.

Then go for a ride on your normal track, and check if the max movement is about 95%.

http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/fox-rear-shock-pressure-132479.html

 

[hudsonvalcruzer]

There should be an O ring on the shocker shaft.
Dump all air in the shocker, and Before you sit on the bike, push the O ring up to the body, then gently sit on the bike, get off the bike, and measure the maximum movement and should be 38 mm.
Make certain that the rear wheel does not hit the rear rack if fitted.

Pump the shocker to your weight in lbs as PSI using a air shocker pump, with a screw on connection, so minimal air pressure is lost from the shocker, when removing the pump.
http://cruzbike.com/DOWNLOADS/KindShockPumpOperation.pdf

Before you sit on the bike, push the O ring up to the body, then gently sit on the bike, get off the bike, and measure movement.
This should be 20% of the max. movement, approx 7.6 mm.
If not, adjust the shocker pressure until it is.

Then go for a ride on your normal track, and check if the max movement is about 95%.

http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/fox-rear-shock-pressure-132479.html

Thank you for your valuable info.

 

[Doug Burton]

View attachment 2784

Photo taken before Tibetan trip in 2009

I like this bike very much. We just bought a condo at the beach and this looks like the beach bike I'm thinking about building. Big, fat tires, fenders and disks. The whole area is flat as a board, so the SR frame should work very well. Nice!

 

[hudsonvalcruzer]

I have been riding my SR2 for just under a month now and have been shocked that I can hit 20mph (with Schwalbe Kojak tires and an accurate Cateye speedo on it) and there is more left to go faster. I ride on a paved railtrail and on a titanium DF road bike that weighs just under 18 lbs. I had to work really hard to hit that speed. My only explanation for the SR2 is that I am in a more aero position than in the DF and that is making the difference. If I can do that on an SR2, I can imagine I can do much better on an S30.

 

[super slim]

Comfort = speed!!!