Kit Happenings

Hi Folks,

Please notice I crossed-out the mention that we will offer the triangle kit without the seat.

The kit still comes with the seat only. We also sell the seat alone.

As they annoyingly say, "my bad".

Best,

Doug

When will the new kit be priced and available?

Hi Doug! Does the frameset include the shock? Thanks!

Hi Doug, what will the frame and kit combo cost? I'm planning on buying when the tax return comes in so I'll have a nice new bike when the weather warms up! Thanks, bigtrain

I am have a Haro mountain bike that I am considering as the donor for everything but the frame and conversion kit. I was wondering if the v2.3 frame included the shock between the rear swing arm and the main frame. My bike does not have this and was hoping that was part of your donor frame add-on.

So I need to pay more frequent attention to the blog comments!

Here's a photo of the V2K components out of the box...

As you can see, the shock is included, as is a 1 1/8" headset. You'll need headset reducers and a 1" threaded headset if you intend to use a 1" threaded fork. You'll also need two 6mm x 16mm or longer cap screws (button heads work best) if you'd like to do away with the seat retainer clamps included with the kit (they'll work fine, but the screws are prettier!)

I'll be building up one of these very shortly to illustrate what you can make of this frameset!

Best,

Doug

Doug, Kind of stoked as i am assembling my ride. I had a sweet Proflex that I was working up but it was way too high so I was really pleased with this deal. I note that the seat mount in the conversion set directions is to be through the frame from top to bottom however where does one find that length of bolt (like 2 3/4s) and tighted with a nut? In the interim I have it attached to the top and it seems secure but I want to do it right. Thanks Mike

Please see the catalog: http://www.cruzbike.com/catalog

I am VERY excited to see that we will soon be able to buy the key component-parts of the V2 frame and floating rear-triangles, any further info on the costs? On a couple different occasions I have called and asked about buying an extra rear V2 triangle only to be told that the production numbers of the two main parts (frames & triangles) were so tightly matched (1:1) that there weren’t any extras that would be commercially available, and the only way that I might get a stock triangle was if (for one reason or another) one had been returned. So this new availability is great news! Since I bought my V2 Sofrider I have been tinkering and working towards creating the best possible “CargoBike” rack system. From combing both the Cruzbike Yahoo group’s entries and the larger www, I discovered that I am not alone in this desire of making the world’s most comfortable CargoBike (that also happens to be a recumbent). Many kudos to those that have worked up their own custom rack systems. I know that I have tried several of my own, but they have all been somewhat lacking. By the nature of its design, the V2 would make the perfect CargoBike/Touring machine. With the complete drivetrain contained within the front wheel area, the entire V2 undercarriage is free and clear for serious “midship” and rear cargo applications. The problem is that there is not yet a commercially produced rack for this unique frame system. I can see what I want in my mind, and I have drafted multiple plans, but I am not a welder and I cannot afford to have what I want custom made from scratch. With a stock V2 rear triangle, 90% of my difficulties may be solved. Bar none, the best Rack/Cargo system on the market is the Xtracycle FreeRadical (and Longtail Kit). For transforming traditional rigid frame bikes into the all-around-forget-your-car-and haul-what-you-want machines, you just can’t beat what it has to offer. The Surly “Big Dummy” and the Kona “Ute” are the best “whole” CargoBike frames in production, but they are not recumbents (not to forget to mention, rather pricey!) I have read about two or three avid Cruzbikers that have attached FreeRadicals to their V2’s and gotten closer to the dream. But there are 2-3 inherent problems with this union that may now be more easily resolved. I’ll first outline the problems and the talk about what we might do to get the Cruz/CargoBike that I think many people want, and would be very willing to buy. The Problems: There aren’t any non-custom or 3rd party “Midship” or “Rear Racks” that have the strength, rigidity, capacity, or clean means of attachment to really meet our needs; to securely haul the gear or groceries that I think a lot of Cruzbikes would really enjoy being able to carry. I think Axiom out of Canada makes some of strongest and most highly rated seat-post and rear-frame racks on the market, but my Axiom seat mounted rack really starts to shimmy and sway in a very annoying way when I have two heavily loaded panniers and a my usual Axiom trunk bag. My particular rack is rated at 65 lbs. and I commonly carry about 35 lbs. worth of books, clothes and a computer (I am a teacher). I like the seat mounted rack because it is tied into the V2 frame thus its suspended. Peace of mind comes from knowing that my laptop is not (directly) soaking up every bump in the road. I used to carry my Mac on my back in a waterproof Chrome bag, but that was before the injury that carried me from the world of traditional bikes to the better world of recumbents. So long story short; we Cruzbikers need a “Bomber” rack system. The best thing would be something equivalent to the Xtracycle FreeRadical and it’s various hauling systems. But: 1- FreeRadicals are not designed to “bolt” onto single-pivot rear suspension frames, and they have got to be even more difficult to bolt onto a Cruzbike’s rear triangle due to the V2’s narrowed “front-tire” dimensions. I can’t think of a way to do it without a lot of washers/spacers and a bit of “Cold Forging” for the FreeRadical. Neither option would be ideal. (Since the FreeRadicals are designed to work with traditional, rigid frames, I assume a regular single-pivot frame with a FreeRadical attached to it would pogo like crazy, thus Xtracycle discourages anyone from that type of union. Yet for the V2s, the single-pivot suspension works extremely well and does not “pogo” at all because the drivetrain is nowhere near the rear suspension. The second reason that I think Xtracycle discourages people from linking their FreeRadicals to bikes with rear suspension is that under heavy or bulky loads, you want things to be as firm as possible. I can only assume that there would be a lot of bouncing as you traveled. The current V2’s use adjustable springs in their rear suspension. Why not replace the stock spring with a lockable pneumatic shock, which could be turned on or off depending on what you were hauling/doing? You’d have rock solid rigidity under a heavier load, then the shock could be turned back on for smoother unburdened riding.) 2- Since the FreeRadical is designed to bolt onto a traditional, rigid, upright frame, the cargo carrying capacity of the FreeRadical has to be pushed back about 10 inches to provide clearance for the rotating peddles. This desire for clearance adds approx. 10 more inches to the total length of the bike. Yet with a V2, there are no peddles in the lower triangle, thus there is no need for the additional length. But the Folks at Xrtracycle are not going to make a special single-pivot-FreeRadical just for Cruzbikers that want to haul Cargo. If we want to use their stuff (i.e. the FreeRadical bags) we’d need to go back to problem #1. Speaking for myself, I just don’t want a bike that is longer by 10 more inches. I ride a commuter train and the SWB of the V2 was a major selling point. We just don’t need the extra length. So what do we do? SOLUTION: Buy the (soon to be available) V2 rear triangle and get with a local welder or bike builder and have them weld on the desired structure and tubing such that the FreeRadical’s various systems could be used with the V2 bikes. XtraCycle was gracious enough to encourage third-party builders by open-sourcing the specs of their FreeRadical’s design/dimensions. I can’t help but thing that if we took a stock V2 triangle and the specs from the folks at Xtracycle to a local builder/welder, than he/she could attached the desired tubing such that we could then use all the systems that Xtracycle has to offer. No more questing for what does not yet exist. And then the Cruzbike V2 could become all that I have read it could be; the ultimate park-the-car and haul what you want; just ride, and/or go touring bike, that now has the bomber rack and cargo system for hauling all that a trip to the store, a long journey or getting a kid or two home from school would require. I only wish that the V2 rear-triangle also had the mounts for disk brakes. Might that be a future option???? How About One Step Further? I am pretty sure that the V2s and the Xtracycle FreeRadicals are both made in Taiwan. How hard would it be to take a Cruzbike V2 to the Xtracycle factory and get the brains and skills from each camp together and have a couple enterprising craftsmen weld up a “XtraCruz” rear-triangle prototype? This would give the entire biking industry & community one more reason to look even harder at both of these companies and see how they are actually working to save the planet, prostates, necks, backs, etc… as well as help make happier & healthier people. "Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has." - M. M.- Thanks for reading, Any/All comments would be welcomed. Spence Robinson

Hi Spence,

I suggest you build onto the rear triangle at the axle and brake bosses. If  you want to attach to the BB shell, use a pair of outboard bearing units and insert a 24mm OD tube instead of a crank. Or use an isis BB and bolt into the ends. It will be a pivot joint - but they are pretty good.

John

Here's what a VK2 built with my V1 Proto's components, 29" Mavic wheels and a handmade rear disc adapter looks like:

Fortunately, the snow is gone now, almost time for ride-to-work season!

Is there a place to download a copy of the Conversion Kit Instructions, so I can see if I feel I will be able to build the kit before I buy one? steve

... but drop us a line and we'll see if we can send one out to you.

I bought a conversion kit a few years ago (probably about 3). I used it for a Gary Fisher Joshua Z2 mountain bike that i picked up at a local thrift store for $75. There were a ton of 'bugs' that i had to work out but i finally got it working sem-properly (the front derailleur doesn't work for some reason) last week. I'm thrilled with the bike and commute to work frequently. The problem is with the seat tilt. The bottom part of the seat tilts forward rather too much so that you sort of slide off when you're riding. The adapter for the seat is a wedge-shaped piece of metal (probably steel, might be aluminum) that needs to be a couple of inches higher at the front than it is. Do you perhaps sell a seat-attachment piece that i could add to or replace the one in the kit with? I could easily take a photo and send it if my written description is not adequate. I'm a bit surprised that other people don't seem to have had this problem, all the pictures i see have the seat level, not seriously tipping down like mine does.

Send us a side-on photo so we can diagnose what you need - sure we can help you.