rbent Forum - Print Page

rbent Forum
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Ride Reports >> Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1267410495

Message started by evblazer on Feb 28^th, 2010, 8:28pm

Title: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Feb 28^th, 2010, 8:28pm

Finally got a ride in for the month of February. It was a whole 100 yards but it went pretty well. Even better the bike didn't fall to pieces or show any sign of cracking at any of the welds not just for the short ride but for a lot of hopping up and down in the seat testing it out.
For riding I just went down the driveway and turned around and rode back and forth a couple times but I didn't have any problems pedaling or going straight at all.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4skE_MNX6I/AAAAAAAABHY/LvNOjq9vZ6o/s400/P2282773.JPG

I am going to ride it a bit with the current setup except I will change out the trigger shifters for some thumb shifters.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4skFLnsc1I/AAAAAAAABHc/JIQVTK5RObU/s400/P2282751.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4skFc_TXbI/AAAAAAAABHg/ZO6tJoXfHbk/s400/P2282752.JPG

The seat will drop a bit more using the bacchetta set struts and it will go up a bit too.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 1^st, 2010, 7:18am

Mark, that looks awesome! I don't think it's too long either. Does it feel long? Looks to be a great ride. What kind of handle bars are you using?

I started mine this weekend, but only to the point of taking apart the donor, and setting up a 20' wheel with a 7 speed freewheel, and sizing it to the framing...also did some more research and found som more MBB FWD, and FWD stuff associated with the Zockra people...have to find the link again...

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 1^st, 2010, 9:47am

WTB Mountain Drop Bars (Gary Origin 8's seem to be out of circulation)
http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/images/product/large/3216_1_.jpg

It is definately long for my stable. I'm going to check today but it might be longer then my touring upright with the xtracycle attachment on it. I think the weight might be too much over the front but I'm not sure if cutting say 6" off the wheel base would make that much of a difference especially if I'm going to stick the xtracycle attachment to the back of it eventually.
For now I'm looking at riding it as it and figuring out if I'm going with a hub motor or other method of support propulsion.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 1^st, 2010, 10:42am

Thanks for the bar info.

That's what my plan is. I have a GEBE that I plan to add to the back of mine, and the extra space in front of the rear tire is where I plan to mount it. I like your design. I have an Infinity LWB USS, that drives like a Caddy, so I kind of expect a similar ride with this one. I'm hoping to have full suspension though....still working those details...

What head tube angle did you use? I've been reading a lot about that lately, and saw on the Zockra site or BROL with papa Reku, that too steep gets too squirley, and too shallow gets to much wheel flop (or which ever way...) any way do you know about what you used? Looks around 65 degrees? Does the steering feel heavey at any point?

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 1^st, 2010, 11:40am

It was supposed to be around 65 I think it ended up being about 63.
The front takes some getting used to but it is only heavy when I try to lean it against something or walk somewhere and forget what bike I'm walking. When leaning it the front need to be against something or the front end swings about. Also since it is a swingboom I have to walk it with both hands on the front handlebars to keep it steady. On the hurricane I keep one hand on the tiller and one on the headrest to walk it around much like my road bike with one hand on the handlebars and one on the saddle.

Riding isn't bad and now neither is starting. Previously when the seat was so high it was hard to get my legs up onto the pedals and not feel really tipsy on the bike with just one foot down. Now it is really easy to do and to start off. I haven't taken it on any long rides though but on the old frame I hated corners and stops. Not sure I'll be diving into corners like I do on my hurricane any time soon but hopefully I'll take them a little less reluctantly.

I'm going in the slightly stealthier motor back to where evblazer name started but smaller than the 180lb motor my first electric vehicle had.
Someone elses but I plan on doing the same but a little lighter. Only a few seconds to add/remove and it's a normal bike.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4v8uxgZC2I/AAAAAAAABHo/Wb66wsU51IA/s400/FrictionDrive.JPG
1.5kg for motor/controller/mount/drive and then however much battery I need. Maybe just a lb or two to help me up some steep hills.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 2^nd, 2010, 6:52am

Her are the links I was talking about:
http://beauxdebris.free.fr/Albatros/Albatros.html#DSC02449
http://beauxdebris.free.fr/Photos/20080512/
http://jllaine.chez.com/MINIBI.htm
http://picasaweb.google.fr/Triky79/DUONORMAND2009?feat=directlink#5383869944888887954

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 2^nd, 2010, 8:33am

That albatross is really nice I like the shorter wheel base of it and lack of extra material to the rear. I'm really torn right now between trying to build something like that or trying a python http://www.python-lowracer.de/. The python seems like such a neat idea and the only way to try one is to build it but they say it is more of a touring bike and not having somewhere to put my hands that had some input on handling would kinda freak me out. Even just plain USS was too drastic a change for me.
Just went out and measured my wheelbase at 58" which is 16" longer then my hurricane. Give me room for a battery or two under the seat though and maybe a nice big tailcone ;D

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 2^nd, 2010, 9:02am

I'm not sure I'm up for a Python either. I've read a lot about them, and I hear it's Cruzbike like...love it or hate it. I do like the USS on my Infinity. Not sure if it's the 'cool' factor or it really is more comfortable...either way I like it on that bike. I'll have to figure on OSS on the lowracer; although I have seen USS on a Marauder (http://www.pinkbikesite.com/tag/recumbent/).

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by aikigreg on Mar 2^nd, 2010, 9:47am

58" isn't so bad - my tica lowracer was 55. I really like your design - how plush is the ride?

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 2^nd, 2010, 8:04pm

Added a gusset and loosened the pre-load on the rear since more of the weight is up front.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S43Cq9W3X_I/AAAAAAAABH0/1EGkanYNz5g/s400/CloseupNewGusset.JPG

I also dropped the recline one notch. Not too much of a change but I definately need to upgrade to a challenge xlarge seat with a headrest for longer rides.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S43CqvaLK6I/AAAAAAAABHw/lnXAbhVe098/s400/AfterFirstRideAroundTheBlock.JPG

I only went around the parking lot of the school a few times then hopped off a curb at ~5mph and then around the block and back home. I didn't feel anything but when I heard the pothole I ran over I cringed. Between the potholes and the curb no damage done. I'm going to have to go a bit further and hit some cobblestone and really bad roads to determine if it is as smooth as the hurricane. I took some turns at a pretty good pace pedaling with a bit of lean and it felt good. The front end felt a little heavy but I don't know if that is more the fact that it is heavy or the pivot angle on the headtube.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 3^rd, 2010, 6:58am

Looking good Mark! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I actually started hacking mine last night. I completed the fork surgery (went from 26' to 20'), reused some square tube off another failed design, and got it mostly laid out. I still have to decide seat height, and head tube angle, but at least I can 'see' where I'm headed. No time to download pics...I'll get them later.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by mleuck on Mar 3^rd, 2010, 9:09pm

What size wheels are those?

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 3^rd, 2010, 10:33pm

The wheels are 559s. I think tomorrow night I am going to take it apart and paint the frame to match the rear triangle. Until I get another seat I'm done with changes and it may be a while till I get a good seat for it.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 4^th, 2010, 6:59am

******WARNING!!!!******If the sight of a bicycle and a grinder in the same room offends you don't look any further!!

Fork surgery:
Rear stays already cut off:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00165-1.jpg

Cutting the forks:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00167-1.jpg

Widening the forks to accept the rear wheel sze:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00168-1.jpg

test fit:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00171-1.jpg

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 4^th, 2010, 7:01am

Surgey mostly complete, chanistays not yet welded, as BB not yet positioned:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00172-1.jpg

Generally how it should look, with inspiration photos all around...(man, I need to clean up!)
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00175-1.jpg

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 4^th, 2010, 8:38am

That looks like it is coming along nicely.
Someday I'm going to see if I can unbraze the dropouts on my pugsley fork or at least strip the paint on the dropouts to see if it is brazed. Then I could swap in some rear dropouts and do something similar to what you have or what I see on the atombike plans I have. I think I could move the bottom bracket alot tighter to the tire and maybe the bike a little lower.
That'll be Cruzbike MWB Quasilow MBB V2 without a suspension. Unless you call 559x2" tires a suspension ;)

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 16^th, 2010, 6:48am

OK, Mark I see that you rode this at the Catrike rally thingy...OK, let's see some pics! Hows the ride? Let's get some close ups! Any thoughts or suggestions!?

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by diannalightning on Mar 16^th, 2010, 9:47am

OK, Mark I see that you rode this at the Catrike rally thingy...OK, let's see some pics! Hows the ride? Let's get some close ups! Any thoughts or suggestions!?

I can't say how it rode, but it certainly looked great.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 16^th, 2010, 10:29am

Suggestions? Make sure you properly tighten your stem and well probably everything else too but oopsies. Oh and fix your brakes before a group ride. I almost sorta endoed over that sidewinder when it sorta jacknifed going down the hill from sonic but it's better then rolling over it like I would have earlier in the day before my brake adjustment [smiley=grin.gif] Also good I put on the pedals I had which I can instantly get out of yet can't accidently pull out of.

Later I was riding slowly (5mph?) along talking with one of the many catrikes out there and up a slight hill all of a sudden I thought I was going down. Handlebar went left the bottom bracket went right and it made it look from my perspective in the moment the bike was collapsing at the head tube. I stopped and looked all up and down the frame and nothing. Ended up being a loose stem which I tightened down and no further issues. Might have been from jumping off all those curbs, of course I think most of those I ended up taking on the hurricane [smiley=embarassed.gif]

I went through the pics posted on the catrike board http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n110/vadn1/Texas%20Catrike%20Rally/
and found these
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n110/vadn1/Texas%20Catrike%20Rally/DallasCatrikeRally054.jpg
and the opposite of markl's weight loss thread [smiley=twitchy.gif]

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n110/vadn1/Texas%20Catrike%20Rally/DallasCatrikeRally081.jpg
To think I was 240 recently.

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 16^th, 2010, 4:32pm

The newest addition.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S5_qiPm8DlI/AAAAAAAABJg/tLRQ0dylOPM/s400/FrictionDriveOnTireTest_SideShot.JPG
Still missing a couple things to take it on the road safely but it spins up nicely up in the air. Hoping it levels out a couple hills or helps me ride a little when I'm back on the road. Since well I can't just push harder to go I have to get off and walk if it gets difficult :(

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 21^st, 2010, 6:31pm

Took a ride on the electrified cruzbike today and I'm still wondering after all the years of wondering if it counts as riding.
Here is a cell phone video of the drive in action. It actually drops completely off the wheel when it is off and then rotates into in when turned on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7yGzeBVYjA
Ride stats
~8 miles overall including a few laps around a parking lot.
61 watts from the batteries
17mph avg
So just over 120 watts per hour from the batteries when riding on average which is alot however I don't know the efficiency of the whole setup but it did help quite a bit on some inclines and into the heavy wind. It certainly counts as exercise I was pretty worn out when I got home but I am way more out of shape then I was 9 months ago. But I don't know if I can count it as riding especially as miles on bikejournal :-/

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 21^st, 2010, 8:51pm

Wow, is that thing gonna eat some tires?

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Mar 21^st, 2010, 9:52pm

Usually friction drives use too much pressure on the tire at all times or a roller that has too much friction enhancements to it which chew up the tire. I'm hoping to avoid both.
The motor right now has a bike tube wrapped around it and even without it is perfectly smooth and would slip if it tried to apply too much pressure. I know of two others using similar progressive pressure designs that I based mine on and they have not had any issues yet of excess tire wear but from their miles don't ride near as much as I used to and hope to again.

Actually except for one schwalbe marathon plus tire I had on my fuji xtracycle I can't recall ever having a tire wear out before it was destroyed by other means :( Time will tell though.

The drive fully comes off the bike in about a minute turning it back into a regular bike. I'm using it only as a power assist unit only to get me back into my commute and level out a few of the tougher hills that my HR shoots up uncomfortably if I ride it solo. It should also help with a few tough sections which I have to sprint to survive otherwise the drive will never touch the tire. All which should minimize tire impact and maximize my time out getting some exercise.
There are many options out there but after reviewing them all against what I needed this seemed not only the best match overall but the cheapest too. Cheaper still if you take into account I"m using the lithium batteries I got for my lawnmower to power it and the controller and motor I could put in my remote control truck to run it. It's practically free ;)

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Mar 22^nd, 2010, 2:29pm

OK, sounds good.

On another note, I'm still working on mine. I'm planning to put my GEBE on it, but right now I have to figure out the actual bike dimentions. I think I built the frame too short, and now I have to figure out if I want to cut it apart again and start over or work it out somehow as is. I'm also having trouble figuring out the seat mounts, as I have to scratch build them...lots of drawing and thinking on this one...OK mostly: [smiley=chinscratch.gif] [smiley=twitchy.gif]

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by JimFPU on Apr 5^th, 2010, 7:01am

Well, I've mostly started over. Once I put the front end in the stand and looked, it was not straight... >:(

I cut another donor fork, and have decided to use an uncut rear triangle off a 20' kids MTB. BB already installed and true to the rear dropouts that way. The fork will be welded in place when I determine the seat height and head tube angle. I may make this frame out of round tube also, as I have enough to do it if I take my time ::)

I still intend to add rear suspension, although I wanted full. I just couldn't find the right fork, or a way to mod the ones I have. Pics to follow...

Title: Re: Cruzbike MWB QuasiLow MBB First Ride
Post by evblazer on Jun 23^rd, 2010, 11:01pm

Well the friction drive worked very well but I found that as good a platform the cruzbike is for the motor I just can't get into the cruzbike even lowered so I had to scratch the friction drive since it won't go on the hurricane.
Plan B was to use a hub motor in the front fork but I'm really concerned about the front fork holding up with the torque of even a lightweight motor. It is a stout steel fork and I have torque arms so it won't spin out but a steel 406 fork with magura hydro rim mounts isn't anything I can pickup anywhere so I really don't want to risk it.
So it's onto plan c.
I'm testing a poormans version of the stoke monkey setup which uses a hub motor driving the left chainring of a tandem crank. I'm testing it out on the cruzbike to work out any issues and once it is good to go I'll transfer it over to the hurricane.
Here is the current prototype mounting arrangement. I need a chain tensioner and a stiffer mount but it worked pretty well riding it around the parking lot at the school until the chain eventually would pop off when I really gunned it.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/TCLVhheOgvI/AAAAAAAABS4/h766MfbYUUs/s640/ElectricHubMotorFrontMountTightenedUpChain.jpg