Here is my idea for a cheap but quality semi home built recumbent bike, a cruzbike. Here is an example conversion.
They are what’s known as moving bottom bracket fwd recumbent bikes. They claim to hold some advantages over the more common types of recumbent bikes such as better climbing ability, smaller turning radius, easily adjustable for different size riders, full suspension (front and rear), adjustable angle ergonomic hard shell seat. And all for a conversion kit selling at ~$400. Here is a link to their site.
http://www.cruzbike.com/kit.html
With the cost of comparable recumbent bikes priced at anywhere from $1500 to $3000 this seemed to be a good deal, at least so that I could get my feet wet in the recumbent world.
Now cruzbike also sells a carbonfiber frameset called the Silvio so that you can build your own ultralight cruzbike based on roadbike geometry and able to use road bike parts. I really like the looks of this frame, the low seat height, extremely light, large 700c wheels, etc. The downside is its hefty $2000 price tag. A little bit out of range for me and my student budget.http://www.cruzbike.com/silvio.html
This led me to my decision to build a bike similar to the Silvio but using their conversion
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminum 7005 straight gauge
- Fork: GMC Series 7000 steel
- Chain: KMC Z 51
- Crankset: Prowheel Alloy 335P6 28X38X48 170mm
- Front Derailleur: Shimano FD-TZ 31 Index
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD-TZ30GS 7SPD
- Shifters: Shimano Revo SIS L2/R7
- Brake levers: Promax BL-250AP Aluminum
- Brakes: Promax 501A Alloy Caliper Brake
- Rims: Vitesse Alloy black 700CX14GX36H
- Tires: Kenda Black With Grey Band 700X28C
- Stem: Aluminum black EXT:100mm 0D.
- Handlebar: Maesbend W: 430mm D:22.0mm
- Saddle: Cionlli Black
- Seat post: HL Aluminum Micro Adjust 27.2 X 300mm
- Pedals: VP-990S plastic body with steel cage
- Weight: 29.0 lbs
- Price ~$150
I hope to use the Cruzbike conversion kit on this frame to turn it into a bike with a similar geometry to the Silvio. The one thing that is missing on the GMC Denali bike is suspension. I am hoping that this will prove to not be a significant problem but if it does a solution will be to use extra seat padding to absorb the impact that would normally be absorbed with a rear suspension along with a new 700c suspension fork.
http://www.nycbikes.com/item.php?item_id=606
Also, if the top tube turns out to be too high I will cut the tob tube off the bike and reweld another piece of aluminum tubing further down on the frame to allow for a seat set up closer to the silvio. But as long as I can easily put my feet on the ground when I stop then I will be happy.
I plan on purchasing some new parts to improve the comfort of riding the bike.Some nashbar moustache handlebars. I will flip these around so that I can use the inner “U” secion for normal riding putting my hands/wrists in a more natural position while still allowing me to use the outer straight sections for use during climbing hills.
With some rapidfire 7 speed shifters so that I can get rid of the horrible grip shifters (in my opinion anyways) that come with the bike.
The total cost for this project is a little under $700. At about the third of the cost of building up a Silvio bike and at least half the price of purchasing a new recumbent I am hoping this is a good budget recumbent bike that I will be able to improve as my budget allows. Hopefully one day replacing my car as my main mode of transportation.
Posted in Recumbent Bikes | Tags: bicycle, bike, cruzbike, recumbent
