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So, a customer (David D.) with a Cruzbike Quest 26 found himself with a problem none of us had encountered before.  Basically, it was this.  There are a few thick hard rubber pads between the seat and the mounting plates.  The pads were slowly migrating out of position.  The customer (David D.), was understandably concerned that he might lose the pads someday and, thereby, their functionality.

We didn’t have a factory authorized solution, but had a shop solution (Gorilla Glue the pads to the seat).

David was looking for a solution that was more elegant, perhaps, and less fixed.  He wrote me the other day to tell me about it and I think it’s a brilliant and creative “Home Depot” solution, truly worthy of a Cruzbike rider.  I love the resourcefulness he shows here.  If anyone else has a similar issue, perhaps you’ll find this helpful!

David Deaton
Aug 9 (3 days ago)

to Robert,

Thank you for your help. I thought you would like to know that  I believe I have found a solution to my issue of shifting rubber pads under the quest seat. To replace the pads, I found at the hardware store a large rubber hose. This is the hose used to drain a clothes washer. The wall thickness was roughly the same as the pads. By heating it in boiling water I was able to flatten it and cut it as a single piece slightly larger than the bracket that the seat mounts on. By having a single pad that both screws pass through this pad will not be able to shift while riding. To address the issue of the screws loosening I added a star locking washer. This seems to result in stable seat attachment and still allows for an easy seat release that I need for placing my bike on my car rack.

David

Have fun, stay healthy, keep cruzin’,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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Solutions to aggravating little problems: lost rubber pads under seat of Cruzbike Quest

The rubber pads under the seat of a Cruzbike Quest are attached with glue.  As a result, those pads might move and migrate around their mounting point over time or even fall off while riding and get lost.  How annoying is that?

In the world of recumbent bikes, it’s not uncommon to discover that a manufacturer isn’t yet producing a replacement part for some tiny item, or their stock pile is small.  This might be an example.

So, what do you do if you lose one of those pads and don’t have a back-up yet from Cruzbike?  My solution is the following.

I’d create a pad of a thickness equal to the original pad by layering a bicycle inner tube multiple times with Gorilla Glue between each layer (like a wafer cookie).  Then I’d cut it to the necessary size and shape with an Xacto knife or box cutter.  (Finesse is unnecessary, by the way.)  In this case, I would use an inner tube mainly because it would have the right properties (flexible, grippy, cheap) and is the sort of thing a cyclist might have laying around.

If you don’t have an inner tube to sacrifice (or resurrect), I’d look for something with similar properties by browsing the isles of a large hardware store.  The main thing, it seems to me, is that you’re looking for a piece of strong rubber that would stay flexible under a wide range of temperatures and will not permanently compress.  Neoprene might be a good rubber for this purpose, too, but maybe harder to source.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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Headrests for the Cruzbike Quest and Sofrider

A customer recently asked about headrests for the Cruzbike Quest.  Although there are beautiful headrests for the Silvio and Vendetta, at this time Cruzbike does not make a headrest specially for the Quest or Sofrider.  However, with a little drilling and bolt-twisting, riders can install third-party headrests.  Here are some recommendations:

HP Velotechnik’s headrest

– HP Velotechnik’s carbon fiber adjustable headrest, made for their body link seat.  It attaches with two bolts.  Riders need to drill matching bolt holes in the seat of their Quest or Sofrider.  New York City Recumbent Supply keeps them in stock.

ADEM’s headrest.

– ADEM’s headrest works on the Quest and Sofrider, for which riders will need the “tall” version.  Again, installation requires drilling a few holes.  Riders can buy these on the ADEM website.

I’ll add headrests to this blog post if I hear about them.  So, gentle reader, if you have a favorite Cruzbike headrest, please send me the info.

Have fun and rest your head,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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Customizing the padding on a hardshell seat

Here’s a solution for customizing a hard shell seat pad, brought to us by Neile Weissman.  Images below.
Top is a thin, light, washable, and very durable Zotefoam. Foam additions are layers of (disposable-reusable) commercial packing foam from
shipping department of a computer retailer. (Get it out of the recycling.) Materials also include 3M spray mount adhesive, 2″
wide strips of velcro and a box cutter.
The firm but resilient foam affords a modicum of shock protection, but it’s not
so soft that I (Neile) lose power while pushing hard on pedals.

The addition is very light in weight: a few ounces total. You can also shave a few
grams and alter the shock absorption quality by dremeling some holes.

It’s absurdly light and durable. And the “chevron” pattern works well ducting perspiration and providing ventilation.
Bacchetta open foam pads were sweat pads — they also sandpapered jerseys.

Downside is that this padding provides zero shock absorption on a carbon shell.

So extending a layer of softer packing foam under the butt helps if you intend to
ride on rough roads (hardpack).

I got the top layer Zotefoam pad here:
Neile Weissman is a bent-riding trip leader extraordinaire for New York Cycle Club (NYCC) and a hard-working advocate for cycling in the region.  He leads about 50 trips a year, loves taking the hilly route, and is a veritable walking encyclopedia — riding encyclopedia? — of fascinating bike routes in the Greater NY Metro Area.

Custom foam fitting, close up.

Foam with dremeled holes.
Foam with velcro.

Have fun and consider padding your…seat,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson