Cycling is transport, isn't it?
- Thread starter JonB
- Start date
Gromit
Guru
Sylvain
Maybe there is a way!
If you buy a Sofrider or Freerider off the Cruzbike web site then they offer a buyback scheme if you really don't get on with your new machine.
John: I have a Freerider V2. Please share which specific 3rd party racks install without needing a metal shop?
If I recall correctly the instruction manual suggested most mountain bike racks would work. That has not been my experience. I did a lot of shopping around for a rack that could move independed of the seat post and found nothing that worked on the Freerider that didn't require engineering. I used Jon's method to support the rack. It's totaly functional but looks like a cludge. I would love something that looked cleaner/professional.
I totaly agree with Sylvain's point. Cruzbike isn't just a kit. You're manufacturing a great complete bike that is unique when it comes to racks. Cycling is transport and in this regard I believe you have a great opportunity here to better serve your customers. My $.02, -d
I'm pretty sure (I don't have a cruzbike, but the rear end looks like any other rear suspension bike) any rear suspension compatible rack would work with a cruzbike. Look for an Old Man Mountain rack, they are well regarded. http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html
If you want something cheap for lighter loads any ol seatpost rack should do.
If you want something cheap for lighter loads any ol seatpost rack should do.
John Tolhurst
Zen MBB Master
Let me restate the options. You see, the traditional style racks don't work on a suspension bike, be it a cruzbike or some other kind, like say, a mountain bike. Therefore you have to connect the rack to the main bike structure or to the swing arm. This situation is NOT unique to the sofrider and freerider and if any bike shop person tells you so, they are having you on. Don't put up with bike shop people who bully you into their opinions.
The options are
1) ATTACH TO THE MAIN FRAME
The STANDARD mountain bike solution here is to attach to the seat post. Your sofrider or freerider has a seat post, which is a standard diameter, and is at a standard angle. The diameter and angle were chosen so that you could use the style of rear rack that has been designed to attach to the seat post of a mountain bike. Google images on 'seat post rack' and there you are: http://www.google.com/images?q=seat+post+rack
Cruzbike Inc is simply unable to compete with the range, choice, availability or price of those options. If you are surprised by this, then there is probably a lot of surprising stuff for you to appreciate in the business world. We don't reinvent the wheel here, that is for other bike companies to do. So go pick the one you like and drop us line here if you are in doubt as to its suitability. Always ready to help.
2) ATTACH TO THE SWING ARM
This is a less widely used approach, but available and Gromit above in this thread noted it: http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RackGalleries/Pages/redRockRear_gallery.htm This is a variation of the JonB approach of adapting a traditional rack.
If those approaches don't suit you and you do not have the patience and application to work something out for yourself by tapping the support and ingenuity available to you in this group, but still expect satisfaction, then you are expecting more from this small company than we are able to give at this time.
The options are
1) ATTACH TO THE MAIN FRAME
The STANDARD mountain bike solution here is to attach to the seat post. Your sofrider or freerider has a seat post, which is a standard diameter, and is at a standard angle. The diameter and angle were chosen so that you could use the style of rear rack that has been designed to attach to the seat post of a mountain bike. Google images on 'seat post rack' and there you are: http://www.google.com/images?q=seat+post+rack
Cruzbike Inc is simply unable to compete with the range, choice, availability or price of those options. If you are surprised by this, then there is probably a lot of surprising stuff for you to appreciate in the business world. We don't reinvent the wheel here, that is for other bike companies to do. So go pick the one you like and drop us line here if you are in doubt as to its suitability. Always ready to help.
2) ATTACH TO THE SWING ARM
This is a less widely used approach, but available and Gromit above in this thread noted it: http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RackGalleries/Pages/redRockRear_gallery.htm This is a variation of the JonB approach of adapting a traditional rack.
If those approaches don't suit you and you do not have the patience and application to work something out for yourself by tapping the support and ingenuity available to you in this group, but still expect satisfaction, then you are expecting more from this small company than we are able to give at this time.
JonB
Zen MBB Master
I think there is a combination that John did not mention. I remember having seen a rear rack which was both attached to the seat post and had legs that was mounted the the frame. Naturally it could flex in some hinges, but i didnt like it, because you couldnt guarantee that it was level as the suspension was working. Besides it could not carry as much as a real solid rear rack like the Tubus Locc (40 kilo) which is my next buy, unless i build something myself to get it EXACTLY right.
Besides Tubus official homepage, there is also http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/TUBUS%20HOME/TUBUS%20HOME%20PAGE.htm where they write:
So, you can get a rack, just not exactly the easy solution you hope for. But do buy a Cruzbike none the less, it is a great bike.
Besides Tubus official homepage, there is also http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/TUBUS%20HOME/TUBUS%20HOME%20PAGE.htm where they write:
So, you can get a rack, just not exactly the easy solution you hope for. But do buy a Cruzbike none the less, it is a great bike.
I looked at both post and swing arm racks. Do all post racks have the same angle? All I eyeballed side by side at the store seemed to have the same angle. The one I actually put on my bike 1) touched the wheel when the shock was compressed by just sitting on the bike and 2) wasn't even level in the first place. At least from my efforts at about a half dozen shops in the Seattle area it appears that mountain bike post racks are engineered for a smaller rear wheel and a slightly different post angle. I also tried to fit the Axiom Odyssee full suspention rear rack. The manufactured Cruzbike's swing arm has a much flatter ange then a mountain bike and the Odyssee support arms don't quite reach it.
What specfic models of rear racks that actually fit a Freerider v2?
What specfic models of rear racks that actually fit a Freerider v2?
JonB
Zen MBB Master
I actually found the rear rack i was talking about, another light rear rack and one more sturdy.
Light rear rack
http://www.radversand.com/oxid.php/sid/x/shp/oxbaseshop/cl/details/anid/mf347b04d153cd576.86517972/cnid/3cn47acdc7f65d0b8.39706186
Another light rear rack
http://www.bikemania.biz/Pletscher_Quick_Rack_Rear_Full_Suspension_MTB_s_p/pletscher_qrack.htm
A more sturdy one, 30 kilo cargo
http://www.bike-components.de/products/language/en/info/p8447_Athlete-Quick-Rack-System-Gepaecktraeger.html
JonB
Zen MBB Master
Re: Two other questions
Your leg reach can be extended with buffalo shoes, but i wont recommend it.
There has been pictures of at least 2 kinds. 1 was a not too big which had a bottom up pocket which slid over the top of the seat and stayed on with that. The other was a shoulder type bag which was hanging just under the seat with the strop going between the seatpan and the frame in front, and through the black stuff at the back of the backrest, where the seatpost is attached to the backrest.
The height of the bottom bracket depends on your seat installation and the length of your legs. The seat can be mounted in the front of the horizontal frame, or further behind.
Your leg reach can be extended with buffalo shoes, but i wont recommend it.
Jon is right about the rear rack. I recently purchased a Softrider and having viewed a picture of his rear rack mount, I was able to mount a Delta Mega Rack Universal Rear Rack quite easily. Total cost of additional parts was less than $5 and the only additional tools required were a hacksaw and drill. It definitely took longer than it would have to mount the rack to a conventional diamond frame bike, but I believe the rack is now equally secure and stable. I will have no trouble mounting conventional panniers or a rack bag on my Softrider when necessary.
I think once you are committed to riding a Cruzbike you must of necessity be a bit more ingenious about accessorizing. In my limited experience, you can find answers and help for almost any question or problem either on these forums or the Yahoo group - http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruzbike/. Best wishes, Sylvain.
