Vicki C.
T50 Trailblazer and Silvio newbie
I am not a bike mechanic. I have never even removed and replaced my chain and usually rely on friends or local bike shops for mechanical work. For that reason I ordered a complete because the assembly sounded doable, and also ordered some recommended accessories. I am having some few issues and hope for some advice.
The first issue was the packing in the box. I found small parts, including the attachment for the derailleur, loose in a small bag in the large box. Same for that clamp for the cables. The accessories were in a separate small box and that helped. Seemingly it was all there and the box was very study with lots of foam and packing bubbles. Better packing of small parts and a packing list and printed assembly sheet would have been nice.
I did not cut the steerer tube. I did have trouble getting it installed and had to loosen a couple of screws/bolts. In the process some of the metal and plastic spacer-looking things (remember, not a mechanic) were loose. I think I finally got it all locked down but not sure. This generated the first email to Cruzbike, not yet answered. Now I am concerned about missing parts, but since most people whose posts I have read seem to be building up from scratch I am not sure.
The no parts list issue is real, as is not having an assembly diagram. Since the T50 being built up in the video clearly is not the same as my basic complete, some of the included parts do not look the same. Foam grips, one with a slit in it, and no end caps. The seat is a mess, threads hanging and does not fit the seat (lots of unpadded real estate). Though I was careful I still did not get the velcro strips exact. The covering is awful and the open-cell foam seems inadequate. I find it uncomfortable compared to other Cruzbikes I have seen and ridden. I expected better than this. I knew that if I liked the bike I would probably upgrade the wheels and tires and perhaps the gearing, but I didn't expect cost-cutting in things like the seat and grips and don't recall photos that looked like what I received.
I also have that clamp that appears to be a cable guide and have no idea what to do with it as there are no instructions. Maybe it is already installed on the complete. I did use the shorter steerer tube, as I said, without cutting it. I could see no way to cut it without cutting off some important part. A cutting diagram would have been helpful. As it turns out, I probably would not want it shorter or my knees might hit the handlebars anyway, but it is unsettling to think I may be assembling this bicycle incorrectly. I did notice that my handlebar twisted the first time I rode the bike. Obviously I need to get that handled.
I, too, ordered accessories with the bike, as I assumed that they would be good quality and fit and not create the hassle of knowing whether they would work with this bike.
1. The Cruzbike water bottle cage came with one bolt attached with a nut and another bolt in a small bag with no nut. I could not find one to fit. I will not be able to use it until I find or get from Cruzbike another that works.
2. The recommended mounting stub did not have any means of attaching itself to the bike. Useless unless I get a bolt or whatever but I don't know what to look for. Someone in another thread mentioned a bolt and nut. I did not find those in the packaging.
3. I also ordered the recommended mirror. I have it installed because I will not ride without one, but it seems flimsy and I could not seem to tighten the grip on the ball sufficiently to avoid movement. It was not an inexpensive mirror and I hope it will not keep slipping. The mirror's mount on the handlebar seems to work adequately. I did not want to install it in the bar end.
4. Lastly, the recommended Axiom rack. I cannot see how in the world this rack will work on this bike. I did not order the one that is being installed in the video. I cannot see a way to install it that will not interfere with the brake cables and the struts appear to be much too wide, although they would probably clamp in. It also seems too long and would be difficult to level. I did not even unpack all the bolts and whatnot because I believe I prefer to return it for a refund. Maybe I am wrong about this, but need some guidance. I know this is a versatile rack, but it is also not the one designed for disk brakes, which come with the T50 complete. I can't find an installation video or diagram but continue to look. Has anyone mounted this and can I see how you did so?
I think mostly I am disappointed that I cannot reach Cruzbike customer support by phone and my calls and emails have not yet been responded to. Maybe they have many many questions like mine and are getting around to them, but maybe something posted on the Facebook page or a blanket email at least acknowledging receipt of the contact would be nice. (Speaking of which, I also did not get a shipping notice and was very happy that I was home when the bike was delivered, as it was left on my porch.) I have ridden a borrowed Quest before and really want to learn to ride this bike and use it for local commuting and trail riding and just general coolness. I have believed in Cruzbike and hope that I get a response soon to my concerns. I will continue to monitor this forum for additional advice. I am fortunate, perhaps, that locally we have a Cruzbike dealer, but I don't know that getting him involved with these issues will serve any purpose and my goal is not to aggravate but to get some help so I can get back to remembering how to ride a Cruzbike.
The first issue was the packing in the box. I found small parts, including the attachment for the derailleur, loose in a small bag in the large box. Same for that clamp for the cables. The accessories were in a separate small box and that helped. Seemingly it was all there and the box was very study with lots of foam and packing bubbles. Better packing of small parts and a packing list and printed assembly sheet would have been nice.
I did not cut the steerer tube. I did have trouble getting it installed and had to loosen a couple of screws/bolts. In the process some of the metal and plastic spacer-looking things (remember, not a mechanic) were loose. I think I finally got it all locked down but not sure. This generated the first email to Cruzbike, not yet answered. Now I am concerned about missing parts, but since most people whose posts I have read seem to be building up from scratch I am not sure.
The no parts list issue is real, as is not having an assembly diagram. Since the T50 being built up in the video clearly is not the same as my basic complete, some of the included parts do not look the same. Foam grips, one with a slit in it, and no end caps. The seat is a mess, threads hanging and does not fit the seat (lots of unpadded real estate). Though I was careful I still did not get the velcro strips exact. The covering is awful and the open-cell foam seems inadequate. I find it uncomfortable compared to other Cruzbikes I have seen and ridden. I expected better than this. I knew that if I liked the bike I would probably upgrade the wheels and tires and perhaps the gearing, but I didn't expect cost-cutting in things like the seat and grips and don't recall photos that looked like what I received.
I also have that clamp that appears to be a cable guide and have no idea what to do with it as there are no instructions. Maybe it is already installed on the complete. I did use the shorter steerer tube, as I said, without cutting it. I could see no way to cut it without cutting off some important part. A cutting diagram would have been helpful. As it turns out, I probably would not want it shorter or my knees might hit the handlebars anyway, but it is unsettling to think I may be assembling this bicycle incorrectly. I did notice that my handlebar twisted the first time I rode the bike. Obviously I need to get that handled.
I, too, ordered accessories with the bike, as I assumed that they would be good quality and fit and not create the hassle of knowing whether they would work with this bike.
1. The Cruzbike water bottle cage came with one bolt attached with a nut and another bolt in a small bag with no nut. I could not find one to fit. I will not be able to use it until I find or get from Cruzbike another that works.
2. The recommended mounting stub did not have any means of attaching itself to the bike. Useless unless I get a bolt or whatever but I don't know what to look for. Someone in another thread mentioned a bolt and nut. I did not find those in the packaging.
3. I also ordered the recommended mirror. I have it installed because I will not ride without one, but it seems flimsy and I could not seem to tighten the grip on the ball sufficiently to avoid movement. It was not an inexpensive mirror and I hope it will not keep slipping. The mirror's mount on the handlebar seems to work adequately. I did not want to install it in the bar end.
4. Lastly, the recommended Axiom rack. I cannot see how in the world this rack will work on this bike. I did not order the one that is being installed in the video. I cannot see a way to install it that will not interfere with the brake cables and the struts appear to be much too wide, although they would probably clamp in. It also seems too long and would be difficult to level. I did not even unpack all the bolts and whatnot because I believe I prefer to return it for a refund. Maybe I am wrong about this, but need some guidance. I know this is a versatile rack, but it is also not the one designed for disk brakes, which come with the T50 complete. I can't find an installation video or diagram but continue to look. Has anyone mounted this and can I see how you did so?
I think mostly I am disappointed that I cannot reach Cruzbike customer support by phone and my calls and emails have not yet been responded to. Maybe they have many many questions like mine and are getting around to them, but maybe something posted on the Facebook page or a blanket email at least acknowledging receipt of the contact would be nice. (Speaking of which, I also did not get a shipping notice and was very happy that I was home when the bike was delivered, as it was left on my porch.) I have ridden a borrowed Quest before and really want to learn to ride this bike and use it for local commuting and trail riding and just general coolness. I have believed in Cruzbike and hope that I get a response soon to my concerns. I will continue to monitor this forum for additional advice. I am fortunate, perhaps, that locally we have a Cruzbike dealer, but I don't know that getting him involved with these issues will serve any purpose and my goal is not to aggravate but to get some help so I can get back to remembering how to ride a Cruzbike.
