Silvio

It's a road bike, Jim, but not as we know it.

Silvio is the world's only recumbent road bike that is fully compatible with a road bike groupset and wheels -- any grouppos you like.

Silvio is a front wheel drive moving bottom bracket recumbent capable of being fitted with the latest Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Rival 10 speed systems, etc., without modification and with all components working as they were designed to. Silvio is sold as a frame set (without components). You must purchase the components separately. The Silvio frame set includes the air suspended front triangle, main frame with integrated seat and suspended rear triangle.

This is the bike that carried Maria Parker to a course record for any woman on any unfaired bike on the Saratoga 12 hour race for distance in July 2009, covering 211 miles for an average of 17.6mph in difficult conditions. This is the bike that carried Maria Parker to a UMCA world record for any woman on any unfaired bike for distance covered in 12 hours in October 2009, covering 241 miles for an average of 20.08mph. Read more on our Records page.

The dual suspension fitted to Silvio has a carbon fiber, elastomer dampened system in the rear and a fusion system in the front, integrating an adjustable compressed air suspension fork, with a carbon fiber chainstay suspension yoke in a patented new front triangle assembly. The frame is aluminum 7005 T6 and integrates the seat shells into the structure for added strength and weight savings.

Seat Back angle is 45 degrees and is not adjustable, that is, the seat shells form an integral part of the rear frame. The main down tube is a teardrop cross-section.

Specifications

Specification

Description

Front Suspension

Front travel is 40mm 1.5" by adjustable air head shock and carbon fiber chainstay. High pressure shock pump is included for your convenience: head shock pressure is recommended at 150 psi for riders of average weight.
The carbon fiber front chainstay allows the fork to move while providing a very stiff transmission structure. Allows for 700 x 28 c tires.

Rear Suspension

Rear travel is 13mm 0.5" by elastomer damping, single rebound titanium leaf spring and carbon fiber rear stay.

Handlebars

Especially designed for Silvio the bars are a wider, flared version of the usual road drop bar.

Vital Stats

Wheelbase 1020mm 40"
Weight distribution with 70kg (154lb) rider: rear 50% front 50%. X-seam range 38 1/4 inches to 47 7/8 inches.

Weight

Frameset weight as supplied is 6.5kg / 14lbs, with final weight in the order of 11.5 to 12.5kg. The total weight of the complete bike will ultimately depend on the components and wheels each person selects.

Packing

Silvio comes shipped as a frameset. You will need to assemble the frameset, using our detailed drawings and instructions.

Components

Options

Description

Component Groupset

Choose from the Assembly Pack options at right.

If you are buying your own component groupset, get the Braze On style Front Derailleur and a 115mm bottom bracket.

Chainstay extension

100mm or 150mm extension to the chainstay, which elevates the crank for taller riders and improves aero.

Wheels

Cruzbike Aero 67s, 28/24 spoke count, aero blade spokes, deep rims and quality hubs.

Testimonials

I've never felt more comfortable, nor enjoyed my riding as much.
- Dan (Prescott, United States)
I just purchased a Silvio (the 2008 that was listed on your site). Cannot describe how happy I am with it already. Like it was made for me. Very fast, Very well engineered, Very comfortable. The suspension is completely underrated.
- Chuck (Waukesha, United States)
I've been riding conventional roadbikes for a few years. Three years ago I developed a shoulder rotator cuff problem that made riding very painful. I ran across the Silvio on the Cruzbike site, I thought maybe a recumbent would solve my problem ... The Silvio is deceptively fast. I am elated! No shoulder pain ... and yes I got the 'looks', not many 'bents around here. No, my legs are not ready for the long climbs, but I didn't do too bad considering it's my first real test. So for only 38 miles on my computer, I think soon I will conquer the hills, and pickup speed. So if there are other riders out there "on the fence", give cruzbike another look, I think you won't be sorry. The comfort, the total body workout ... the cruzbike quality, make so much sense.
- Randy (Piermont, United States)
I took one out and back ride on the Silver Comet Trail, and one 50 mile loop ride with a racer friend of mine. I seem to be adapting quickly to the bike ... the Silvio seems to climb more efficiently than my previous "performance" bents (Reynolds T-Bone & Bacchetta Corsa). The racer friend who was riding with me, though a stronger rider than I, was not having to softpedal up hills as I was right there with him during the loop ride. I'm looking forward to getting out on the Silvio again this Sunday morning for another loop ride on middle Georgia's rolling hills. Also I am about to sign up for the Brag BikeFest, Oct 14-16 in Columbus, GA. My 26yo son William is planning to ride with me on his road bike. The Silvio has me stoked about riding again!
- Alan (Atlanta, United States)
The Silvio has been my main ride for over 3 years now. This bike combines the best of everything. It's fast (see my UMCA records), it is comfortable and it's just plain fun to ride. I like the seat angle; I have a terrific view of the road, but it is reclined enough to be comfortable and aerodynamic. I can easily reach my water bottles, and recently I found I can carry a pack and do multi-day events on it. When I ride it in groups, I am accepted by my road bike friends as one of them. When I ride it alone, I'm grateful for the comfort and visibility I have all around me.
- Maria (LUMBERTON, United States)