Vendetta

For the strong elite cyclist, the Vendetta is possibly the fastest unfaired bicycle ever produced. Never before has a recumbent delivered such a stiff drive line; never before has a recumbent liberated the rider to completely unleash their power.

Buy the frameset only if you prefer, or add our component options.

Anyone who has trained seriously on a diamond frame bike can expect their training to translate to immediate performance on the Vendetta. A long period to get your 'bent legs' is not needed with our front wheel drive technology.

We know that our Silvio model compares well to road bikes and has taken Maria Parker to three world records under UMCA regulations. The Vendetta is a class above. Protected by the patented telescoping connection from handlebar to BB, the technology embodied in Vendetta is truly ground breaking. Unique concealed cable bar end shifters allow the rider to maintain a comfortable grip on the bars even on the longest rides. The attention to detail in the design of all the bike frame elements enable this bike to slip beautifully  through the air. No aspect of the design has been left unexplored. On Maria's first visit to the track on Vendetta she swiped an astonishing 21 minutes off her previous 100 mile record set on Silvio the previous year. See the Records page for continuing updates.

  • The forks have been fully designed with an s-shaped aero blade.
  • The slider has been lathed and tapered to its bar clamping position, and has a cage to accommodate the fork tube. Using spacers on the fork neck allows height adjustment, and holes on the cage side plates also gives fore-aft bar adjustment.
  • The boom slides forward to give leg length adjustment and has a curved nose to create space for the FD.
  • A special FD hanger is mounted on the chainstay so the FD always retains its correct alignment to the chain. As with all cruzbikes, adjustments can be made to different riders quickly and without the irritating need to alter the chain length.
  • The chainstay mounts to the outboard bearings, transferring the cranking loads down into the chainstay. The oversize (50.8mm) boom is welded directly to the BB creating an exceptionally stiff attachment. This stiffness is provided to effectively transport upper body effort into power generation.
  • The chainstays are tear drop shaped angled forward to give an affective tear drop aspect ratio of over 3. They have a small spreader (angled into the air) just forward of the tire. The chainstay ends finish in a cup that makes a secure connection to the lugged dropouts of the fork.
  • The RD hanger fits in a recess on the right chainstay dropout and is secured by a setscrew.
  • The main downtube is a strong tear drop shape, with an effective aspect ratio of 2.3, and is mitred to the low tube and again to the seat tube. The seat tube is trimmed by laser to accept the seat profile. The rear stays are round section and lapped onto the low tube. This lapped joined together with the seat pan contributes to the frame strength supporting the rider.
  • The rear seat stays are also tear drop shaped with an effective aspect ratio of 2.4. The rear wheel dropouts are cantilevered by 35 mm to soften the ride, and the top of the seatback is cantilevered backwards from the rear stays; the headrest is also cantilevered, so together this structure gives a measurable degree of passive suspension.
  • The head rest slides up or down to fit the rider and is shaped to offer generous head support, while serving to help smooth airflow behind the neck. The rest is covered to match the seat and is padded with similar material. A handy pocket for a spare tube is included in the rear of the headrest cover.

Specifications

Specification

Description

Front Triangle

Custom designed power triangle with oversize (50.8mm) boom constructed from quality 7005 T6 aluminum alloy.

Frame

Custom-designed 7005 T6 aluminum alloy in yellow. Frame incorporates the seat as a structural element. Bottle cage mounting points provided on the seat back and on the underside of the front slider, rearward of the fork.

Seat

Seatback is 22.5 degrees from horizontal. The lowest point of the seat, the crease between seat pan and seat back, is 500mm above the ground. The leading edge of the seat is 560mm above the ground, making for easy feet down and easy take offs.

Cushions, machine washable! Dual layer reticulated polyester open cell foam on top of EVA closed cell foam enclosed in a sportswear polyester cover.

Seat design includes lumbar support. Further adjustment to particular rider's body shape can be achieved with selective use of additional hard cell foam.

Head Rest

Single tube design with padded headrest, follows neck profile for reduced turbulence.

Front Fork

Engineered exclusively for Cruzbike and to our profile design, the Vendetta fork is full alloy and polished to a deep glossy finish with clear coat. The cross section is aero and the fork profile remains narrow at the top for proper leg clearance before spreading in a bell curve to accommodate the drive wheel.

Vital Stats

Wheelbase 1080mm (41 5/8");
Total Length 1769mm (outside of tires);
Seat Height (minimum) 500mm (19 5/8");
Crank (BB) Height 780mm (shortest x-seam) to 660mm (longest x-seam);
Shortest fitting x-seam 935 mm (36 3/4") (short boom available)
Longest fitting x-seam 1140mm (45") (possibly more, subject to testing)

Weight distribution with 70 kg rider;
Front 50% Rear 50%
Weight distribution with 70 kg rider on 10% uphill grade;
Front 45% Rear 55%

Components

Component

Description

Weight

9.9 kg (21.8 lbs), on a typical build without pedals.

Testimonials

I'm a french Cruzbike dealer and I'm very satisfied with the Vendetta; it's my favourite bent because it is very efficient when I'm climbing hills (perhaps a little more than the P38 Lightning) and on the quite flat valley journey it is more efficient than my Metaphysic. I can compare because I made a classical trip-with 5Kg luggage (for me) 70 Km and 450 m of positive climb, at 36,2 Km/h average, it was my first attempt and with only 300 km training. With the same luggage on my Metaphysic my best average were 33,4 Km/h. I could ride with the Vendetta from August to September 2011 (4000 Km with many passes on the french, swiss and Italian Alps. During an 8 days journey with 12 Kg lugages I have been to the Gavia Pass 2618 m, I start from 600 m at 9 O'clock on the morning and I arrive on the top at 12 O'clock. There is 17 % slope and it was really great to climb on the silent because other bent are always noisy (because the chain pulley). I could made the last 17 km and 1400 m slope on 2h 10 min (with 10 min rest). On the afternoon I climb from Bormio 1225 m to Umbrail Pass 2500 m. American people don't know this pass but I'm 53 year old now and I really enjoy to climb quite so fast (with 12 Kg luggages instead of 18) than when I was 38 year old. I'm so enthousiastic I become a little talkative, sorry... I think it's a very good bike; thanks a lot John and Cruz team Jim and Maria, I was waiting this kind of bike since many year (I built my first recumbent 22 years ago).
- Gabriel
My V is set up as a 40K time trial race bike.The handlebar modification tucks in my arms and hands for a compact riding position. The hydration pack, pump and tools will be placed in back of the seat to keep air flowing past my torso as clean as possible. The Vendetta is a bike with superb design quality and very high production standards. I am looking forward to riding and racing the V.
- Time (Palatine, United States)
I got my Vendetta two days ago and today has been my second ride on it . 60 kilometers uphill and downhill. I thought I knew what to expect since I own a Silvio too but it is still better than expected. It is a great bike. It is stiff, light and easy to handle either riding uphill or downhill at high speeds. You feel very secure on it with your arms resting on the bull horn handlebar. And it goes faster than the Silvio on flat roads. The Silvio does climb well and so does the Vendetta but it feels easier on the Vendetta. I have ridden many recumbent bikes but I very sincerely think that the Vendetta is the most accomplished one so far.
- anne (white oak, United States)
As the designer, I am biased. I will testify how and when I ride Vendetta. I ride it hard, when I want to go fast. Vendetta is 7% faster than Silvio. A rider who can ride Silvio at 20mph will ride Vendetta at 23.5mph.
- John (Perth, Australia)