How is the Cruzbike A4x different from the Cruzbike Q45?
Q: How is the A4x different from the Q45?
Cruzbike’s new A4x is a wildly capable adventure vehicle with refinements that only improve and expand upon its much-loved predecessor, the Q45.
Both bikes share the essentials that make Cruzbike adventure touring unique: the patented Dynamic Boom Front Wheel Drive drivetrain for powerful climbing, nimble maneuverability and a customized fit, packability into the Tern Airporter Slim with 24" wheels, compatibility with racks, panniers, and frame bags, and generous tire clearance for mixed-surface riding.
The A4x introduces a new frame and suspension that combine maximum comfort, efficiency and utility, whether you’re using it for exploring off-pavement trails, carrying gear for long tours and bikepacking or around-town commutes. In essence, the A4x takes everything we love about the Q45 and gives it a huge upgrade. The result is a uniquely versatile bike that combines workhorse capabilities with our smoothest, most comfortable ride yet.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Cruzbike A4x and Q45 models compare:
- More capable suspension. The A4x runs the DNM Torch DV-22 coil shock with 165mm of travel and a 1,500 lbs/in external spring. A dual-position mount lets you tune between progressive and linear ride character, with adjustable spring preload on top. Most importantly, the suspension pivot has been moved to behind the rider — eliminating the vertical bounce the Q45 could exhibit on rough terrain and delivering confident, controlled tracking on gravel and dirt.
- A purpose-built frame — available as a frameset. The A4x is a new frame design engineered specifically for off-pavement riding under load. It's also the first Cruzbike adventure tourer available as a frameset, giving experienced builders the freedom to spec their own components. The Q45 is complete-only.
- A serious component upgrade. The A4x complete ships with a substantially upgraded component set — including the Croder SPIRIT modular crankset, SRAM NX 1x12 MTB shifting and Maxxis Receptor 650b x 47c tires which are super smooth on the road and have great grip for both gravel and road surfaces.
- A kickstand system built for loaded touring. The Q45 frame required a proprietary kickstand that wasn't well suited to heavily loaded bikes and couldn't accommodate a double kickstand. The A4x features a beefy, adjustable mount that accepts standard off-the-shelf kickstands — including double kickstands for fully loaded parking — and works with both 650b and 24" wheels. The mount is strong enough to adapt for other uses like battery mounts down the road. The kickstand and mount are included with the complete bike and can be purchased separately for frameset builds.
A4x Adventure Touring vs. Q45 Adventure Touring Side-by-Side Comparison Chart:
A4x - Generation 1 |
Q45 - Generation 5 |
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Options |
Frameset, Complete Bike |
SOLD OUT, Complete Only |
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MSRP |
Frameset: $3000 |
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Drive system |
Dynamic Boom Front Wheel Drive |
Dynamic Boom Front Wheel Drive |
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Frame |
Single pivot rear trailing arm style suspension - with adjustable shock positioning for a tunable and superior ride. Triangulated open main frame for strength/cargo and weight distribution. Rail style seat mounting. More aggressive look and strength at the same weight due to thinner tubes of a triangulated design. Lower main frame body for stock kickstand use and ideal weight distribution. |
Unique curved swing arm design. One of the original legacy Cruzbike designs. |
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Weight balance |
Ideal weight balance with slight fore-aft adjustability. Lower center of gravity. |
Slightly more forward fixed weight balance |
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Shock |
Heavy duty DNM Torch DV-22, 165mm travel, 1,500 lbs/in external spring |
Standard duty full-size external coil shock |
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Suspension pivot location |
Behind rider — eliminates vertical bounce on rough terrain Design allows for much more control and traction over bumps with less bounce for better suspension performance (and is still packable). |
Directly under the rider - intended as a “hinge” to maximize packability of the frame, but not ideal for continuous rough surface performance while riding. |
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Suspension tuning |
Dual positioning capability for shock to customize suspension - for either progressive suspension or a more linear feel plus spring preload adjustment. |
Spring preload adjustment |
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Airline Packable (Tern Airporter Slim) |
Yes, with 24” wheels |
Yes, with 24” wheels |
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Mounts/bosses |
Bikepacking cage mounts on rear arm, mounts on main frame. Mounts are welded and solid for durability. |
The original Cruzbike workhorse, but slightly more limited for total carrying capacity. |
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Cruzbike Rack and Bag Compatibility |
Touring and Commuting Rear Rack, Underseat Rack, A4x Frame Pack, Sunlight Roll Pack, Cruzbike Trunk Bag, Sling Pack (under boom, in front of fork) |
Touring and Commuting Rear Rack, Underseat Rack, Sling Pack, Scarab Bag, Sunlight Roll Rack, Cruzbike Trunk Bag |
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Cable Routing |
Internal rear brake cable routing |
External cable routing |
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Carrying Capability |
Easily carry a total of 4 panniers, a trunk bag, frame pack, and two mounted bikepacking fork mount style bags on-frame. |
Up to 4 panniers, trunk bag and Roll Pack |
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Tire Clearance 650b Wheels |
Up to 57mm (2.25") |
Up to 57mm (2.25") |
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Tire Clearance 24” Wheels |
Up to 68mm (2.6") |
Up to 68mm (2.6") |
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Kickstand options |
Included with A4x Complete: Beefy adjustable Kickstand mount — accepts standard and double kickstands, stock kickstand works with 650b and 24" wheels. Strong enough to support loaded touring. |
Long proprietary kickstand not ideal for heavy weight or loaded touring. |
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Fit range |
Approximately 5'5" to 6'4". Smaller wheels available for shorter riders. |
Approximately 5'5" to 6'4". Smaller wheels available for shorter riders. |
A4x Gen 1 Complete vs. Q45 Gen 5 Side-by-Side Build Comparison Chart
A4x Gen 1 Complete |
Q45 Gen 5 |
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Componentry |
SRAM/Tektro |
Microshift |
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Gear range |
Expanded 12 speed gear range (Lower) |
Stock 11 speed gear range |
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Crankset |
Croder SPIRIT modular — customizable arm length, spider, and chainring |
Driveline DX-42 155 |
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Wheels and Tires |
Road/Gravel Maxxis Receptor 650b x 47c tires. The Maxiss Receptor 47c tires are a great blend for road and gravel. They're super smooth on the road and have great grip for both gravel and road surfaces. 650b Jet Set rims, Chosen hubs. Smaller wheel sizes available. |
Road specific Maxxis Overdrive 650b x 1.65 inch tires, 650b Jet Set rims, Chosen hubs. Smaller wheel sizes available. |
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Axles |
Through axle with "built in" tool |
Through axle with removable tool |
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Complete Option Weight |
Weight without kickstand and mount: 35 lbs |
33 lbs |
We are stoked to see where Cruzbike owners will take the all-new A4x!
The A4x launches in Cruzbike's 20th anniversary year, inheriting two decades of race and record-proven design and engineering excellence. Plus it is supported by our standard-setting customer support. Questions? Email us at support@cruzbike.com or schedule a free consultation call here.
I’m a cyclist since 16 yo, now 74. I’ll probably never afford a quality bike like yours, but still foolish enough to dream lol 😆. I had the street version of the first recumbent to reach 65 mph … Tour Easy with full windshield, fabric body, that i kept for 25 years. Thank you for listening! Good luck in your future!
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