For cyclists seeking the ultimate blend of comfort, speed, and hill-climbing prowess, the quest for the Best Recumbent Bike often leads to a detailed evaluation of performance and features. Larry Oslund, an experienced cyclist, recently put the new Cruzbike S40 to a rigorous test. His journey across the challenging terrains of Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, spanning hundreds of miles and significant elevation gains, provides invaluable insights into the capabilities of this recumbent road bike. This review delves into Larry’s firsthand experience to uncover why the Cruzbike S40 could be considered the best recumbent bike for tackling long, fast rides with substantial hill climbing.
Hill Climbing Recumbent Bicycle Review – The Cruzbike S40 Tackles the Blue Ridge Parkway
Taming the Blue Ridge Parkway with the New S40
From May 21st to 27th, 2021, Larry Oslund had the opportunity to thoroughly test the latest Cruzbike S40 recumbent road bike on a week-long tour along the iconic Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, traveling from Front Royal, VA, to Cherokee, NC. Over seven days, he pushed the S40 across more than 700 miles, conquering an impressive 70,000 feet of elevation gain and descent. His detailed feedback and reflections offer a comprehensive understanding of the new S40’s performance and design.
Unpacking the 2021 Cruzbike S40 Setup
The Cruzbike S40 is engineered for performance and comfort, and the 2021 model boasts several key features:
- Weight: The complete 2021 S40 weighs in at 27.2 lbs, striking a balance between robustness and agility.
- Dynamic Boom Front Wheel Drive (FWD-MBB): Cruzbike’s signature patented technology, known as Dynamic Boom Front Wheel Drive, is central to the S40’s design, shared with models like the Q45 and V20. This system is crucial for efficient power transfer and the unique Cruzbike riding experience.
- Cane Creek ViscoSet® Headset: This premium headset enhances stability and control, especially beneficial during high-speed descents and technical climbs.
- Thru Axles: The S40 features leverless thru axles, which include an integrated removal tool for both the axle and brake rotors, ensuring secure wheel attachment and ease of maintenance.
- Wheels and Tires: Equipped with 32-spoke black aluminum rims with an aero profile, these tubeless-compatible wheels are 25mm wide and approximately 28mm deep. They are paired with Maxxis Re-Fuse 700x32c tires, offering a blend of speed, comfort, and durability.
- Braking System: 160mm MCX-2(PM) Mechanical Disc Brakes are installed on both the front and rear, providing reliable stopping power in varied conditions.
- Carbon Fiber Seat: The S40 includes a carbon fiber seat with a small adjustable front edge seat extender, complemented by a basic curved headrest and a thick foam seat pad for enhanced comfort during long rides.
- Handlebar and Drivetrain: It features a standard Cruzbike flared handlebar set and a SRAM 1×11 drivetrain. This includes a 42T front ring and a PowerGlide 11-42T 11-Speed Cassette, optimized for a wide range of terrains.
- Crankset and Bottom Bracket: The bike utilizes a Truvativ/SRAM Team GXP Bottom Bracket and a SRAM Apex 1 GXP Crankset (165mm) with a 42T 110mm Asymmetric BCD X-Sync Chainring.
- Shifting Lever: SRAM Apex 1 DoubleTap Right 11-Speed shifting Lever for Cable Actuated Brakes ensures precise and responsive gear changes.
Recumbent Road Bike – Cruzbike S40
S40 Enhancements Over Previous Models
The 2021 S40 incorporates several upgrades, distinguishing it from earlier versions:
- Thru-axle wheel sets: Enhance frame stiffness and responsiveness for improved power transfer and handling.
- 1×11 Drive System: First introduced in the 2019 S40, this system simplifies shifting and reduces weight while providing ample gear range for varied terrains.
- Cane Creek ViscoSet® Headset: Adds a layer of stability and control to the front end, particularly noticeable at higher speeds and on uneven surfaces.
Jim and Maria Parker generously provided Larry and his riding companion, Ken Holzhausen, with S40 bikes to test during their Blue Ridge Parkway tour.
Initially, Larry expressed both excitement and apprehension about testing a new bike on such a demanding route. His primary concern was adapting from his familiar Cruzbike V20 setup. While he typically rides with a Ventisit seat pad, 150mm cranks, and mid-sole cleats, for this test, he opted for the stock S40 setup, only adjusting his cleats for a better reach with the 165mm cranks.
After an initial setup period to adjust the S40 to his measurements, Larry embarked on his journey.
However, the first 60 miles of Skyline Drive presented unexpected challenges. Larry experienced discomfort in his legs, arms, knees, and neck, and even hot-foot. Despite these initial setbacks, he persevered, making several adjustments to the bike’s boom, handlebars, and headrest. These adjustments proved transformative. By repositioning the boom to extend the bottom bracket, adjusting handlebar reach, and optimizing the headrest, Larry found his comfort and power output significantly improved. This experience underscored the critical importance of proper bike fit. Even minor adjustments can dramatically impact rider comfort, performance, and overall enjoyment. Larry emphasizes that if riders encounter similar discomfort with their Cruzbikes, seeking expert advice, such as posting photos on the Cruzbike forum or visiting a Cruzbike expert like himself in Hilton Head Island, can be invaluable.
Hill Climbing Recumbent Road Bike Review – Cruzbike S40
The Cruzbike S40 Recumbent Road Bike in Action: A Performance Review
Larry’s experience quickly turned positive after achieving the optimal bike fit. He considers the latest S40 to be the best iteration of the Cruzbike S40 design to date.
While the Cruzbike V20 remains his top choice for outright speed, the S40 excels in touring scenarios like his 7-day Blue Ridge Parkway ride.
The S40’s higher seat back angle (40 degrees compared to the V20’s 20 degrees) offers several advantages. It enhances visibility of scenic surroundings and aids in speed control during steep descents. Furthermore, a more upright position is known to improve power output, a significant benefit during long, arduous climbs.
Key Performance Enhancements
- Thru-axle design: The thru-axle system noticeably stiffens the front end, resulting in a more direct and efficient transfer of power to the front wheel. This improvement is likely the most impactful upgrade in the new S40.
- Cane Creek ViscoSet® Headset: Functioning as a dampener, the ViscoSet headset effectively stabilizes the front end. Larry reported no instances of front-end wobble or instability, even at speeds exceeding 40 mph downhill or during slow, uphill climbs.
- 1×11 Drive System: Despite initial skepticism, particularly given his post-heart condition and doctor-recommended heart rate limits, Larry found the 1×11 drivetrain perfectly suited to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s demanding climbs. The 42×42 gear ratio proved sufficient for sustained 6-8% grades, allowing him to maintain a pace of 4-5 mph at a sustainable 2 W/kg output while keeping his heart rate below 120 bpm. This adaptability highlights the S40’s suitability for both challenging climbs and varied fitness levels.
Larry concludes that Cruzbike has achieved a “home run” with the newly designed S40. Impressed by its performance, he was fortunate to purchase one of the first models after his tour, expressing gratitude to Jim and Maria Parker for the opportunity.
Hill Climbing Recumbent Road Bike Review – Cruzbike S40
The Cruzbike S40 is currently available for pre-order and is expected to ship by the end of June. Given the limited availability of the initial production run, interested buyers are encouraged to place orders promptly to secure their bike.
-Larry Oslund (@LarryOz on the Cruzbike Forum)
Hill Climbing Recumbent Bicycle Review: Taming the Blue Ridge Parkway – by Larry Oslund
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