Leigh_caines wrote:Hotdog… by now I guess you’ve ridden the new bike enough to give us recumbent riders an idea of if we should all be switching to front drive?
Indeed I have, and the answer is a definite 'maybe'
There are some genuine advantages to the moving bottom bracket front wheel drive concept for a recumbent.
The tetrahedral structure of the front triangle is extremely stiff and that, together with the link between the steering and pedaling actions, means you can really hammer away with your whole body and feel like you're putting all the power down to the road. There's no hint of boom flex or give in the seat. The riding position is pretty 'closed' too, even more so when you sit up, and this is good for putting out power. Due to all this the bike does seem to sprint well as a result and you can push powerfully over crests, despite it being no lightweight.
While the MBB FWD configuration feels very strange at first, once you get used to it the feeling is actually very enjoyable. The pedal steer effect makes you feel very connected to the bike, it found myself thinking that this must be like that 'Zen thing' that fixie fanatics go on about
On the subject of getting used to it, the learning curve isn't that bad really, at least not for someone who's ridden other recumbents before. I was very quickly able to ride around in straight lines and comfortably start and stop. Getting the best out an MBB FWD is a different matter though, I think that requires a considerably longer adjustment period. Learning to ride hands off is a useful skill on this bike, not just a party trick, as it means your arms aren't fighting your feet anymore, and I'm not quite there yet. I can ride with light hands though, or one handed with only a bit of wobble, so I'm getting closer.
Another plus point is that you only have one standard length of chain, and no need for idlers, chain tubes or other chain management. Finally, with the handlebars turned right round to one side so the front triangle sits alongside the main frame the bike is very compact with makes storing or transporting the bike somewhat easier than other recumbents.
So far I've talked in deliberately general terms about MBB FWD, but I've got a few nice things to say about the Sofrider in particular too. Firstly, it's pretty good value for a recumbent. At around $1300 delivered it's one of the cheapest around, and yet you get a pretty decent level of componentry with it (SRAM X.5 shifters and a X.7 rear derailleur, for example). Dual suspension is a good feature too, while at this price point it's naturally a little rudimentary it is nice to have. This is a bike that can handle some light trail work and copes with potholed streets and drop kerbs well.
OK, so far all good but there are a few caveats. I think the main issue I've had is drive wheel traction. While you're riding up a steep hill the shift in the weight distribution towards the rear wheel actually reduces drive wheel traction, just when you need it the most. For grades of around 10% or more I've had problems with the front wheel slipping and on several occasions ended up walking, not because my legs had gone but because I'd simply lost grip. The issue is in fact largely one of technique however. After a while I learnt to sit up and hunch myself over the handlebars to move my weight as far forward as possible and concentrate on smoothing out my pedaling action so that now, with a bit of care, I am able to climb the short 10-15% pinches I encounter round here. I think my difficulties have been at least partly due to my tyres too, they're the Kenda Kwest 26x1.5"s that the bike came with and I'm not impressed with their grip. I can easily spin the front wheel when taking off from traffic lights if I'm not careful, even on level ground where the FWD shouldn't make much difference, and I'm no super strong sprinter. I plan to try out some other 26" slicks soon to see if they help. Basically, I now think the front wheel traction issue is in fact manageable. With decent tyres and a bit of experience you should be able to climb any slope that your legs and gears are good for, but riders who habitually climb up walls on a regular basis should be aware of the potential for difficulties.
There are one or two downsides specific to the Sofrider too, but I still think it's a good bike. For one thing, it's a little heavy at a nominal 15kgs but my Bacchetta is probably about the same. The handlebar arrangement could probably be a little better too, tall or short people are apparently OK but riders of intermediate height can have difficulty finding a set of handlebar and seat adjustments which doesn't result in their knees hitting the bars. I'm 6' tall and my knees just clear them, and I know of people on the forums that have had to change the stem to be able to ride their bike.
Overall the Cruzbike MBB FWD concept, while not without some issues, at least during the adjustment period, works very well. The Cruzbike Sofrider is a good value, versatile and fairly rugged recumbent which makes for a good commuter. I think it would tour well too. As far a performance is concerned, it is somewhat heavy and its upright seating position probably isn't the most aerodynamic around but it makes up for a lot of that with the power of the closed riding position. I think the most telling comment I can make is that now I've gotten used to a Sofrider I find myself dreaming about a Silvio...
Maybe if I get that new job I've got my eye on...
Something very different from my Baccheta Giro 26, this is a fully suspended moving bottom bracket front wheel drive bike.
I'm still badly scraped up from my stack on the weekend, and I'm going away for a week to a conference on Sunday morning, and then I'll only be back in town for 3 days before going away for another week and bit for work. I'm going to have to be patient... 
A front wheel drive bike! 
) idea is somewhere in the ballpark, a little rear end droop travel would have allowed the lighter unspung mass of the wheel to drop down and maintain contact with the track while the rest of your bodyweight would have maintained inertia and sailed on blissfully unaware. 
