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Crank Forward Forum
Welcome to our forum. With the number of CF bikes growing, customers have expressed a need for a message board dedicated to CF bikes. We hope this message board gives you the chance to exchange stories or ideas that will continue the growth of Crank Forward Bikes. Feel free to post a message.
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 14) |
| Author | Comment |
Kalinka
 May 6, 08 - 2:46 PM |
Ready to replace my CF!!
Hello all! Kim has pointed me to a new bike shop that carries CF bikes in S. Florida and it is only 2.5 hrs from here! I have been waiting since Xmas for the store in Margate to stock some but they really dont seem to be doing much. They may be missing the boat as the new shop, Riverside Recumbents say that they are working out really well. Seems like it has been forever since my Cruz was stolen and I am very excited to report that they have three up in Cocoa beach, a cruz, a city and a street. I can finally give the other geometry a try and it looks like a beautiful place to take a test ride as well. In my Rans-less months I went back to my Sun Drifter CF knock off. It has two wheels and it rolls so I was fine waiting with that but it had some sort of frame failure and the back tire came off whilst i was riding. It was an interesting dismount where I think i scored high points for style!! So suddenly i was bikeless. I hopped on my trek and I hated it. 5 miles and I was done. I am now certain that i will never return to a DF. Im very excited to go up and get a little test riding done. Its going to be between the Cruz the Street or the Dynamic. The only way to know is to ride em and now I finally can. Meanwhile Sun is going to replace my Drifter (that is my dog training bike) I hope to back on my Rans within a few weeks, I cant wait. Kalinka 
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randyschlitter
May 6th, 2008 - 4:49 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
So good to hear from you and that you will be back in the saddle, we miss you posts, and great energy! |
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Kalinka
May 7th, 2008 - 10:21 AM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Thanks Randy.. yes i am looking forward to be back in the saddle, so are some of my friends as I am a serious speed impediment on beach cruiser. I just mosey on down the road and everyone has to wait for me to order dinner. I am thinking this time may be a good idea to purchase a lock  ya think?
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randy schlitter
May 7th, 2008 - 2:53 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
...and maybe a bike guard dog! |
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Greg McLean
May 8th, 2008 - 11:35 AM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Have fun with your choice process! I've both a sparkling gold Cruz & a candy apple red Street. I love them both! They make a stunning pair. My LBS had a new lime green Cruz in the shop yesterday. Quiet lovely! They ordered it in for a local eye surgeon, who also has two V-Rex. One for home & one for the lake! |
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Kalinka
May 8th, 2008 - 2:09 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Thanks Greg What is your take on different frames, which geometry do you like better? I would love to have one of each which was my original intent but i lost my Cruz so i will have to choose. I bet i will know in just one ride.. or i will like them both and will be in conundrum. What fun! |
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JeffH
May 9th, 2008 - 12:46 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
I too have a gold Cruz. I just love that color!! Actually they are all nice, and some look better when you actually see the bike. Pictures can't do justice to the Aqua for instance. |
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Kalinka
May 9th, 2008 - 12:58 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Aqua is my personal favorite at the moment. The cruz i had was gold and i loved that color as well.. and i think that the new lime green is really cool.. Its the color of my car and lots of my clothes, that might be overkill. The aqua is just calling me though. If i get a cruz its not an option. |
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Brent
May 9th, 2008 - 4:53 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Kalinka, I have both types of bikes. We have 2 Fusions (for my wife and I to ride together) and a Dynamic that I set up for MTB riding (shock fork, disc brakes, knobbies,trigger shifters). I find the Dynamic seems to be the faster bike when I put high pressure tires on. That really surprises me since it is 4-5 pounds heavier. I seem to be able to accelerate easier with it and keep a higher average speed than with the Fusion. I find the Fusion to be more comfortable however. The Dynamik is taller and doesn't fit shorter riders as well, either. The Dynamik makes a fun MTB and that is what I will use it for from now on. |
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Kalinka
May 9th, 2008 - 5:35 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Brent If i had a perfect world i would have one of each like that, I love the ride of fat tires and always have. I think that in a perfect world one should have 3. A fusion, dynamik set up for off road and a zippy skinny tire Zenetik. I think that if i find a big comfort difference in the geometry I will get a cruz again. The more comfortable I am the more I ride. It was surprising to me how i have been the first to bale on rides this week borrowing someone's mountain bike. Its ok but i dont like riding looking at the ground anymore. There is nothing down there. Its just not an enjoyable position, it does not really hurt, just not fun. I think that there have been moments in my CF riding that I look at the bikes that my friends have.. some have some pretty kick butt bikes, and I think that maybe one day I will get a great mtn bike again and now i know. If i have to have a mtn bike for all the amazing hills and off road riding that florida has to offer(NOT) I will get a dynamik. |
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tom
May 10th, 2008 - 7:57 AM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
kalinka i just went through this dilemma of choice and decided on a dynamik. time will tell if this was a good move, or if (gasp) i have to rectify it by adding a cruz or fusion! to me, part of the comfort factor is being able to change position on the bike often and i think the dyn/zen geometry is more accomodating for that as you can stand and pedal. having said that there is just something about the feel of the fusion/cruz that is captivating. if i didn't already have a 'bent i likely would have chosen a fusion. of course to complicate things you have to factor in the great look of the curved tubes, against perhaps what might be your favorite color. i think the yellow is outstanding but not available on the curvy cruz, for example. i wish that Rans would furnish dealers with small sections of tubing representing the different colors so customers could see all choices, and that all colors were available on all bikes even if it involved an upcharge. |
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Greg McLean
May 13th, 2008 - 11:39 AM |
Cruz/Fusion vs Street/Dynamik
Kalinka, I read of your “Riverside Recumbent Bicycles” experience on the other thread. It is nice to have a LBS or semi-LBS populated with great folks. My LBS “Ski & Bike Shop” is mostly road & MTB. I purchased my first bent, a Rans Tailwind from them a couple of years ago. Since ordering the first RANS CF they sold, (my Cruz), they are getting into the CF swing & have sold more since. I have recently completed the Street build, (frame from Nanda), & done some spring maintenance/upgrades on the Cruz. My two binged out sweethearts will be hanging in their front window for a couple of weeks. This is to show off my bikes & help them generate more interest in CFs. They have recently ordered a few for stock & customers. I will send some pictures to Nanda Holz & ask him to post them here later this week. I use Nanda Holz “SpinCyclz” www.spincyclz.com, all the way over on the Pacific Coast, for some things RANS CF & bent. I have started using Mark Powers at “Power On Cycling” in Plant City, FL www.poweroncycling.com, for Catrike. Mark is also a RANS dealer. Back to your question regarding the CRUZ/Fusion vs. Street/City/Dynamik/Zenetik geometry. I have three trikes, a RANS Stratus XP & Tailwind for my longer distance rides. I also have a Giant MTB for backwoods down & dirty riding. The CFs are used primarily for hop & go. I bop around the yard & the lake; we also ride them on local river greenbelt MUPs & lake country bike paths. The Cruz is shod with a 2.35” Big Apple on the rear & a 2” Big Apple on the front. The Street has a 2” BA on the rear & a 1.5” Marathon Racer on the front. I also have a lighter wheel set mounted with 1.3” Kojaks for faster runs. I find the Cruz more conducive to cruising & the Street more agile in varied terrain. Both are great on dirt, gravel & packed limestone roads/trails. If one were going to make a more serious MTB out of one of the CFs, the more upright Street/Dynamik bikes would be the way I would go. I would install aggressive tires & a light sturdy shocked front fork. Good luck trying to decide! Too bad we were not all born “Trust Fund Babies”, then there would be no decision necessary. One or two of each would be in order! Gregory |
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Kalinka
May 13th, 2008 - 2:47 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Ah Greg you are a man of many bikes and .. i am wishing i could do the same. I would LOVE a street with fat tires to play on, the cruz is the ultimate hang out bike, it just does not get better than that. The issues is the bike budget. How many bikes can a girl afford? LOL i want them all. It really is not fair to have to pick just one. I think with the CF family you NEED 2, 3 would be optimum. I need to meet a man with a bike shop, I think that is the only way. I remember being happy as a clam with one killer mountain bike. What has happened to me? I suddenly need a stable. |
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Nobbie
Jun 18th, 2008 - 7:11 PM |
Re: Ready to replace my CF!!
Victoria? What did you get??? I've been riding the Raw Zen three-four times a week! Took the Fujin SL out for a spin. FASSST! Trying to build up the other CF's, but been so crazy at work. Ugh. Hey, anybody know of any CF rentals in Branson, Mo? Gonna be there next week for a couple of weeks for my daughter's AAU Basketball tournament. Wheee. |
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