Looking for a better bicycle

This blog is about my journey with my new, 'different' bicycle.

In November 2010, I did the first leg of the round Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on a regular bicycle (21 speed so called mountain bike that has warnings not to take off road) I only did the one leg, 40km ('only' I say, it was the most I had ever done in one day at the time.) I had trained enough and did okay, I did it in about 2 hours, and had not killed myself doing it. Just one thing got to me - my arms were so sore for leaning on them. I am 193cm, long limbed, so the seat was at the fullest extension and because the handlebars don't have a lot of lift, that meant a lot of leaning forward. So I started looking for something more comfortable without going to the expense of a racing bike where you lean on your elbows.

I discovered recumbents. Recumbent bicycles are very rare in NZ, at that time I may have only seen one or two. I'm rather a fan of a friend who blogs her cycle touring and thought, I'd like one suitable for touring.
On of my favourite ones is the GrassHopper fx – the foldable touring recumbent by HP Velotechnik, it even has mudguards (known as fenders is some other English speaking lands, don't know why we call them mudguards, because they are actually fenders.)

Starting at 2 grand US, not cheap! And because I called this blog "sofrider" it is obvious I didn't get it. But if anyone one day comes through Auckland (or if I'm not in Auckland at the time - somewhere else) I'd still love to have a look at it. Anyway, I thought it was too expensive, especially given that I don't think there are any here in NZ, (if you know different, contact me and I'll update this blog.)

So I kept looking, very difficult given they are so rare in NZ, and one person in NZ who did contact who used to sell some has now stopped due to there just not being enough interest. Eventually I settled on this:

Cruzbike sofrider

That's 'sofrider', no 'T' in the name. what I like about it is: 26" wheels instead of the common 20" for recumbents; running gear is the same as a standard bicycle; and the basic bicycle was under 1 grand US, quite appealing for a cheapskate like me. And it is designed by an Aussie, (have to give a thumbs up to our clever neighbours across the ditch) Had the Quest 2.0 been available at the time and if I was willing to spend more money, I would be very tempted to go for the next model up.

Quest 2.0

Would be nice if the next Quest has fenders (it does rain in NZ, especially in Auckland in the winter - a lot.)