Almost everyone who tries a Fusion, Cruz, Dynamik, or Zenetik, makes a comment about the great climb. What is it about these bikes that enhances climb? The explanation lies in handlebar and crank placement. With the crank forward more than a conventional bike and the bars placed low, just above the knees, you can pull yourself down into the pedals. Using this technique it is easy to apply more than your weight to the pedals, which is all standing on the pedals will provide. If you move the crank further aft, or raise the handlebar too high, the effect is diminished, if not lost. The handlebars must be fairly low, approxitimately above the knees in order to affect the climbing traction. Climbing is not the only place the effect works, starting from a complete stop, using the bars to dig in, will accelerate the bike nicely. When you test ride a RANS crank forward design, remember to try the trick of pulling on the bars to climb or accelerate, be sure the bars are adjusted to the right height of just above the knees and they are secure! |
