Cruzbike S40 Recumbent Bike - Ride Along

I wanted to give you something a little different this time - not a review, not a spec breakdown, just real footage of a typical ride on my Cruzbike S40 with a live speedometer on screen so you can see exactly how fast I'm actually going. This is a standard 24-mile ride for me, nothing record-setting, just a good look at what a normal day on this bike looks like.

The Conditions

It was a nice day out - around 70°F with a steady 10 to 12 mph wind. I mounted the camera directly on the bike for this one, which came with some noticeable shake (a lesson learned - next time it's going on the helmet instead), but it does put you right in the saddle for the ride. The route runs through a long stretch of pine forest, one of my favorite pieces of trail to be on.

Into the Wind, Then With It

The first half of the ride heads straight into that 10-12 mph wind, and you can watch the speedometer dip in response - I was holding around 17-18 mph on the way out. Once I turned around, the tailwind pushed me back up to a solid 20 mph cruising speed. What stood out to me watching the numbers afterward is that my speed didn't swing dramatically between the two directions - the S40 held a pretty consistent pace whether the wind was in my face or at my back.

Chasing Down Road Bikes

About 15 miles in, with the wind now at my back, I spotted a pack of road and fitness bikes up ahead and decided to reel them in. They looked the part - full kit, the whole setup - but I was able to close the gap and pass them without much trouble, cruising around 20 mph (about 32 km/h) to do it. It's one of my favorite things about riding a recumbent in public: the reactions from other riders, especially fellow recumbent cyclists who give the biggest waves every time.

A Quick Note on the Tires

If you're wondering why the tires look a bit heftier than a typical road setup, the S40 came with touring tires, similar in profile to what you'd see on a fitness bike. They roll fine for the riding I do, but I've thought about swapping to something more road-oriented down the line if I want a bit more speed out of the setup.

Wildlife Encounters

Toward the end of the ride I came up fast on a group of vultures perched right on the trail - startled the both of us, honestly. Small reminder that even a routine ride through familiar trails can throw a little surprise at you.

The Takeaway

This wasn't meant to prove anything - just a straightforward look at what a typical 24-mile day on the S40 feels like, with real numbers to back up the experience. The biggest thing I took away watching it back is how even the pace stayed regardless of wind direction, and how satisfying it is to cruise past road bikes without breaking a sweat. If you're curious what recumbent commuting or fitness riding actually looks like day to day, this is about as representative as it gets.