Great Climbers!
Your first ride on a FF will instantly reveal the power stroke. With the feet forward it creates an automatic “dig in” effect when pulling on the bars. 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. The handlebars must be fairly low, (to get the best effect the handlebars need to be adjusted to just 1” or 2” above the highest point of the knee) 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 FF bike, 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 that they are secure.
