Ever since we first discovered the SUB, in the form of the ElliptiGO Long-stride (read about it here), we longed to have a similar, trail worthy version. Something that would allow us to go off road and continue to experience the adventures we always sought while trail running and mountain biking. Heck, even something that could better handle our pot-holed city streets or the less than ideal country back roads nearby….
So, last month, we decided to do yet another Google search to see if such a SUB existed. Not our first search, but if at first you don’t succeed….change your search terms, and repeat! We hit Google pay-dirt when we landed on the Cyclete website (cue the music!).
According to the website, the Cyclete “combines a fluid, powerful, patented teardrop motion that blends the best of running and cycling while significantly reducing harsh impact, numbness, knee and other joint strain.” And the Cyclete “Trailrunner” is specifically made for the trails! Exciting! BTW: According to the website, a road version is also available.
The Cyclete is designed and built in Marin, California, no less – the birthplace of mountain biking. To understand why Marin is considered the birthplace of Mountain Biking, visit the Marin Museum of Bicycling or check out this fun documentary we recently watched. The Cyclete comes trail-ready with knobby WTB Ranger 29-er tires (tubeless!), top of the line components (SRAM Eagle 1×12), disc breaks, mud/debris shedding and “silent” platforms/rollers and a sturdy aluminum frame. And the motion? Not elliptical exactly, but rather tear-drop – to better simulate that of running. Check out the motion here and here. This SUB also comes complete with front fork braze-ons aplenty to allow for panniers and extra water bottles. Trail, grocery store runs, commuting, bike camping…. you name it – this SUB looks built to do it all.
So, within a few days’ time, we were making the 2-hour drive west to Marin, where we were to meet with Cyclete’s designer/inventor Steven Ascher, and have a closer look – and take a test spin of course!
What we discovered: Yes please!
After meeting at Cyclete Cottage (where the Cyclete was invented and where each one is hand assembled), Steven, after giving us some history on the design/evolution of this unique and well-engineered machine, kindly took us for a spin.
We had high expectations of this SUB given all the positive praise we’d read about from current owners via the website (see reviews here) as well as on the Cyclete Facebook group (a dedicated and enthusiastic group of current (or inquiring/aspiring) owners, as well as the inventor/builder himself, where Cyclete Q & A and Cycleting/SUB stories are freely shared).
The Cyclete did not disappoint! We were both smitten from the get-go.
The Cyclete proved to be exactly what we were looking for. So stable, smooth, and quiet. The tear-drop motion, while distinctly different than the ElliptiGO long-stride that we’re accustomed – feeling slightly more compact that the GO, but every bit as fluid and natural. We found that the gearing was well-suited to handle the steep climbs we found on our ride, as well as the flats.
While we’d hoped we’d be bringing a pair home after test-riding, we promptly learned that all the 2018 Cycletes were sold out for the year and that new orders wouldn’t be fulfilled until late Spring. So sad! Well, we promptly placed our order for two – and will patiently await their arrival in May-June!