I have been riding a Cruzbike for about 1.5 years, and really like it. I can feel the increased stiffness in the drive train and the decreased flex in the frame compared to other recumbents I have owned. I am not sure it actually climbs better than other recumbents, but it feels pretty fast to me.
It is true that a lot of people have a hard time getting used to the interaction of the legs and the steering. It came pretty quickly for me. I think you just have to be more conscious of more complex leg movements: the circular motion of pedaling, and the sideways sweeping of the legs when steering. Guys who get really good at it can actually ride the bike with not hands, steering with just the feet.