I wouldn’t say it was reluctance that it took me this long to write about an xtracycle I picked up from the heads at biketrailershop.com. But then, after I put down the cash for the freeradical(FR), it sat in the garage for months while I slept through the pain of spring. A few weeks or maybe months later, I finished the “first phase” of installation which basically means it’s up and running as a single speed since I have yet to sort out the shifter do-dads. In due time I suppose.
The free radical, while not being very imposing, once installed, adds an inevitable bullshit dead feel to any bike. Much like installing system wheels. This is the trade off of being able to haul extrac cargo, people and otherwise. In fact, I see these family blog pics of what people will attempt with their xtracycles in the name of Carbon Neutrality and I am reminded that there really aren’t any limits to the hauling. Mel even has her stories. And Crazy Joe hauled a desk and I believe a refrigerator with his. Like I said…
When it came to the install, I had to smash the O.G. derilla hanger on my nishiki like a huckster railing Schultz in order for the FR to fit. That seems stupid. The FR design should take the hanger into account, but when moding a bike like this I expect there to be a certain amount of snafu. The kit does indeed come with everything needed to install the bastard half-bike; extra chain, cables etc… Even with that though, it was a typical all day project. The Ultegra wheels I use on my townie were spaced too narrow for the 700c specific FR. That was corrected with washers and the dish is off. That’s a little lame.
While at it, there are two other things the xtracycle dudes are behind the ball on:
1. They need to make the 700c version compatible with 29er bikes. Their current 700c design permits tires no larger than 43c. How proper. It seems that all they’d need to do is space the arches to accommodate 29er tires and it’d be all good to go, but as it stands, there is no option for the 29er set.
2. I’ve been looking at attaching or making a child seat for the kid. Considering that an extracycle pretty much means the bike is for utility/daily errands, I have to tow the boy with me. Having to tow a burly behind an SS xtracycle pushed the suck factor way past tilt. Unfortunately, I’ll have to make a custom child-seat for the xtracycle in order to eliminate the trailer. Sure, that’s a fun idea, but it will take me months to get it done at this rate. Considering the significance of the xtracycle as far as expanding the utility of a bike, they ought to have this accessory and a few others figured out already.
Once I get it dialed for my daily deal; adding gears to the mix and possibly finding some form of electric motor like the stoke monkey, I will have rounded out my effort to be “carbon neutral” on the daily. That way, I will be able to consume more beer.
As it is, I’ve been an xtracycle convert for about 1.5 months or so. What I’ve come to realize is that the volumous paniers plump out with crap: diapers, blankets, nalgenes, lock(s), pen(s), paper, receipts, trash, cans and other various assortments of crap that I end up hauling around the town. The benefit of all that room of course, is that it is unbelievably easy to haul multiple 30 packs where ever they need to go.
In all, the project has been a good one. I’m happy I picked up the xtracycle although I do miss my og Nishiki.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
You had me at thirty pack…
July 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
30 pack of Tecate on sale at Safe Way right down from the house today. 15.99 limit 3 per customer. I got my limit.
Done and done, see you in hell.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Smart shopping, I say!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
All hail blocks of beer.
Yo, drunky, glad to hear you’re becoming the family mule with your Xtracycle/Nishiki. Sorry to hear about the install issues, esp. with the derailleur hanger. If you’ve got picks of the issue/problem area, please send them to design[at]xtracycle[dot]com for Peter to be aware.
Like any “one size fits all” product, life’s spice, variety, throws a few curve balls here and there and can sometimes cause install pains.
Regarding the 29er, we’re in development of an HD FreeRad with 29er capability. The Riding the Spine boys are testing one out currently.
For carrying kids, we offer PeaPod. Should work on your current setup, but if you want to wait, we’re coming out with an Xtracycle specific kid’s bike seat, PeaPod LT. Picks can be seen here. We’ll be releasing more info in the coming month.
Hope that helps.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
[...] http://drunkcyclist.com/2009/07/24/the-xtracycle-life-how-to-make-your-bike-a-purse/ [...]
July 24th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
[...] The Xtracycle Life: How to Make Your Bike a Purse [...]
July 24th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Rick Pickett, thanks for the heads up. Pea Pod looks like a good option, but I’m more inclined to run some handlebars and a padded seat/seat-belt with a back rest so my 2 year old doesn’t inadvertently loop out when I start smashing pedals. He’s just at the point of not being totally helpless, and just at the point where he’d let go of the handlebars if that’s all he had. Otherwise though, it’s a great thing.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Definitely use the seatbelt. They like to fall asleep and off at that age.
July 25th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I couldn’t imagine putting my child in one of those and going out among two-ton death missiles.
July 25th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Well Dave, that’s because you aren’t a godless, child-hating homosexual communist heathen, like the rest of the readers on this site. No, not you. You are an upstanding, strong, handsome, heterosexual man who knows how to protect his family from harm and make gobs of money while doing so. I know this because you take every single available opportunity to tell us these things.
July 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Wow, I’ve been looking for the site for godless, child-hating homosexual communist heathens, and I’ve finally found it!
Seriously, love the thoughts about ways to carry kids, even though mine are way past the age.
July 26th, 2009 at 6:37 am
E, it’s worse than that. I’m a middle-aged fuck that don’t get to ride near enough. I’ve got all I can do to keep twenty-odd pounds of fixed Crosscheck out of harm’s way, never mind some pig of a freakbike plus a loaded trailer.
Of course you lot all have superhuman bike handling skills. Trackstands? Blindfolded, I’m sure. Backward circles on an Extracycle, pulling (pushing?) a BOB trailer loaded with a couch, a piano and two cords of split oak? Bet you do it all the time. Couple 30 packs and the kids balanced on the handlebars, even.
Seriously, how many Biker Down articles there been this year? If it was only one it was too many. I think about that every time I ride. They were adults, though, and presumedly they knew the risk.
But it’s your business. I’m just saying that given the roads and traffic, I wouldn’t do it.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Greetings — may I post a picture of this Xtracycle on my blog?
http://www.xtracyclegallery.com
Naturally I will attribute and link and so forth…
Thanks in advance!!
John