Living Car Free - Xtracycle on a car?

Hi,

I live very car lite (my boyfriend has a car which gets used occasionally) and have been thinking of getting an xtracycle, as many people on here seem to advocate.

One problem that I can foresee is that I rent a flat, and move fairly frequently. Usually I do this by getting my dad to put everything I want to move into the back of his (estate) car, and the bike either goes on the roof or on the back of the boot, in the normal way. However from what I can see the wheelbase of the xtracycle certainly prevents it going on the roof, and could cause problems on the back.

Has anyone sucessfully managed to transport a xtracycle on their car, and if so, how did they do it?

There is apparently a technique for attaching xtracycles, minus the front wheel, to bus racks and car roof racks as well. Contact the Xtracycle posse for details; they're friendly, and eager to solve any difficulties with their product folks might have.

If you're moving within a city, it'd probably be worth it to move a load or so with your xtracycle and just leave the bike at the new flat. But yes, they fit on cars, and I've put mine inside a station wagon without the front wheel attached, and no passengers in the back.

My friend's fits in his saab w/o front wheel. It may be worthwhile to invest in a roof rack w/a tandam tray.

Mine fits in my wifes VW Jetta with the back seat folded down and the front tire off. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it can be done.

To fit mine in a small station wagon I take off the back wheel and loosen the three points the Xtracycle attaches to the frame and it sort of just folds up to regular bike size (but I bit more awkward to handle.

I just bought one and found out how tricky it was when bringing it home.:eek: Ths is what I found out so far:

I used a rear mount rack to bring it home- doesn't matter how long it is IF you strap it down tight.;)

I found out that a recumbant bike mount attached to my Yakima roof rack system would also do the trick.

I also found out, and what I plan to do some time in the future, is to attach a Yakima 73" tray to one of my other bike mounts to make it long enough to carry the bike- with the wheel off and the fork mounted into the fork mount on the rack. This seemed to be the most secure, but least expensive, route to go.

Since I now mainly RIDE the bike I don't have a need for the car rack in the near future, but there will be times I may need it later on next spring......

Jon

Now putting the car on the Xtracycle.....That would be a good trick! :)

We use a Yakima Load Warrior (Mega Warrior would also work), with one added extender, and a Yakima Boa to attach the fork and tire to the frame. I found I didn't need a tray rack with this solution, and that the extention piece came with an additional bar which allows me to attach one or two regular length bikes on the same Load Warrior (again with the Boa). Keep in mind that the Xtracycle on a bike is a little heavy to put on a roof rack by yourself, and may not be a good solution for everyone.

Incidently the wheelbase of my bike with xtracycle is nearly identical to my Dad's recumbent (Bacchetta Cafe), so we are able to use the same mounting hardware with out any additional setup.

Interesting ideas, thanks. Of course plan b would be for me to travel alone on the train with the bike and my dad drive....now thats a good plan.