Utility Cycling - Every girl needs an xtracycle

Ever since I got my first one, Sara has been hinting heavily that she would like one. Since it means that she can go to the grocery store on her own now, I happily obliged.
Getting built now. More photos on my site :)

Nice photos! I was just in Whistler and WA, so I recognized some of the locations. You should post up the final xtra-cycle shot of the new bike...

Where are they on the site? I'd like to see that. It might give my girl ideas too.


Hey, you think if you padded the snapdeck, it could be a makeout mobile?

Nice photos! I was just in Whistler and WA, so I recognized some of the locations. You should post up the final xtra-cycle shot of the new bike...

will do :)


Sammyboy - more photos here for now. Ill have a gallery up when its all finished etc

http://www.bikerubbish.com/gracious


I'm sure something could be rigged ;)

Sweet!

This has been my desktop for several days now...

So is this thing practicle for regular commuting on a road bike? Do they have a website?

It is, kjmillig. I ride mine all the time.

www.xtracycle.com is their site, as per your request.

It is, kjmillig. I ride mine all the time.

www.xtracycle.com is their site, as per your request.

I've been eyeing the Xtracycle as a commuter add-on to my Giant steel MTB. But for the life of me, I can't quite figure out how the thing attaches to a frame...does it all fit once you've taken the rear wheel off? Like it somehow bolts to your existing frame and, with chain adjustments, etc. you just have extended your bike 30" with all the rack business?

I really like the way it looks, the possibilities for running errands and the whole concept of the SUB. But as a primitive wrencher, I'm intimidated by not quite understanding how the thing works. And the Xtracycle website doesn't really explain that part...

I've been eyeing the Xtracycle as a commuter add-on to my Giant steel MTB. But for the life of me, I can't quite figure out how the thing attaches to a frame...does it all fit once you've taken the rear wheel off? Like it somehow bolts to your existing frame and, with chain adjustments, etc. you just have extended your bike 30" with all the rack business?

I really like the way it looks, the possibilities for running errands and the whole concept of the SUB. But as a primitive wrencher, I'm intimidated by not quite understanding how the thing works. And the Xtracycle website doesn't really explain that part...

Rumor has it that the site will be updated and a little clearer on that and some other points in the near future. In the meantime let me put your fears to rest by saying that you will love it :D

These are some shots I took when I got my first one. I'll have some better photos soon.






clients(not me)




There is a ton more photos on my site. Either in the galleries or if you go to the journal and type xtracycle in, it will pull up a bunch. Check out one in person if you can, you will be sold :)

How about starting a thread "Every guy needs a girl with an extracycle"? :D

I've got an extra frame lying around that I could use to get to the trailhead in town, ~10km away. This is a fantastic idea:

found the owner's manual .pdf posted on the Xtracycle FAQ in answer to someone's question about proper strapping of the bags...the diagrams showed me pretty much everything I had been wondering about...

thnx,

Woody

It's a bolt on accessory and can be removed from the bike and the bike restored to its original configuration without damage. They are very nice when you want do loaded touring and that sort of thing. Another similar bolt on accessory like the Xtracycle is this any bike to trike kit.

I had been interested in an xtracycle. I finally found a store in town that had one so I went down to see it. The shop owner had a bike of his own with the xtracycle kit as well as the kit for sale. He had obviously left his own xtracycle outside. The wooden platform was all scorched and peeling from the sun. The canvas was all faded. The one he had for sale didn't look much better. I took a pass.

That trike thing is a kick, but it must weigh a ton with all those excessive spokes and all that metal. For a real cargo trike, I like the Hase Lepus with the cargo area in the rear. Saw one in person. It was really fun to ride, too. http://www.hasebikes.com/ens/lepus/index.php

I had been interested in an xtracycle. I finally found a store in town that had one so I went down to see it. The shop owner had a bike of his own with the xtracycle kit as well as the kit for sale. He had obviously left his own xtracycle outside. The wooden platform was all scorched and peeling from the sun. The canvas was all faded. The one he had for sale didn't look much better. I took a pass.

That trike thing is a kick, but it must weigh a ton with all those excessive spokes and all that metal. For a real cargo trike, I like the Hase Lepus with the cargo area in the rear. Saw one in person. It was really fun to ride, too. http://www.hasebikes.com/ens/lepus/index.php

Interesting theory- if the owner doesn't take care of his, you won't buy one? :eek: :D

I missed your post the first time relayer- cool! haha :)

Okay.. remind me again WHY one would want to do this?

Seems a Burley or Bob trailer would serve the purpose much better.

Are we simply novelty prone when it comes to putting bike wheels on odd metal sculptures?

Okay.. remind me again WHY one would want to do this?

Seems a Burley or Bob trailer would serve the purpose much better.

Are we simply novelty prone when it comes to putting bike wheels on odd metal sculptures?

Because it handles better. I've seen xtracycles in somepretty crazy derbies, with people riding on the back trying to knock the other riders off. No way you could do that with a trailer. You can also arry them up stairs a lot easier.

I want to get one sometime, but I don't have the money or non-fixie bike to convert...

Put 100lbs of sand on an xtracycle and in a trailer behind a bike. Ride them both down a nice steep hill and then slam on the brakes. After you've done that, comeback and report your results. That is, if you survive doing the trailer part ofthe experiment.

appears that Surly is coming out with a bike that will replicate? improve? compete with? imitate? the Xtracycle retrofit: it's called the Big Dummy

Surlyblog discussion on Wed., Nov 1st found http://www.surlybikes.com/surlyblog.html

Interesting comment about the handling of the prototype Big Dummy vs. the Xtracycle (in Surly's preliminary opinion, of course) under loaded conditions...

My thought: if the retrofit Xtracycle is $ 399 including panniers, what price will the Big Dummy have to be to compete? Or will they just sell a Big Dummy frame?

Interesting theory- if the owner doesn't take care of his, you won't buy one? :eek: :D

No, that's not it. It just didn't look like they wear well. If you rode to work everyday and parked in the sun or the fog (like I do) I was afraid it just wouldn't last very long before it looked like a piece of junk.

That trike thing is a kick, but it must weigh a ton with all those excessive spokes and all that metal. http://www.hasebikes.com/ens/lepus/index.php
You can purchase just the trike frame and use your own wheels. These trike kits show up regularly through the years. Sort of a fad thing I guess. I have seen old version trike kits using 26" balloon wheels and 27" wheels and space for multi-speed freewheels on the jackshaft. They tend to be collector's items and sell for way too much money in my opinion.

Okay.. remind me again WHY one would want to do this?

Seems a Burley or Bob trailer would serve the purpose much better.

Are we simply novelty prone when it comes to putting bike wheels on odd metal sculptures?


Because it's a fantastic, well thought out product that does the job(hauling things) better than either of the ones you mentioned.
Try one. I was skeptical until I did and now have 3...

Because it's a fantastic, well thought out product that does the job(hauling things) better than either of the ones you mentioned.
Try one. I was skeptical until I did and now have 3...
I don't doubt any of this but I just can't spend the scratch for it
I'm the type like I'm sure many others here where their bike is worth but a fourth of the cost of the xtracycle itself

I don't doubt any of this but I just can't spend the scratch for it
I'm the type like I'm sure many others here where their bike is worth but a fourth of the cost of the xtracycle itself

sure, I was just answering Shaman's courteous inquiry about the validity of the xtracycle over other trailers.


Centex - xtracycle and surly are working together with this project.


sbhikes - Yeah I know what you meant, it just sounded a little funny so I commented :) I can't reply on how it stands up under harsh conditions etc as I take pretty good care of my gear.

appears that Surly is coming out with a bike that will replicate? improve? compete with? imitate? the Xtracycle retrofit: it's called the Big Dummy

Surlyblog discussion on Wed., Nov 1st found http://www.surlybikes.com/surlyblog.html

Interesting comment about the handling of the prototype Big Dummy vs. the Xtracycle (in Surly's preliminary opinion, of course) under loaded conditions...

My thought: if the retrofit Xtracycle is $ 399 including panniers, what price will the Big Dummy have to be to compete? Or will they just sell a Big Dummy frame?

the Big Dummy is a Surly frame made for the Xtracycle...I have an Xtracycle on my 1X1 and it was a PAIN to mount (the chainstay bridge was too close to the bottombracket)...but now I love it (my 1X1 w/Xtracycle).

the Big Dummy is a Surly frame made for the Xtracycle...I have an Xtracycle on my 1X1 and it was a PAIN to mount (the chainstay bridge was too close to the bottombracket)...but now I love it (my 1X1 w/Xtracycle).

So this is a cooperative venture? sounds good to me, whatever association designers can make that improve product lines...altho whether I would be tempted to buy a Big Dummy AND an Xtracycle Retropackage would come down to monetary investment required vs. an as-yet-unseen set of advantages.

thanks for clarification

Woody

My understanding is it would come with an extracycle.

I've got an extra frame lying around that I could use to get to the trailhead in town, ~10km away. This is a fantastic idea:


Why not just ride....the mountain bike to the trail head?????

Or am I missing something...

I've known about Xtracycles for a couple of years and the idea was cool but like most products of its type it presupposes way too much mechanical competence on the part of the buyer and/or way too much assumption that said buyer would be willing to in addition to the cost of the Xtracycle itself: source and purchase new chain and pay a welder for their time and materials. Last year I met a blind woman and we bought a tandem. On the occasions that I ride the tandem without her and go grocery shopping and hang bags and stuff off of her handlebars do I have an Xtracycle? I think I do. I think my tandem, any tandem looks far better than the slickest Xtracycle installation. Would you weld or even bolt an Xtracycle to a quality bicycle? No. So for the price of a cheap donor bike and the Xtracycle kit a tandem of similar price will allow you to have two bikes and with suitable mounting of panniers etc. carry as much and on those occasions when you do carry a passenger they will have their own set of pedals! I can't be the only one who questions the appeal of the Xtracycle concept in the face of so practical and available an alternative as a Wal-Mart tandem.

H

Why not just ride....the mountain bike to the trail head?????

Or am I missing something...

Because it's no fun to ride a dual susp soft tire combo on the road and mtb tires are spendy. Plus, when
you have an xtracycle, you just WANT to haul stuff. You have to own one to understand :D

I've known about Xtracycles for a couple of years and the idea was cool but like most products of its type it presupposes way too much mechanical competence on the part of the buyer and/or way too much assumption that said buyer would be willing to in addition to the cost of the Xtracycle itself: source and purchase new chain and pay a welder for their time and materials. Last year I met a blind woman and we bought a tandem. On the occasions that I ride the tandem without her and go grocery shopping and hang bags and stuff off of her handlebars do I have an Xtracycle? I think I do. I think my tandem, any tandem looks far better than the slickest Xtracycle installation. Would you weld or even bolt an Xtracycle to a quality bicycle? No. So for the price of a cheap donor bike and the Xtracycle kit a tandem of similar price will allow you to have two bikes and with suitable mounting of panniers etc. carry as much and on those occasions when you do carry a passenger they will have their own set of pedals! I can't be the only one who questions the appeal of the Xtracycle concept in the face of so practical and available an alternative as a Wal-Mart tandem.

H


The xtracycle isn't for everyone. They say so right on the front page of their site. That being said the above statment is so full of holes and weirdness, it must be a joke but I have to reply. Keep in mind I've never met the guys at xtracycle and am not a company spokesman. I do think it's a fantastic product, and from what I can tell is around for all the right reasons.

Now to address your post.

1. Putting it together.
Any bike shop that you buy an xtracycle from will put it together. You appear to be bad mouthing a product you know nothing about. Welder? There is no need for welding anything. The attachment goes on with 3 or 4 bolts depending on the bike and can be removed, reverting the bike back to it's original state.

2. Usefulness.
You can haul some grocery bags(plastic with handles I assume) on your tandem so therefore it is a suitable alternative for an xtracycle? If all you ever haul is a couple bags from the grocery store I can't argue with that. However, if you ever haul anything that doesn't have handles what happens then?

3. Asthetics.
Everyone has thier own opinion on what looks good, I can't really argue your statement that your tandem is more pleasing to the eye....... Yes I can. You've got to be kidding me. However, please post a photo so I can see for myself.

4. Putting it on a quality bicycle.
If you mean that you wouldn't put it on a 5 thousand dollar bike, I would possibly agree, but then
how many folks are riding around on a 5 grand commuter? You have a nice commuter bike and make it infinitely better by putting an xtracycle on it. And don't say you can haul anything with panniers than you can with an xtracycle. If you do, then prove it. I have lots of photos to back up my statements. Some argue the trailer thing, and sure, depending on what you haul/circumstances etc it may be a better choice for somebody. However, hauling a trailer, you have to be constantly aware that it is back there, and what will happen if you have to turn sharply, or if you go sailing by a rock/pothole/bump that is directly in trailer tire path at high speeds etc etc. With the xtracycle attached, you simply ride your bike like normal. I would also love to see an xtracycle and any consumer trailer in a loading/speed contest :D

5. Supporting wal mart over a company that firmly believes in trying to make a good impact on society. You have a right to make your own decisions, but you won't catch me doing that. What is even better in my opinion, is they aren't a bunch of enviornmental thugs who scream and yell and preach and spew hate and turn off more people than they convert. They walk the walk(from what I can see) and encourage others to try and do what they can. We need more of these type of companies and these type of enviornmentalists. We don't need more walmarts and walmart bikes.



I don't think I've typed that much since college

The xtracycle isn't for everyone. They say so right on the front page of their site. That being said the above statment is so full of holes and weirdness, it must be a joke but I have to reply. Keep in mind I've never met the guys at xtracycle and am not a company spokesman. I do think it's a fantastic product, and from what I can tell is around for all the right reasons.

Now to address your post.

1. Putting it together.
Any bike shop that you buy an xtracycle from will put it together. You appear to be bad mouthing a product you know nothing about. Welder? There is no need for welding anything. The attachment goes on with 3 or 4 bolts depending on the bike and can be removed, reverting the bike back to it's original state.

2. Usefulness.
You can haul some grocery bags(plastic with handles I assume) on your tandem so therefore it is a suitable alternative for an xtracycle? If all you ever haul is a couple bags from the grocery store I can't argue with that. However, if you ever haul anything that doesn't have handles what happens then?

3. Asthetics.
Everyone has thier own opinion on what looks good, I can't really argue your statement that your tandem is more pleasing to the eye....... Yes I can. You've got to be kidding me. However, please post a photo so I can see for myself.

4. Putting it on a quality bicycle.
If you mean that you wouldn't put it on a 5 thousand dollar bike, I would possibly agree, but then
how many folks are riding around on a 5 grand commuter? You have a nice commuter bike and make it infinitely better by putting an xtracycle on it. And don't say you can haul anything with panniers than you can with an xtracycle. If you do, then prove it. I have lots of photos to back up my statements. Some argue the trailer thing, and sure, depending on what you haul/circumstances etc it may be a better choice for somebody. However, hauling a trailer, you have to be constantly aware that it is back there, and what will happen if you have to turn sharply, or if you go sailing by a rock/pothole/bump that is directly in trailer tire path at high speeds etc etc. With the xtracycle attached, you simply ride your bike like normal. I would also love to see an xtracycle and any consumer trailer in a loading/speed contest :D

5. Supporting wal mart over a company that firmly believes in trying to make a good impact on society. You have a right to make your own decisions, but you won't catch me doing that. What is even better in my opinion, is they aren't a bunch of enviornmental thugs who scream and yell and preach and spew hate and turn off more people than they convert. They walk the walk(from what I can see) and encourage others to try and do what they can. We need more of these type of companies and these type of enviornmentalists. We don't need more walmarts and walmart bikes.



I don't think I've typed that much since college

*applauds*

The Xtracycle, as BAH said, is very easy to attach, comes with the replacement chain, supports enviornmental causes and impoverished locals, and is made to fit most any bike.

+1 to BAH's post.

I stand by my opinions.

1. Once assembled, however that is done by oneself or by the LBS I don't see anyone swapping back and forth between their original donor bike and the Xtracycle. So the extra wheelbase and mounting points are there to stay whether needed or not. Same with the tandem.

2. I do have a trailer for hauling things that don't fit easily into panniers or bags that can be easily hung off the rear handlebars. Any road obstacle or pothole that my bike can go over or through, so can the trailer. Chances are, if the load is that unwieldy, say like $200.00 worth of groceries or four loads of laundry, even the Xtracycle is going to have trouble with it.

3. There is only one Xtracycle and maybe a couple of imitators. There are dozens of tandems of every type of styling. The Xtracycle will always look like something fitted on to the back of a bicycle a tandem is an intergrated unit of function and engineering. Who is kidding who.

4. Again, if I can't figure out how to attach it to the rear half of my tandem. I will have only a slightly easier time of it getting it onto the Xtracycle. And when one isn't hauling around heavy items the capacity built into the Xtracycle is always there, as weight! Some tandems weigh less than single bikes.

5. Wal-Mart is but one source for a tandem bicycle. I chose it for an example only because at $250.00 it is the cheapest one I know of. If buying there offends one's principles and I have no love for Wal-Mart or their business model, just a certain pragmatism at times- that does not negate other points of my argument.

6. Obviously I am not going to convince 'you' of the soundness of 'my' reasoning and all I did was 'ask' if there maybe weren't others who followed my thinking. I think your response was a little personal, almost as if you did have some financial stake in the company. Sheesh. But really the reason I bothered to post at all was the picture of the guy hauling around his girlfriend on the Xtracycle and the fact that the Xtracycle people thoughtfully provide a passenger seat for such a purpose. I'm sorry, I am not at all unfit but there is only so much horsepower coming out of the average pair of male legs. Hauling groceries is one thing but when live human beings come aboard a bicycle I am piloting I like to provide them with their own pair of pedals. Most of the people I carry wouldn't have it any other way.

H

I saw a guy on an Xtracycle hauling firewood up a 9.6% grade.

Pretty slowly, but still!

3. There is only one Xtracycle and maybe a couple of imitators. There are dozens of tandems of every type of styling. The Xtracycle will always look like something fitted on to the back of a bicycle a tandem is an intergrated unit of function and engineering. Who is kidding who.

4. Again, if I can't figure out how to attach it to the rear half of my tandem. I will have only a slightly easier time of it getting it onto the Xtracycle. And when one isn't hauling around heavy items the capacity built into the Xtracycle is always there, as weight! Some tandems weigh less than single bikes.

i'm going to attach mine to my tandem...just my $.02

I stand by my opinions.

1. Once assembled, however that is done by oneself or by the LBS I don't see anyone swapping back and forth between their original donor bike and the Xtracycle. So the extra wheelbase and mounting points are there to stay whether needed or not. Same with the tandem.

2. I do have a trailer for hauling things that don't fit easily into panniers or bags that can be easily hung off the rear handlebars. Any road obstacle or pothole that my bike can go over or through, so can the trailer. Chances are, if the load is that unwieldy, say like $200.00 worth of groceries or four loads of laundry, even the Xtracycle is going to have trouble with it.

3. There is only one Xtracycle and maybe a couple of imitators. There are dozens of tandems of every type of styling. The Xtracycle will always look like something fitted on to the back of a bicycle a tandem is an intergrated unit of function and engineering. Who is kidding who.

4. Again, if I can't figure out how to attach it to the rear half of my tandem. I will have only a slightly easier time of it getting it onto the Xtracycle. And when one isn't hauling around heavy items the capacity built into the Xtracycle is always there, as weight! Some tandems weigh less than single bikes.

5. Wal-Mart is but one source for a tandem bicycle. I chose it for an example only because at $250.00 it is the cheapest one I know of. If buying there offends one's principles and I have no love for Wal-Mart or their business model, just a certain pragmatism at times- that does not negate other points of my argument.

6. Obviously I am not going to convince 'you' of the soundness of 'my' reasoning and all I did was 'ask' if there maybe weren't others who followed my thinking. I think your response was a little personal, almost as if you did have some financial stake in the company. Sheesh. But really the reason I bothered to post at all was the picture of the guy hauling around his girlfriend on the Xtracycle and the fact that the Xtracycle people thoughtfully provide a passenger seat for such a purpose. I'm sorry, I am not at all unfit but there is only so much horsepower coming out of the average pair of male legs. Hauling groceries is one thing but when live human beings come aboard a bicycle I am piloting I like to provide them with their own pair of pedals. Most of the people I carry wouldn't have it any other way.

H

If you're happy with your ride and options, more power to you brother! I do encourage you to test ride an xtracycle though, if for nothing else to gain a bit more knowledge of the product. You have a lot of incorrect assumptions about it :)

I want one, but I am so fickle I have no idea if I would really use it. I have racks, panniers, trunk bags...etc...however I use none of it, and stick with the old mess. bag 99.999% of the time.

No, that's not it. It just didn't look like they wear well. If you rode to work everyday and parked in the sun or the fog (like I do) I was afraid it just wouldn't last very long before it looked like a piece of junk.

FWIW Xtracycle has been very good at sending me replacement snap decks free of charge.

I stand by my opinions...Obviously I am not going to convince 'you' of the soundness of 'my' reasoning and all I did was 'ask' if there maybe weren't others who followed my thinking. I think your response was a little personal, almost as if you did have some financial stake in the company.
I don't know anything about the xtracycle except what I have read on BF, never having seen one anywhere.
But I follow your line of thinking and skepticism about the value/practicality of this product. Testimonials that rely on "You have to own one to understand" or Industry-Internet scuttlebutt about rumored availability/upgrades of the product leave me cold.

I also have the impression of the OP having an emotional, if not financial, stake in this product. Quite similar to the devotees of other unique/unusual cycling products who consider any less than positive comment or question as a personal affront.

6. Obviously I am not going to convince 'you' of the soundness of 'my' reasoning and all I did was 'ask' if there maybe weren't others who followed my thinking. I think your response was a little personal, almost as if you did have some financial stake in the company. Sheesh. But really the reason I bothered to post at all was the picture of the guy hauling around his girlfriend on the Xtracycle and the fact that the Xtracycle people thoughtfully provide a passenger seat for such a purpose. I'm sorry, I am not at all unfit but there is only so much horsepower coming out of the average pair of male legs. Hauling groceries is one thing but when live human beings come aboard a bicycle I am piloting I like to provide them with their own pair of pedals. Most of the people I carry wouldn't have it any other way.

H


I don't know anything about the xtracycle except what I have read on BF, never having seen one anywhere.
But I follow your line of thinking and skepticism about the value/practicality of this product. Testimonials that rely on "You have to own one to understand" or Industry-Internet scuttlebutt about rumored availability/upgrades of the product leave me cold.

I also have the impression of the OP having an emotional, if not financial, stake in this product. Quite similar to the devotees of other unique/unusual cycling products who consider any less than positive comment or question as a personal affront.

Sounds like a couple of people that might have financial stakes in the tandem or trailer industries. Both admit that they have no personal experience with the product being discussed. Why jump in this thread and question the integrity of the OP? Couple of trolls, IMHO.

Put 100lbs of sand on an xtracycle and in a trailer behind a bike. Ride them both down a nice steep hill and then slam on the brakes. After you've done that, comeback and report your results. That is, if you survive doing the trailer part ofthe experiment.

I've been meaning to reply to this but kept forgetting to. How exactly would you put a 100 lb. bag of anything on an Xtracycle? You obviously wouldn't mount it on just one side so would you put all the weight up high over top of the rear wheel? If so, get back to me on how easy it is to corner or climb hills when standing with that much weight up high, or on the side. From experience carrying almost that much weight on a trailer, the only difference I feel cornering or climbing is that I'm going slower. I have no desire to have that much weight attached directly to my bike which I'm very accustomed to throwing around while I ride. I realize that braking performance is aided by having all the weight on the bike (less likely to skid a tire) but in either case, I wouldn't pick up too much speed on a downhill because melting my brake pads would be way more of a concern than locking a tire.

I've been meaning to reply to this but kept forgetting to. How exactly would you put a 100 lb. bag of anything on an Xtracycle? You obviously wouldn't mount it on just one side so would you put all the weight up high over top of the rear wheel? If so, get back to me on how easy it is to corner or climb hills when standing with that much weight up high, or on the side. From experience carrying almost that much weight on a trailer, the only difference I feel cornering or climbing is that I'm going slower. I have no desire to have that much weight attached directly to my bike which I'm very accustomed to throwing around while I ride. I realize that braking performance is aided by having all the weight on the bike (less likely to skid a tire) but in either case, I wouldn't pick up too much speed on a downhill because melting my brake pads would be way more of a concern than locking a tire.


"One day I loaded it down with two 5-gallon kegs of beer, a soundsystem and another 40 pounds of stuff. All total the load was about 200 pounds in addition to myself, right around the intended weight limit....I ended up putting about 30 miles on it, both on and off road. Sure, my legs were cooked, but it was nice to know was the Dummy was capable of whatever I was capable of."

Both admit that they have no personal experience with the product being discussed. Why jump in this thread and question the integrity of the OP? Couple of trolls, IMHO.
How 'bout you? What is your personal experience with this item? I see you posting two posts later,( http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=3359384&postcount=42 ) pictures and quotes from the Surly web page just like a Company flack.

I really like mine. I don't have the Wideloader (the horizontal platform), and I can still carry (haul) 4 bags of groceries (or a case of beer or 2). It's attached to my Surly 1x1, so some hills under load are a challange.

also, on the Xtracycle site, you can find owners in your area willing to let you try the Xtracycle...

"One day I loaded it down with two 5-gallon kegs of beer, a soundsystem and another 40 pounds of stuff. All total the load was about 200 pounds in addition to myself, right around the intended weight limit....I ended up putting about 30 miles on it, both on and off road. Sure, my legs were cooked, but it was nice to know was the Dummy was capable of whatever I was capable of."

If you were trying to answer my question, you didn't, although I am impressed that someone rode 30 miles with 200 lbs. of stuff. Notice how evenly distributed that load is with the majority of the weight down low. The Xtracycle looks great if all of your loads are that easily distributed. Often, in my experience, they are not. What do you do then?

ILTB, you seem like someone who would have an xtracycle. It's the ultimate in useful, utilitarian accessory with complete unpretentiousness. And it's kinda ugly, too. Snobs hate xtracycles.

Here's a guy with an xtracycle P-38 recumbent:

ILTB, you seem like someone who would have an xtracycle. It's the ultimate in useful, utilitarian accessory with complete unpretentiousness. And it's kinda ugly, too. Snobs hate xtracycles.

Here's a guy with an xtracycle P-38 recumbent:


Would like to see the image, but it doesn't appear in browser and repasting link gives message:

"You don't have permission to access /Lightning P38 - xtrracycle pickup truck.jpg on this server."

Would like to see the image, but it doesn't appear in browser and repasting link gives message:

"You don't have permission to access /Lightning P38 - xtrracycle pickup truck.jpg on this server."
How odd. I wonder why I have permission? Anyway, I tried to download it and the post it as an attachment but it gave me errors. Sorry. Here's the link to see the picture. With any luck, you can visit the site.
http://lightningriders.com/Lightning%20P38%20%20-%20xtrracycle%20pickup%20truck.jpg
link to picture (http://lightningriders.com/Lightning%20P38%20%20-%20xtrracycle%20pickup%20truck.jpg).

Forbidden for me as well.

How odd. I wonder why I have permission? Anyway, I tried to download it and the post it as an attachment but it gave me errors. Sorry. Here's the link to see the picture. With any luck, you can visit the site.
http://lightningriders.com/Lightning%20P38%20%20-%20xtrracycle%20pickup%20truck.jpg
link to picture (http://lightningriders.com/Lightning%20P38%20%20-%20xtrracycle%20pickup%20truck.jpg).
The URL Returns:

"Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /Lightning P38 - xtrracycle pickup truck.jpg on this server.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
Apache/1.3.36 Server at www.lightningriders.com Port 80"