xtracycle long distance commuting?

[evblazer]

I've really been eying that extracycle for my Fuji Touring but at the moment I'm concerned about constant long trips on it and it being too slow. I know I'm not racing but my commute time is at the point where if I get too much longer my wife is going to start with the complaining :(
Right now I am at 22 miles round trip sometimes 30 as I am building up for my soon to be 40 mile round trip commute. :mad:
Yeah. I'm looking for another job but the pay is just too good and I'm trying to retire a little early instead of working for less longer :) As long as I can keep cycling and keep my commute time reasonable I should be ahead.

[pmseattle]

The xtracycle is not that much slower than a regular bike. No matter what kind of bike you have, a 40-miler is a pretty serious commute.

By the way, there are some drawbacks to using an xtracycle with 700c wheels, assuming that's what your bike has.

[cerewa]

An xtracycle adds a few pounds of weight, so if you're going over a lot of hills that could make a difference. (although keep in mind that you're considering adding a few pounds to a bike+rider combination that weighs maybe 200 pounds so the percentage difference isn't that much).

I personally don't think the xtracycle is the right thing for daily commuting if your daily commute involves carrying stuff that fits easily on the rear of a regular bike. You might be better off buying a trailer, or buying an extra bike+xtracycle so that you can have one cargo bike and one smaller bike. Xtracycle fans like to point out that the xtracycle is so easy to ride, but really, so is a bike with a 2-wheel trailer. Either way, you can give yourself the option to ride with a regular setup and a cargo-bike setup.

[evblazer]

I have two overflowing arkel panniers on the rear with me everyday. At my new location that may be cut down since I may be able to store some stuff there but probably not. (last time weight bike it was around 60lbs)

Right now I often have to go home dump out my stuff and then head out again on the bike again half way back to work. That would be about twice a week most times. I could use a trailer those days but dragging a trailer 20 miles or more miles empty in traffic sounds more akward then the xtracycle.

I do have 700C wheels, I'm not planning on any surfing on the snap deck just carrying 60lbs of dog food and some other items. I know there are some weight issues are there others with the 700C?

[turtle77]

Yeah,I'd also like to know what the issues are with the 700c version compared to the 26"-er. Thanks.

[wahoonc]

Yeah,I'd also like to know what the issues are with the 700c version compared to the 26"-er. Thanks.

Ditto! I have two bikes that are potential candidates for Xtra cycle conversion one 26" MTB and one is a 700c commuter. I know that the drop frame is not as stiff as the regular diamond frame. But the why on 26 vs 700 wheels? I know that my old touring wheels were 700c and I have never managed to break on of those, but have trashed several 26" wheels.

Aaron:)

[pmseattle]

The main drawback is that there is almost no room for the rear wheel and tire if you use 700c. You have to use the very skinniest tire - any bigger than 700c-28 and the tire may rub on the free radical. There is a horizontal bar across the back of the free radical, and that is where the interference occurs. This also makes it difficult to install full fenders. To use a fender, you could just cut the end off where it would hit the bar, but then you would be defeating the purpose of having full fenders.
On the other hand, the free radical works very well with almost any frame designed for 26" wheels. One caveat is that the frame really needs to have a chainstay bridge.

[wahoonc]

The main drawback is that there is almost no room for the rear wheel and tire if you use 700c. You have to use the very skinniest tire - any bigger than 700c-28 and the tire may rub on the free radical. There is a horizontal bar across the back of the free radical, and that is where the interference occurs. This also makes it difficult to install full fenders. To use a fender, you could just cut the end off where it would hit the bar, but then you would be defeating the purpose of having full fenders.
On the other hand, the free radical works very well with almost any frame designed for 26" wheels. One caveat is that the frame really needs to have a chainstay bridge.

Okay that kicks my city bike off the potential conversion list. It has 700x40c on it...and 99% of my bikes have fenders.

I guess it will be the Giant Iguana then:p Will Freddy Fenders fit on the Free Radical? I have a set of yellow ones:rolleyes: :D

Aaron:)

[pmseattle]

700c-40 will not fit in a free radical.

With a 26" wheel, Freddy Fenders will fit just fine - they are on my xtracycle. It's a good idea to put a long mud flap on, however.

[bigfo]

I have 700 x 35's on my 700c xtracycle. One thing I did so I was able to put fenders on was I dropped a 1/2" nut in the holes before I put the Free Rads on. I wrapped them in duct tape so they woudn't rattle and put the Free Rads on. My tire fit fine before but I wanted a fender and by putting those nuts in there, I was able to fit a fender. I have the Freddy Fenders and the mudflap just rests on the outside of that rear horizontal bar.

[pmseattle]

I have 700 x 35's on my 700c xtracycle. One thing I did so I was able to put fenders on was I dropped a 1/2" nut in the holes before I put the Free Rads on. I wrapped them in duct tape so they woudn't rattle and put the Free Rads on. My tire fit fine before but I wanted a fender and by putting those nuts in there, I was able to fit a fender. I have the Freddy Fenders and the mudflap just rests on the outside of that rear horizontal bar.

I'm surprised the 700c x35 works. There is one I see around here with 700c x 32 that actually rubs on the rear bar. I would think the rider would go nuts. I believe the free radical frame is the same dimension whether you get it for 26" or 700c wheels. If you have 26" wheels there are absolutely no clearance issues. One other thing to consider is that with a heavy duty 26" wheel you can really load the bike up with confidence. My rear wheel is a 40-spoke rhino lite with a tandem hub. We have a cargo bike ride and picnic here several times a year, and most of the bikes that participate are xtracycles loaded with coolers, barbecues, charcoal, food, folding patio chairs, and small children.

[bigfo]

With the 700c x35's there is about a 3/8" clearance betweenthe tire and that bar. I think alot depends on what kind of tire you have as well. I have just the stock hybrid tires that came on my Trek 7300 so there isn't that much tread on them. I know I couldn't fit knobbies on there, those would rub and like you said, drive me nuts! I also had some 36 spoke Salsa Delgado cross rims laced up for this bike and so far they have been super solid.

[wahoonc]

When I get a bit closer to the conversion stage I will email Xtracycle about the clearance issues. I wonder if there is an adjustment to allow for a slightly larger tire. I really would prefer to use the Staiger because it is already set up with a generator hub, 21 speed drive train and a drop frame for easier mounts and dismounts, and I like the way the 700c wheels roll. I know they offer two different setups, one for 26" and one for the 700c, but they don't say what the difference is. I would think they would want to provide a suitable unit that would allow a large sized 700c tire. Most people that would buy the conversion would be mounting it on a city bike or a touring bike, which typically are going to have the larger sized tires on them.

Aaron:)

[Cyclaholic]

I've really been eying that extracycle for my Fuji Touring but at the moment I'm concerned about constant long trips on it and it being too slow. I know I'm not racing but my commute time is at the point where if I get too much longer my wife is going to start with the complaining :(
Right now I am at 22 miles round trip sometimes 30 as I am building up for my soon to be 40 mile round trip commute. :mad:
Yeah. I'm looking for another job but the pay is just too good and I'm trying to retire a little early instead of working for less longer :) As long as I can keep cycling and keep my commute time reasonable I should be ahead.

40 miles isn't a long commute, I did 65 miles a day, 5 days a week for a couple of years, fortunately it was only 300ft of climbing each way. It took a few weeks to settle into it, then it felt like any other commute. I started that one on a cheap mountain bike with slicks then built my Surly LHT about 3 months into it. Most of my commutes have been from 35 - 50 miles a day, it's really no big deal once you settle in to it.

Going to the surly made it a bit faster, comfortable and enjoyable. I used to carry one small pannier's worth of gear daily and a 6 pound battery to power my lights in winter. Do you really need the carrying capacity of the xtracycle?

[The Human Car]

I run 700x32 with no problems and I think my son has at least 700x38 on his again with no problems. And you’ll see me on century rides with my X so for me at least distance is not an issue.