Day two... and a few hours in to the project.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike4.jpg

Great bike!.. but.. the pond?? Where is the pond??:eek:

And the bikes behind the fence, what did they do to end up in jail??:thumb:

Day three and she's home... tomorrow I might have to get a shot at the pond :D

Replaced the brace with a 7/8 steel pipe, added grips, Sachs Huret shifters, an idler, and the deck... it had to be a skateboard.

The ride is amazing with nary a creak and the bike does not know what a bump is...everyone at the shop had to take the bike for a ride and all gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up for how it rides and handles.

The wheelbase is 62 inches !

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike5.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike6.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike7.jpg

Crikey, - that's a nice bike ya got mister :thumb:;)

Indeed, it looks nice, mines abit odd looking, sure it has many colors but it works, I like your rack idea, mine would of been thatway but one of the back ends didn't support it, my little brother skateboards soI can borrow one of those lol

Obligatory pond shot... :lol:

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike8.jpg

The bags are my old motorcycle bags that have a 60 litre capacity and I loaded up my Kenda slicks and a new front wheel so I can install them after work... I won't need the knobbies until winter.

My friend is giving me Nexus 7 hub for the bike too and that should be going in before the snow falls.

Damnit!
This thread makes me feel like a jerk for just saying f-it and dishing the clams for the commercial model!
Everything above is so much cooler than mine!!!

SO I liked the two rack thing better then random bike parts here and there, this is what I came out with, it looks much better, just needs paint I suppose.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0138.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0139.jpg

The tires are to fat though, the front one almost rubs alover it's so big lol and it makes it harder to peddle

Obligatory pond shot... :lol:

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike8.jpg

The bags are my old motorcycle bags that have a 60 litre capacity and I loaded up my Kenda slicks and a new front wheel so I can install them after work... I won't need the knobbies until winter.

My friend is giving me Nexus 7 hub for the bike too and that should be going in before the snow falls.

Flat sweet, SFer!

Thanks Allen...

The high pressure slicks make a world of difference as does the old Deore crank I installed today... I decided to run a single 28 tooth Biopace ring up front with the 11-32 cassette as that is all the gear range the bike or I need. The gear inches are 22 - 66 with the single and a few folks said it looked pretty cool... I still need to fabricate a bash guard although the chain ring clearance is now awesome.

I hope the pics aren't boring y'all but this is the most fun I have had building a bike in a very long time.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike9.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/longbike10.jpg

And I cannot forget to thank all of the people who have been building up bikes and posting pictures as what I built here stems from what I've seen in this thread.

I need some help!!!

I have the source, but can't find a donor for the back end. I'll gladly pay the shipping if someone can send me a rear section from a 26 inch bike. I have EVERYTHING I need except for that.

Then, I can start posting my pix of my homemade creation!

Thanks in advance!!!

That is the best looking long tail, cargo bike I have seen yet outside of the Extracycle conversions. I have been going to build one but even though I have built a 20 inch version as an almost recumbent (semi-bent) I am throughly intimidateded by this one.:o

I don't mean to diminish any of the others but this one just looks right. :thumb:

Yes this one does look good. I lost my trusty Xtracycle last week. Now I'm thinking of making one for the fun of it. Oh the possibilities!!

My extracycle saved me today, my front tire exploded and since I made my extacycle I have room for spare tire, that wheel came in handy today, take flat off and install whole rim, and ride away, I love it

I spent a good part of the day packing about 150 pounds of mobile bike shop and my own gear today and criss crossed the city 4 times (40 plus km) and took "Stretch" on the critical mass ride with my daughters for another 10 km (sans bike shop).

I have done the same thing with a trailer but this was far better as I could ride faster, stop and handle better, and was way more comfortable although moustache bars are in the works as I would like more than one hand position.

At the bike breakfast I used the skateboard deck as a table to lay out all my small tools and it worked like a charm... :D

That is the best looking long tail, cargo bike I have seen yet outside of the Extracycle conversions. I have been going to build one but even though I have built a 20 inch version as an almost recumbent (semi-bent) I am throughly intimidated by this one.:o

I don't mean to diminish any of the others but this one just looks right. :thumb:

If that was for me... thanks!

It was really a pretty easy build... my DIY trailer was more work.

I put the bike to work on Saturday as it carried most of our mobile shop to our Bikeology Festival and have been riding it pretty much non stop finding that it is as good a commuter as I have and without 100 plus pounds of gear is pretty quick.

Everyone has test driven the bike and the word they have all used is "smoooth".

I've done a few little things like change the bars and install a 36 tooth ring and shifter which just make the ride that much better.

Saturday's cargo... 100 plus pounds of mobile bike shop.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/stretch2.jpg

People around where I live have never seen a Xtracycle, so they always question mine, no one will steal it because it's hard to hide something like that when theres only one, Mines gonna be Army colors lol

But if you park it in the woods, how will you find it ?

:D

People around where I live have never seen a Xtracycle, so they always question mine, no one will steal it because it's hard to hide something like that when theres only one, Mines gonna be Army colors lol

Never underestimate a thief. Around here bikes are stolen just to run them into a ditch a few blocks away if you are lucky.

If you're not lucky the run them into the bayou just to see the splash.:eek::notamused:

I lost my trusty Xtracycle last week.
What happened?? :(

Why don't more people run a 20" rear wheel? It would give a lower center of gravity and would give you more room, since there's less room being taken up by the wheel. Seems like a no-brainer.

What happened?? :(

It was actually on extended loan to me. I was starting to think it was mine! I got the bright idea to ask the rightful owner if he would like to sell it. Well that reminded him that I still had it. He came and picked it up the next day. All of a sudden he couldn't live without it. And I had polished it up and made such a nice spot for it in my little garage. But something good will come of this, but they are out of stock right now. Or maybe build my own. How about a folder made into an Xtracycle. My mind gets revved up thinking how cool and difficult that would be.:rolleyes:

Why don't more people run a 20" rear wheel? It would give a lower center of gravity and would give you more room, since there's less room being taken up by the wheel. Seems like a no-brainer.

Braking could be an issue if a 20 was put into a 24 or 25 inch frame and a smaller wheel under a higher load is not going to take bumps as well as a larger wheel and in many cases would be downright harsh.

My utility trailer has 26 inch wheels and takes bumps like they're almost not there... just like my longbike.

I first saw a home built xtracycle on Instructables, long time ago. Just revisited that post and saw one built by a U.S. soldier in Iraq. Here are some photos:
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FK5/XRB2/FEQHFK09/FK5XRB2FEQHFK09.MEDIUM.jpg
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/F07/Y8A5/FEQHFK07/F07Y8A5FEQHFK07.MEDIUM.jpg

I need some help!!!

I have the source, but can't find a donor for the back end. I'll gladly pay the shipping if someone can send me a rear section from a 26 inch bike. I have EVERYTHING I need except for that.

Then, I can start posting my pix of my homemade creation!

Thanks in advance!!!

I could send you one, but I am sure posting it from scandinavia is not cheap. Sure there is no sources where you live?

Obligatory pond shot... :lol:

The bags are my old motorcycle bags that have a 60 litre capacity and I loaded up my Kenda slicks and a new front wheel so I can install them after work... I won't need the knobbies until winter.

My friend is giving me Nexus 7 hub for the bike too and that should be going in before the snow falls.

YES! The traditional picture:D

Great looking bike! Lines and colours is good, lucky you had the bags, I spent hours sewing bags, but I needed the big bag for the dog.

badmother - Those bags have been sitting in my garage for a decade waiting for another motorcycle and are working really well on the longbike.

I plan on having some full length canvas bags a la xtracycle made up in the future.

It was actually on extended loan to me. I was starting to think it was mine! I got the bright idea to ask the rightful owner if he would like to sell it. Well that reminded him that I still had it. He came and picked it up the next day. All of a sudden he couldn't live without it. And I had polished it up and made such a nice spot for it in my little garage. But something good will come of this, but they are out of stock right now. Or maybe build my own. How about a folder made into an Xtracycle. My mind gets revved up thinking how cool and difficult that would be.:rolleyes:
I know Clever Cycles sold out of their stock - did Citybikes sell out of theirs?

I know Clever Cycles sold out of their stock - did Citybikes sell out of theirs?

A friend had searched the local shops and found only one shop that had one for sale. It was the 26" model. Not the right size for my bike (or hers). She purchased the kit and a new bicycle and had them assemble it. Just in time to ride in our neighborhood 4th of July parade with little Annie on the snap deck. I'm going to order one off the internet and wait for them to restock.

Slowly starting to replace the "dogbike". Took it on holyday, it traveled 500 km on the rack behind my car. Sticking out too much on each side, also after remowing the front wheel.

Decided I want a mixte or mixte-like bike for a main bike, much easyer to mount and dismount when loaded. Had some chainline problems with the dogbike, so I am trying a Nexus 7 this time to make it easyer.

While riding the "dogbike" on holyday I had some really bad signals from the drivetrain. Found out the middle crank wheel is missing four teeth. About time to get to work..

badmother - Have you thought of using an mtb or other bike with a sloping tt ?

A few more mods...

Changed the bars...
http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/stretchpond3.jpg

Went with some Schwalbe Hurricanes... they roll fast and ride beautifully.
http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/stretchpond4.jpg

Running a 28/38 Biopace with those 175 Deore cranks and MKS 1000 pedals.
http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/stretchpond5.jpg

And my pond...:D
http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/stretchpond1.jpg

badmother - Have you thought of using an mtb or other bike with a sloping tt ?

Oh yes! Most of the dumpsterfinds here is MTB`s, maybe 80%. My sons longtail is from a "mixte like" MTB; single toptube but has got the extra chain/seatstays. Great solution, but a bit small for me. Problem with the mixtelike frames is both front brake wire and front shifter wiren goes under the BB, so solutions must be found.

Also drueling over my sons MTB. Nice sloping tt and seatstays almost following the same angle. This is his favourite light MTB (Merida alu Blackwood with lightweight Michelin tires). Not the most modern and best looking in our stable, but he realised it is the best ride. I am happy he is able to tell, so I am waiting patiently for him to grow out of it..

Just now I am thinking of maybe building a MTB and a 28" lighter "road bike longtail". this is becouse I use it all the time and feel lost when it is not in perfect condition, but still feel I can not work on it since I need it on the road. Want sometimes to go fast on the road (must remember to buy sunglases for the dog) and sometimes on loaded trips on dustroad. Maybe a cyclocross longtail.. Desicions, desicions..

My front shifter cable goes under the bb... the brace would have interfered with the cable save for the housing I ran from the cable guide up the seat tube to shield it. I considered drilling a cable guide to run through the brace as well.

My rear brake is a v brake and just has a longer cable running from the seat stay and through the framework to keep it out of the way... the rear shifter cable is routed the same way and I had to use a tandem cable for that.

A cross type LT would be a great idea for moderate loads as it would run out a little faster and could still handle a fair deal of weight.

I have 4 people interested in coming in to our bike shop to build their own long tail bikes and it's really a matter of finding the right donor parts, namely those low end FS bikes that we rarely put any time into.

Thanks Allen...

The high pressure slicks make a world of difference as does the old Deore crank I installed today... I decided to run a single 28 tooth Biopace ring up front with the 11-32 cassette as that is all the gear range the bike or I need. The gear inches are 22 - 66 with the single and a few folks said it looked pretty cool... I still need to fabricate a bash guard although the chain ring clearance is now awesome.



I'm interested in the way you havbe used the derailleur on the original rear dropout to keep the chain tensioned.

Are you going to add side cargo decks like the FreeRadical, or keep it as a straight longtail with big panniers?

I think my winter project will be to build up some cargo decks and perhaps have some slings stitched up... those over-sized paniers can already carry a lot of stuff.

I want to try this 29 front and a 16 inch rear tire..

Can the BB of the donor be welded to the main bike? Or is it best to devise an attachment for it to be bolted on? I'm starting a project that will join a woman's 26" MTN bike to the seat post of an old Schwinn Varsity. My plan is to weld it in 3 spots, the top tube,the down tube and the BB.
Any obvious flaws to this idea?
Thanks

Dogbike 2 mad from a detatchable 24" bike from the 1970`s. I`we put a IGH Shimano 7 speed rear wheel for the time being. Somebody said you need a long skateboard as a snapdeck, so I decided "why not a snowboard??"

I`ll try to make some more photos later, close up`s.

I'll let mine become part of this thread to, oh I forgot to mention something, today It was tested that this 5$ garmet bag for suits is waterproof, so if you wanna big saddle bag, go to your local thrift store and sniff one of those out, it's great, and it has secret pockets, anyway, for something as old as this, it's doing really fine, i wanna find some whitewalls for it,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0289.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0290.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0291.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0294.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_0293.jpg

I'd be particulalry interested in photos of the joint areas of these bikes. I find looking at the photos its tough to tell the various techniques people may be using.

Most the joints we use are the same, some weld, but the Bottom bracket of the Suspention bike triangle fits into where the rear wheel of the bike you attack to, then you take a straight pair of handle bars use that as a brace, from where suspention bike shock goes to front bike down where to kickstand would go, it's a very simple design.

Thanks HSean

I was pretty sure about the suspension triangle mount but couldn't see if most people put a bolt obliquely through at the chainstay/bb intersection or if there was another way to do it. As long as there's a reasonable firm butt joint, I don't imagine the bolt gets stressed too much.

The bolt you speak of down there on the bars where the chainstray is, I do put them there, just to prevent the bike from lifting when I pick it up, I use a quick release pin, also so the bike is storable.

Thanks HSean

I was pretty sure about the suspension triangle mount but couldn't see if most people put a bolt obliquely through at the chainstay/bb intersection or if there was another way to do it. As long as there's a reasonable firm butt joint, I don't imagine the bolt gets stressed too much.

This is what I was thinking too. First I used the BB axel in the triangel, forced the dropouts of the main bike together to fit. Did this since I wanted a strong enough "bolt" and decided the BB was strong enough.

Then I decided this is not good and replaced the axel with a long rod cut to size. I use 10mm since this is what there is room for in the dropouts. Just thigthen it firmly.

Between the bb shells of the triangel and the innside of the dropouts I use a piece (on each side) of an alu bar cut to size (I think approx 3 cm`s). There is also a piece of hollow metal rod for hanging up curtains from IKEA involved in "filling up some emptu space.

I use some big washers on both sides of the dropouts and maybe between the piece of bar and BB shell. I`ll try to dig up some pix soon, but go back in this thread, i think some details is posted some time back.