Utility Cycling - my xtracycle

Hi I've been putting this together for a month or so. I just finished last week, I've done two grocery runs and one medium length ride (45 miles round trip). It rides great hauls a lot of stuff. I love it. Its an 06 specialized stumpjumper with the xtracycle base kit, homebuilt v-racks and custom bags, stock stumpjumper drivetrain, crank brothers platform pedals, on one mary bars, soon to have a brooks saddle. I was a little skeptical while putting this together, but now I wish I would have done this a long time ago.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b369/sexylatinlady/DSCN2883.jpg

me likey the custom bags! nice work.

Details details! Did you customize the bags yourself or have them made? If you had them made who made them? And if you did them yourself how did you make them?

And what are the construction details on the V racks?

Fantastic.
More please.

Incredible. One more request for details!

Very nice example of some do-it-yourself ingenuity. I like that bar. What is that? Also like the snapdeck/skateboard.

+1 for that skate snapdeck. Respect!

Thanks everybody! I designed the bags, my mother sewed them up for me. I plan on adding some other stuff to the bags( internal pockets, reflective material, possibly a water proof bladder). The v-racks were made with aluminum tubing and a bender, a little different shape and a little taller than the xtracycle version. The skateboard is a pool skating deck that I bought a couple years back and never used, its large size worked perfect for a snapdeck. The handlebars are- on one mary bars, a little pricey but very comfy for me. I have a few changes in store for this bike, I'll post more pics when finished.- Brian

Any specs on the tubing you used for V-racks? I'm interested if they're cheaper and as sturdy as the Xtracycle version. What material did you use for the panniers?

I used aluminum tubing 7/8" o.d. x .065 wall x .745 I.d. I don't know if they are as strong as the xtracycle version, I have never seen they're version up close or used them . Cheaper, yes, I bought the tubing at a local supplier, used a tubing cutter and bender that I already had. The bags were made from 1000 denier urethane coated cordura.

Ever thrown a person on the back and rode around?

I have'nt hauled a person yet, but I've had about 50 lbs in the bags with a 35lb bag of dog food on the deck with no problem

Sounds like what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info :beer:

One of the best looking xtracycle builds I have seen. I love the bags you have had made. Like the fact the shot is at a skatepark too.

I would love an xtracycle but despite the strong pound the xtra cycle still costs the same over here in gbp as is does over your side in usd. Strange.

Thank you! I'm pretty happy with it, My other bikes barely get a second look from me since I built the xtra. That shot actually is at a drainage ditch on the side of the road out in some farm land, the ditch had some extensive concrete and coping work added by some enthusiastic skaters.

Great post B+M, the racks and bags look great. I have also fantasized about freeloaders that have top flaps. I'd like to make custom v-racks as well.. thanks for the tubing specs.

Does anyone who has a real v-rack happen to have calipers to take some tubing measurements from them? I'm also curious about how B+M's tube diameter compares to "the real deal"...

How does your front suspension behave now?

My suspension fork has a lock out option, which is where I've kept it since adding the xtra. However it just doesn't feel right, It sometimes gets a little squishy feeling. I've been thinking of adding a surly rigid fork and a small front rack, as I'm thinking of doing a little touring with it later this year.

I've got everything listed up and ready to order for a Surly Instigator-based Xtra. Your bike pretty much kicked me into gear with getting this thing done. Especially with the pointers on homemade V-racks. I'm going to be doing some bike camping on my Xtra this summer if all goes well with my job.

Do you have any shots of it from the side without the V-racks?

This the only bagless shot I have.http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b369/sexylatinlady/DSCN2876.jpg

that looks really good. What do you charge for racks and bags??? :D

Also- why the wrap around on the skate deck?

These bags work pretty good for me so far but, I need to make some changes and test them out longer before I could offer any for sale. The wrap around the deck is just a tie down strap for hauling big stuff on top. By the way I'm a big fan of your bike rubbish site. Brian

For your tubing, were you able to use a conduit bender (like a manual Hickey or EMT) or did you have to use something a little more beefy?

And another! Do your rear brakes seem to have a good deal more power under heavy loads?

I used a conduit bender, the tubing flattened out just a little in the bends, and it took a good amount of pressure to bend but it worked well.

I used the 203mm rotor on the rear and 160mm on the front and its stops great with or without a load. Its pretty flat here so I have not ridden it loaded on any hills yet, but I think it will be fine.

Why the larger brake in the rear?

The design of the FreeRadical requires the use of a 203 mm rotor in the rear. I recall that it saved having to redesign the stays.

Bigger rotor = better braking, too. More mechanical advantage.

Ever seen the website "Riding the Spine"? Your bike could have run with them.
http://www.ridingthespine.com/gear/gearlist.html

Yes I have go to there site every couple of weeks for an update on the ride. I wish I had the time and freedom to do that kind of trip.




Ever seen the website "Riding the Spine"? Your bike could have run with them.
http://www.ridingthespine.com/gear/gearlist.html

Yes I have go to there site every couple of weeks for an update on the ride. I wish I had the time and freedom to do that kind of trip.

Me too. My FreeRadical is on a early 90's rigid Rockhopper. This sumer I intend to ride out from my house into the mountains and camp one night.

I used a conduit bender, the tubing flattened out just a little in the bends, and it took a good amount of pressure to bend but it worked well.

The tubing is kinked/flattened a bit even on the production v-racks, although I think they also have a tighter radius. Very nice work! The bags look very usable in the rain, which is one of my beefs with my X on grocery runs.

The tubing is kinked/flattened a bit even on the production v-racks, although I think they also have a tighter radius. Very nice work! The bags look very usable in the rain, which is one of my beefs with my X on grocery runs.


Thanks! I read alot of comments about the xtracycle bags sucking in the rain before I bought mine. That is one of the reasons I just made my own. I have only ridden in light rain, and they work pretty well but some water can still get in. I working on a design right now that will have a waterproof inner bladder(like messenger bags have), and a better sealing lid.

Thanks! I read alot of comments about the xtracycle bags sucking in the rain before I bought mine. That is one of the reasons I just made my own. I have only ridden in light rain, and they work pretty well but some water can still get in. I working on a design right now that will have a waterproof inner bladder(like messenger bags have), and a better sealing lid.

You might just have yourself a little side business...