Utility Cycling - Xtracycle thoughts?

I currently have a Bianchi (mid 90s by my estimate) Advantage on 700x35C wheels that will be my primary commuting/utility/car free bike. I keep going back and forth on an Xtracycle, but feel that it will be the best fit for me. Everything I have read thus far has shows the back wheel is the crucial part, so I will have a new one built up. I'm looking at different wheel options, but something with 40/42H. I had thought of using an internal gear hub, but I haven't found anything over 36H. I like the idea of doing a 1x9 gearing on the Xtracycle. I find I am using pretty much the same 3-4 gears as I go along and really only my rear shifter. The 1x9 seems to be a decent idea.

Any other thoughts?

(Maybe there should be one xtracycle sticky here, rather than the numerous posts that all seem to run together...)

I too have considered the extracycle. My family is looking at a possible move to Rome for three years and we would be carfree...

I don't know the topography in your area, but if I am going to haul enough stuff (or a passenger) to justify an extracycle you bettah believe I'm going to have a second and maybe even a granny up front. If you're in a really flat area the 1X8 could be fine. But if I am hauling 50-100 (or up to the spec'ed capacity) I would want the extra rings.

If you get one be sure to post some pics of the set up.

Oh, and I second the extracycle/Big Dummy/Free Radical Conversion Sticky.I do understand the wisdom of the mods to keep the number of stickies under control.

I understand their wisdom, but a general sounding board for those looking at Xtracycles and building them up would be great. Mine won't come till summer. Need to save up. I also will have a period of about 2-3 weeks then where I can't use the bike, so perfect time to send it off to a local shop to have what I want done.

Columbus is fairly flat, very little in the way of monster hills. I plan on getting some local opinions and work with whoever helps piece all this together.

I have the 1x9 setup and it works great. I have a few hills but nothing on a regular basis. I have 38tooth up front with a standard MTB cassette in the rear.

I had thought of using an internal gear hub, but I haven't found anything over 36H.
Don't forget, most Internal gear hubs have little or no dish, thus are stronger than an equivalent derailleur wheel.

That is true. Since this will be essentially replacing my car, I want it as over-engineered and reliable as possible.

I had thought of using an internal gear hub, but I haven't found anything over 36H.

Source (http://www.rohloff.de/en/info/faq/faq_detail/article/laufradstabilitaet-fuer-rohloff-speedhub-50014-gespeichte-laufraeder//bp/288/index.html)

"When the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 is built up into a 32 spoke wheel, it is considerably more robust than the common 36 spoke wheels. The stability is approx. the same as a 48 spoke tandem wheel."

From the Rohloff website.

That's the other thing: cost. I love the Rolhoff idea, but its way out there.

True, but the non-dished thing holds with other IGHs.

I was looking at the nexus line with a roller brake as a possibility, along with a Velocity Dyad rim.

The current manufacturers I know of with IGHs are Shimano, SRAM, S-A and Rolhoff, any others?

NuVinci (http://www.fallbrooktech.com/), it may be the most robust of them all.

I think a lot of this project will come off of ebay scrounging. I am already finding some good deals. If I only had the cash now.

I ride my SUB like a lot of cagers drive their SUV. I rarely really load it up and even though I have a triple crankset, I've yet to take it off the middle ring since I built it up.

I wonder if I should feel guilty for only hauling some clothes and my lunch?

Another thing to think about with your wheel is that the Xtracycle stretches your bike out for better weight distribution, so you may find that a 36h wheel will be sufficiently "over-engineered" for your needs. Not to talk you into anything, but if you really like the idea of an IGH, it seems like there really may not be much of a sacrifice as far as sturdiness goes. You might see what others are using and how their bikes are holding up.

For an urban bike I LOVE the idea of a modern IGH. I just have concerns on weight and loads. I'll find a wheel builder who can also attach the free radical and discuss how best to achieve what I want out of it.

One more question:

What bikes make the best donors for an xtracycle conversion? Mountain, Road, Touring? Any particular makes/models that seem well suited?

I want to have at least a 2 bike garage with an xtracycle as my all around and a 2nd as a backup/ campus beater/coffee shop bike. The Advantage would probably fit either role well, but if I could snag a good frame at a cheap price off ebay for the xtracycle...

One more question:

What bikes make the best donors for an xtracycle conversion? Mountain, Road, Touring? Any particular makes/models that seem well suited?

I want to have at least a 2 bike garage with an xtracycle as my all around and a 2nd as a backup/ campus beater/coffee shop bike. The Advantage would probably fit either role well, but if I could snag a good frame at a cheap price off ebay for the xtracycle...

http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/images/instigatorStreet.jpg

If I was building up an Xtracycle I probably start with a Surly Instigator (http://www.surlybikes.com/instigator.html) so I'd have a strong stiff frame to attach my Xtra to.

Someone posted an uber sweet Instigator+Xtracycle rig in this forum not too long ago...:)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2362040101_18454829f1_b.jpg

Here it is (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=400995&highlight=instigator+xtracycle) - very nice...:p

Wow...beautiful