I see that XtraCycle sells complete bikes based on the Electra Townie and I'm pretty sure that would be the frame geometry I'd want. I think I'd start with a (used?) single speed Townie (men's or women's?) and swap the rear wheel out for a NuVinci or Sram 8-9 speed IGH? Is there a better quality "flat foot" frame to use instead of the Townie? Would I have to replace the fork (any suggestions?) to go to disc brakes? Any custom frame builders out there that could do a "Big Dummy" clone with a "Crank Forward" geometry for about the same price as a "Big Dummy"? Anybody out there actually build up a true recumbent XtraCycle?

I see that XtraCycle sells complete bikes based on the Electra Townie and I'm pretty sure that would be the frame geometry I'd want. I think I'd start with a (used?) single speed Townie (men's or women's?) and swap the rear wheel out for a NuVinci or Sram 8-9 speed IGH? Is there a better quality "flat foot" frame to use instead of the Townie? Would I have to replace the fork (any suggestions?) to go to disc brakes? Any custom frame builders out there that could do a "Big Dummy" clone with a "Crank Forward" geometry for about the same price as a "Big Dummy"? Anybody out there actually build up a true recumbent XtraCycle?
Recumbent Xtracycles I don't know right off.

There was a lady on the RANS crank-forward forums-
http://pub23.bravenet.com/forum/1970022224
who built up one of the RANS crank-forward bikes (http://www.ransbikes.com/) with a kit. She had a Cruz or Dynamik I think, and didn't end up carrying much on it but had a couple signs mounted on it for her business. I don't recall what problems she had, but there was a couple (where the front of the xtracycle grabbed the chainstays didn't fit quite right, IIRC). Just search there for "xtracycle".

The RANS bikes start at around $1K for a bike and most have disk mounts already and framesets are available, but they are so "relaxed" that it's not really practical to stand on the pedals and turn them at all. For casual riding it's nice, I have a Fusion and generally consider it to ride much better than a Townie, but for faster riding being in the same position all the time (on the RANS bikes) can be very tiring.
~

I know i've seen a couple of pictures of Cruzbike FWD's with Xtracycles on them.

Anybody out there actually build up a true recumbent XtraCycle?

Angletech has.

http://www.angletechcycles.com/bikes/freighter/index.htm

Angletech has.Awesome!:love:

Angletech has.

http://www.angletechcycles.com/bikes/freighter/index.htm

Drool! :love: that would be so neat.

I've seen pictures of recumbent X's aside from the Angletech.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/SEKoFjfa8hI/AAAAAAAAFZg/INs46_cTA3A/s400/Dwayne+downtown+small.JPG

I've got a RANS Street (http://www.viks-crankforward.com/) - excellent bike for those who want a stable, comfortable ride and don't want a typical DF geometry/ergonomics.

A friend of mine has an Electra Townie 21 and having both bikes to compare side by side the RANS oozes quality and nice design touches - not surprising I guess as they also build airplanes!

I've been thinking about adding an Xtracycle kit to the Street - I've seen a couple set up like that and it looks like a really nice rig (http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=26460).

http://slkatz.home.netcom.com/xtracycle/side.jpg

Thanks for the info on the "Street" - great Blog! I moved my seat back as far as I thought safe with a 6" laybay seat post and I really like it! I just added a front basket and will have to be a bit careful to keep enough weight up front to not flip over backwards on a hill, expecially with the rear baskets carrying their weight behind the rear axle! I first mounted the rear baskets a few inches forward from where they are now but didn't have room to swing my heels.
http://aspinock.com/bike.jpg