Utility Cycling - Rans Dynamik: RACtify or Xtraify Setup?

If you wanted to add cargo space to a Rans Dynamik Crank Forward long bike, what would Utility Forum posters choose as their cargo setup - Rans' own RAC cargo solution or the Xtracycle Free Radical kit? In other words, which do you think works best for your hauling needs with the bike and why? If I'm looking to "ify" I would like to hear what longtail setup works best for most people with a Rans CF bike - any of the current four models available from the company.

I ended up getting the RAC Large with two panniers. Its an add-on solution that gives current Rans CF bikes the portage of a longtail without the attachment drawbacks of an Xtracycle system. The long wheelbase makes for an excellent utility cargo bike.

I ended up getting the RAC Large with two panniers. Its an add-on solution that gives current Rans CF bikes the portage of a longtail without the attachment drawbacks of an Xtracycle system. The long wheelbase makes for an excellent utility cargo bike.

Sweet, do have the kits yet or are you still waiting on it? How easy is it to take on and off?

One thing I've been meaning to ask the RANS guys is whether 'normal' panniers will connect to it or not as I'm thinking about a Rans Citi with an IGH of some sort and would rather not swap the RAC and a normal pannier rack when all I'm taking to work is my Arkel Commuter...

Mine might come in today. I think any pannier designed to work with it should fit. This is Rans' answer to the Xtracycle. Sure, you could take it off, but why you want to? The only thing missing is a snap deck and they're working on it.

Mine might come in today. I think any pannier designed to work with it should fit. This is Rans' answer to the Xtracycle. Sure, you could take it off, but why you want to? The only thing missing is a snap deck and they're working on it.

The issue is that I have no need of the RAC Bags when I'm just commuting back and forth to work, most days. My Arkel Commuter is all I need on those days, so I'd rather be able to just clip to the RAC Frame. Also, I'd rather leave the RAC frame on and just put on the RAC Bags when I really need them (like if I'm planning to stop and get groceries on the way home from work).

Does that make sense? I'm not sure if I explained it right....

Note: I've considered tossing my Arkel in the RAC Bags but that's kind of overkill...

That makes sense. You could come up with a DIY solution to get the Arkel Commuter to fit the RAC. Lots of people have done that with it. If all you want to carry is your Arkel, I think that's fine. If you think you need to throw in groceries, the RAC bags are what you can toss into it. The point is adapt whatever bag set up you need for your situation. I don't think its one size fits all...

I got the bike today. Two impressions: My first is the RAC's panniers load capacity is humongous! All the rack needs is a snap deck. The second impression is the Rans Dynamik as a crank forward is a fast bike even with the rack and bags and it is an excellent hill climber!

Congrats on the new RANS CF utility setup...:thumb:

Post some photos when you have a chance.

Well, I got an email back from Rans and the tubing is 1" Diameter, so it's definitely not going to hold my Arkel in the 'traditional' way... so I'll probably wind up doing one of two things... I've attached brilliant M$Paint jpg sketches of what I'll probably do. Option 1, essentially, treats the arkel commuter as a trunk bag. Option 2 requires a bit of hardware (black lines) to get the arkel to mount in a 'normal' orientation.

An ingenious idea... hope it works with your Arkel setup. :thumb: Anyway, I love the RAC and the panniers are spacious enough to take home groceries from the store. I used to be dependent on my car but now I find I can take home stuff with my bike. And I love that bike! :)

Thanks. I finally took some pictures of the Rans CF Utility setup:

nice...

I seldom revive a thread LOL... but I just updated my Rans Dynamik with an Electra powdercoated wood rack which looks cool. I felt it worth posting a picture for the new look:

I ended up getting the RAC Large with two panniers. Its an add-on solution that gives current Rans CF bikes the portage of a longtail without the attachment drawbacks of an Xtracycle system. The long wheelbase makes for an excellent utility cargo bike.

Does the RAC allow you to stand it "on end" like xtracycle touts (rotated 90 degrees with one wheel directly above the other)?

Since the wheelbase is shorter than other longtails I'm wondering if I could fit it in a shower stall like this. That's where I currently keep my folder, but it just sits on the ground with all the space above it wasted and the extra comfort, speed, and hauling capacity of a dynamik w/ RAC is very appealing.

I seldom revive a thread LOL... but I just updated my Rans Dynamik with an Electra powdercoated wood rack which looks cool. I felt it worth posting a picture for the new look:

nifty.

Does the RAC allow you to stand it "on end" like xtracycle touts (rotated 90 degrees with one wheel directly above the other)?

Since the wheelbase is shorter than other longtails I'm wondering if I could fit it in a shower stall like this. That's where I currently keep my folder, but it just sits on the ground with all the space above it wasted and the extra comfort, speed, and hauling capacity of a dynamik w/ RAC is very appealing.

Here's what I found:
The Xtracycle rack is apparently flat enough to stand the bike on it http://biketrailerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/xtracycle_adventure_rack.jpg
and the Rans Hammertruck looks like it's even better http://www.ransbikes.com/Hammertruck09/T4.jpg
, but the Rans RAC system for their other crank forwards is obviously not due to this hoop http://www.ransbikes.com/images/ITR71/RAC3.jpg

A pity because since the seat is low on the crank forwards I bet it would be pretty darn convenient to squeeze into an elevator or apartment if you could stand it on end and lock the front wheel with one of these:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2511812063_d0435f5445.jpg?v=0
Way less cumbersome than a conventional diamond frame, I bet, and with much greater carrying capacity, comfort, aerodynamics, etc.

I wonder if a standard Xtracycle rack could work on a RANS "short tail"?

I seldom revive a thread LOL... but I just updated my Rans Dynamik with an Electra powdercoated wood rack which looks cool. I felt it worth posting a picture for the new look:

Nice! Could you please tell me where you got that front rack?

Thanks! You can order it from Electra Bicycles. Its available in either powdercoated silver or black. The rack tray will fit any bike not just those made by Electra.

Does the RAC allow you to stand it "on end" like xtracycle touts (rotated 90 degrees with one wheel directly above the other)?

Does anyone know the answer to this question? Or if there are any racks or panniers available after market that would enable such a thing (on any bike, either long tail or regular).

A pity because since the seat is low on the crank forwards I bet it would be pretty darn convenient to squeeze into an elevator or apartment if you could stand it on end and lock the front wheel with one of these:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2511812063_d0435f5445.jpg?v=0
Way less cumbersome than a conventional diamond frame, I bet, and with much greater carrying capacity, comfort, aerodynamics, etc.

Nice!! I have been looking for something like this for my touring bike, the front wheel is so squirrelly I end up dumping it at least once a week in the garage...