Utility Cycling - advantages of big dummy "upgrade"?

I've been riding my Xtracycle for about 1.5 years now and am absolutely in love with it. It's a 1x1 with the Xtra conversion on it, running an Alfine hub. I use it mostly around town, but sometimes a bit longer trips. I haven't really had any durability issues yet so I've got a bit of a hypothetical pondering for you folks:

I'm thinking of adding a StokeMonkey, and potentially upgrading to a Rohloff at some point. The intent of these two upgrades being that I'd be able to use the Xtra for much longer trips, and basically phase out most, if not all my automobile needs.

Adding those two rugged components makes me wonder if I'd be better off doing this all on a Big Dummy frame instead of the conversion? Like I said, no durability issues yet with my current rig, but if I start riding it a whole lot more I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade to a solid frame instead of the conversion?

A complete Big Dummy is very expensive. You can just get the frame and use the parts of your donor bicycle and you're set. A BD is a purposely built longtail cargo bike and no else has built one like Surly. Mine rides great!

At this point I'm not really looking into the cost issues of trading up, just looking for people's thoughts if the solid frame of the BD is that much better than the Freeradical conversion I already have. Particularly if there'd be an advantage when running some heavy/super-duty components like the Rohloff & StokeMonkey.

A BD is a one piece longtail... there's no flex and the only question is if you're not having flex with your Xtracycle, then heavy/super duty components shouldn't be much of a concern... but if you think its a problem, a more solid frame might be something to look into at some point. My view is you should test the components on your current rig and see if you like it. If you do, there's no reason to have to trade up.

Thanks Norman. I haven't really experienced flex as of yet with my current setup. Admittedly I also haven't put too substantial of a load on it yet either. The most I've carried is my photography gear, or a load of groceries.

I think it makes sense to try them out on my current bike like you said. Probably what I'll do at least to start, not to mention it'll cost me less if they work out fine.

That being said, I know the BD has been proven to handle some heavy-duty use, and off-road use. Can the same be said about the conversions? Just curious if there's some examples out there..

You're welcome.

I use the BD for hauling grocery and haven't tested it with anything else. To use the wideloader, I'd need to get a Rolling Jackass centerstand. Will get around to it some day.

I've been riding my Xtracycle for about 1.5 years now and am absolutely in love with it. It's a 1x1 with the Xtra conversion on it, running an Alfine hub. I use it mostly around town, but sometimes a bit longer trips. I haven't really had any durability issues yet so I've got a bit of a hypothetical pondering for you folks:

I'm thinking of adding a StokeMonkey, and potentially upgrading to a Rohloff at some point. The intent of these two upgrades being that I'd be able to use the Xtra for much longer trips, and basically phase out most, if not all my automobile needs.

Adding those two rugged components makes me wonder if I'd be better off doing this all on a Big Dummy frame instead of the conversion? Like I said, no durability issues yet with my current rig, but if I start riding it a whole lot more I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade to a solid frame instead of the conversion?

I've got a BD with a Rohloff and used it for 2yrs now. It's a great bike. If you haven't had any issues with your current setup and it will accept a stokemonkey [I know it will accept a Rohloff] than I'd just make the upgrades to your current rig. There are some advantages to a BD in terms of a stiffer platform, but you may or may not find this matters to you. If it does you can always swap to a BD down the road at no extra cost over doing so now.

You could do it incrementally. What I mean is, if you added the StokeMonkey or built a wheel with a Rohloff for your existing bike, you could simply move these things to a BD later. I think there is a slightly different mount for putting the StokeMonkey on a BD, but that is all that would likely need to be changed.