Utility Cycling - Is An Xtracycle FreeRadical Classic Kit Wasted On A....

....Nashbar aluminum mountain frame? I have been wanting a cargo bike and this kit seems to be the best bang for the buck if you have a donor bike. I would upgrade parts on the bike over time as I built it with stuff just laying around the house, but it would work as is for now.

....Nashbar aluminum mountain frame? I have been wanting a cargo bike and this kit seems to be the best bang for the buck if you have a donor bike. I would upgrade parts on the bike over time as I built it with stuff just laying around the house, but it would work as is for now.

It's not wasted if it serves the purposes that you are looking for. And, you can always swap it over to a different donor bike in the future......

Not at all, if the bike fits you well that is all that matters.

....Nashbar aluminum mountain frame? I have been wanting a cargo bike and this kit seems to be the best bang for the buck if you have a donor bike. I would upgrade parts on the bike over time as I built it with stuff just laying around the house, but it would work as is for now.

The two main issues are:

- overall stiffness of Xtra + bike depends on the donor frame
- cargo weight will be carried by the rear wheel primarily

Your plan will work. You'll just have to see how stiff it is and the stronger the rear wheel the more you can carry without a failure.

If not a waste if you use it, but at that price you could buy a new Burley trailer and have money left over, or better yet, buy a kid's trailer for even less and convert it.

If not a waste if you use it, but at that price you could buy a new Burley trailer and have money left over, or better yet, buy a kid's trailer for even less and convert it.

I already have a trailer.

http://www.phred.org/~alex/pictures/bikes/trailer-with-box.jpg

It's a B.O.B. Coz.

my xtra is on a 700c Al Hybrid. Works fine.

I used to have one of those B. O. B. trailers. I gave it to my bike mechanic after I got my Dummy, he replaced the cargo hold with an ice chest, said he was going to use it for going to the grocery but I saw him at a party with it full of beer and ice, guess it's multi use.

Anyway I can carry so much more on the Dummy so if you get the xtracycle you'll be hauling a lot more and it will be easier.

I used to have one of those B. O. B. trailers. I gave it to my bike mechanic after I got my Dummy,

Did exactly the same thing. After getting the BD I had that BOB hanging in my garage for a few years before I realized it was never going to get used again.

I have a BOB Coz. Been meaning to alter it so I can carry something big and light like a drawing portfolio. Thus the reseach into "xtracycle freeradical". Most of my bikes are 20" wheeled, might be a problem. The rest are 700c racers. For this evening's drawing session, I think I will bungee cord a cardboard to a tandem.

Other issue is that the Nashbar bikes come with a suspension fork. Probably an issue, since more weight will be on the front wheel with a freeradical conversion.