Jeffbeerman2

It looks like the first batch of these will be on the streets soon.

https://www.xtracycle.com/product_inf...roducts_id=122

I'm sure I couldn't get one, even if I could afford to build one right now. They sure are sweet. One of those and a stokemonkey might get me to sell my car

CaptainCool

Bunch of threads in Utility Cycling about them

Here's an action video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Df2JyVGEI (He's comparing it to his xtracycle conversion when he talks in comparatives)

BikeManDan

That guy, pretty big dummy himself from some of his comments

climbhoser

I've been plotting to sell my car and buy a Stokemonkeyed Big Dummy for two months now. So close, so close!

DataJunkie

I am plotting to keep my van and build up a big dummy eventually. Cycling enables me to afford my large bike rack to take me and my bikes to far away cycling events.
It's just that the big dummy is so completely different than anything else I own. Not to mention cool looking.

n4zou

Oh the cost, OUCH!

paulwwalters

As a drummer that still wouldn't cut it.

But it's f'ing sweet anyway!

HardyWeinberg

Love that BD. No real financial ability right now though.

vik 

You can get a complete BD from Xtracycle for $1800. Does that seem out of line for a cargo bike with the Xtracycle accessories???

bmike

nope.
i dropped almost $3k on my bakfiets.

i won't get into how cheap it is compared to a car, or the $$ some people spend on entertainment. or fuel for a car. or a cell phone and data plan. etc. etc. (or good scotch, eating out too much, etc.)

NeezyDeezy

I feel like I could fit nearly as much stuff on my touring bike, but I guess not "huge items" like this might...

Ken Wind

I like the pre-built Big Dummy that Xtracycle is offering, but I think they should offer more options. Hopefully somebody will come up with a few build kits for it that keep the cost under $2000 for a complete build with nice components. The Kona Ute is much more economically feasible for me, but I don't know if it's as versatile as the Big Dummy.

n4zou

I carry too much stuff on my touring bike and still have plenty of room.

n4zou

you can buy two complete LHT touring bikes for the cost of this one bike.

vik 

You can buy 8 Wallmart bikes for the price of one LHT - so what? Ultimately they are all different bikes with different capabilities. You can carry stuff on a Big Dummy [including your girlfriend] that you can't carry on a LHT. The Big Dummy may not interest you specifically, but it is a very versatile bike.

M_S

Why would they bother with X.7? It seems like deore or X.5 would be just fine for this bike. What are they trying to do, shave grams?

climbhoser

Make it awesome.

If you want a cheaper and more simply utilitarian bike then get the Marin Novato with the FreeRadical!

jmeier

I like it simply because I could carry the wifey...

but $1800 is gonna have to wait a little while, until then, she has 2 bikes to chose from...

Jeffbeerman2

you'd look silly riding two touring bikes at once. What if you want to buy the big pack of towels and TP on the same trip?

This is a great spec for the $$$. My mountain bike is just a mountain bike and it has a similar spec (and no brooks saddle paid for in dollars-to-pounds). It set me back about $1200. I'd probably choose a front dyno hub, x5 derailur, and BB7s, but it's a pretty sweet build.

It's too bad Surly doesn't build frames in the states. The taiwan labor is the only drawback.

spambait11

A regular Xtracycle would do just as well.

Call the Big Dummy what it really is: a want as opposed to a need. (And the frame is overpriced.)

tate65

A friend of mines, in the snow in Ft. Worth TX Monday night, with Maxxis Overdrives 26x1.75

vik 

I don't think the Big Dummy and adding a regular Free Radical kit to a mtn bike are the same thing. The BD will be a whole lot stiffer - not to mention the many design tweaks incorporated to make it a better hauler.

You are right that you don't need a BD, but the same logic can apply to any bike. You can get around most cities with a pair of shoes, a backpack and a bus pass.

As for the cost I can't confirm or deny that it is over priced since I don't have Surly's financial data, but consider the additional design efforts, material/construction costs as well as shipping such a large frame - then factor in the very small numbers these frames will be made in. I wouldn't be surprised if Surly makes less net profit on one of these frames than they do on a LHT.

bizzz111

jeeze, can he even reach the drops? What size frame? From discussions in the utility bike forum, the big dummy has an insanely long TT to allow for the long, curved, u-type handle bars.

I was going to get an 18" just to keep the TT length down so I could use a straight handle bar. Instead I just bought a free radical and converted my mtb.

n4zou

The other touring bike would be for the wife.

n4zou

The second LHT would be for the Wife or Girlfriend. She can pedal her own bike and haul her own stuff.