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Home built xtracycle...

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Home built xtracycle...

Old 05-22-13, 07:38 PM
  #451  
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A couple of mules... picked up more surplus bags for my friend's extrabike that we built this winter.



We figure on taking the mules camping in a few weeks, should be a blast.
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Old 06-12-13, 09:06 PM
  #452  
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The "POS CARGO". Bet you thought I was just blowin' hot air. This will be a NOT-welded bike. Working on conduit rack bending and tinkering with alum flat bars. have different derailleurs, levers and handle bars to try also. It is a work in progress, but progressing...
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Old 09-01-13, 01:53 PM
  #453  
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Up date. Been stubborn, but finally had to BUY some tires. 3 speed [front] for now, but rides very smooth and easy to handle. Several iterations with regular racks didn't do the job, so beginning to fabricate some from shelf bracket angles. Bottom shelf folds up & latches flush so I can hang waterproof buckets or use it down as a platform for odd shapes and large bags. Made an 'axle' bracket to fit on the rack so I can trail another bike with the front wheel off. Wheels are both 26", don't know why the rear looks smaller.

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Old 09-11-13, 02:00 PM
  #454  
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wow, this is a really cool build. Great job.





Originally Posted by Philphine
backtracked recently and finished the first cargo bike i was trying




picked upthe kinda matching messenger bag recently so i leave with the bike like an accessory

i had a flat on my truck along with a flat spare, so i dug this out of the garage unfinished (no gears and just a weak front brake) thinking i might have to do a trial by fire. stick two of my truck wheels on it (one was too unbalanced) and ride up to a tire place about a mile away. turned out i didn't have to, but i figured i should finish it for the next time i'm in a pinch like that.

i've only done one test. rode up to a lowes a couple miles away and got a couple bags of lava rock (something with a little weight and a little bulk). except for how heavy the bike is on it's own, it rode fine there and back with the load (about 38lbs). out of curiousity i put both bags of rock on one side and it still seemed to ride ok (just doing some figure 8's in front of the house). i weighed the truck wheels out of curiousty and they are about 63lbs apiece. i want to believe i would have made it, but i'm glad that wasn't my first test.

so im kind of fooling with cargo bikes for fun again. working on finishing another past project (the one i called "big bottom" earlier in the thread), playing with one for a buildoff on another forum (a stretch cruiser cargo bike), an electric mountain bike i'm trying to do as much thinking on as i can before i start on it , and thinking on a lighter version of this one 'cause i think the weight is it's main real minus.
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Old 09-12-13, 03:50 PM
  #455  
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thanks, it was a pretty interesting side project from my usual stretch cruisers. i'm trying to make myself finish the other one that's sort of a mate to it, a madsen inspired one.

i don't really use it though. the couple posts afterward where i tried different loads are the only times i've ridden it, but it seems like it'll work for me if i need it.
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Old 09-13-13, 04:04 PM
  #456  
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I de-electrified Stretch today and then hooked up the trailer and picked my daughter up from school... have a bunch of stuff to donate to the co-op so the trailer is going to get a good workout and figure I am good for an extra hundred pounds per trip.

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Old 11-26-13, 02:34 PM
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What an amazing thread! I've been laughing and ahhing my way through the whole thing
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Old 12-25-13, 01:45 AM
  #458  
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well than your going to love this build. thanks for posting guys your ideas helped. rides great
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Old 01-10-14, 10:27 AM
  #459  
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Originally Posted by karma
well than your going to love this build.
Yes, I really loved it!
I would like to see more detailes and pics.
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Old 01-10-14, 10:36 AM
  #460  
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Winter #6 for Stretch... he is going to be getting a little brother soon.

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Old 01-13-14, 01:52 PM
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here are a few more pics. wiring up the controller and 12v regulator
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Old 03-26-14, 08:21 PM
  #462  
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well heres what I made after stumbling onto this site.

End game is a family hauler for the wife to get our 2 boys around in. Burley trailer is too small(and too big!) And big dummies are too much $$$ so heres our homebuilt Xtra-re-cycle.

Have under $20 into new cables and a stick of EMT.



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Old 04-19-14, 10:25 PM
  #463  
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tilting tadpole trike

not completed yet
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Old 05-06-14, 08:29 PM
  #464  
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here it is!! been lurking in this forum for a long time waiting to do this. meet "big tony" phase 1, phase 2: merge my gas cruiser & halogens/motorcycle battery onto here

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Old 06-10-14, 12:05 PM
  #465  
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As you can see, I am thinking it. Rear triangle from a dumpster find Mongoose XR 75 26 inch, and front fork from the same only because I want the better brakes, and a murray explorer 26 inch womens bike that was a part of a 5 bike freebie deal. Keep it free or cheap so if I do not like it I can sell cheap.

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Old 06-11-14, 06:28 AM
  #466  
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No longer just thinking it. Was going to mount to the spindle but not enough threads to put on a chain tensioner so working on plan b of mounting to where the triangle mounted to the frame originally. Also please excuse the mess, MIDNIGHT pic after tearing down and mocking up.
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Old 12-09-14, 02:07 AM
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well, i let clutch cargo go

Falls City Community Bikeworks - Louisville, Kentucky - Bike Shop | Facebook

i meant to finish another cargo project first, but i needed room in my garage for a non bike project. so i took it to the co-op and offered it to anyone who might be interested in it, or i'd come back for it later once i cleaned out my garage a little more. one person took an interest and has been using it some over the last couple weeks. he replaced the balloon tires and add some safety stuff (reflectors, mirrors, etc.). he also mentioned riding on the back for a short ride and how smooth the shock made being the passenger.

and that's my only regret. i meant to keep the big shock i added towards the end of my previous posts. whenever i get started on a new cargo bike i'll have to look for another one. i still think others should try a full suspension cargo bike.

all in all, i'm glad to see it being used and seeming to be usefull. i only used it those few times i posted trying different loads on it. now i mean to finish the other madsen-ish bike i posted in this thread, and i have a couple ideas for an edgerunner type long tail once i finish some other projects.
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Old 05-13-15, 11:17 AM
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I agree Philphine - I love a full suspension cargo bike, but sorry to hear about your experience..
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Old 05-18-15, 04:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Payphone
In 2003 I went to Ghana, Africa, to establish a school for cargo bike design. My first step was to build and test each kind of cargo bike that I could think of, about 25 in all. Then after testing them in the bush we found that the xtra-cycle style could maximize load given the single-track jungle terrain. So now the school makes them for the government, which is trying to aid farmers in getting Ghana's rich natural resources to market:

This rocks!
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Old 05-19-15, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by RuralJuror
I agree Philphine - I love a full suspension cargo bike, but sorry to hear about your experience..
it's no big deal. actually i can get the bike back. the guy who took the most interest in it had to move out of state and left the bike at the co-op. i can take it back anytime, but i'm still kinda hoping someone else will take an interest in it. i'm holding parts for three other ideas and still don't want to bring it back home.
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Old 06-13-15, 03:16 PM
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Hi,
I was mesmerized by this thread as I have never heard of an xtracycle before.
Some time ago I was given a dutch bike which was brilliant for my own use but carrieng a child seat was a bit more difficult.

And here you are with this fantastic idea of diy xtracycle. My attempt to make one is on its way but I would like to ask you all for some support. I want to keep the original frame untouched so maybe one day it will be restored to its virgin state

My question is what should I be aware of with such construction. This bike will have to withstand my weight (100kg), 2x toddlers and panniers. Is this going to work?
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Old 08-21-15, 01:56 AM
  #472  
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Hi everyone,

this is mine xtracycle like project, using aluminium bars for cargo rack and fortification :



this is link to flickr album with detailed pictures:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/622196...h/20727273746/

Hope to finish before school starts to be able to ride to work and carry kids (twins age 6)

All comments and suggestions are welcome.
Stay cool everyone
Siniša
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Old 08-04-16, 02:38 PM
  #473  
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Originally Posted by sbronic
Hi everyone,

this is mine xtracycle like project, using aluminium bars for cargo rack and fortification :


this is link to flickr album with detailed pictures:


Hope to finish before school starts to be able to ride to work and carry kids (twins age 6)

All comments and suggestions are welcome.
Stay cool everyone
Siniša
I have just seen this post today. Looked at the flickr site and found the bike is finished and being used. Well done.

i think using the square aluminium pipe is a wery good idea. I just made a trike using 1" alu tubing. I suggest anybody wanting to build anything with such tubing should take some time and look at the zyx spaceframe wehicles, how they build them and how they strenghten the joints. If done the right way it is super strong!

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...67HZMdQ1_nNprg

https://www.google.no/search?q=xyz+s...hrome&ie=UTF-8

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Old 03-19-17, 11:26 AM
  #474  
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Hi Ive been lurking on this thread for many years I'd like to give mucho respecto to everybody who has contributed. Ive seen some great projects on here but not a small wheeled longtail yet.

Im on my second build. I'm using a Raleigh Twenty type frame Branded Elswick Sovereign and I've cannibalised a child's 20" full suspension MTB. Im also using an old tail-gator (trail bike adaptor) to mount the restraining bar on onto the seat post. This is as far is I'm going to take it today but next on the list is to cut the tail-gator to the correct length, drill some holes and attach it to the swingarm.
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Old 03-20-17, 08:11 AM
  #475  
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Originally Posted by maxwiggan
Hi Ive been lurking on this thread for many years I'd like to give mucho respecto to everybody who has contributed. Ive seen some great projects on here but not a small wheeled longtail yet.

Im on my second build. I'm using a Raleigh Twenty type frame Branded Elswick Sovereign and I've cannibalised a child's 20" full suspension MTB. Im also using an old tail-gator (trail bike adaptor) to mount the restraining bar on onto the seat post. This is as far is I'm going to take it today but next on the list is to cut the tail-gator to the correct length, drill some holes and attach it to the swingarm.
After making and riding two longtails I started making a 20" longtail and stopped when it was half way done. I made the two first bikes to ride with my dog and since the dog is gone I guess I do not need a longtail like I did. Also I found that after modernizing a locally built R20 type steel bike I found that you can actually load such a bike with much more cargo than you can with a regular size bike if done the right way so I am not sure I need a longtail 20" bike. Maybe if I wanted to transport two child seats on one bike or similar.

Do you have pix of your build?

This is a friend borrowing my "mule" 20" bike. It could have been loaded with much more than it is in this picture:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/778361...posted-public/
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