bicicletta

So, I admit, I got a little tipsy at a benefit auction in Alaska a few summers ago and purchased myself an x-tra cycle....this...hmmmm....contraption that extends your bike and lets you, "Haul your T.V. to the Dump".
The tee-shirt (sporting that very logo) has gotten more use that said xtra cycle. I"m hesitant to attach this thing to my bike....it seems kind of intrusive.
Does ANYONE actually own and use this?
If not, I've got a spanking new x.tra cycle for sale for cheap!!!!
Just joking.
I'm sure that there is a use for this thing. It's just that I"m going on my first self contained tour and I have four panniers that I'm trying not to fill. The x.tra cycle seems like a joke.

Wingman115

Here's a journal of a fellow I believe used the same system that you purchased.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...207123806#8144

becklion

Yeah, I just bought an xtracycle and hooked it up to the bike, and straight off i'll be honest- i get a little self conscious riding it. but it does work really cool and people like riding on the back a lot so that's fun. a lot of people comment on it and think it's neato. i took it single-track mountain biking in the slop and it was sweet to peel off layers and chuck them in the back, plus take a camera and apples and have nothing on your back- i hauled about 30 lbs of gear and it just made my rear wheel bite more awesome on the steep stuff. the handling feels a bit funky at first, but i don't notice it anymore at all- i'm excited to start taking it grocery shopping and to the beach.

asterisk

some hippie guy at my school has one strapped on some ****ty mtb with huge amounts of chain slack. woohoo.

SteelCommuter

It's no joke, bicicletta. After all, what other attachment let's you carry up to 200-250 lbs, which might include a full touring load, a kayak, and your dog? I bought one last year and put it on a steel Jamis Exile mountain bike, and everybody loves it. It extends your wheelbase, effectively increasing stability on a tour. But if you are hesitant, buy a used bike to attach it to, or a new one, like I did. You can get an inexpensive mountain bike on ebay or Craigslist. It's not obtrusive, and it's fairly light. You can put some fat tires on it and it's a great singletrack bike, and people tour on it all the time. My wife and I are going to Vietnam this summer, and she's taking it. After all, they were developed as workhorse utility devices for communties in Africa and Latin America (although yours is a somewhat more polished version!). When I lived in San Diego, I would take the bike to the grocery store for a week's worth of shopping for two. I remember one time it rained and HAILED and everything was nice and protected in the sidebags.

Don't sell it.

best

globalrider

[Well if ya do decide to sell it please let me know, I was really interested in getting one to tinker with: See what I could get to to work with, but the price tag didn't fit into my entertainment budget hope you enjoy it if you hang onto it

paulson

I bought the xtra-cycle last spring. I was rather sceptical at first, but the contraption does work and is very stable. The only draw back for me is that a rear tire change "in the field'' is difficult because there is too little space between my large width contintental top tour tire and the xtra cycle chain stay ( and the end of the fender I used). But then I have a 700 C cross bike. That probably would not be a problem with the 26 inch xtra cycle.
I have found that it is much more stable than my rear rack and panniers set up for hauling large/ and or heavy loads (lower center of gravity). I think that it is a much better choice for commuting and/ or loaded touring than a rear rack and panniers.
But if you know you will probably never carry much on your bike, I wouldn't spend the money.

gpsblake

Hank Raines used an xtra cycle when he tours with his dogs. His journals are an excellent read.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...=Airwick&v=1l7

I think his current trip on Route 66 is not on an xtra-cycle although I could be wrong. He swears by them.

biodiesel

Just ordered mine. I've been researching alot for the last couple months and heard good things, ridden a few in town and liked the ride.
Mine is going to start as a townie/ utility bike and may grow into a heavy tourer (my light touring is under 20lbs.)
I rode a buddies xtra, at first it felt a little heavy and doggish and the short slow turns were a little skittish, i asked my buddy about the steering and he was like 'oh, yeah, the weight slows it down a little..." Then i noticed that the freeloader had like 3 bags of heavy groceries, at least 40 pounds. Heavier than anything i'd put in my panniers and felt 'a little doggish'.
Knew i was sold.

The passenger thing really does work too, rode with a couple last week that rode a 20 mile cruiser ride together. The xtra may have a longer turn radius, but this couple rode in a crazy group of about 150 riders on paths, streets, sidewalks and alleys and seemed to handle great in the crowd. Much better than the guys with trailers...