Anyone ever use/see/hear of a Surly Big Dummy or a Free Radical being used for touring?

I can't decide if it would be useful to have all of that extra space and the extra flex to dampen road noise or if it is too big and just one more thing to have break when you are on the road.

What do you guys think?

i just rode my xtracycle to death valley and back (jabantik 2010 on crazyguy.) i like it. i don't worry about it breaking, but it is large and difficult to get up stairs and such.

inb4 vik

check out the "riding the spine" blog, some guys rode from Alaska to Chile with xtracycles.

I wouldn't worry about it breaking, but do you really need the extra load-carrying ability? I find touring more enjoyable with a lighter load so I'd rather cut down on the amount of stuff I take along. But I could see the utility for extended tours in areas with very limited resupply opportunities.

I've done it as have others. A Big Dummy makes a great touring bike with sensible tire selection.

https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=1468390



The only real downside with touring with a Dummy is the bike is longer than a standard touring bike which is a bit more hassle to fly with, but it's still shorter than a tandem which people fly/tour on and you can add S&S couplers if you want. An Xtracycle is removable and I had a friend who toured with one by packing the Freerad and his donor bike into a large standard bike box to fly.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

If you're carrying very heavy or bulky loads it makes sense. If you're not I don't see the reason.

The extra utility of this bike is probably when being used around town as a plain ol' mule. Then it shines. I would hate to pedal it uphills though, as an older guy in not so great shape. If I were 20 and strong as a bull again, sure, why not.

I ride my Big Dummy around town when I have no cargo or passengers. It's just a fun bike to ride and not particularly slow.

No problemo - the Big Dummy is photogenic!

yep. my xtracycle has become my favorite bike, and i don't have any issue with just taking it for a ride. it's much faster than it looks. i run 26x1.75 slicks at 60psi (max recommended), and i think it rolls about as well as a 700x23 at 100psi. the main differences are: it is very difficult to wheelie over curbs and such and it's heavy. on the other hand, the long wheelbase is amazingly stable at speed. if you have any nearby descents that are 40mph+, let go of the brakes, get as aero as is comfortable, and smile.

i think a great many xtracycles are their owners' favorite bike.