Nightshade

I've noted a trend to discuss only the xtracycle or the Big Dummy
of late but IMO they are but one type of , and a "johnny come lately
at that" , utility cycle.

More focus needs to be put on regular robust work type bike that
are more suitable to the whole concept of Utility Cycling as a whole.

We want to get more people on bike to do yeoman utility riding so
can we please discuss less the specialized bikes ,i.e. xtracycle, and
discuss more the more mainstream cycle & trikes?

John Lesar

People are currently discussing what they have or are building.

coldfeet

+1

If you want to discuss other stuff,... go ahead!
The Dummy has been in the pipeline for a while now, the pressure has built up,
and now they are coming on stream it's the thing of the moment, it'll pass.
Other stuff will be talked about as it comes.

santiago

Exactly. I only wandered into Utility Cycling specifically to read up on the various BD builds as I have one on the way. Where I can I will chime in but it will tend to be BD specific as those are the topics I'm reading.

That's the nature of forums, people discuss what they want to discuss. If something else interests them they will participate but to go so far as to request people to "discuss less" a particular topic is just silly.

BAH

haha I nominate this as strangest post of the week.

This forum is no longer for discussing what interests everybody, it's only for discussing what
interests the OP. Please get his permission before discussing anything further

Abneycat

Well, I do understand that while we have a "show your utility bike" thread, people have been showing theirs in separate threads all their own, which is defeating the purpose of that thread and kinda one-upping the concept.

Still, people are excited about their new rides, and its understandable why. I don't see why its a really big deal, but it does seem to warrant maybe making an Xtracycle/Big Dummy: construction/tips, what works, what doesn't sort of thread that we can just stuff it all into or something?

Mr. Jim

Big Dummy and the Xtracycle are the latest in Utility biking, most people who are doing new builds are going that way so of course it is getting most of the hype. If you would like to discuss something else by all means start a thread. On a related note I am currently working on a "grocery getter" type of trailer. My criteria is this:

All parts readily available
able to be built with normal hand tools
carry two full size bags of groceries
Able to be hitched, unhitched in less than 10seconds
easy to store
be aesthetically pleasing.

I've got the design done and the hitch worked out (lots of random wandering in hardware stores went into this) And I will post when I actually get it built and work out any flaws that crop up during the build.

Point is, people are doing other stuff, but the BD and xtra happen to be front page right now. 6 months from now a new poster will ask "anyone ever heard of an xtracycle?" and we will all have a good chuckle

surfimp

Maybe I missed something, but doesn't the Xtracycle/Big Dummy fit that definition as well or better as anything else out there?

The work bikes with the big ole baskets on the front (welded to frame not fork) and similar are interesting, but honestly I see them being used more in a factory type of setting as a sort of forklift replacement than I do as an actual commute/transport/tour/onroad/offroad/whatever type of bike like an Xtracycle or Big Dummy.

And honestly the Xtracycle is the answer to "gosh I'd love to take my bike more but I can't seem to fit enough crap on it" dilemma. Works for nearly any bike. The Big Dummy is the step up for the person with a true commitment to "weirdness", wanting to be able to do almost anything with their bike.

In sum, I think these bikes are extremely popular and with good reason. That said, there's plenty of room for discussing all the other stuff, too. My utility bike is a single speed beach cruiser with a coaster brake, trailer hitch, rear rack and fold out baskets. Suits me just fine... till the Big Dummy I see in my future arrives anyways



Steve

The Human Car

Doesn't all utility cycling come down to adding a special something-or-other to your bike or buying a specialized bike? Wither it is where to score a low cost milk crate to add to your bike or adding Xtracycle to your bike they both expand the utilitarian nature of mainstream bikes. I seem to be missing exactly where you are drawing the line.

I ride an Xtracycle equipped mainstream bike and the most frequent talking point/question is about it being adding it to a mainstream bike perhaps you have missed that point?

bizzz111

I demand a separate xtracycle/big dummy sub-forum!!!! All this xtracycle talk is clogging up the three posts about other types of cargo bikes!!!

[/sarcasm]

The Human Car

Obviously suffering from cargo-inferiority syndrome. XC (Xtracycle Cyclists) not only take the lane but take whatever else they want to take with them.

vik 

Instead of trying to squash enthusiasm for the Xtracycle and BD I think a better approach is to start some threads on other types of utility bikes and see what people have to say. The problem you may run into is people are only going to contribute to threads they have an interest in so depending on who populates this forum some types of utility cycles will be under represented. Not much you can do about that until new people join who want to talk about these other bikes.

Rob_E

I like the idea of a Big Dummy/Xtracycle tips thread, and I do hope we see people's finished builds in the "show your utility bike" thread, but I also have no problem with the individual threads devoted to individual builds. Many discuss components that are strictly a matter of preference, so those types of discussions might clog a "tips" thread, and many have several, detailed photos which I like to see, but several photos of one bike might not be appropriate in the "show your utility bike" forum.

But then I guess that suggestion -- a Big Dummy tips thread in addition to the existing threads, is exactly what the OP does not want.

I agree with the OP that there is much more to discuss in the Utility forum than the Xtracycle, but I don't think the solution is to discuss the Xtracycle less. Discuss other topics more. I'm sure not everyone in the forum will be picking up a Big Dummy, so I'm sure other discussions will continue. At the moment there are several in the grip of Big Dummy fever, and I'm enjoying reading about it. But there's always room for other discussions. Someone just has to start them.

dwainedibbly

I'm really enjoying the BD threads. I think I'd prefer it as a 29er, but there will probably be one in my future regardless, so it's nice learning from the experiences that are being posted. It'll make my equipment choices a lot easier.

Too much BD right now? Nah. As already stated, there was a lot of pent-up demand and people are really getting their build going. Wait a couple of months and it'll calm down. Besides: there is nothing to prevent people from posting about Dutch cargo bikes or whatever.

If the OP wants a utility cycling distraction, may I suggest https://www.copenhagengirlsonbikes.com? (My Danish wife's favorite cycling site, btw.)

PrairieDog

I'm enjoying reading all the xtracycle threads.

vik 

Great site here is a URL that works:

https://copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com/

dwainedibbly

Thanks, vik.

JeffS

You're free to start whatever thread you want...

Unfortunately, you've chosen to start off-topic threads about politics, peak oil, and of course, this one...

Thanks for contributing to the Utility Cycling discussion.

kevbo

Interesting that I came across this thread just after posting in the "Does anyone own a HPM Long John?" thread.

I like seeing all the cargo/utility bikes folks are building and riding, and how they use them. I don't currently have much interest in having one of my own just now though....I haul stuff in a bike trailer, and that works well for me, and there are lots of good trailer threads in this forum too.