BIGDCYCLES

I am having a hard time figuring out the racks on my diy xtracycle. Got something mocked up but trying to figure out bracing and complete design are driving me nuts. I want it wide on top and the ability to run the lower mounted sides as well. Basically as much flat area as possible without looking awkward or gawdy. Below is where I am at so far.

syncro87

Just in case this gives you any ideas...

I used to have a Sun Atlas Cargo before I picked up my Trek transport. (The Sun is made to be xtracycle compatible, same dimensions) I made my own wide loaders. Let me see if I can scratch you up any pics...

Yep. Here you go.

Sun Wide Loaders Slideshow by mbrickell | Photobucket


The plastic tubing I used fits the holes in the bike frame almost exactly. In other words, almost the exact outer diameter of factory xtra wide loaders. I got it at a hardware store, it came the perfect length and threaded on both ends. I didn't have to cut it at all, just screwed standard plumbing caps on the ends. The wood is standard fencing plank, cut to length. The parts were cheap, available at any hardware store (HD, Lowes, etc) and I got a surprising number of positive comments on the wood from passers by.

If you could weld some little steel tubing sections on your frame, you could also make your homebrew bike there compatible with the xtracycle standard. That opens up a lot of accessories, assuming you give a hoot.

The beauty of using holes in your frame to put crossbars and wide loaders on, is that if you want to run narrow, you take them off in a minute. If you want wide cargo capability, you slap them on. Also, the cargo weight is nice and low. The lower, the better in my experience.

Check out some pics you can find online of the Sun Atlas Cargo frame (or my pics here). Since they designed it to be a factory one piece xtracycle, they did the frame engineering for you. The bracing on their frame might give you some good ideas of how to go about it as far as a basic design.

BIGDCYCLES

Thanks for the pics and the ideas. The wide loaders being removable is what I was thinking of doing.

Anyone else?

Philphine

there are finished pics of mine in the home built xtracycle thread, but here is the build thread

FreakBike Nation • View topic - clutch cargo/cargo bike 1

BIGDCYCLES

Lots of welding involved in that. Trying to build this one as a no weld since I am limited on tools living in an apartment.

rdlange

I have the same 'no weld' challenges. Have two identical racks I can use, however I am playing with electrical conduit and a bender. Need to fill the tube with sand to get tight bends, and not happy with the results yet. And I really like your re-purposed top tubes.

BIGDCYCLES

I am trying to use what I have or can grab from dumpsters, trash, or scrap piles. Makes it challenging but fun. The top tubes are from a crutch, aluminum, light, and surprisinglly strong. I may have to break down and buy a few things but the majority will be repurposed.

As for your problem with uneven bends, you can make wood forms or bucks and bend around them if you have a jigsaw or bandsaw, wood around the same thickness of the tubing diameter, c clamps, and a strong table or workbench.

HSean

This is one I made. its a simple one. the top was fairly easy to make aswell. good for trips to food store and such. but the decks a good idea.

BIGDCYCLES

Now thinking with payday on Friday that I may go to our local aircraft material surplus store and see about some aluminum square or rectangular tubing to build some nice STRONG and LIGHT racks. Aircraft grade aluminum would be amazing for this and look really nice.