Xtracycle/SUB?

[spotlightmama]

I want to start commuting whenever/wherever possible. That means I need a new bike. Oh I know, I don't really need a new bike...but I only have one and I just really can't see taking my Terry to get groceries.

I do own a Huffy-type mountain-bike that is about 9 or 10 years old. It's in fine condition, although I wouldn't call it a quality bike. I also have an entry-level bike trailer (can't take both my kids yet, as one is only 7-months). But I think I could probably haul stuff in there in needed.

Anyway, I've got my eye on the Xtracycle and I was looking for opinions. Has anyone used the conversion kit? What about the Electra Townie SUB (here: http://www.xtracycle.com/electra-townie-p-87.html). Seems like a fairly reasonable price - is it worth it? Is there anyway to also hook a bike trailer up so I can bring the kiddos when they are both old enough?

Here are a few options:

-use my existing MB and my bike trailer to haul groceries. Free, but slightly a PITA to ride the trailer around.
-buy a conversion kit and convert my existing MB. I think about $400?
-buy the Electra Townie SUB. $800-ish

I'd love any opinions. Thanks!!

[Blueberry]

I don't have anything similar but....Have you looked at the Surly Big Dummy? Someone on here (sorry - don't remember who) has one and IIRC loves it!

CA

[spotlightmama]

Drooled over it is more like it, lol! But alas, that is too far out of my budget. I think the BD was like $1,800. I just don't think I can spring for that yet.

[Blueberry]

Yeouch. I had no idea it was that expensive....

[RoadRaven]

Oh I know, I don't really need a new bike...

*Stage whisper*
Pssst... girls.... I can't BELIEVE she just said that.

Did you see what she said???? I CANT believe she said that!

[spotlightmama]

*Stage whisper*
Pssst... girls.... I can't BELIEVE she just said that.

Did you see what she said???? I CANT believe she said that!

rofl!!

Yeah, and it's all thanks to you ladies. I thought my shiny new (to me) Terry road bike was enough. I had no idea, lol!!

[divingbiker]

Here are a few options:

-use my existing MB and my bike trailer to haul groceries. Free, but slightly a PITA to ride the trailer around.
-buy a conversion kit and convert my existing MB. I think about $400?
-buy the Electra Townie SUB. $800-ish

I've got an old MTB converted to an Xtracycle. It is so cool.

It cost about $400 plus shipping for the conversion kit and $50 for the LBS to install it. I also needed a new rear brake, because mine was the wrong kind and wouldn't work with the Xtracycle kit.

So already you're over $500. For $300 more, I'd go with the Townie and get a bike that you know is going to hold up well to the added weight.

I don't know if you can attach a trailer, but I can't imagine that it would be a good thing. Your turning radius would be huge, and it would be too far back to keep track of the kiddos. Maybe get a Peapod seat from Xtracycle for use when they are older?

The first option--bike + trailer--might work fine, but you'd have fun with an Xtracycle!

[spotlightmama]

I've got an old MTB converted to an Xtracycle. It is so cool.

It cost about $400 plus shipping for the conversion kit and $50 for the LBS to install it. I also needed a new rear brake, because mine was the wrong kind and wouldn't work with the Xtracycle kit.

So already you're over $500. For $300 more, I'd go with the Townie and get a bike that you know is going to hold up well to the added weight.

I don't know if you can attach a trailer, but I can't imagine that it would be a good thing. Your turning radius would be huge, and it would be too far back to keep track of the kiddos. Maybe get a Peapod seat from Xtracycle for use when they are older?

The first option--bike + trailer--might work fine, but you'd have fun with an Xtracycle!

Thank you -it's great to hear from someone firsthand! I was thinking the same thing about just getting the Townie since my old MTB is pretty much crap. They look so cool, but I wasn't sure how they were in reality. I also wasn't sure what people thought about the Electra Townie, but the reviews I've found online seem to be pretty good.

I think would definitely get the PeaPod and ditch the trailer. The trailer is like a big sail anyways, which is why I don't really want to just use that set up (well, that and I want a new bike, lol). The PeaPod looks pretty nice.

[divingbiker]

I don't know if you saw this on the Xtracycle site, but under the women's Townie model they have a link that says "a word on the ladies frame." It says:

The ladies’ frame’s very low step-over height is convenient for stopping and for getting on and off. That’s especially helpful in town, with stops at stores and when you have your S.U.B. loaded. Women and men can equally appreciate the convenience of avoiding the Giant Leg Swing.

BUT… While perfectly capable of handling regular loads, the geometry of a ladies’ frame is not as strong as the diamond frame. If you think you’ll be carrying 100-pound-plus cargoes with frequency over the life of your bike, you should get the diamond frame. This goes for all S.U.B. models and brands we sell.

So you should keep that in mind as you decide between the men's and women's models.

[Geonz]

I was really afraid I'd have buyer's remorse when I got my Xtracycle. I'd started shopping for panniers because the biggest "guess I have to use the car" reason was "I have to bring..."
First look at the site (which they've improved immensely) I thought "tempting but not really - too expensive!!"
It was the end of the semester, tho', and I had time to really read the site and get to its background and history.
Then I asked my LBS guy and he heard of 'em (which was not that common 3 years ago) and woudl be glad to do it for me. I had the perfect entry-level hybrid for the task.
I figured that despite the raves, it was not going to 'change my life' 'cause I'd already made that change to using my bike a lot... but it took me to a whole new threshold. I remember that first day-after-tornadoes and starting to think I would take the car and the bike saying "what do you mean? the winds are down to 35 mph!!! And if there's stuff blocking the road you can get around it *better* with a bike! And... it'll be being IN the world, not watching it through a screen!" ... adn so I did, and had my first 'urban moment' clearing the odd big trash can from the middle of the road while a school bus stopped and flashed its lights so I could do it safely.
It's ridiculously easy to carry *whatever* on the thing. Crock pot... a million books... laundry... and of course, I can decorate it for the seasons. Its coolness runs deep - real engineering went into it, and not just one guy in his basement.
The Big Dummy is not only expensive but I think it's got a pretty long waiting list.
I"d want to test ride whatever bike I was going to use (I'm pretty sure I would not care for the Townie geometry).
I put over 6,000 miles on my Xtracycle last year. I haven't needed a car except for two rentals since I sold mine to my brother last May. IT's fun :-)