Xtracycle: Footsies?

[sarahlou]

oh yeah... did you know that surly is coming out with a long wheel base cargo bike and Kona is meant to as well- so that you don't need the xtracycle- but you may want it if you want variation in your wheel base.

[KnottedYet]

Darn, I just bought a new Kona today!!! (no, I'm happy with it)
The LBS told me about the Surly, but not about the Kona. For right now, the regular wheelbase is good cuz I might be commuting by bus with the bike. (gotta fit in those racks). Can't spend more money until I make some more.

[sgtiger]

Here's a picture of the Surley Big Dummy. And here's a link to a review. It's seems pretty cool, but if I had the money I think I'd get a Bakfiet. But, alas, I'm broke so I guess it's moot.

[sgtiger]

Oh, I almost forgot there's the long-tail cargo from Sasha White. Mmm... Vanilla! Yum! Yum! Now to go find me a sugar daddy. I'm sure DH wouldn't mind, especially since he got me into this bike thing in the first place.

[sarahlou]

I thought you might like to see the xtracycle in "load mode". I flew in last night from a work trip and my husband and dog picked me up and he peddled us home- probably around 5 miles and bags+dog+me about 160 lbs. He wants to get an assisted motor for the surly! But managed to ride the whole way.

[sarahlou]

oh, I forgot to add that there was a 25 mile/hr. head wind!

[KnottedYet]

Here's a picture of the Surley Big Dummy. And here's a link to a review. It's seems pretty cool, but if I had the money I think I'd get a Bakfiet. But, alas, I'm broke so I guess it's moot.

The review by Aaron Goss ( www.rideyourbike.com ) you linked has me thinking maybe I should wait for a Surly Big Dummy? He's such a proponent of Xtracycles that hearing him say he likes the Surly *more* makes me nervous...

I can't find Kona's long-wheelbase hauler, does anyone have a link for that?

And, ooooh, that Vanilla.... prettier than the Surly.

Sarahlou - That has GOT to be ONE OF THE COOLEST bike pictures I've EVER SEEN!!!!! Oh, man, I *want* an Xtracycle (of some sort)!! What kind of bars do you have? Are those Nitto Albatross? Man, that is a great picture!

[sarahlou]

Yes, those are Nitto road albatross bars (although they're called road, they take mt. bike shifters and levers), they are great, super comfy and I have a softride suspension stem which makes bumps no problem (and even kind of fun!).

My husband tells me that the kona long wheelbase bike is in the works but not out (he heard this from a Kona rep) and that they will make there own accesories, not use xtracycle.

Get a long bike! They're great!

[KnottedYet]

Is the join between the Xtracycle and the Karate Monkey solid as a rock? or does it flex around a little?

The bike I'd be putting the Xtracycle on is an aluminum frame (Kiddo fell in love with the steel Smoke and now it's his bike, so I'm back to the aluminum Dew) and I worry the aluminum won't take the strain or flex of an Xtracycle and will fail.

Sure do love those Albatross bars. I like a narrower grip, so I'm thinking about a Nitto Dove. I'll have to see what comes of that...

[mimitabby]

great picture, Sarahlou!