Monday, August 31, 2009

411: Practical Cycles Latest Xtracycle Creation





















Hi There,

Here's our latest creation at Practical Cycles in the UK. Hope you like it.

Happy riding

Zaynan


--
Zaynan Lythgoe
Practical Cycles
www.practicalcycles.com

Sunday, August 30, 2009

410: Tim's Xtracycle

Photo courtesy Timo Vogel.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

409: Gibby's New Xtracycle






















Voila! My "new" Xtracycle. I replaced the old Bridgestone frame that I started with for #1 in the Gallery. The Bridgestone, while a classic, was a bit cramped, and could not sport the wide rubber and disk brakes on this baby. Plus, the eternal churn of the bike biz was taking it's toll... pretty hard to find parts that fit. They are out there but the selection is getting slim and most of the local shops around here have moved on. Parts gets dated so quickly and then pretty soon it's obsolete. Which is really a shame because the Bridgestone is such a great all around bike. For Bridgestone fans out there, never fear. It is still in the stable, but it in process of getting converted into a "friend ride."

The updated donor bike is a Kona Lava Dome, all steel. It has Avid BB7s (203 rear, 160 front), Schwalbe Big Apples and Nitto Albatross bars. The fork is Duke XC which will likely be replaced at some point for a rigid setup, probably a Surly 1x1. It came with the Kona so I'm going to try it for awhile. Who knows maybe I'll like it.

Some little technical hitches remain. The Big Apples are so big that the chain rubs in the largest cog while in the granny gear. At some point I'll need to switch out the bottom bracket for something wider to see if it helps, which it may not. For now, I've lost a gear... it is effectively a 7 speed. I'm sure I can make up the ratio in the front if it is really a problem. Again I'm going to ride it around a bunch and see how it feels.

The Xtracycle has been out of commission for a month or two now. I'm thrilled to have it back!! Can anyone relate??? :)

Happy trails folks,

John

Thursday, August 20, 2009

408: Steven's Xtracycle





















Here's another Xtracycle for your collection.


The conversion is based around a 1998 Edinburgh Contour 400 mountain bike which I've had from new. I bought the Xtracycle conversion from Practical Cycles in England.

Since then I've carried loads of stuff with it (pallets, compost, a trombone, recycling, shopping, other bikes, my kids, friends, my kid's friends, a cat, and sometimes combinations of several of those things).

I wouldn't say it's totally changed my lifestyle - I've never yet owned a car and have relied on bike trailers for carrying bigger stuff. However, it has made it really easy to carry bigger stuff without having to set up a trailer each time I need it.


By the way, if you're going to carry pallets like this, take it slowly and make sure they're tied down really well. I had no trouble doing it. They're also much heavier than you think just from looking at them.


Keep up the inspirational gallery!


Steven










Wednesday, August 19, 2009

407: Joe's Xtracycle























Hi,


Shifted a small fridge today.

Lovely.

Cheers,
Joe

brighton, uk

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

406: Arthur's Xtracycle





















Please find attached pictures of my newly built Xtracycle. The donor bike is a brand new Specialized Globe City 6, with 8-speed hub gears and dynamo lights. I carefully spray painted the Xtracycle frame matching satin black before fitting it and it looks a treat. I changed the twist-grip gear changer for a trigger one, added a chain tensioner on the back and fitted better V-brakes. I've mounted the rear lamp underneath the back of the Top-deck, out of harms way.


I live in a town called Lutterworth in Leicestershire in the centre of England, and it's the only Xtracycle in town! I love going out on it and find any excuse to go on an errand. She gets lots of attention every time I take her out. The only other change I'm planning is a sprung Brooks leather saddle for comfort. I'd love to fit the H/D twin leg centre stand but I can't justify the expense.

Hope your able to find a spot on your Xtracycle gallery for my bike. Keep up the good work.

Best regards,

Arthur C. Grudfuttle. (England)



Thursday, August 13, 2009

405: Mike's Xtracycle























Photo courtesy of Mike at NEAT Bicycle Company in Maine.

He is an Xtracycle reseller (and enthusiast!) in Maine for those of you in the Northeast looking for knowledgeable help on how to become an everyday hero.

Donor bike.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

404: Jeremy's Big Dummy























Jeremy has a great Big Dummy review on his blog at Cog and Chain.

403: Chris' Kona Xtracycle























Had my old Kona Lana'i and found an Xtracycle kit on Craigslist, and voila! One trip to the LBS and now I'm in business. Special shout out to Brent at Ozone Bikes in Austin, Texas for putting it all together!


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Xtracycle Fork Swap













I saw an update on #69 in his Flickr stream... check it out. Boc replaced his old Trek fork with a Surly 1x1. Very cool!!




















As I was scanning to find the original post, I came across #302 who did this as well (blog post here), also on a Trek 4300. Must be a very sucky fork.


Towing a Canoe with a Radish





















Hi
I recently towed my canoe from one location to another in Brooklyn. It's amazing how seeing a bike towing a canoe really makes people smile!
thanks
Lopi LaRoe
Band of Bicycles

402: Hojji Firemaker's Xtracycle



























Here is a pic of my Cannondale/xtracycle! I love it! My darling, Nacoa, is the Butterfly Faerie riding on the Freeradical snap deck... SO MUCH FUN!

Monday, August 10, 2009

401: Travis' Radish






















Greetings,

Here's a recent photo of the Radish in action, rescuing one of the many items I've found on the curbside and put back into use. It's now a table in my backyard.

Kohlrabi,

Travis, Band of Bicycles.
--
www.bushwickfarmersmarket.org
www.bandofbicycles.com

Friday, August 7, 2009

Great Deal on Big Dummy Frameset













Hey party people -- if you are in the market for a Big Dummy, here is a deal for you. Especially good if you are in the greater NorCal / Oregon area (free delivery!).


18" unused big dummy frame and fork. green like the rest. comes with installed ritchey pro logic headset. I can deliver anywhere on I-5 corridor Sacramento to Portland this coming week (Aug 10-16).

$850

Contact kipchoge at:

530-292-3181

or
904-608-0139

Saturday, August 1, 2009

400!!! Doug's Xtracycle























Hi,

Here are pictures of my Blue Truck/Xtracycle. I've been car free since 2002, but getting my Xtracycle in 2007 made a world of difference. I can't remember how I did it without my Xtracycle!


The donor bike is a 1987 or 1988 Specialized Rockhopper that was given to me in 1991. For many years it was my only working bicycle. When I moved to Northern Minnesota in 2001 it became my year round commuter. When I decided to make it my donor bike I stripped it, had it powder coated and gave it all new components. It's a dream bicycle.


More pictures on my blog at:
http://www.mnbicyclecommuter.blogspot.com/

Doug Robertson/Duluth, Minnesota















399: ROMINA the Wonderbike























Hello, Xtracycle Gallery! Here's my long-overdue contribution to the gallery. I give you ROMINA the Wonderbike! (formerly just a great Bianchi Osprey). I made the two-kid seat with inspiration from Mark Kohr's photos (and lots of others).

I've made a few for other Xtra-great moms who need to haul kids car-free, and welcome inquiries about the 2-kid seats:


kate.rob@verizon.net.

Thanks for compiling the xtrawesome gallery!


--Rob

Cheverly, MD

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