Last weekend Lief and Abby helped me assemble my new XtraCycle. It was a fun project, and a lesson in how complicated a simple bike can be. We had to use a Dremel cut-off wheel to cut the new cable housings to the correct length, but other than that we used only typical mechanic's tools.
As you can see in the photo, I got the wide-loader option, but now I'm wondering why. It adds so much width to the bicycle that I wonder if I'll fit between posts at the ends of bicycle trails, and between light poles, fire hydrants and street signs on sidewalks.
With the XtraCycle FreeRadical extension, I am one step closer to having a StokeMonkey electric assist motor.
No worries about putting this bike on a Metro bus either. The friendly people at RideYourBike.com have posted photos of Seattle area XtraCycle owners, including proof of how to load one on a bus bike rack. (Click on the advertisement for XtraCycles to see the photos.)
5 comments:
So what happened to that fancy new Carbon-fiber rear wheel that you just bought? Does the new, smaller wheel have reinforced spokes so you aren't going to have spoke-fatigue problems?
Can you readily switch back and forth between the ExtraCycle and your standard rear wheel without too much foldarol?
The ExtraCycle looks real good for such rides as the Second Annual 4-Generation Tunnel Ride; it would have the capacity to carry all of the items that Grumpy wants/needs that he doesn't have the energy anymore to carry himself (lunch, snack bars, camera, camera paraphernalia, spare gloves, ... !!).
Don't confuse my two bikes. My Norco VFR4 is the one with the reflecting rear rim. It has an aluminum "deep V" rim with reflective tape, not carbon fiber.
The XtraCycle was built up from a Specialized, Global frame. The rear wheel is the same wheel I had before, but it was simply moved farther back.
The XtraCycle extension could be removed, but I have no intention of destroying such a beautiful bike in that way.
This is part of my plan to reduce my dependence on cars. I can take it to the grocery store and bring back four bags of groceries. I can ride it on an extended camping trip and carry a tent, food, cookware, and personal items (like a case of beer).
Unfortunately it looks like there will not be a Second Annual 4-Generation Tunnel Ride since the Washington State Parks Commission has closed ALL of the tunnels on the Iron Horse Trail. Permanently.
Back to the bike: Those are Schwabe Big Apple tires. They're 26x2.15" which provide extra load capacity. They run softer than regular road tires, so hopefully they will not shock the spokes into breaking as easily.
By the way, that rear wheel is practically new. I bought it the week before I decommissioned the bike and purchased the Norco. If the spokes start breaking, I know where I can get a good wheel: GHY Bikes in Renton.
WHAT!!!!!
"Unfortunately it looks like there will not be a Second Annual 4-Generation Tunnel Ride since the Washington State Parks Commission has closed ALL of the tunnels on the Iron Horse Trail. Permanently."
That's a criminal travesty!! Why did they plan to do that? I want to raise serious and vociferous objections!!
"Permanently" is a little strong right now. It was "until further notice" due to the potential for falling debris.
Objection (vociferous or otherwise) is probably in order.
You may be able to find info upon whom to direct your objection at this site:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/2008691509_trail31m.html
Maybe we could launch a "Four Generation Objection" to closure of the abandoned railroad tunnel at Snoqualmie Pass.
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