Hi

I have inherited Extracycle Free Radical Cargo bike conversion kit and I’m now just looking for a donor frame for the build (see ad in the wanted section).

Anyone else got one of these set ups? Any photos / advice / issues?

If you’ve not come across these before have a quick Google, they are fantastic, I’m looking forward to hauling kids, BBQs, picnics etc around this summer.

And Singletrack experiences very welcome.

Steve

Cargo bikes are great!

I looked at lots last year and ended up getting a Kona Ute for taking my two boys to nursery, was about £650 from Chainreaction. Xtracycle worked out quite expensive when to buy all the bits, worth looking at the Yuba Mundo if you also need a donor frame.

I’ve got one attached to a MK1 pipedream sirius. TBH it’s a chore to ride every day (I do the nursery run as part of my 6mile hilly commute), but mainly that’s due to hills. The donor frame would ideally be a lot stiffer than the pipedream, and I’ve found doing anything that can lower the centre of gravity helps a lot when carrying something that sits so high like a kid.

That sounds all negative, but it’s generally been a good buy. It keeps me from paying for and waiting around for public transport or buying a second car. I keep fitter in the process and our daughter gets used to bikes as a form of transport.

I love ours.

Built it about 6 yrs ago around my old 26″ Inbred frame.

It gets used less these days as its too far to the shops, but I use it for the school run escorting Stoner Jr Sr (he is now old enough to ride himself) and sometimes Stoner Jr Jr gets carried to nursery on it.

Sometimes both together

Tips from me:
I was lucky to get some v v cheap s/h wheels on the classifieds – deep rim, hefty solid Rigidas – fitted with 1.5″ slicks at 60psi+ I can slam them into any kerb and not have to worry. I also got some cheap rigid forks too. You are not going to be able to pop the front wheel very easily!

IIRC it only takes a 203mm rear disc rotor because of the caliper mount location.

Try and use a modern SRAM mech or find an old rollamajig to improve cable angle at the back.

I never customised my deck, if you havent got one and need to make your own, have some fun, maybe consider shaping for thighs etc comfort when sat on etc.

Echo the stiff donor frame, I’ve used an old gt frame to avoid the twisting you can get when really loaded. Bloody love mine and there’s plenty of giggles to be had with it.

Thanks all

Great advice

I have a good set of bombproof rims that I bought as part of a BSA to cannabalise some parts, unfortunately I car booted the frame otherwise I could have used it. The rear disc aparently needs a 203 rotor on a 160 adaptor so need to check the parts bin for those. I have a nice set of rigid forks with disc mounts so fine there too.

Stoner, thinking of running single ring on the front like yours, are you running a chain device on yours as I think I can spot one but hard to make out.

Thanks all

Steve – yes, you will quite likely need something as that is a silly long chain and it flaps about like cissy’s hankie in the wind.

I bastardised some old DMR chain device for the guide wheel and stuck it on the ring. I works fine and I have never dropped the chain since. It’s also a v small middle ring – 30T on an old five arm XT, mainly because I built this when I lived halfway up Mount Malvern and it’s a hell of a way climb up an down to Waitrose.

Here’s a few pics of mine

Here’s mine

Xtracycle + Brompton by -Cheesyfeet-, on Flickr

pictures of the build here

I’ve mine bolted on a Gary Fisher 29er with Halo rims and an 8 speed Alfine – the XC (Xtracycle) is a huge hit with my kids and allows me access to the muesli-eating set in leafier ‘burbs of Nottingham!

haha! I like Lummox’s breakdown recovery GT.