Jul 20, 2009
DIT: KickBack and Footsies, Friends Again
Footsies have an image problem. Not only did KickBack relegate Footsies to second most popular Xtracycle product, KickBack also kept Footsies from coming along for the ride.
RootsRadical, Josh Larios, not content to let his passengers use KickBack’s foot posts, modified his well-loved Footsies to play nice with KickBack. Here’s his advice and info should you want to get Footsies back on their feet:
Footsies and KickBack, Happy At Last
Using 7/8″ OD aluminum pipe salvaged from a broken jogger/stroller I found at the side of the road, I’ve modified my Xtracycle’s Footsies to be compatible with the Kickback center stand.
If I had any decent plywood, this would have been a completely new build. As it was, I reused the platforms from the original Footsies and fabricated everything else. I have plenty of tubing left over, though, so I may build a new set later, completely from scratch. There are some elements of this prototype that I’m not particularly happy with (spacers, loose tolerances leading to difficulty attaching/removing).
Note: Due to the farther standoff caused by KickBack, the heels of your existing Footsies will need to be angled in to reach the FreeRadical chainstay to properly velcro in place.
Visit Josh’s flickr page for all his build photos and share-away your own Footsie DITs!
Ride On!
Wow… it is now possible for me to buy the Kickback.
Thanks for sharing your innovation, Josh!
(riding sans footsies is not an option, I take kids– my own and others’– frequently on errands & trips)
The KickBack has me perplexed. The only time I have ever wished for a dual-leg kickstand is when I am carrying enough stuff to warrant using the Wideloaders… but they don’t play together.
What gives?
Let’s erase that perplexion, good sir! WideLoaders ARE compatible with KickBack. Check out this video to see how to use them: http://vimeo.com/2146082 .
As for why you’d need/want a KickBack… Definitely a personal preference, but for me, the piece of mind knowing that my rig won’t fall over is a positive for me. I’m also constantly using its support to help me load a large variety of cargo.
Traditional kickstands are great and work fine, but if you want to haul your children or large loads on a regular basis, a kickstand just doesn’t give you all the support you need.
well holy heck! thats awesome. Thanks!
I might just steal the kickback off my gf’s Xtra and put it on mine!!
Pic of what I need it for: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2147/3531171413_4daa1ae6b1.jpg