Every Day Adventurers

Whew, it’s tough keeping secrets, but making new products kinda demands it. One of our latest creations, Hoodie, has kicked around our brains, design tables and bikes for over a year now.

Last June, I got to borrow our solitary Hoodie to put it through some every day adventure pacing. While I couldn’t fit it on my Big Dummy (this current version is not compatible with Big Dummy, if you’re spending that kinda cash, just get the full blown FreeLoaders (plus they’re new for 2010!)), I was able to rock out the company FreeRadical.

2010 Hoodie Color Comparisons, none of which actually made it into production. Hoodie comes in two colors - Redical Red and Graphite Grey

My mission: gardening supplies and sustenance for los gatitos (cats for those not Spanishly inclined). Retrieve and pay for said items, load and lash as needed to my Xtracycle and ride home, event free.

My initial thoughts: lovin’ it. The sleek profile, minimalist style and straightforward features all appealed to me. The install was easy, like a glove. It felt secure, taught and ready to ride. The webbing down the spine seemed a bit over kill. Might be useful to tie things down to, but I can CamStrap more securely off the frame members of my bike or the FreeRadical (Note: the webbing is not on the production version). I’m happy the logo is small and subdued, a nice touch.

This is the Hoodie that Rick tested. That's the understated logo Rick liked, though production Hoodies have even more understated branding.

I thought I may have some issues with the lack of straps a la FreeLoaders, but the large side pockets held my goods with grace and fortitude. I wasn’t a big fan of how low the upper lip came, so we raised the height of the pocket about an 1″+.

Cinching down the pockets was easy and smooth. They held super tight, giving me confidence that they wouldn’t loosen or slowly open.

Since my pocket space was gobbled up by my soil bags, but still had cat food, litter and a lock left, I was happy I brought a CamStrap with me. Attaching to the handle of the FreeRadical, I looped it through the litter handle and over the food bag. I attached the cam end to the rear horizontal bridge of the FreeRad and cinched everything down nice and snug.

The ride home was uneventful. I shook, shimmied and slalomed down the biggest hills I could find, took the long way home, hopped a curb and nothing budged. Me like.

Conclusion: Hoodie rocks. From it’s clean looks, simple operation, nice lock pocket, reflective webbing and other features, I dig it. I know that may be a biased opinion, but keeping it simple has its merit. Another bonus, it’s $75! That, coupled with a FreeRadical, and you’re looking at $364 to fly your every day skies.

Learn more about what Hoodie features and fits at XC.com.

One of our custom Big Dummy customers, Scott of Washington D.C., recently wrote to RootsRadicals about his experience riding his longtail in the icy, slick and packed down snow. Take it away, Scott!

Another Xtracycle rider on a Radish embarking on a grocery store run

So if you haven’t heard, we have been suffering through the Snowpocalypse. Washington DC has had something like 30 to 50 inches of snow during the past week. I haven’t had much of a chance to take the BD out (no snow tires), but have gotten out twice and can give everyone a testimonial of winter longtail riding.

I can say with confidence that the longer wheelbase of my Big Dummy really, really helped in the slippery stuff. I rode once with about three fresh inches on the street and again a couple of days later after the streets had been plowed under much worse road conditions. On the second trip, I carried a small load back from my local package store (two sixers and a half case of wine). The extra weight in the back really locked down the rear end despite the ice, snow and slush. I had next to no tire slippage as I carefully tread my way back home (with bottles cheerfully clinking along the way).

I’m looking forward to getting back on the streets after this round of snow finishes. I think we’ll end up with only eight inches this time.

Scott
Washington, DC

FreeRadical + Surly Endomorph Tires = Fun in the Snow

Patrick Boone, a Wisconsin Xtracycle rider, submitted a video to CNN’s iReport. CNN asked people to try to live car-free for one day (big leap, but better than nothing) by using their bicycle.

We offered up a store gift certificate to the Xtracycle riders that got their videos selected for the iReport. Congrats, Patrick, and thanks for the quality video and Xtracycle plug. Ride on!

Jessy Clonts, our neighbor in the Bay Area, test rode a Radish for 30-days this spring. This is a journal about her expectations, experiences and feedback. Enjoy!

Day 17

I’m really getting the hang of riding with full FreeLoaders, and cherishing the ability to finally shop at Berkeley Bowl. Who has the patience to circle the parking lot for half an hour while looking for a spot to put the car? With the Radish I can park in front of the door and be out with a full load in that same amount of time. And that’s exactly what I did today, like a pro.

Jessy Clonts, our neighbor in the Bay Area, test rode a Radish for 30-days this spring. This is a journal about her expectations, experiences and feedback. Enjoy!

Day 15

Riding downhill to my trainer’s studio this morning, I felt a sudden shifting under my pedals. The Radish was hopping gears on its own and I felt a slight panic. Aside from putting air into tires with my brand new pump, I really don’t know a thing about bicycle maintenance, and definitely don’t roll with a tool belt to fix things like fallen chains. I pedaled—gently—after my session to Mike’s Bikes to get a diagnosis.

Mike’s Bikes is my go-to shop for gear, mainly because it’s near my house and they play great music in the store. An added bonus, the employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and I always get helped right away. Standing in line at the maintenance shop in the back of the store, a guy in front of me asked about the Radish.

“How does it handle?”
“I just carted a load full of groceries and it handled awesome. Didn’t even feel the weight.”
“Really? Looks like a cool bike.”
“I love it. I’ve gotten a couple of people on the Snap Deck too.”
“Oh yeah? (really checking out the Radish now) Like bike surfing? That’s rad!”
“It’s Rad-ish. That’s what it’s called. The Radish.”
“Hilarious. That’s perfect.”
“I totally recommend it. It’s a lot of fun.”

The guy who helped me explained that since the bike is brand new, the chain was likely “stretching” a little from the usage. He showed me a small adjustment I could make on my own on the brake cable, but offered to take it for a quick spin in the parking lot to adjust it for me. A couple of minutes later, he returned on the Radish, cruising slowly through the store while pedaling quickly in first gear amid cat calls and whistles from his fellow coworkers.

Dismantling from the Radish like a cowboy (or girl) from his (or her) horse, he told me the adjustment should fix the problem. I was welcome to ride around for a few minutes to test it out, and if all was well, I could just ride on. Sweet! Problem fixed at no charge. Next time I have a bike issue, Mike’s Bikes will have my business all the way.