Every Day Adventurers

Watch this video from a Big Dummy owner with a nice load. Wide loaders, rack with panniers on the fork, and Titec H-Bars. I can’t tell what kind of drive train he has (internal hub or traditional derailleur system). Also, we have put the Big Dummy framesets on sale when combined with the LongLoader Kit or the Adventure Kit. Save more than $100 by purchasing a Big Dummy Frameset along with a LongTail Kit or Adventure Kit!  Offer expires 10/31/08.

Ross Evans, Xtracycle’s co-Founder, has produced a new flick entitled “Transportational Bodywork” using the Big Dummy to become a mobile masseuse!

You can view the video below or click here to view at youtube’s website

***WARNING*** As this is my first blog in a long time it is very intense and dense with information.

Earlier this evening, I delivered Rob’s Big Dummy. Rob is roommates with CEO and co-Founder of Xtracycle, Ross Evans. Mark was going to deliver it, but I figured it would be easier for me since I live in SF and the bike was going to Potrero Hill. Plus I really wanted to ride a Big Dummy setup pretty much exactly how I want to setup mine.

Rob’s Big Dummy is setup with Silver “C” Bars, a Rohloff SpeedHub14 OEM internal hub, Surly Mr. Whirly crankset with a 33 tooth stainless steel chainring, Avid BB7 Mechanical Disc Brakes, Surly Large Marge rims, Maxxis Hookworm 26″x2.5″ tyres, and our LongTail kit.

I hooked up a TrayBien, racked up my Surly Cross Check, and put my crap in the opposing side’s FreeLoaders.  I hopped onto the Big Dummy with my sandals and set off on my voyage. I knew what I was getting into this time with BART.

Last Friday, I rode a Marin S.U.B. home with the same TrayBien proto with my Cross Check on the side.   I won’t lie - BART is difficult the first time you take your Xtracycle with cargo.  I was yelled at upon entering the station - “YOU CAN’T USE THE ESCALATOR”.  I wasn’t even through the gate yet and the BART employee had already yelled at me.  I got to the elevator and had to take off the TrayBien, block the elevator door open with the rear of the S.U.B. because the door kept trying to close, place my Cross Check (still attached to the TrayBien) in the back of the elevator, then pull the S.U.B. inside.  Once on the platform, reinsert the TrayBien and be on my way.  Repeat at Embarcadero… but TWICE.  One decent sized elevator gets you to the gate level (where you put in your ticket), and then another TINY elevator gets you from that level to the street.

Anyway, back to this evening.  I defied BART rules (I always follow them, except in this case cause I didn’t want to disassemble everything) and took the escalator at West Oakland AND Embarcadero.  It was very enjoyable and easy this time.  On my ride from Embarcadero I took a slight detour down Mission/Van Ness to race a few cars.  The highest gear pushing a 140rpm cadence topped out around 26mph.  I couldn’t beat any cars with this gearing.  (Good news about the gearing later on).

I swung by Box Dog Bikes to say hi to my friend John that I race with on Sheila Moon’s Boyfriends MTB team.  While I was waiting at a light I talked to a very nice girl, Tracy, about my Cross Check and how it was a better choice as a commuter/fire road bike than a mountain bike her boyfriend wanted her to get.  I thoroughly convinced her that the Cross Check was her bike.  At Box Dog, two guys from Copenhagen talked me up about Surly in general as well as details about the Big Dummy, Xtracycle and my Cross Check. They were in awe of my Paul Neo-Retro Cantilever brakes. Apparently they have never seen canti brakes - I had to explain to them that they are designed to give maximum tyre (and muddy tyre) clearance. Anyway, I digress yet again.

I went straight from Box Dog to finally deliver the bike to Rob.  Taking the steepest route from the Mission to his place, I took the 18th St pedestrian bridge across 101 and then rode up Kansas St for some steep gear 1 action on the Rohloff. Although I was spinning a decent rpm and going very slow, it was very easy to pedal in the saddle. This is where I finally enjoyed the low gearing on the Dummy.

I believe I have all the details worked out for my Dummy. Rohloff - most definitely. Crankset - either a double with 32t and 42t chainrings or a Schlumpf Speed Drive*. This way I can get the low gearing for the SF hills as well as high gearing for going FAST. I love going fast.  There are two problems with running traditional gearing with derailleurs on the Big Dummy: One - your chain will be rubbing on the tyres when you are in the little chainring if you use HUGE tyres like the Hookworms; Two - You can’t ride one handed, carrying a cup of Philz or Blue Bottle and use your entire gear range (The Rohloff utilizes a single grip shifter to access all 14 gears).

*More details on the Schlumpf Speed Drive - Youtube video of Jeremy Sycip explaining how it works and Schlumpf’s website.

Enjoy the ride.  Love, Jason.

Welcome to the Monsanto version of bike building, wherein all of the great parts of individual bikes are conjoined and con-fused into a super-being heretofore unknown to science. Today we’ll be showing you a few ideas from the Xtracycle drawing boards , and a few items that your host, Peter, has decided to add to his own xtracycle. Read the rest of this entry »

Berkeley based Clif Bar recently unveiled their new mobile tour bus–a retrofitted, biodieseled, bike hauling interactive exhibit–dedicated to inspiring folks to take the 2 mile challenge. The 2 Mile Challenge urges visitors to commit to bikeride rather than cardrive whenever possible, and within your 2 mile radius.

Apparently, about 40% of auto trips happen within 2 miles of one’s home–trips to the grocery store, to the launderette, to a restaurant or to the gym–and 90% of those are traditionally driven (here in the U.S.). What better way to make a dent in carbon emissions, get exercise, spend time outside, meet others? Than to ride your bike? And what better bike to ride to the grocery store than your Xtracycle? Obviously, we’re preaching to the choir here.

Take the 2 mile challenge yourself online at: http://www.2milechallenge.com
This site includes a sweet Google maps program that identifies your 2-mile radius and helps you pick what kind of things you want to find there (your friend’s house, restaurants, car dealerships [gotta sell it somewhere!]).