Xtracycle Build Pt5

Xtra-Fun

I finished up the Xtracycle build a few months ago, sorry about the delay in this final build post.

I swapped out my canti breaks for V-breaks. I really prefer the V-breaks – the canti’s were hard to adjust and were starting to become a real pain, but the “V’s” are a pleasure and have great stopping power. I’ve listed my setup for the Xtra below.

Xtra-Set

• 1990 Trek 520 [Trek's touring bike]
• 700c Xtracycle FreeRadical
• Shimano Deore V-brakes
• Tektro Road V-brake levers [curved and comfy handle, great for the Moustache bar]
  
• Nitto Moustache bar
• Cork Handlebar tape [tan with Bullseye amber shellac]
• Hemp Twine [wherever I felt like putting it, so OCD]
• Old Shimano Deore DX Triple Cranks and Derailleurs [drive train]
• Shimano Bar-End Shifters [don't leave home without'm]
• Grip King pedals [the most comfy/stable pedal I've pushed]
• Brooks Saddle
• Bontrager Hardcase tires [BUT I want Pasela TOUR GUARDS]
• Velo-Orange 45mm smooth fenders
• Velo-Orange Retro WB Cage [mounted on handle bar for coffee]
• VO Handlebar to Water Bottle Cage Mount
• Low Down Type 1 Light Mount
• Blaze™ one-watt LED Headlight
• SuperFlash tail light
• Nitto M12 Front Rack
• Wicker Bike Basket

That’s my set-up and I’m stickin’ to it. As soon as the Xtra was complete it was pressed into daily use. I loved using it for my commute because the bags are so cavernous. Laptop, books/files, clothes, lunch and any other incidentals just get dumped in and I’m out the door. This was one of the main reasons I wanted the Xtra. I was tired of trying to find the space for the things I needed to take on the bike. I was equally tired of the time it took to carefully organise everything in the bags so it would all fit. I really love the “dump factor” that came with the Xtra. It’s never full. There is always room to stop by the grocery store (or anywhere else) on my way home instead of heading to the house to drop off my commute stuff first.

We did all the usual Xtra stuff right off the bat; bargain “curb side” shopping, brought home the Christmas Tree, loaded it down with $200 + in groceries, etc… whatever came up we had the Xtra. My daughter started taking the Xtra to the library [never enough books] and we were jumping on it for just about any reason.

I have to admit that as Spring crept in I started riding my other bikes more. Long country rambles, brevets, and quick lite-load commutes saw me reaching for the lighter bikes. Now the Xtra has become just what it was intended to be. My cargo bike – “the truck” fun to ride and endlessly useful. It’s the easy choice when I’m headed out the door with an armful of stuff.

Follow the Build

• Xtracycle Build PT1
• Xtracycle Build PT2
• Xtracycle Build PT3
• Xtracycle Build PT4
• Xtracycle Build PT5

Lighting

Bicycle lighting is consuming me. I both love and hate it. Once again I’m looking into something I have to purchase to truly look into… (no pun intended) or so it seems. I’m not talking about lighting I can get at my LBS.

1. Cateye Light
2. Night Rider with battery pack
   

End of choices… These are good lights… but I’m wanting to go another direction.

I have been looking for a sidewall hub. I want to commute on a regular basis not just during the longer summer hours. I live 25 miles from my work. Let there be light…

I want lighting that will always be there. Touring for the weekend or week, commuting in the dark, or a night ride ’cause I just can’t get any other kinda ride in…

BTW I’m starting to really enjoy night riding.

So why am I even thinking of a sidewall as opposed to a hub? Money money money… How can I dump that kind of cash into a system without KNOWING it’s the bee’s knees?

The S6 sidewall cost roughly the same as one of the less expensive hubs. That of course is before you build the wheel. BTW I have now learned that Busch and Muller have discontinued the S6 sidewall. Peter White is out of them and can’t get any more. I was able to get one from Velo-Orange at the time of this writing, (these guys have lighting fast shipping) I don’t know how many they have left in stock.

They will continue to make the new 12 volt dynamo and the inferior 6 volt dynamo sidewall. I guess they think they don’t need the more efficient S6 if they have the other two. I’m sorry to see it go as it’s a costly jump to the 12 volt.

Here are some of the places I’ve been looking for lighting guidance:

• Peter White Cycles
• The Recumbent Blog
• Pamela Blalock

I’ll be getting my sidewall any day and reviewing it soon.