Since the beginning, we’ve known that we wanted to make a complete long-frame bike in addition to our FreeRadical attachment. We started with the attachment in part because it meant we could make one single product that meets the needs of so many kinds of riders, from beach cruisers to world tourers, from steel lovers to titanium coveters, from single speeders to granny gearers. Making just one product seemed easier for a small company.
But an integrated frame bike would not just be stiffer, it would likely be easier to digest for many potential customers, people who don’t quite like and/or get the idea of modifying the frame of their existing bike. For some people, it’s a boon: “I can buy a FreeRadical and turn my bike into a whole new beast.” For other people, it’s more like, “Whaaaa?”
So, yeah, as Mauricio suggested in his recent comment, we are at work on a long frame. Hoping to have some proto-types ready when the band leaves for its bike/music tour to Mexico this coming North American winter.
WooHoo! So glad to hear it! I really think it would really solidify your brand by crossing the bridge from Homebuilt Contraption to Unified Entity. Slap that Xtracycle decal right there on the downtube. A purpose-built bicycle as legitimate replacement for a car.
Hey, need any midwestern beta testers?
I’m sure you guys already know about this, but… you *did* check out Todd’s Xtravois, right? Seems like he did a very cool incarnation of exactly what you’re talking about that you might use as a prototype/starting point …
Shoot, should have provided a more obvious link – here ’tis:
http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/xt/xtravois.html
Yes, a dedicated long-cycle is a great idea. Just be certain it’s 100% compatible with the Stokemonkey from Cleverchimp over there, eh!
I followed the link to the Travois page. All I have to say is … gorgeous! I really enjoy frame design and this is one of the best looking I’ve seen. It is simple and elegant. It is the perfect offspring of the tandem and a single. Its lines flow from a single mixte into a tandem, but stops just short, ending in a beautiful taper. These photos will go in my collection.
Well done!
I am all revved up to get an Xtra to go with my 1991 Cannondale Beast of the East, but after seeing the Xtravois, I think I would much rather have a one piece bike. Will it be at least another year (summer 2007) if I decide to wait for Xtracycle to release a full frame?
A ‘flat foot’ crank-forward design would have selling points:
* Stability, especially for new owners learning to pull loads: just put your feet down without tipping the bike.
* The handling benefits observed with the Electra Rockabilly Boogie conversion.
Hi Wallace,
Don’t wait. You’d be depriving yourself of precious months (years?) of beautiful pure deep experience. Just please trust me on this one.
I’ve heard so many people say they just regret not getting it sooner. You can always sell and upgrade when/if we come through with the uni-frame LongTail.
Anyone who’s paid attention to this burning little juggercompany for a few years knows that we aren’t too quick with our new products. X-wing anyone?
I’m with Mr. Coyote on this one. I wouldn’t wait. My family’s two Free Radicals have given us some joy and saved us a little money that would have been spent on car stuff. Seriously, it goes beyond Cool Gadget to Seriously Useful.
I own an xtracycle and use it often. But I’m intrigued by this concept of the long frame bike. This bike could well be the “vehicle” to help change minds about using bikes for more than just recreation (which is common in Orange County, Calif., where I live). I think a lot of us xtracycle owners want to contribute to turning the tide from people driving huge SUVs for short errands to using xtracycles. Like many of xtracycle’s fans, I get a lot of confused looks from folks (“What the … ?”). So I think it’s just gonna take a bit more time and some more xtracycles out there. If the xtracycle long frame bike helps make bicycle transport more common, I’ll gladly ride one to help “spread the word” (and give my old xtracycle to my brother!).
So count me as one of the first to order this new product – it seems like the next logical step in the progression of things to help shape our kids’ future for the better.
One example of a long bike can be found here:
http://www.frasercycles.com/bike.shtml
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