Comments on: Xtracycle updates http://www.jpbikeresearch.com/2009/10/xtracycle-updates/ Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:20:54 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: geoff http://www.jpbikeresearch.com/2009/10/xtracycle-updates/comment-page-1/#comment-123 geoff Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:17:34 +0000 http://www.jpbikeresearch.com/?p=195#comment-123 I originally set it up that way because I had seen a few other people on the rootsradical group do it that way too. Having used it for about a year this way, I guess it might give me more ability to turn/back-up, but that's not really a good enough reason. I don't have a garage and thus have to constantly break down the trailer and detach it from the bike. with the coupling right there at the very back, and not hidden underneath the freeradical, this location is VERY easy. We have not had any strength issues or tipping issues so far. as it is, my twins are growing out of the trailer and usage will be dropping anyways! thanks ryan for your thoughts. maybe i'll try putting it at the hub and see how that rides! I originally set it up that way because I had seen a few other people on the rootsradical group do it that way too. Having used it for about a year this way, I guess it might give me more ability to turn/back-up, but that’s not really a good enough reason.

I don’t have a garage and thus have to constantly break down the trailer and detach it from the bike. with the coupling right there at the very back, and not hidden underneath the freeradical, this location is VERY easy. We have not had any strength issues or tipping issues so far.

as it is, my twins are growing out of the trailer and usage will be dropping anyways!

thanks ryan for your thoughts. maybe i’ll try putting it at the hub and see how that rides!

]]> By: Ryanoceros http://www.jpbikeresearch.com/2009/10/xtracycle-updates/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Ryanoceros Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:22:58 +0000 http://www.jpbikeresearch.com/?p=195#comment-122 Just wondering - Why do you set it up like this with the trailer hitching right at the end of the Xtra? Looks a little precarious, and also lower than hub so it would pitch the trailer occupants forward a little. I also sometimes pull a chariot with my Xtracycle and the trailer hitches just fine to the QR of the rear wheel underneath the Xtra, with just enough clearance for the tow bar, and tolerably little restriction of the turning circle (which is slightly more restricted than on regular bike due to the way the Xtra overhangs the back of the rear wheel. This should give the setup a lot more strength than the one in the photo above (in case a child stands on the tow bar etc). It would also shorten the whole package by a foot or two, and ensure that the occupants of the trailer aren't pitched forward a little due to the low height of the hitch. Incidentally, I have the same problem with low height of hitch/rear hub on small wheeled bicycles (my Brompton mostly). For that, I am thinking of creating a different attachment, but haven't devised anything good enough yet. I guess banging out my own tow bar in a different shape might be the simplest. Ideally Chariot would create a special version of the tow bar for small-wheeled bikes - something that bends down as well as curving around for clearance... Just wondering – Why do you set it up like this with the trailer hitching right at the end of the Xtra? Looks a little precarious, and also lower than hub so it would pitch the trailer occupants forward a little. I also sometimes pull a chariot with my Xtracycle and the trailer hitches just fine to the QR of the rear wheel underneath the Xtra, with just enough clearance for the tow bar, and tolerably little restriction of the turning circle (which is slightly more restricted than on regular bike due to the way the Xtra overhangs the back of the rear wheel.

This should give the setup a lot more strength than the one in the photo above (in case a child stands on the tow bar etc). It would also shorten the whole package by a foot or two, and ensure that the occupants of the trailer aren’t pitched forward a little due to the low height of the hitch.

Incidentally, I have the same problem with low height of hitch/rear hub on small wheeled bicycles (my Brompton mostly). For that, I am thinking of creating a different attachment, but haven’t devised anything good enough yet. I guess banging out my own tow bar in a different shape might be the simplest. Ideally Chariot would create a special version of the tow bar for small-wheeled bikes – something that bends down as well as curving around for clearance…

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