1990 Bridgestone MB-2 + Xtracycle

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bike only view: here.

view from the rear: here.

This is version 2 build-up of this bike. See the last build up, before the Xtracycle went on it... see it here.

I've been intrigued by the Xtracycle since I discovered them. At $300, the Xtracycle was pretty much one of those "nice-to-have" big purchases. I mean... $300! That's the cost of a great old frame! or 2 or 3!

My wife has really enjoyed riding her bicycle over the last year or so. And now that our daughter can do long hauls in the Burley, my wife likes riding even more. We've been doing some great day-long adventures out to the Bowl and Pitcher; we have a picnic, Maddie runs around. Anyway, my wife is really getting more into bicycling and one day, out of the blue decided that she WOULD like to do our grocery shopping and other errands by bike. I've been working on her for a couple years on this front and she finally snapped I guess. She tooled around the Xtracycle web site and she was sold. I ordered one that night, before she changed her mind.


Spring 06 update -- We love this bike. We go shopping with it weekly and I run giant packages (bikes, frames, etc) up to the shipping center on it regularly. The Xtracycle is a critical part of our mostly-carfree livin'.

A month and a half ago (April 06) we began our "mostly-carfree" living. What this means is that we have arranged with our insurance agent to have a car full-time 4 months of the year (Nov-Feb), and during the remaining 8 months, we have "car days," where we plan ahead and mark of a couple days a month where we will use the car. So, in April, for example, we used the car to drop my wife, mother-in-law, and daughter at the airport. In May, I picked them up. Between April and May, we had total of 4 days of car use. Otherwise, we bike, bus, walk where we need to go.

The Xtracycle is my primary ride when I'm out with our daughter. I have added a dynohub lighting system, so that I never have to worry about batteries and having strong light for night riding. With the lighting system, the Xtracycle really is a useful replacement for the car.

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One bit that I really need to figure out is a better stand system for it. The kick stand that it ships with is really beefy and works well if you just want to stand it up for a minute. But the kick stand is not optimal if you are loading it up with groceries or if Maddie is stitting on the child carrier. The stand that xtracycle sells looks ok, but I think I found a source for a better-designed and built stand. Once I get it, I'll post pics.

Maddie and I took our first camping trip together on the xtracycle on May 12th. Here's what we brought: giant sleeping bag; one wool blanket; 2 thermarest pads; 3 small pillows; tent; one small bag of clothes for Maddie; one small bag of food; first aid kit; tool kit; various small bits: silverware, flashlight. The campsite was about 13 miles away. We took our time getting there and we had a wonderful time. The campground was full, so we had to follow some old trails down the river and do some gorilla camping. The xtracycle is ideal for this.

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updated 07/06
I bought a center stand from a fellow named Val in Seattle who has designed a great stand for the xtracycle. I installed it about a week ago and I've been using it and loving it ever since. This stand is especially wonderful when loading groceries. If you just use the regular kick stand then loading or unloading a heavy item on one side of the bike can cause the bike to fall over. Xtracycle sells center stands, and I've not used it, but I know it requires fussing to deploy. One important feature I want in the center stand is to make it as easy to use as the kick stand. The stand I bought is deployed by a brake-lever-actuated pully. You pull on the lever, the legs swing down, and you tip the bike back as you would a motor cycle. When it's time to go, you simply roll forward and go. Super simple, super non-fussy. The feet even have adjustable platforms for parking on uneven ground. This thing rules.
Oh yeah... and one more thing, the "rock sturdy" stand sold by xtracycle won't work with wide loaders, but Val's stand does.

You too can own one of these stands. Email Val Kleitz (he's the fellow in Seattle that made the stand). His email address is "instigator AT thebikesmith DOT com". I don't have any finacial interest in you buying one of these stands. I'm just a satisfied customer passing on the word.

Here's a great picture of Val with his xtracycle and his bullwhip. I've never met the guy, but just judging from this picture, he seems like a good egg.

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Here are the components (updated 07/06):

  • Front Derailleur - Shimano Deerhead
  • Rear Derailleur - Shimano XT
  • Crankset - Specialized 175.0mm
  • Pedals - Suntour Bear's
  • Shifters - XT Thumbies 7 spd
  • Brake Levers - Diacomp cheapo-s.
  • Stem - Nitto Dirtdrops 26.0 clamp w/ shim.
  • Bars - Albatross CrMo 56cm
  • Brakes - Front: XT canti; Rear: Shimano LX? V-brake
  • Saddle - Brooks Champion Flyer "S"
  • Post -Ritchey Comp 27.2
  • Front Wheel - Shimano HB-MC12 hub, Alex rim? not sure on spokes, but there's 32 of them.
  • Rear Wheel - Shimano XT M-730 hub, not sure on spokes (32), Araya RM-400 Pro rim 11-28 cassette.
  • Tires - Front: Pasala Folding Tour Guard. Rear: Schawble Marathon.


johnspeare@gmail.com

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