On 2011-07-09, at 11:57 AM, jparks781 wrote:

> David,
>
> what rim was that?

DT Swiss XR4.1.

> what tire pressure range do you try to maintain?
60 psi

> how many miles approx.?
2500/year (but not all on those tires, snow tires in winter)

> was it on your Dummy? Did you move it from your previous X to the Dummy?

No, I had bought it used to replace the dead hub from last year.  Guy who owned
it before me had it on a recumbent trike for about a year, with skinny tires. 
Not a light guy either, but probably not so many miles on it (he has spinal
stenosis, which makes many things difficult, and why he was selling the wheel).

> Why do you fault the wide tire? I'm trying to figure out the mechanics /
geometry of how the wider tire might have exacerbated the problem.

My thinking is that the wide tire leaves the rim perpendicular to the rim edge,
so the full tension in the tire is applied to the rim -- that is, pulling the
rim apart, instead of pulling up off the rim.  Because otherwise, there is "no
difference" between a 60mm tire at 60psi, and a 30mm tire at 120psi (but note
that 120psi 30mm tires are not usual case).  The tension in the casing, is
proportional to the diameter of the tire, times the pressure -- image slicing an
inflated tire like a bagel, and the area of the bagel corresponding to an inch
of bagel circumference.

> I ask because I'm running Big Apples on Velocity Cliff Hangers, which are
fairly narrow rims, 1.125" outside width. The Big Apples measure a little over
2.4" wide on these rims at 60psi.

The Cliff Hangers are plenty wide, I think, 28mm outside width.  The rim I broke
was 17 mm inside width, 22 mm outside width.

> Although I weigh ~145#, so that may keep me out of trouble. Also you are a
much more faithful cycle-commuter than I, I'm sure your putting a lot more miles
on the bike.

I am not sure that the rider weight matters that much, though to the extent that
the tire deforms to be even more perpendicular, that should spike the tearing
force.

David

Fortunately, shipping UPS was the most convenient option for me since I've been
living in a rural area. I reformed a standard bike box into approximate
Cannondale dimensions (48x29x12) and took it with Theo and all his accessories,
including helmet, lock, Camelbak, etc., to my LBS for assistance with
disassembly and packaging. Then I brought the whole filled box home, printed a
label, and put it on the porch. (We receive UPS deliveries several times a
week.) The improved bike box saved me a bundle and I paid about $70.

On 25 Jun 2011, at 19:34, Jeremiah Ducate wrote:

> I would also encourage you to consider shipping via amtrak.  ups has gotten
> really expensive for bikes.  if you do ship ups you might be able to contact
> xtracycle and ship to their warehouse in oakland.  if you don't know anyone
here
> who can get a bike from amtrak or help with assembly i might be able to help. 
i
> live in oakland about a mile from emeryville amtrak and am a bike mechanic.
when
> i shipped a bike to wi last summer they held it at the station for a few days
> and i think said they will hold it for a week,  they weren't good about
> contacting me when it came in though i had to call them.
>
>
>
> 1a. Re: receiving, reassembling Xtracycle in Oakland
>    From: anthonyeberger
>
>
> Message
> ________________________________________________________________________
> 1a. Re: receiving, reassembling Xtracycle in Oakland
>    Posted by: "anthonyeberger" anthonyeberger@... anthonyeberger
>    Date: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:22 am ((PDT))
>
> We shipped an Xtra (and rider) from WI to Seattle via Amtrak for a decent
> price.  I've also shipped a BOB via grayhound from WI to  Seattle and it was
> about 1/3 of what UPS wanted to ship the same device.  The only draw back was
> that my buddy had to pick up the BOB at the grayhound station.
>
>
> Might be a cheaper way to get this to Cali.
>
> Keep riding
>
> Tony B.
> Riverwest WI
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Ben Rosenthal <earthsaver@...> wrote:
>>
>> In a couple weeks, I'm moving to the Bay Area for the first time and it will
be
>> the second home ever for my Xtracycle, Theo, since I've spent the last five
>> years living and working at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in
northwest
>> Connecticut. I'm going to get some help from Village Cycles in Millerton, New
>> York, with disassembling and shipping Theo to his new neighborhood.
>>
>> I've reconfigured a standard bike box into the 47x28x12 dimensions of
>> Cannondale boxes known to reduce UPS shipping costs and I just need to choose
a
>> destination. My initial home place will be two blocks east of Lake Merritt in
>> Oakland and I figure I'm best off shipping to a bike shop since B2B shipping
is
>> less expensive. Beyond that, I'm open to either shipping to a shop that knows
>> Xtracycles (e.g., Tip Top) and would like to reassemble mine, or picking up
the
>> box and getting help from a local fellow radical.
>>
>> Anyone have a recommendation? FYI: I'm planning to ship on Wednesday, July 6,
>> so I'll expect to receive it around Wednesday the 13th. Also, I don't drive.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> - Ben
>> Alive (and Pedaling) to Save the Planet
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Messages in this topic (2)
>
>
>
> You're getting this message because you signed up to be an Xtracycle roots
> radical.
>
>
> To Post a message, send it to:       rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
>
>
> ride to believe.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> You're getting this message because you signed up to be an Xtracycle roots
radical.
>
> To Post a message, send it to:    rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
>
>
> ride to believe.Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Just sayin' hi... I just got my FreeRadical on Saturday. I had late 90's
RockHopper that was languishing in my garage. It was in pretty solid shape, set
up for commuting, but then put away after I got my road bike. Couldn't even sell
it on CL for half the price of most of the crappier 90's mtbs... Kept on hearing
the term "Xtracycle", but had never actually looked at it... once I saw the
website, I was hooked, and had to have one!

FedEx arrived VERY late on Saturday, and it took about 3 hours to assemble and
setup (which included a run to the hardware store to replace a seized/broken FAP
bolt*, and god-knows-how-long to figure out the internal cable routing on the
stock grip-shift). The installation went quite smooth overall. I rode up and
down our street, and the neighbors were fascinated. Wife wasn't too happy
though. Maybe that's because she was on the back when I yelled "look! I can haul
180 lbs with this!" I got punched in the ribs for that ;-)

* The FAP nut/bolt was neither tight nor cross threaded... it had a couple of
mm's showing past the nylox and just seized. Weird, the threads must have been
bunged up in the middle of the bolt or something. Not Xtracycle or my fault
though.

I live in the greater Seattle area, so hills are always an issue, but the
mountain gearing takes care of that (well, maybe even a bit too much). We had
soccer practice yesterday, so I rode taking speed ladders, cleats, extra water,
and my 4 foot folding pugg goals with me. Worked great, and really doesn't
handle much different once riding! Can't wait to go shopping with it.

Now I need to upgrade the bars (h-bars or nitto albatross style), go to a rigid
fork, and maybe upgrade to 8 speeds (I have all the parts). Looking forward to
the adventures it brings!

Someone's yahoo account has been hacked; that's a spam site.

On 2011-07-11, at 2:45 PM, mac stricklen wrote:

> http : / / d i e 4 t e . g m x h o m e . de / safealliance . html
>
> __

Poster moved to moderated status and I will email him about the problem.

Rich Wood

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, David Chase <dr2chase@...> wrote:
>
> Someone's yahoo account has been hacked; that's a spam site.
>
> On 2011-07-11, at 2:45 PM, mac stricklen wrote:
>
> > http : / / d i e 4 t e . g m x h o m e . de / safealliance . html
> >
> > __
>

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Cara Lin Bridgman <shokulan@...> wrote:
>
> Somewhere on this list, another woman posted about outfitting her big
> dummy with smaller wheels because she was so short.  I don't think she
> bothered with shorter cranks.  She posted links to pictures.  Sorry, but
> I can't remember when or key words.
>
> Frankly, pedal strike when cornering is an over-rated problem.  It's
> definitely easy to learn to adjust pedals for sharp turns.  I find I do
> it automatically.
>
> CL
>





~~~Cara,  I think you're talking about Sue Brown...here's her big dummy blog
http://xtrasue.com/category/thebd/


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.
He was a very cautious man who never romped and played
He never smoked, He never drank, Nor ever kissed a maid
And when he up and passed away his insurance was denied...
For since he hadn't ever lived, they claimed he never died


http://www.shakinjake.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26137108@N04







> doreavc wrote:
> > I love this list! All these ideas are extremely helpful. Hadn't thought of
smaller wheels. I got a measurement of 24" to the lowest point on the Sun at the
bikeforum Sun Atlas thread, which is encouraging, and I'll be taking a look at
these suggested frames. @David -- thanks specifically for the local shop
suggestion.
> >
> > --Dorea
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "doreavc" <doreavc@> wrote:
> >> We currently ride with a mountain-bike type frame and a free-radical
extension, frequently with our two kids loaded on the back, see here:
> >>
> >>
http://carfreecambridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/3885459958_e1df437a74.jpg
> >>
> >> (we've since swapped out the handlebars and added a kickback but you get
the idea)
> >>
> >> For the most part, this has worked well, but my very short (5'1") wife is
getting frustrated with getting on and off, and is wishing for a step-through
frame, especially since our kids are little, so we have to load them first so
she can't just swing her leg up over the back.
> >>
> >> So we're trying to find a more step-through option. In comparing the more
"pre-fab" choices out there, it looks like the big dummy is out. It doesn't look
like the radish, yuba mundo, kona ute or the new sun atlas are truly step
through. Does anyone have standover heights on any of these? As in measurement
from the ground to the frame at the lowest point you could get a leg through to
mount? The Sun Atlas looks like it *might* be the lowest (our current bike is
about 26"). We don't really have space for it, but I'm seriously considering a
Madsen since it looks like one of the easiest to get on and off.
> >>
> >> I'm also considering using our existing free-radical on a different bike,
in which case we'd be looking for something with 26" wheels, ideally disc brake
compatible. I got a recommendation for the Breezer Uptown 8, but am not so sure
about the aluminum frame with such a low step through when we'll be riding it
pretty heavily loaded. Has anyone found a step through frame that works really
well with the free radical? Has anyone tried one of the Linus bikes?
> >>
> >> We're in the Boston/Cambridge area. If anyone in this area has something
they think might fit the bill that we could test ride, please let me know.
> >>
> >> Thoughts welcome and thanks!
> >> Dorea
> >> Carfree with Kids: http://carfreecambridge.com
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > You're getting this message because you signed up to be an Xtracycle roots
radical.
> >
> > To Post a message, send it to:    rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> > ride to believe.Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Cara Lin Bridgman         cara.lin@...
>
> P.O. Box 013 Shinjhuang   http://megaview.com.tw/~caralin
> Longjing District         http://www.BugDorm.com
> Taichung 43499
> Taiwan                    Phone: 886-4-2632-5484
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>

Thanks Jake, that's the one.  At her blog, she explains the sizes and
all the things that got cut down to her size.

CL

sh8knj8kster wrote:
>
  > ~~~Cara,  I think you're talking about Sue Brown...
  > here's her big dummy blog http://xtrasue.com/category/thebd/
  >
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Cara Lin Bridgman <shokulan@...> wrote:
>> Somewhere on this list, another woman posted about outfitting her big
>> dummy with smaller wheels because she was so short.  I don't think she
>> bothered with shorter cranks.  She posted links to pictures.  Sorry, but
>> I can't remember when or key words.

mount an iphone or TomTom on the handlebars of your bicycle

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Jennifer Logan <domestikitty@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS for bike commuting.  I only need
> simple routing (and rerouting in case I miss).  I don't need/ want cadence/
> altitude/ etc, etc.  I'm in the SF Bay area, and would like something that
> considers roads that are blocked to cars, or other bike passes, but I don't
> need mountain trails.  I use a TomTom in the car, and like that.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
> ~Jennifer
>

I use my Android phone and "My Tracks".  Easy to setup, one button to start
tracking, uploads to google maps and TONS of information.

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Jennifer Logan <domestikitty@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS for bike commuting.  I only need
> simple routing (and rerouting in case I miss).  I don't need/ want cadence/
> altitude/ etc, etc.  I'm in the SF Bay area, and would like something that
> considers roads that are blocked to cars, or other bike passes, but I don't
> need mountain trails.  I use a TomTom in the car, and like that.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
> ~Jennifer
>

There's two ways to go with this.

You could spend some money on a dedicated GPS device.  With that you don't have
to worry about a wireless data signal to download the data to it as you move
about, and it's always in GPS mode.  But you will have to buy maps (e.g. from
Garmin) for it or figure out how to get openstreetmap data on it and update it
semiregulary as streets change.  Also you're buying a device that is pretty much
used for one thing.  TomTom fits this category.  Do they make TomToms small
enough to mount on your handlebars?

The other option is to get an iPhone or Android.  If you're on an iPhone the
built-in Google Maps does have turn-by-turn routing but it doesn't talk to you
like your TomTom does.  There are also some iPhone apps you can buy that will
give you TomTom like routing.  You can however also get offline routing via the
free Skobbler app (which uses openstreetmaps).

I am a geographer and GIS tech and I use my iPhone for every day directions.  I
have a Garmin eTrex HCx I bought a few years ago (before I had the iPhone) but
it doesn't talk to me either (I've never been a big fan of that anyway) and most
of the time now I just use it for traveling out of the country where I'm not
going to be data roaming with my iPhone.  I also use the Garmin for collecting
GPS tracks.

Also it sounds like you want some sort of app that will look at bike-routing
data.  Google Maps does some bike routing but it doesn't work on the iPhone and
it was notorious for giving bad bike routes when it first came out, though I'm
sure that's improving.  In Portland we are working to improve the local
openstreetmap data so it has knowledge of the bike network (i.e. good bike
routes vs. bad ones).  An idea solution would be an app that looks at that data
and makes decisions accordingly, though I think we're a ways away from that --
I'm not aware of any solution anywhere that gives turn-by-turn bike-specific
directions.

Paul

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "rayretrovox" <ray@...> wrote:
>
> mount an iphone or TomTom on the handlebars of your bicycle
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Jennifer Logan <domestikitty@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi All.
> >
> > I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS for bike commuting.  I only need
> > simple routing (and rerouting in case I miss).  I don't need/ want cadence/
> > altitude/ etc, etc.  I'm in the SF Bay area, and would like something that
> > considers roads that are blocked to cars, or other bike passes, but I don't
> > need mountain trails.  I use a TomTom in the car, and like that.
> >
> > Any thoughts?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > ~Jennifer
> >
>

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Hi Jenny,

I've been using a Garmin GPSmap 60csx for nearly the past decade. It's rugged
and easy to use, and is made specifically for the outdoors. This gps is
currently being phased out, but is still a real good buy, and a few sellers are
offering it at real low prices. It once sold for over $400. There is a new
version that just came out too.
By the way, I use a Ram mount on all my bikes.

Another option would be the new Etrex line from Garmin. These are also made for
the outdoors, but in a smaller package.

See the reviews on Amazon.com

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Jennifer Logan <domestikitty@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS for bike commuting.  I only need
> simple routing (and rerouting in case I miss).  I don't need/ want cadence/
> altitude/ etc, etc.  I'm in the SF Bay area, and would like something that
> considers roads that are blocked to cars, or other bike passes, but I don't
> need mountain trails.  I use a TomTom in the car, and like that.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
> ~Jennifer
>

The only thing that I knw that does bike specific routing is the Garmin 705 and
800. You may be able to catch a deal on the 705, as I believe it is being
replaced by the 800. I love my 800, but mainly for training. The bike routing
feature is "okay" but not great. It basically keeps you off the interstate and
high speed (i.e. 55 mph) roads. It has way more than you are asking for on it,
but it is the only thing I know of.

The nice thing about it is the ability to upload routes to the device. Since you
don't want all the bells and whistles, I would suggest either an iPhone with the
route already programed (I believe Google does bike routing) or a basic GPS
device with road maps that ou can upload a route to. That way you can study the
route on your computer and modify it before heading out.

But pure on the go bike specific routing, the 800 is all I know of.

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Jennifer Logan <domestikitty@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS for bike commuting.  I only need
> simple routing (and rerouting in case I miss).  I don't need/ want cadence/
> altitude/ etc, etc.  I'm in the SF Bay area, and would like something that
> considers roads that are blocked to cars, or other bike passes, but I don't
> need mountain trails.  I use a TomTom in the car, and like that.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
> ~Jennifer
>

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Hi all fellow Roots Rads members!

As many of you may know, I'm the owner of Cycle 9, a bike shop in Carrboro,
North Carolina, that specializes in electric-assist kits, cargo bikes, commuting
and touring (especially electrifying cargo bikes, a topic near and dear to us).
In fact, an Xtracycle was the reason we got started in this business! and we've
been together from the beginning.

Due to a number of reasons I won't go into here, we've decided it's time to
close our retail shop in North Carolina. (We will continue with our website in a
different fashion, so stay tuned to that). While sad news for us, the good news
for you is that we have some Xtracycle accessories we will be clearing out at
30-50% off (or more!). If any of these items interest you, please call or email
the shop at
919-636-5909
info@...

Thanks for all your support - it's a great community we have going here, and I
hope you all keep spreading the Xtracycle buzzzzz...

-Elise Giddings
Cycle 9
www.cycle9.com

(Qty Available) Description (Regular retail) Sale price

(1)  2010 FreeLoader Bags, Graphite Grey, pair    ($150)   $97
(1)  2010 FreeLoader Bags, Redical Red, pair    ($150)   $97
(2)  FreeLoader Classic Bag sets (black with red logo)    ($175)   $40
(2)  Hoodie bag system with integrated deck, Redical Red   ( $75)   $45
(4)  V-Rack, each    ($48 / $96 per pair)  $34 / $60 per pair
(1)  P-Rack (formerly Adventure Rack), each    ($59)   $20
(1)  FlightDeck (plastic deck with Superhooks)   ( $59)   $39
(1)  SnapDeck classic wooden deck    ($49)  $25
(1)  Magic Carpet, silver top, black/red sides   ( $39)  $25
(2)  Whatchamacollar pair   ( $39)    $20
(2)  Cam Strap sets  ( $20)  $10

Xtracycle spare parts 50% off:

(1)  WideLoader replacement sling, left side    $20 ($10)
(2)  SnapDeck replacement hooks, set/4    $15 ($7.50)
(3)  SnapDeck replacement hooks, single    $4 ($2)
(1)  FlightDeck replacement Superhooks, set/4    $25 ($15)
(2)  replacement French nut and bolt, each (attaches Base Frame to
dropouts)    $12  ($5)
(2)  700c V-brake adapter    $39  ($20)
(1)  front attachment plate and bolt (attaches Base Frame to chainstay
bridge)    $8  ($4)
(3)  replacement 1" buckles, matched pair    $2.50  ($1)
(2)  replacement 3/4" side release buckles, matched pair    $3 ($1)
(1)  Velcro loops for FreeLoader buckles, set/4    $10  ($5)
(1)  700c riser plugs, set/4    $12  ($6)

'Still working on that 2001 FreeRadical/Freeloader setup that was
missing a Sidewinder. So, I got a 2007 Freeloader side and a Retrofit
Kit and I'm looking for the instructions. Apparently it's just the
Freeloader instructions. The only pictures showing the Retrofit Kit are
of the rear fitting. I'd try to put the front fitting in the equivalent
place (bottom of the upright), but it's impossible with the donor
frame's derailer hanger clamped against it. Instead it's on the
cross-bar. See? <img
src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65202892@N05/5939396192/in/photostream"
width=250 height=200>

Why doesn't Xtracycle give complete instructions?

Too late, already got 'em (the bars that is)!

After my first ride to soccer practice, I immediately realized a couple of
things:
1. Flat bars kill me. I need to rotate my hands or move them outwards, or a
combination of both.
2. The front suspension must be why I actually like climbing on my road bike.

So I broke down and ordered the h-bars from Universalcycles (they ship from
Oregon in a day to me for $3).

The bars were raised up enough that I had to re-cable. Oh well. Since the
GripShifts don't work on the h-bars, I dug up a nice pair of rapidfires I had
for another project before the frame was stolen. Of course, the rapidfires are
speed, and so I swapped wheels with a 8 speed cassette from the same project)

So I basically rebuilt the whole thing yesterday. Wrapped up the bars in cheap
PB bar tape, put real fenders on it. It's ready to ride (but I didn't really go
more than around the block).

While the h-bars are a vast improvement, I'm not sold quite yet. Shifter/brake
placement is not ideal, but workable. Also, I'm not sure the sweep back is
enough for me (I've spent the last few years riding with my hands on the hoods
of my road bike). But I have to put some miles on it before I come up with a
final judgement.

Next up... rigid fork...

My wife got me a Garmin Nuvi 205w a couple of years ago. We were new to
the area then and I do not drive at all. The GPS unit has specific
settings for Automobile, bicycle, or pedestrian. You can also set route
preferences for faster times, shorter distances, less fuel, or off road
as well as options to avoid U-turns, highways, toll roads, traffic,
ferries, carpool lanes and unpaved roads. The unit itself has a full
color touch screen and about wallet size at 4.75” x 3” x 0.75”.
	 There is also a mount available from Garmin to attach it to bicycle
handlebars, although I retrofitted the car windshield suction cup mount
it came with to attach to my bike. For the bike’s suction mount I used a
metal jar top, which I cut slits in the side to allow a Velcro cam strap
through (basically a strap like the LongLoader uses). There is some
neoprene-like rubber material, which the strap also runs through on the
inside of the cap. The rubber helps keep vibrations down and provides
some grip to keep the retrofit mount in place. I also cut some crescent
shapes out of the sides of the jar cap, which allow the cap to fit more
snugly around the curve of the handlebar stem/neck. Appropriately enough
the metal cap I used was from an Indian food sauce, which has such words
printed on it as “Seeds of Change”, “Certified Organic”, as well as
recycle, reduce, repair, rethink, reinvent, resist, react, respect,
revere, reflect, and refill. The only issue with using my retrofit GPS
mount is that I learned you must suction cup the mount to the metal lid
before tightly strapping the lid down to the handlebar stem. That is
because the strap should be strongly tightened, and the tension can cause
the lid to curve slightly around the stem somewhat, which makes it
difficult for the suction cup to mount to. However, when it is already
mounted the suction keeps hold.

	 I will say after several uses on my bike I actually do not use the GPS
unit all that much. My wife and I definitely end up using it more in the
car when we go on trips to/through unknown areas. The reason why I do not
use it as much is because once I got to know the area I did not like
bothering with it. Specifically, I disliked worrying about the battery
dying on me. Inside a car the unit can be set for a dimmer display
setting, which saves power, but of course the unit is most likely plugged
into the cigarette lighter and always charging. However, while on a bike
the display has to be set to be very bright to counteract the sunlight,
etc. That of course uses more power, so I found myself paranoid about
having the battery die out in a strange location, which in turn caused me
to just turn off the unit to save electricity and only turn it on when I
really needed it. Furthermore, the unit by default only comes with the
cigarette-lighter car charger, but you can purchase a normal wall outlet
adapter for home charging.
	 Something that is also kind of lame is that it did come with a USB
computer cable for transferring data for updates to maps, etc. However, I
believe this cable does not even act like a USB charging cable, like most
USB cables work. Naturally though, Garmin sells a separate more expensive
USB cable, which charges as well as provides data transferring.
Personally, I think not including the all-in-one USB cable is completely
lame on the part of Garmin!
	 The unit did come loaded with maps for all of North America on it, but I
do not remember the date of those maps. However, registering the unit on
Garmin’s web site allows you to one free North American map update. You
can of course also purchase other map packs from their site and load them
to the unit as well. I basically waited until the last month of the
possible map update before getting it, and have not bothered to update it
since. I recall the time limit for the free update was a year from
purchase.
	 All in all, my wife and I can not complain about the unit for in-car
usage. It is convenient enough that we can disconnect the suction cup
mount quickly from the windshield and stuff everything into the small
glove compartment of our Rav4. That way we do not have to be worried
about someone breaking into our car to steal our otherwise visible GPS.
As far as the power level concern during bicycle rides, I guess you would
have to expect that from any GPS unit.

	 Regarding this last power issue I have been giving it some thought after
my wife recently purchased a Kindle for herself. The Kindle, in case you
do not know, is actually a digital black and white book reader produced
by Amazon. However, certain models offer permanent 3G wireless
connectivity included in their initial purchase price, so users can
download purchased books, etc forever. With this basically free wireless
internet connectivity though, the Kindle also allows for web browsing to
a certain degree as part of the 3G connection. I have not tried anything
out yet on my wife’s Kindle, but if I was anywhere out on a road
somewhere and typed out the intersection or address where I was on Google
Maps or other similar web site, then I would have no further problem
getting to where I wanted to be. When also considering the Kindle is
actually meant to be viewed in lighted conditions, the otherwise glaring
sun would only make a black and white displayed Google Map more visible.
Furthermore, as I understand it, the Kindle stops using any power once a
page image is “refreshed” because of the way the Kindle actually displays
images. In fact when off or in stand-by mode the Kindle even displays a
random image on its screen. Its battery life is rated at something like
25 hours or normal use (as in reading and refreshing page after page)
when not using any audio. I imagine just loading up one map image and
keeping it on the screen for an hour or two at a time might extend that
battery life even further. When I have toured by bicycle in the past
usually during an all day ride I think I may check a map half a dozen
times if that. Therefore having a compact day-light readable free
on-the-fly updated map to the entire world seems like a good idea. It
might not be ideal for constant turn-by-turn directions, but if you want
something with a super long battery life and free updating wireless
digital maps after its initial purchase, then that sounds like something
worth considering to me.
	 Has anyone else thought of or actually attempted this possible use for a
Kindle?

Ride safe,
_TONE_

My boy is big enough that I don't need to use
the seat that I was using for 2 or more years.  The seat is from a Bobike
Maxi that was older and damaged.  I stripped off the metal and bolted it
to the snapdeck with a couple of foam spacers helping keep it level.  Then
I bolted the snapdeck to the v-racks using what I believe were called conduit
clamps.  It was a nice set up but I don't need it anymore and I want to offer
it here before I have to recycle it.  You'll have to look seat and decide
for yourself whether or not it would work for you.  I felt it was a strong
set up until my son got older and it seemed that one of the 4 conduit clamps
was loose.  By then he was old enough for me to take off the seat and sit
him on a padded snapdeck.  This is an easy place to start.  I'll send
it to  whoever needs it for the cost of shipping.

William Safranek
wsafranek@...

I am a long time Xtracycler with an early-ish round tube frame model and, I
guess, the MKII Freeloader bags ... black with red logo fitted with net gusset
at each end. I think the bike is more than 5 years old now.

I have to replace my old bags due to wear and tear, and I wondered if anyone
could make a comparison/recommendation between the old model and the new 2010
Freeloader bags?

I have to say, at present I like the nice tight fit of the old bags ... can one
fit the new bags to an old frame that does not have mounting points on it? Do
they make the rear end feel slacker? Do they hold together the V-racks just as
well?

I always found the net gusset hard to tight up. Sadly one side met its end when
a local stray cat decided to scratch and eat its way through it, trying to get
to some food that was inside the bag! That was almost one dead cat when I caught
it doing so.

(* I should also study where holes have worn through them to protect new ones. I
found they rubbed a hole where the fender mounting is).

Thanks.

Does anyone have any experience putting a belt drive on an Xtracycle? I'm
considering it and I think it would be possible. I just want to kow if anyone
has seen it done or has been through the conversion process themselves.

Thanks!

Chris