Hi everyone,

I'm putting together an Xtracycle on a 90's Cannondale M300 hardtail. I'm trying
to find a long enough rear derailleur cable and wondered if you might have some
advice.

I just tried installing a 2200mm rear derailleur cable for a tandem bike, but it
looks like I'm coming up short by about 3 or 4 inches. One point to note is that
the bike uses gripshifters at the moment.

Thanks for your help.

Tommy

Thanks! I ordered a longer cable, so I should be all set.


--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Devian P Gilbert <asanacycles@...> wrote:
>
>
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=25402&category=39\
77
>
> try 2700- 4400mm
>
>
> On Sep 2, 2012, at 9:31 AM, travelerbrew wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I'm putting together an Xtracycle on a 90's Cannondale M300 hardtail. I'm
trying to find a long enough rear derailleur cable and wondered if you might
have some advice.
> >
> > I just tried installing a 2200mm rear derailleur cable for a tandem bike,
but it looks like I'm coming up short by about 3 or 4 inches. One point to note
is that the bike uses gripshifters at the moment.
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > Tommy
> >
> >
>

Hello Tommy,

I used a SRAM 2200 mm on my 2000 Gary Fisher with SRAM grip shift. The supplied
cable was not long enough. SRAM also distributes a 3100 mm. Did you measure the
tandem cable, the first one I bought was not actually 2200 mm. The cable should
be over 7 feet long.


JB

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "travelerbrew" <thomasgrimes@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm putting together an Xtracycle on a 90's Cannondale M300 hardtail. I'm
trying to find a long enough rear derailleur cable and wondered if you might
have some advice.
>
> I just tried installing a 2200mm rear derailleur cable for a tandem bike, but
it looks like I'm coming up short by about 3 or 4 inches. One point to note is
that the bike uses gripshifters at the moment.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Tommy
>

Second the PB fenders. I have a set of yellow Freddys that were originally on a
regular bike about eight years ago. Transferred to an Xtracycle build and then
swapped over the my Surly BD three years ago. Still work great, no problems,
very durable.
Beth

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Liz W Durham <lizwdurham@...> wrote:
>
> I have had the Planet Bike fenders on my bike for over 3 years. Haven't had
> a problem. They work great and were not so difficult to install.

The Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group celebrated it's fourth anniversary last week
and is now up to 566 members.

It appears that it has become THE English language site for exchanging
information on IGH use, repairs and general discussion.  For the last 18 monthas
or so it has been more active than this group, with less than 1/4 the members. 
I know that some members here are also members there.  More are always welcome.

For anyone curious about IGH units or bikes, cargo or otherwise, below is a link
to the group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/

Rich Wood

Stuff's been happening while I wasn't paying attention.
The Burrows 8Freight is back in production, and there's a move to promote cargo
bikes for small-to-medium goods delivery (the usual case) around Europe.
I saw this and thought of Tone.

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2012/09/jobs-of-the-future-cargo-cyclist.html

David

Hi folks,
After a year of research on cargo bikes, I am pretty jazzed about the release of
the EdgeRunner, in particular the e- version.  My wife has FMS and my knees are
kinda shot, so this could be a real game changer for us in our hilly part of San
Diego (we seem to be pedaling slower and slower these days...), especially as
gas heads north of $5/gal today.
This may be premature (more details will probably be released as soon as I hit
send...), but a few questions of you experts please:
1.  Will the EdgeRunner come in both e-assist AND IGH (Rohloff? Alfine?)
2.  Might there ever be a belt drive option without having to cut the frame and
void the warranty?
3.   Will we be able to run lights off the battery?
4.   Pretty sure the system will be pedelec, right?
5.   Will there be braze ons for a frame-mount front rack, front fender, and/or
rear frame lock?
6.   910 watts!!!  What's the expected average range?

Thanks very much for your time. This looks like a great community, in every
sense of the word.

-Kev

I can't answer all your questions but i can help a little anyway.

1. Don't know if that'll be something offered as standard, but i doubt it. IG
Hubs are a fairly premium product and xtracycle is always trying to hit a
pricepoint. However, they have a "custom" program
http://www.xtracycle.com/customs/ Where you could probably spec a bike with the
drivetrain of your choice. It will cost more of course.

2. I doubt it, but i don't know.

3. Yes. As far as lights powered by the main battery, this certainly can be
done. The same company that Xtracycle is partnering with for the e-assist also
sells lighting components on this page:
http://www.ebikes.ca/store/store_accessories.php You can either choose one of
their lights, or get a DC-DC converter to allow you to use most any other light.

4. I don't know what will be standard, but you should be able to make it
whatever sort of system you like, since it's an ebikes.ca kit. I prefer a thumb
throttle on my left grip, but everybody has their own style.

5. Again, I don't know if any of that will be standard (i'm guessing not) but it
all can be added. The Customs program may be able to help you out. It's a
standard fork so you can replace it with any fork you want, or add riv-nut
inserts.

6. You can probably gather info about the electric components that will be
available from ebikes.ca. It should be no different than any other bike equipped
with one of their kits. Generally speaking, it's heavily dependent on how much
you pedal. I've gone 30 miles on my 36v 15AH bike w/o running out of juice, but
i was using it lightly. If i were to not pedal at all, it'd probably be dead in
10 or less.

Troy

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "katsujinkenliu" <katsujinken@...> wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
> After a year of research on cargo bikes, I am pretty jazzed about the release
of the EdgeRunner, in particular the e- version.  My wife has FMS and my knees
are kinda shot, so this could be a real game changer for us in our hilly part of
San Diego (we seem to be pedaling slower and slower these days...), especially
as gas heads north of $5/gal today.
> This may be premature (more details will probably be released as soon as I hit
send...), but a few questions of you experts please:
> 1.  Will the EdgeRunner come in both e-assist AND IGH (Rohloff? Alfine?)
> 2.  Might there ever be a belt drive option without having to cut the frame
and void the warranty?
> 3.   Will we be able to run lights off the battery?
> 4.   Pretty sure the system will be pedelec, right?
> 5.   Will there be braze ons for a frame-mount front rack, front fender,
and/or rear frame lock?
> 6.   910 watts!!!  What's the expected average range?
>
> Thanks very much for your time. This looks like a great community, in every
sense of the word.
>
> -Kev
>

Thanks a bunch Troy! At a projected $3500 for the e-assist version, not sure if
I'll have much left with which to customize ;), but it is sure nice to know
there are options.  Lots more to study.  Thanks for takings the time to provide
such a detailed response. Cheers!

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "katsujinkenliu" <katsujinken@...> wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
> After a year of research on cargo bikes, I am pretty jazzed about the release
of the EdgeRunner, in particular the e- version.  My wife has FMS and my knees
are kinda shot, so this could be a real game changer for us in our hilly part of
San Diego (we seem to be pedaling slower and slower these days...), especially
as gas heads north of $5/gal today.
> This may be premature (more details will probably be released as soon as I hit
send...), but a few questions of you experts please:
> 1.  Will the EdgeRunner come in both e-assist AND IGH (Rohloff? Alfine?)
> 2.  Might there ever be a belt drive option without having to cut the frame
and void the warranty?
> 3.   Will we be able to run lights off the battery?
> 4.   Pretty sure the system will be pedelec, right?
> 5.   Will there be braze ons for a frame-mount front rack, front fender,
and/or rear frame lock?
> 6.   910 watts!!!  What's the expected average range?
>
> Thanks very much for your time. This looks like a great community, in every
sense of the word.
>
> -Kev
>

HI KEV-
I don't usually reply to these but I was lucky enought to visit Xtracycle
acouple weeks ago and was privaledged to ride both the standard Edgerunner and
the electric.
Both were sweet bikes. The electric was stupid fast and i never went past the
2nd. levelof speed. The one I road already has a light on it.
Want more of the other questions answered Nate at Xtracycle is very passionate
about these bikes I talked with him for over a hour.  Ross is also there and has
answered e-mails I've sent.
My picture i took shows a couple of pegs ( maybe your braze 0ns) on the front
fork.
Was a great bike to ride.
They have on the web page a email sign up for this bike.
hope this was helpful, and happy biking
  ZK

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "zookeeper17@..." <zookeeper17@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "katsujinkenliu" <katsujinken@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi folks,
> > After a year of research on cargo bikes, I am pretty jazzed about the
release of the EdgeRunner, in particular the e- version.  My wife has FMS and my
knees are kinda shot, so this could be a real game changer for us in our hilly
part of San Diego (we seem to be pedaling slower and slower these days...),
especially as gas heads north of $5/gal today.
> > This may be premature (more details will probably be released as soon as I
hit send...), but a few questions of you experts please:
> > 1.  Will the EdgeRunner come in both e-assist AND IGH (Rohloff? Alfine?)
> > 2.  Might there ever be a belt drive option without having to cut the frame
and void the warranty?
> > 3.   Will we be able to run lights off the battery?
> > 4.   Pretty sure the system will be pedelec, right?
> > 5.   Will there be braze ons for a frame-mount front rack, front fender,
and/or rear frame lock?
> > 6.   910 watts!!!  What's the expected average range?
> >
> > Thanks very much for your time. This looks like a great community, in every
sense of the word.
> >
> > -Kev
> >
>
> HI KEV-
> I don't usually reply to these but I was lucky enought to visit Xtracycle
acouple weeks ago and was privaledged to ride both the standard Edgerunner and
the electric.
> Both were sweet bikes. The electric was stupid fast and i never went past the
2nd. levelof speed. The one I road already has a light on it.
> Want more of the other questions answered Nate at Xtracycle is very passionate
about these bikes I talked with him for over a hour.  Ross is also there and has
answered e-mails I've sent.
> My picture i took shows a couple of pegs ( maybe your braze 0ns) on the front
fork.
> Was a great bike to ride.
> They have on the web page a email sign up for this bike.
> hope this was helpful, and happy biking
>  ZK
>

Thank you ZK!  I also got your email and do appreciate the replies.  I did sign
up for the email notifications and will contact Nate soon. Much appreciated!

-Kev

1. Yes. They are working on an IGH option:
https://getsatisfaction.com/xtracycle/topics/novara_gotham_bike_compatible_with_\
free_radical
2. No. This is an issue for Gates to sort out. They do not make a belt long
enough.
3. You could. How much modification would be required is a bigger question.
4. Not sure.
5. If the pictures on the Xtracycle website are any indicator, yes.
6. Hills, loads carried, and riding style make this a tough one to answer, so I
am not going to. I also have no idea.

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "katsujinkenliu" <katsujinken@...> wrote:
> 1.  Will the EdgeRunner come in both e-assist AND IGH (Rohloff? Alfine?)
> 2.  Might there ever be a belt drive option without having to cut the frame
and void the warranty?
> 3.   Will we be able to run lights off the battery?
> 4.   Pretty sure the system will be pedelec, right?
> 5.   Will there be braze ons for a frame-mount front rack, front fender,
and/or rear frame lock?
> 6.   910 watts!!!  What's the expected average range?
>
> Thanks very much for your time. This looks like a great community, in every
sense of the word.
>
> -Kev
>

Thanks seditiouscanary!  Good to hear an IGH option is being explored. I
appreciate the link and will have to go exploring over there as well :).

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "seditiouscanary" <SeditiousCanary@...>
wrote:
>
> 1. Yes. They are working on an IGH option:
https://getsatisfaction.com/xtracycle/topics/novara_gotham_bike_compatible_with_\
free_radical
> 2. No. This is an issue for Gates to sort out. They do not make a belt long
enough.
> 3. You could. How much modification would be required is a bigger question.
> 4. Not sure.
> 5. If the pictures on the Xtracycle website are any indicator, yes.
> 6. Hills, loads carried, and riding style make this a tough one to answer, so
I am not going to. I also have no idea.
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "katsujinkenliu" <katsujinken@> wrote:
> > 1.  Will the EdgeRunner come in both e-assist AND IGH (Rohloff? Alfine?)
> > 2.  Might there ever be a belt drive option without having to cut the frame
and void the warranty?
> > 3.   Will we be able to run lights off the battery?
> > 4.   Pretty sure the system will be pedelec, right?
> > 5.   Will there be braze ons for a frame-mount front rack, front fender,
and/or rear frame lock?
> > 6.   910 watts!!!  What's the expected average range?
> >
> > Thanks very much for your time. This looks like a great community, in every
sense of the word.
> >
> > -Kev
> >
>

Thanks very much for your thoughts Thad.  I have also been toying with the idea
of going the Big Dummy route instead, particularly since i would have to choose
between e-assist or NuVinci hub on the EdgeRunner.  Could you share why you went
with the front hub motor and why a true freewheel is important?

Thanks much!

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Thaddeus Block <tblock@...> wrote:
>
> Hey there,
> I thought I'd chime in as I have a surly big dummy with xtracycle racks and
> an electric front hub drive motor.  I've been using this system for about 4
> months now, and it is a solid rig.  I'd imagine the edgerunner will be a
> very nice setup as well.
>
> regarding the electric drive, I purchased a conversion kit from doug at
> www.gocarlite.com rather than a bionx system or other name brand system.  I
> wanted something that I could tinker with, and also wanted better value.
> Ended up with a 48V 10 amp hr lifepo4 battery and a geared front hub motor
> (with true freewheel - important).
>
> I was able to siphon off a power line from the main power line to a
> homemade high intensity LED light system, so that I don't have to deal with
> other battery packs.  I just charge the main battery after work, and then
> the battery pack is ready to run the light system and the motor the next
> day.   The light system only uses about 12 watts, so it doesn't seem to
> reduce battery life or motor performance at all.
>
> regarding range and power.  the number of amp hours is basically the meaure
> of 'fuel in the tank.'   You can change your riding style a little bit, and
> have a relative large impact on the range of the battery.  For example, I
> live about 10 miles from work, and up a fairly large hill.  If I really
> want to crank home asap, I can do the trip in about 30 minutes using about
> 6 amp hours.  If I take it easy on the battery, and only use it for
> accelerations and hills and go conservative, I can do the same trip
> spending only about 2 amp hours, and adding 10 minutes to the travel time.
> So, I could eek out 50 miles of range on my system but it would require
> discipline.  Or, I can blow the entire charge on a super fast 25 mile ride.
>
> hope that is helpful.
>
> Thad
>

So as the days get shorter we all need to step up our lighting program. I just
updated my headlights and figured I would share. The rack is a velo orange unit.
It has been massaged heavily (not for the faint at heart to cut and bend up a
$80 rack). Basically I cut the rear mounting stud off flush and bent the side
arms accordingly to clear my fender. The beauty of the velo orange vo randonneur
rack is it has a fender mount underneath. So after it was all bent, set and
re-aligned, I drilled a hole from below and bolted it up. The install is clean
and VERY sturdy. As for the lights they are Sunlite LED units. I bought them as
a close out from REI but they no longer have them, I checked today. They are
available on Amazon for $11. Just google Sunlite LED bike light. These lights
put out a pretty impressive amount of light for cheapie units. I figure once the
batteries die I will find a way to wire them to my new dyno-hub.

Please share your winter light set ups. I will be working on my rear LED light
strips in the next couple of weeks (I hope).

Also, I have more pictures of it from different angles if any of you are
interested.

For those that are curious the fenders are planet bike units.

Sean
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wow, that is a really nice set up Sean. Thanks for sharing!

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Sean <gear.head@...> wrote:
>
> So as the days get shorter we all need to step up our lighting program. I just
updated my headlights and figured I would share. The rack is a velo orange unit.
It has been massaged heavily (not for the faint at heart to cut and bend up a
$80 rack). Basically I cut the rear mounting stud off flush and bent the side
arms accordingly to clear my fender. The beauty of the velo orange vo randonneur
rack is it has a fender mount underneath. So after it was all bent, set and
re-aligned, I drilled a hole from below and bolted it up. The install is clean
and VERY sturdy. As for the lights they are Sunlite LED units. I bought them as
a close out from REI but they no longer have them, I checked today. They are
available on Amazon for $11. Just google Sunlite LED bike light. These lights
put out a pretty impressive amount of light for cheapie units. I figure once the
batteries die I will find a way to wire them to my new dyno-hub.
>
> Please share your winter light set ups. I will be working on my rear LED light
strips in the next couple of weeks (I hope).
>
> Also, I have more pictures of it from different angles if any of you are
interested.
>
> For those that are curious the fenders are planet bike units.
>
> Sean
> >
> >
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>

Helpful info soappedaler.  Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "soappedaler" <soappedaler@...> wrote:
>
> I have an eZee front motor on my dummy, have had it about a year and a half
and love it. One reason I like the front motor is that I carry heavy loads
having the motor on the front balances the weight. The local bike store has a
couple of bikes that are bionx electric and last time I brought the dummy in for
service they lent me one to get home. It's a whole different thing to have a
throttle verses the bionx that senses changes in your pedaling. When I needed
power to cross a street, we don't have a lot of hill here, I know it's there.
>

Thank you Brian, for both the NuVinci info and your perspective on the front
hub. Tracy and I also like the pedelec idea, and will have to find someplace to
try the different systems and options.   Lots more to consider than we had at
first thought... :)

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Brian Livelsberger <livelsbe@...> wrote:
>
> I have an Xtracycle conversion on my old mountain bike with NuVinci and
> front hub motor. I was torn between the Yuba and the conversion, deciding
> on the conversion because one of the main advantages to the Yuba (to me) is
> the heavy-duty wheels and axles, which I would lose if I did the NuVinci
> out back and hub motor up front (both coming only in standard axle
> diameters). I love the NuVinci - very solid, I perceive no losses or
> mushiness that some people claim, even when pulling a hill with the kids on
> back without the e-assist. The range of the NuVinci isn't quite what I
> would want, but I set it up to not lose top end, and the e-assist makes up
> for the super-low range that I compromised on the low end. Schlumpf drive
> up front to get a second gear would solve that, but I ran out of cash and
> spousal goodwill :). Anyway, I like the Pedelec idea that Bionx implements,
> but having a throttle for hill pulling or getting across a busy street is
> something that I value a lot. It keeps the rear drivetrain simple, and
> keeps me always in touch with how much juice I'm using. For longer rides I
> get tired of holding the throttle, and that's where I'd see the real
> benefit of the bionx type system coming in.
>
> Cheers,
> Brian.
>
> On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 1:09 AM, katsujinkenliu <katsujinken@...> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > Thanks very much for your thoughts Thad. I have also been toying with the
> > idea of going the Big Dummy route instead, particularly since i would have
> > to choose between e-assist or NuVinci hub on the EdgeRunner. Could you
> > share why you went with the front hub motor and why a true freewheel is
> > important?
> >
> > Thanks much!
> >
> > -Kev
> >
> >
> > --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Thaddeus Block <tblock@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hey there,
> > > I thought I'd chime in as I have a surly big dummy with xtracycle racks
> > and
> > > an electric front hub drive motor. I've been using this system for about
> > 4
> > > months now, and it is a solid rig. I'd imagine the edgerunner will be a
> > > very nice setup as well.
> > >
> > > regarding the electric drive, I purchased a conversion kit from doug at
> > > www.gocarlite.com rather than a bionx system or other name brand
> > system. I
> > > wanted something that I could tinker with, and also wanted better value.
> > > Ended up with a 48V 10 amp hr lifepo4 battery and a geared front hub
> > motor
> > > (with true freewheel - important).
> > >
> > > I was able to siphon off a power line from the main power line to a
> > > homemade high intensity LED light system, so that I don't have to deal
> > with
> > > other battery packs. I just charge the main battery after work, and then
> > > the battery pack is ready to run the light system and the motor the next
> > > day. The light system only uses about 12 watts, so it doesn't seem to
> > > reduce battery life or motor performance at all.
> > >
> > > regarding range and power. the number of amp hours is basically the
> > meaure
> > > of 'fuel in the tank.' You can change your riding style a little bit, and
> > > have a relative large impact on the range of the battery. For example, I
> > > live about 10 miles from work, and up a fairly large hill. If I really
> > > want to crank home asap, I can do the trip in about 30 minutes using
> > about
> > > 6 amp hours. If I take it easy on the battery, and only use it for
> > > accelerations and hills and go conservative, I can do the same trip
> > > spending only about 2 amp hours, and adding 10 minutes to the travel
> > time.
> > > So, I could eek out 50 miles of range on my system but it would require
> > > discipline. Or, I can blow the entire charge on a super fast 25 mile
> > ride.
> > >
> > > hope that is helpful.
> > >
> > > Thad
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>

Super helpful Thad!  Thanks for responding to my questions.  Even more to think
about. I've read elsewhere that the front hub motors feel somewhat akin to being
pulld along, which, in certain circumstances would be good.

Tracy and I-at least at this point-would really like to retain a non-assisted
riding experience as much as possible--at least on the flats...hence, at least
in theory, we were leaning towards a pedelec type assist.  You make some great
points to think about, so we'll be considering more ;).  Some of it will come
down to pure economics when we see the various EdgeRunner price points.

Thanks again!

-Kev

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Thaddeus Block <tblock@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Kevin,
>
> The big dummy is a really well built frame, so its appealing in that
> regard.  I am also very tall, so was happy to see that surly makes an XL
> big dummy.  I think its the only cargo bike that comes in so many sizes.
> I'm not a fan of 'one size fits all' frames.....
>
> The down side for big dummy is that the frame alone is about $950.  But for
> a high quality surly built frame I plan to keep for a long time, its a deal.
>
> For hub drive motors, there are two types.
>
> The classic type is direct drive motors, where the hub is essentially the
> motor.  these direct drive hubs are supposedly very durable, but they have
> a modest amount of drag (read:  no true freewheel) and they are incredibly
> large and heavy.
>
> There are geared hub motors, which is what I have.  This is a hub that has
> a small motor which drives the hub through internal gearing.  These hub
> motors are true freewheel, which means that when you are pedaling without
> power, you don't have extra drag on the system.  This is important to me,
> because I like to ride my bike in a variety of ways, and would bummed on
> extra drag if I'm riding without e assist.  These geared motors are much
> lighter than the direct drive motors, look much like a normal hub, and they
> are supposedly a bit more efficient as well (read:  increase your range).
>
> Front vs Rear drive:  Either one is probably fine.  I didn't want to mess
> around with rear drive as I felt there were likely to be issues related to
> which cogsets one could use etc...   The install for front drive is
> incredibly simple.  The ride quality for front drive is awesome.
> Basically, when you are pedaling and using front drive assist, you have an
> AWD bike, and it handles reallly well.  With front drive, you are also
> distributing some of the weight upfront, so that your bike doesn't end up
> with all the business on the back end.
>
> The edgerunner looks awesome, and I'd love to ride one sometime.  actually
> considering one for my wife.  If I were to buy one, I would probably buy
> the non-electric version, and then use a conversion kit like what I have on
> my big dummy.  I think those conversion kits lend themselves better to
> tinkering.  for some reason, most systems don't have a simple power out for
> a good light system, which is just silly.
>
> hope that helps,
> Thad
>

 

Quick question:  Does anyone sell a geared hub motor laced to a 29er front wheel?  Thanks, I have a Karate Monkey front fork on my Xtra rig.

On 2012-10-19, at 1:00 PM, Thaddeus Block <tblock@...> wrote:
> The smaller the wheel diameter, the stronger the wheel.

On the other hand, tire strength is greater for larger diameters.
  20x2 Big Apple is rated for 85kg, 28x2 Big Apple is rated for 135kg.

David