<rick@...> wrote:
>
> I would take a cleaning rag and some vice grips to the legs.  Wrap the legs
> a couple times with the rag and then dial in the vice grips to clamp enough
> to get a firm hold of the leg and then twist back and forth.
>

50% successful.  I was able to get one of the legs out.

The second leg has been treated with PB Blaster and subjected to some
pretty harsh treatment with some vice grips, but to no avail.

Any other hints?

-Jonathan

Heat!

Torches can get out of hand and will ruin any finish on it, if you or
someone you know has a heat gun it may be enough.


--
Sean Moore
moore.sean@...



On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 8:58 AM, fblack947<fblack947@...> wrote:
>
>
> <rick@...> wrote:
>>
>> I would take a cleaning rag and some vice grips to the legs. Wrap the legs
>> a couple times with the rag and then dial in the vice grips to clamp
>> enough
>> to get a firm hold of the leg and then twist back and forth.
>>
>
> 50% successful. I was able to get one of the legs out.
>
> The second leg has been treated with PB Blaster and subjected to some
> pretty harsh treatment with some vice grips, but to no avail.
>
> Any other hints?
>
> -Jonathan
>
>

Hair Dryers work well for wider things that need heat applied.

JJ


Sean Moore wrote:
>
>
> Heat!
>
> Torches can get out of hand and will ruin any finish on it, if you or
> someone you know has a heat gun it may be enough.
>
> --
> Sean Moore
> moore.sean@... <mailto:moore.sean%40gmail.com>
>
> On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 8:58 AM, fblack947<fblack947@...
> <mailto:fblack947%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
> >
> >
> > <rick@...> wrote:
> >>
> >> I would take a cleaning rag and some vice grips to the legs. Wrap
> the legs
> >> a couple times with the rag and then dial in the vice grips to clamp
> >> enough
> >> to get a firm hold of the leg and then twist back and forth.
> >>
> >
> > 50% successful. I was able to get one of the legs out.
> >
> > The second leg has been treated with PB Blaster and subjected to some
> > pretty harsh treatment with some vice grips, but to no avail.
> >
> > Any other hints?
> >
> > -Jonathan
> >
> >
>
>

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, jj <jj@...> wrote:
>
> Hair Dryers work well for wider things that need heat applied.
>
> JJ
>

Upon closer inspection, it looks like the KickBack legs are aluminum, while the
body is steel.

Galvanic corrosion at its finest.

Heating the aluminum would likely cause it to expand more into the steel. 
Cooling on the other hand...

For now, I'm following the late Sheldon's advice and the KickBack is soaking in
ammonia and waiting for the magic to occur:
   http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html
   (Tip XIII)

-Jonathan

So I have an opportunity to get a Big Dummy frame and transfer most of the
usable parts over from my current X. Current X is an ancient CyclePro steel ATB
frame with a Free Radical kit built onto it.
Works fine enough, but is slightly too tall for me AND has a disconcerting
mid-section wobble. Will this wobble go away if I build up a Big Dummy instead?
I'd like to hear perspectives before I plunk the money down for a BD frameset.
Thanks --Beth

You mean, your current frame has a wobble?

I was happy on my old X, but the new BD makes it feel like it was a
wet noodle.

HOWEVER, I do get an interesting front-end shimmy in the BD, riding no
hands, in the 15mph range.  Changing the loading (i.e., putting some
weight on the front rack) seems to make it go away.  I've had this
before in other bikes, but only at speeds approaching 40mph (when it
is SO much more fun).

Also, beware the long top tube.  With drop bars, I had to use a short
stem (50mm) to get to the same geometry I had on my road bike, which
is not entirely what I wanted on a cargo bike (I'm experimentally
changing to some mutated porteur bars made of road tubing, with hoods
at the bends).

David

On 2009-08-11, at 11:35 PM, beth hamon wrote:

> So I have an opportunity to get a Big Dummy frame and transfer most
> of the usable parts over from my current X. Current X is an ancient
> CyclePro steel ATB frame with a Free Radical kit built onto it.
> Works fine enough, but is slightly too tall for me AND has a
> disconcerting mid-section wobble. Will this wobble go away if I
> build up a Big Dummy instead? I'd like to hear perspectives before I
> plunk the money down for a BD frameset. Thanks --Beth
>
>
>

Hello,

I am considering a Kayak or two for my wife and me. I haven't decided if I want
a 2 person sit on top or a couple of singles sit on top or inside. It seems like
a 9' or shorter could be carried fairly easily on a BD with wide loaders and a
long loader (this is kind of why I am thinking about ruling out a
2-person...just too damned long). Has anybody carried two? I am trying to do
this without getting a trailer and just using the bike. It will be a 3.5 mile
downhill to the lake and the way home will be up. The other lake I could go to
would be about 6 miles away.  I want rec kayaks. Nothing for white water. Maybe
some ocean use to go Ab diving.

Thanks in advance for the help.

-Ryan

Hi Ryan,

I've not carried a kayak on my xtracycle, but I have carried a 9'2"
pole.  I've also carried a whole bunch of other things large, long,
bulky, and heavy things.  And I have done plenty of whitewater
kayaking--but this was before the X.  I still have two whitewater
kayaks.  One is fiberglass of standard slalom kayak length (slightly >9
feet, I think).   With my wide loaders and long loaders, I would have no
hesitation about carrying this kayak.  My only reservations about
carrying two kayaks is that it gets kind of complicated getting on and
off the bike--which becomes getting in and out of the bike.  As anyone
who has carried long loads can tell you--keep a close eye out for things
that can hang you up, stop you dead, and ding up you and the kayaks.
You are traveling like an open-faced sandwich--open to the wind.

Find a bunch of kayakers (try something like the Blue Grass Whitewater
Association, rooted in Lexington KY) and I'm sure they'll be fascinated
with your rig and willing to let you try carrying a few singles or
tandems around a parking lot.

CL

ryan.alward@... wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am considering a Kayak or two for my wife and me. I haven't decided if I
want a 2 person sit on top or a couple of singles sit on top or inside. It seems
like a 9' or shorter could be carried fairly easily on a BD with wide loaders
and a long loader (this is kind of why I am thinking about ruling out a
2-person...just too damned long). Has anybody carried two? I am trying to do
this without getting a trailer and just using the bike. It will be a 3.5 mile
downhill to the lake and the way home will be up. The other lake I could go to
would be about 6 miles away.  I want rec kayaks. Nothing for white water. Maybe
some ocean use to go Ab diving.
>
> Thanks in advance for the help.
>
> -Ryan

Aluminum tube, huh?  What a silly thing to make a kickstand out of.

GL with the ammonia, it will probably work.

--
Sean Moore
moore.sean@...



On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 2:44 PM, fblack947<fblack947@...> wrote:
>
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, jj <jj@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hair Dryers work well for wider things that need heat applied.
>>
>> JJ
>>
>
> Upon closer inspection, it looks like the KickBack legs are aluminum, while
> the body is steel.
>
> Galvanic corrosion at its finest.
>
> Heating the aluminum would likely cause it to expand more into the steel.
> Cooling on the other hand...
>
> For now, I'm following the late Sheldon's advice and the KickBack is soaking
> in ammonia and waiting for the magic to occur:
> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html
> (Tip XIII)
>
> -Jonathan
>
>

anybody carried two? I am trying to do this without getting a trailer and just
using the bike. It will be a 3.5 mile downhill to the lake and the way home will
be up. The other lake I could go to would be about 6 miles away.  I want rec
kayaks. Nothing for white water. Maybe some ocean use to go Ab diving.

I have a pair of Innova inflatables that I carried on a CETMA both inflated and
deflated.  I found that when I carry them inflated it is way easier to ride if I
carry both of them so that they balance.

That's true.  My kayaking buddies called the 2-person whitewater kayak
the 'Divorce Boat.'  The main, but not only, reason was rolling.  One
would roll and the other would swim and there would be words!

CL

Mark Garvey wrote:
>
   > IF it were my choice, I would go 2 smaller boats rather than one larger
> one.  If you two should wish to go seperate ways (as EXPLORE different
> sides of teh river say) you can do it with out a chainsaw being involved!

 

So I have an opportunity to get a Big Dummy frame and transfer most of the usable parts over from my current X. Current X is an ancient CyclePro steel ATB frame with a Free Radical kit built onto it.
Works fine enough, but is slightly too tall for me AND has a disconcerting mid-section wobble. Will this wobble go away if I build up a Big Dummy instead? I'd like to hear perspectives before I plunk the money down for a BD frameset. Thanks --Beth

 

Aluminum tube, huh? What a silly thing to make a kickstand out of.

GL with the ammonia, it will probably work.

--
Sean Moore
moore.sean@gmail.com

On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 2:44 PM, fblack947<fblack947@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, jj <jj@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hair Dryers work well for wider things that need heat applied.
>>
>> JJ
>>
>
> Upon closer inspection, it looks like the KickBack legs are aluminum, while
> the body is steel.
>
> Galvanic corrosion at its finest.
>
> Heating the aluminum would likely cause it to expand more into the steel.
> Cooling on the other hand...
>
> For now, I'm following the late Sheldon's advice and the KickBack is soaking
> in ammonia and waiting for the magic to occur:
> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html
> (Tip XIII)
>
> -Jonathan
>
>

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Rick Pickett <rick@...> wrote:
>
> Most kickstands are aluminum, not too silly.
>
> on the move
>

Not silly at all.  The aluminum tube is almost totally in compression under
load, and the tubes should be plenty strong enough to avoid buckling.  The
KickBack is bulky enough already!  Take a little weight savings where you can!

Unfortunately, the aluminum will want to negatively interact with the steel, as
I've found out.  Might want to mention that in the manual.  Treat it BETTER than
one would treat an aluminum seatpost, as the KickBack is in a much dirtier
position (even with my fenders).

It may be time to look into the warranty.  At a minimum, I'll need a new leg.

An overnight soaking in ammonia has not yet been enough to release the leg, but
it does look like it's getting into the joint with the steel body.  I'll give it
another day or two.

-Jonathan

On Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 4:23 PM, fblack947<fblack947@...> wrote:
> Not silly at all. The aluminum tube is almost totally in compression under
> load, and the tubes should be plenty strong enough to avoid buckling. The
> KickBack is bulky enough already! Take a little weight savings where you
> can!

Talking about weight savings on a cargo bike is silly though. I have a
KickBack now. It was an expensive (but necessary) piece of kit for me.
However, the issues I have had so far (stuck legs, crap taco) means it
is (imo) really poor value for money. For anyone looking for a stand
for their X, I would now recommend the Rolling Jackass over the
KickBack.

Question for Rick : are you supplying the steel plates for the BD boom
tube to people who didn't buy it through Xtracycle?

Neil

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I guess I wasn't thinking of how much a
PITA it would be to get on the bike with 2. I have heard from other people that
t is best to have 2 yaks so each can explore. Good advice.

Take it easy,

Ryan


--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Cara Lin Bridgman <shokulan@...> wrote:
>
> That's true.  My kayaking buddies called the 2-person whitewater kayak
> the 'Divorce Boat.'  The main, but not only, reason was rolling.  One
> would roll and the other would swim and there would be words!
>
> CL
>
> Mark Garvey wrote:
> >
>   > IF it were my choice, I would go 2 smaller boats rather than one larger
> > one.  If you two should wish to go seperate ways (as EXPLORE different
> > sides of teh river say) you can do it with out a chainsaw being involved!
>

> Talking about weight savings on a cargo bike is silly though.

No, it's not.  It might not be of primary concern, but it's still a concern.  If
a design can be lighter and still strong enough, lighter is most definitely
better.

After all, the point of a cargo bike is to be ridden around and used.  If a bike
gets too heavy, it's much less likely to be used, defeating the whole purpose.

My KickBack has worked pretty well until I had to adjust the leg length, and I'm
working through that issue.  Xtracycle's design could be a little improved in
that arena.  (Greasing the legs and reminding the user to check them every so
often in the manual would have prevented my issue.  Providing plugs to seal the
holes on either side of the taco bushing would have helped even more).

Of course, it would be nice if things were cheaper, but: a) it's way less than
$350; b) it looks like they keep selling out...

-Jonathan

On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 8:35 PM, beth hamon<periwinklekog@...> wrote:
> Works fine enough, but is slightly too tall for me AND has a disconcerting
mid-section wobble. Will this wobble go away if I build up a Big Dummy instead?
I'd like to hear perspectives before I plunk the money down for a BD frameset.
Thanks --Beth


I haven't ridden a Free Radical equipped bike, but I've put about 1300
miles on my Big Dummy since March.  I can tell you that it is stable
under all conditions -- even when you get your load a little bit
wrong.  I've never had any problems with flex, even with a passenger
and cargo on board.

A couple of my local bike shops have a built-up Big Dummy available
for a ride.  Perhaps one in your area can give you a test ride?  I
warn you though -- once you take a ride it will be hard to say no to
the frameset.  :)

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:00 PM, jj<jj@...> wrote:
> I have to go to Eugene for my HS reunion at the end of the month. I am
> thinkin' amtrak, and bringing the X instead of driving down.
>
> Anyone boxed up an X for transport on amtrak? Does it take two boxes?
>

Hey, JJ -- I haven't taken an X on the train, but I used to take my
'regular' bicycle on the Portland to Eugene route fairly often.  It's
completely painless.  You head to the baggage claim to get a tag, and
then you hand it to the baggage car on the tracks.  When you hop off,
you grab it the same way, and ride right away, no box necessary.  You
might want to give Amtrak a call to see if the extra length would
cause them any problems.  The Coast Starlight is the route I used to
ride.

Or get inflatable Kayaks. This family carried both on their XC
http://carfreedays.com/2009/06/02/car-free-kayaking/

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Cara Lin Bridgman <shokulan@...> wrote:
>
> That's true.  My kayaking buddies called the 2-person whitewater kayak
> the 'Divorce Boat.'  The main, but not only, reason was rolling.  One
> would roll and the other would swim and there would be words!
>
> CL
>
> Mark Garvey wrote:
> >
>   > IF it were my choice, I would go 2 smaller boats rather than one larger
> > one.  If you two should wish to go seperate ways (as EXPLORE different
> > sides of teh river say) you can do it with out a chainsaw being involved!
>

we were initially thinking about inflatable. I think they would work best. I
used a plastic ocean kayak the other day and liked it so much, but I think
inflatable may be the way to go.

Thanks,

Ryan

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "jonthelam" <johnny_m_lam@...> wrote:
>
> Or get inflatable Kayaks. This family carried both on their XC
> http://carfreedays.com/2009/06/02/car-free-kayaking/
>
> --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Cara Lin Bridgman <shokulan@> wrote:
> >
> > That's true.  My kayaking buddies called the 2-person whitewater kayak
> > the 'Divorce Boat.'  The main, but not only, reason was rolling.  One
> > would roll and the other would swim and there would be words!
> >
> > CL
> >
> > Mark Garvey wrote:
> > >
> >   > IF it were my choice, I would go 2 smaller boats rather than one larger
> > > one.  If you two should wish to go seperate ways (as EXPLORE different
> > > sides of teh river say) you can do it with out a chainsaw being involved!
> >
>

papa,

Good stuff. I am lucky my wife is even in a bike at this point. I hope to get
her on an XC in a year or so. She has a basket and will have panniers to carry
some goods. I think that I will need to carry the boats for now if I want to
have a chance to make it to 35 yrs.  So far I have made it 2. Bike + Her + Boat
= not going to make it to 3. I'll give It a couple more years before she tows
things.

Thanks for the info,

Ryan.

--- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Mark Garvey <lazybee45@...> wrote:
>
> Um...I have a long loader on EACH SIDE of my X and it works REALLY REALLY
> well!  what does a Kayak weigh anyway  20 lbs?  sheesh!  i wouldn't even
> think about it....just toss it on board, lash it down and head for the
> hills.....or the river or whatever!.  and what the hell is SHE riding that
> she can't carry her own ?  Make her pack her own boat!  If no X, then a
> simple trailer would do the job.  No problem!  Or make her carry the food or
> somethihg!
>
> Hehehehe!
>
> Evil old man here (married 35 years!)
>
> Papa
>
> On Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 12:32 PM, ryan.alward@...
> <ryan.alward@...>wrote:
>
> > we were initially thinking about inflatable. I think they would work best.
> > I used a plastic ocean kayak the other day and liked it so much, but I think
> > inflatable may be the way to go.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Ryan
> >
> > --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, "jonthelam" <johnny_m_lam@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Or get inflatable Kayaks. This family carried both on their XC
> > > http://carfreedays.com/2009/06/02/car-free-kayaking/
> > >
> > > --- In rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com, Cara Lin Bridgman <shokulan@>
> > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > That's true.  My kayaking buddies called the 2-person whitewater kayak
> > > > the 'Divorce Boat.'  The main, but not only, reason was rolling.  One
> > > > would roll and the other would swim and there would be words!
> > > >
> > > > CL
> > > >
> > > > Mark Garvey wrote:
> > > > >
> > > >   > IF it were my choice, I would go 2 smaller boats rather than one
> > larger
> > > > > one.  If you two should wish to go seperate ways (as EXPLORE
> > different
> > > > > sides of teh river say) you can do it with out a chainsaw being
> > involved!
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Family FUN!.....with a twist!
>
> Papa Balloon
>

I was at REI and the conversation turned to this mysterious person
  "... there is a guy in Brea that has an X, and rides everywhere..." If anyone
know "this guy" please let me know. Or if anyone in the OC is up for a X meet
and greet it would be nice to do.

Thanks!

Carl
in the U.S. and A. California