Silvio ST "sport touring" concept

Nanda Holz

Active Member
Got the Sofrider swingarm

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Got the Sofrider swingarm removed and frame builder Kevin is cutting up and welding the XtraCycle FreeRadical :)
 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
The Xtracycle Cruzbike Sofrid

The Xtracycle Cruzbike Sofrider project has been tack welded together.

Here are a couple of progress pix...

Kevin (machinist frame-building buddy) has machined the new steel lower pivot and cross tube.?
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Here is the mock up with the lower joiner tube in position.?
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The angled shock mount post now in place. Just a couple more tubes and she'll be ready to test.?
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Nanda Holz

Active Member
XtraCruz bike project update

Here is another designed with a rigid mid-frame design, and to plug and play with the XtraCycle Leap new rear end frame (no modifying the Leap frame). The Leap design they showed at Interbike 12' is a cleaned up cargo frame extension, and is said to be cheaper/stiffer/lighter.

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Wouldn't it be cool to have one mid-frame that you could make a FWD MBB out of, or weld a boom on, work out the chain path to make a RWD? At least it would be simpler from a low volume specialty touring bike company production standpoint.

Here is the same frame overlayed on a Nazca Gaucho 26 Tour image, with an imaginary boom welded. The optium headtube angle that would work with a FWD/MBB and a RWD would have to be sorted out.

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Just thinking out loud...thanks for following along!!!


 

MrSteve

Zen MBB Master
CargoCruz

My concept differs radically from yours, Mr. Holz!

Your initial concept, sketched atop a Silvio V1, seems too complex to me.

In my opinion, Cruzbike frames are well engineered.
Logically, as the frames are already built and field-tested... I'd mount my load-carrying
modifications to the existing frames and save both time and money.

If I wanted a load-carrying Sofrider, the model I own, I would:
-keep the frame, wheels, swing arm and front end.
Why?
They work, they're already built and I don't need to reinvent them.

-I'd remove the seat... and replace it with a monocoque, aerodynamic,
one-piece combination of tail-trunk and panniers.
This would bolt on in place of the original seat pan;
the original fabric covered foam seat pads would be reused
on the monocoque cargo unit.

-I might replace the stock shock with a more robust unit, if needed.

The advantage of a bolt-on monocoque cargo carrier is that
it can be removed and replaced with the stock seat, quickly restoring
the utility of the stock bicycle.

I can see that this would be a less flexible solution than hanging
different-sized bags on a scaffold would be,
...but in my mind's eye, it would be much more elegant!

-Steve
 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
Got a sketch?

Thanks for the feedback Yakmurph!

Our Xtracycle concept is exactly what you first said...built around 2/3rds of a Sofrider, with only the rear swingarm being replaced with the modified Freeradical weldment. To carry up to 200lbs, a rear wheel will be used which fits into the Freeradical, and 36 spokes on a double walled eyeletted rim should be up to the task.

Would be fun to see a sketch of your concept...ya never know ;)
 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
It's alive...well almost, the

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It's alive...well almost, the Xtracycle Cruzbike Sofrider project just needs a little more welding before the testing games can begin.
 

Eric Winn

Zen MBB Master
I see you already have

I see you already have someone crowing over your new design.
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Seriously though, that is looking intriguing. Did you show it to Yangmusa when he was over test riding your other Cruzbikes?

I see you posted this same photo to Yangmusa's thread on BROL: Cruzbike for touring?

-Eric

 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
Thanks Eric,

Thanks Eric,
We'll know how the ride quality is with the suspension between the rider and the load soon enough. Yes, there is and will be unsprung (or at least Big Apple'd) weight up to 200lbs on the Freeradical, and the equal or larger load of the rider in front. Looking at it, you'd think the rider will be isolated from the road vibes transmitted through the integrate "trailer," and we will see once Kevin thinks the rig is ready to test. We may very well end up with a rigid design, but want to go through all the permutations:

Sofrider V2...with front suspension (since there are loads of Sofrider/Freeriders out there that curious folks can pick up and create a similar setup if we decide to market this modded Freeradical or the new Leap due in Sept.

Sofrider V3...without front suspension, likely less squirmy under hard braking.

Perhaps a rigid mid-frame that does not modify the Freeradical or Leap, but replaces the main frame of a Sofrider/Quest and allows a angle adjustable hardshell to be fitted as well. This might be the best direction to go in, as it will also work with the Conversion kit, and have the widest potential audience. The rear suspension is removed reducing cost, complexity, wheelbase, and possibly total rider comfort...all tbd.

It will be fun to see how much traction is lost will a big load out back up steep grades. Jeff Parker already has eyes on a electric rear hub, which might be the optimum configuration for urban use, especially in SF.
 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
Not yet Eric, I have a

Not yet Eric, I have a Schwalbe Marathon Cross 26x1.75 on the back (the same will be mounted on the front as well), and right now the stock 26x1.5 tire is on the front. The center stand floats the wheel off the ground making it look perhaps even bigger.
 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
This is only a test :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMSaJ7vcy9U&feature=share&list=UUBDO2090FFtWrs9vJk56Wyw

?
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Nanda Holz

Active Member
The Cruzbike Sofrider

The Cruzbike Sofrider Xtracycle has a 1250in/lb rated Nazca HD coil over shock with adjustable rebound dampening, which should improve the ride further. The Schwalbe Marathon Crosses with reflex side wall are ready for any terrain and add some bling with the flash on.

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The Cruzbike Sofrider Xtracycle also now has been fitted with a Avid BB7 160mm front disc brake. The rear disc requires a 203mm 8" disc rotor and uses a 160mm caliper mounting bracket the has the mounting tab higher up to me the 8" rotor. Will get that fitted when our next parts order comes in, but for now the stock rear Vbrake is fine.

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The Cruzbike Sofrider Xtracycle is fitted on a Sofrider V3 frame w/o the head shock on the V2 frame.

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Sprayed and neutered and ready for action, the Cruzbike Sofrider Xtracycle is now looking more like a finished product.

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baov

Active Member
Any new development on the

Any new development on the xtracycle trailer? Last i heard you were experiencing some flex in the turns when the rear was loaded.

If i was going for a hardtail, i'd try converting a cargo bike like Surly Big Dummy, Yuba Mundo or Xtracycle Edgerunner. Heck it's so long you could even leave the crack for the rear wheel and have the passenger in the back stoke like a tandem. Or load just it up like a cargo. Crazy idea but i just might try it next summer.
 
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