Odds & Ends: the Radish, a new bike from Xtracycle
Why it's the latest offering from Xtracycle
Yep. Xtracycle will be bringing us a bike they're calling, The Radish. Now first, a word of caution. The bike pictured above is the Radish, but it's a pre-production photo, you dig. That means the final version available in stores might not be configured exactly as shown. Don't hassle Xtracycle about it. Go with the flow. Here's what we know about it:
The bike is steel. It won't be available until the end of the Summer. The bike's not one piece, it's two. It was designed to bolt to Xtracycle's FreeRadical system, resulting in a bike that is less stiff than the Big Dummy, but more stiff than a Townie Xtracycle. That, and it comes with a chainstay bridge designed specifically for the FreeRadical, which should translate into less of a need to keep tightening that point of attachment.
This is a great deal for Xtracycle because it means that they will soon have an integrated product to offer bike shops and customers. That means it's easier for green bike commuters (cue the double entendre) to wrap their heads around the Xtracycle concept. And it should mean more bike shops stocking and ordering Xtracycles for their customers. And the two-piece design (as opposed to the Big Dummy approach) means it can ship in a standard length bike box. Cool, eh?
If you have no idea what an Xtracycle is, then we suggest you visit them on the web at www.xtracycle.com. In a nutshell, it's a long bike that can carry lots of stuff... even another person.
This is just the latest development in the long-tail cargo-bike market. Surly also makes an integrated frame called the Big Dummy that is compatible with the Xtracycle rack and bag system. Kona makes the Ute, rumored to be avialable next year in more than one frame size. And there's also the Yuba Mundo (yubaride.com). It's interesting times to be in the bike business. b
