OT: electric long-tail options: add a motor, buy used, buy new?

[Nathan Dushman]

A few months back I bought a used Xtracycle Edgerunner 30D - nice components, no motor. It's been great for hauling my kids around, but I should have gotten a bike with a motor. I'm confident I want a long-tail, not a front-loader, and I think I'd get another Xtracycle or something similarly long (maybe a Yuba). I want a mid-drive  motor. I can afford to buy new, but in general I'd rather save a little money. Should I:
- add a motor to my existing Xtracycle (which would probably mean new cranks as it currently has a triple)

- buy a used bike (The New Wheel used to have used listings, although as of right now that page is unavailable), and if so, do I only want one built in the last 2-3 years, or is older OK?

- buy new

Thanks for any recommendations and opinions!

Nathan

[Scott Crosby]

you can’t add a crank motor such as a Bosch (different purpose-built frame required) so you’d need to do a Bafang-type retrofit, which would be a bit of a project but might work well. the hub-style motor is easy to integrate and works so-so but yeah the mid-drive is far superior.

I really liked the Xtracycle mid-drive I tested a few years ago, but (and you knew this was coming) I’m 100% sold on the superiority of the front-loader style, mostly due to the far-lower center of gravity and much better non-kid cargo capacity, but people also love Yubas and Rads, and they are much less $$$.

so, given your stated desires, I’d probably go used Xtracycle or Yuba with Bosch power. get an extra battery to take with you on longer excursions - I recently found a site selling them for ~$500.

cargo bikes rule!

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[Kurt Wallace]

we've used bafang conversions on a fleet of Xtracycles for years. They require some maint after they get beat on but have held up well, even though we use them to haul heavy stuff.

_____________________________________

Kurt Wallace
Director | he/him
Bikes Make Life Better | (415) 412-7033

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[Justin!]

Hi All-

Sort of on topic for this thread, I'm selling a nice clean 2016 Xtracycle Edgerunner 30D (3 x 10, not electric) in great condition and very few miles. I keep lowering my price and almost no bites. I've tried Craigslist and Facebook so far. I'm sure I have over $4000 in this bike with all the kid seats, etc. and I would sell for $1500 at this point.

Let me know if anyone might be interested or know of someone who might be interested. I think most in this area want a motor, but this bike served me well when I had young kids in a flat area.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/d/oakland-xtracycle-edgerunner-30d-family/7485762500.html

Thanks,

Justin