Last week was a fun week for me. I'm switching companies and had an unexpected week off. I took the opportunity to embark on a project I've wanted to do for some time... build an Xtracycle for myself and my older son. Well actually for both of my sons, but I think my younger son (just shy of 2 years) is too young to ride. Knowing that Xtracycles are hard to find, and of course not wanting to wait for one to arrive in the mail, I called Rock the Bike and was connected to its proprietor, Paul Freedman, aka FossilFool.
After a few questions about what I needed and when, he agreed to meet me at his workshop in Berkeley where he would have a 26" Xtracycle waiting for me. As well as a short course in assembly and tips.
Of course, I can't go into any bike shop or workshop without asking a lot of questions. And Paul's workshop is amazing. Birthplace of the Downlow Glow and the Soul Cycle Mobile Audio System, this place is teeming with geegaws and gadgets all related to bikes ... in other words, many many interesting things to see and discuss.
Paul was the gracious host, humoring my many questions. 
Pictured is Paul with his latest endeavor, a very cool speaker enclosure for the next generation Soul Cycle audio system, the Mothership.
Pictured is Paul with his latest endeavor, a very cool speaker enclosure for the next generation Soul Cycle audio system, the Mothership. He is painstakingly building this up and fitting it to his Xtracycle and (I presume) prototyping this for later sale. In addition to crafting some very clever bamboo rails / seat for the top. If you are interested in seeing the build process, go here.
As for me, so far so good on the X build. I realized midway into the assembly that I didn't have a FAP. A "front attachment plate." I must have lost it somewhere along the way. So for now, the build waits for my shipment from Xtracycle World Headquarters. I've got all the other parts needed, I think.
Paul put it nicely... he said "Your drivetrain won't get any BETTER using an Xtracycle. So now is a good time to show it some love." And I have. New chain. New chainrings. New cassette. New bottom bracket. Even a new back wheel. I happened upon a Performance Bike Shop in Redwood City on the day before they closed. They are consolidating shops with the Palo Alto store and had everything at 40% off. So I got a disk ready wheel, super strong, that I think will be good for my new cargo rides. The rear wheel I had was *barely* holding true... I had really tightened down a few of the spokes to get it back within reason. So I suspected it was only a matter of time before it failed anyway, and surely carrying around 100lbs on the back would not, in Paul's words, "make it better." Sage advice.
More soon when I get the FAP.