Oh man, I got my wheels finally! It's a Big Dummy! It's 100% ready to go mechanically. Test ride tomorrow.

Those 203mm rotors are monsters. I hope they won't rip the frame apart on the first downhill!

The pictures taken before the final adjustments and before the cable were cut.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/08.jpg
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:thumb:

My fix for the the front fender mount. It's a piece of rear rack bracket. It goes inside the fender and L-bends under the fender so it won't slip out.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/14.jpg
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My improved chainslap protection device :D The hole is so I can press the wideloader release button.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/15.jpg
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Gore includes bright orange rubber protectors for the cable crimps, like they need protectors, but hey, it's bright orange!

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And my improved corner protectors for the wideloaders. It's washing machine hose. It's thinner and softer than what Dylan used on the Goat, those bits were re-used for the above chainslap protector. The idea is that you can lean the Big Dummy sideways and rest it on its wideloaders. Plus, I'm sure it's easy to bang them around.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/17.jpg
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http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/18.jpg
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:ride:

Awesome! :thumb:

What size are your Marathons?

I feel your pain about your LBS. My LBS is now 45 minutes away, as the two others that are closer to my house have been less than stellar in the customer service dept. The one that's 45 minutes away has always been helpful, answers my questions patiently and is willing to show me how to work on my own bike. They really have turned me on to the idea of doing my own wrenching. Now I just need to learn how to do wheels and I'll be good to go :)

Those brakes oughta stop ya on a dime and give change. I'm running BB7s on my Dummy with 160 rear and 185 front and I've got all the braking power I need.
I did something similar for a front fender mount drop. Just looks better when the fender follows the wheel arc.
Comming together nicely.

The Marathons are 2.25. They do look big, which I like :D

Some people advised against 203mm, but Surly claims it's OK to run 203mm on both ends. I was afraid 160mm might not be strong enough.

OK, just to verify, the Yuba kickstand works flawlessly. It mounted as if it was designed for the BD and it's just the perfect length too. It's easy to reach with your foot too: I was afraid it would be hidden and hard to access, but that's not the case.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/19.jpg
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A shot with two Yuba bags and the deck installed. Those bags are H U G E!

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/21.jpg
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The only problem is that, as I mentioned before, the bags can't be taken off with the deck installed and removing the deck is a bit of PITA. I need to find a way to modify the deck somehow, to raise it, to create a gap between the deck and the v-racks to be able to pull the straps and buckles through. I imagine a situation where I might want to carry something large without the bags, like boxes to UPS or a bike frame.

Man, I can't wait to load those with camping gear and hit the road!

To give you an idea, a set of 700cc wheels in the bag, plenty of room left for more stuff.

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Looking good. :thumb: Makes me impatient for getting my build going. Probably a month or so away. :twitchy:

The BB7s modulate quite well so it should not be a problem.

Indeed, braking is effortless and smooth. I don't even have to squeeze the levers too much to come to a full stop. Although, I'm sure it'll be different once the bike is loaded.

Pictures are coming soon, the test ride was fun. It was s till a bit too cold for longer riding for me though, cold air gusts and I'm still coughing and a bit weak. What doesn't make a lot of sense to me is that I'm 5.11" with 33" inseam and this is 22" frame and it fits me fine! Actually, I don't even need to cut the steerer tube, it's very comfortable as it is. Bike sizing just doesn't make any sense to me any more. I should be riding 18" frame. A 22" should be unrideable. I'm not disproprotional or anything, although I have longer legs than most guys but still, people were puzzled when I told them I got a 22" frame. Standover height is noticeable higher than on other bikes but I still clear it comfortably.

The ride is smooth, very smooth. After a while you forget you're riding a 7+ feet long bike. Although, remembering about that is good when cornering :D I found the bike harder to maneuver when I'm off of it.

Pictures from today's test ride
 

Here it is before the bags were mounted.

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And here equipped with bags except for the handlebar bag. One bicycle's beginning, one car's end of life :D Not my car, there are several body shops on that road, junk cars everywhere.

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The dashboard.

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The kickstand. Actually, I was wrong, depending on what kind of shoes you're wearing it may or may not be easy to reach the stand. You may need to lean the bike away from you a bit.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...7/small/16.jpg
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http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...7/small/17.jpg
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My fav spot for photographing bicycles.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...7/small/18.jpg
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Lookin good. Hope you have a good sturdy lock.

i wonder how people like those go-getter bags vs freeloaders/other bags. my freeloaders are a bit worn, particularly near the disc brake guard, and i think i may want to replace one or both in the future. i would do a search, but i'm too lame to figure out how to make the forum search for "go-getter."

Thanks for the excellent build photos Adam, I'm carefully taking notes......

On the braking, Dummys are the best at cornering and braking, very confidence inspiring. And you must be built weird, I'm 6'2" with 32" inseam and my 20" fits me well.

Lookin' suuuuh-weet, man!

Sweet bike man! Thanks for all the excellent photo's too!

Two steel cables, contractor grade. I also have a U-lock, but hardly ever carry it.

Just like on everything else people are divided on this subject as well. Plus, very few so far used Go Getter bags on an Xtracycle. I don't remember seeing any related posts on this forum. There are few videos on YouTube. I think I'm one of the very few and maybe the first one to try Yuba kickstand on a Big Dummy as well.. I wanted waterproof, no hassle bags and this is the only choice.

I might get the Xtracycle Freeloaders as well once I figure how to make the bags easily removable.

I'll definitely keep you updated.

I think the length of the bike keeps the rear pressed down firmly on the road. Oh, and yeah.... I am weird... don't get me started :D

Thanks man!

I've also shot few videos, but I have no patience for video editing so I'll upload them to YouTube as they are.

Here are some videos I shot today. Hardly artsy, but something. I was never into video much.

Glad you got your bike rolling?...:thumb::love:

Do you have to use the wideloaders to support the Yuba bags or is that optional?

Thanks Vik! The bags require some bottom support so yeah, the wideloaders are pretty much required for those bags IMHO. They have four 1" webbing straps that hang on the v-rack, that might hold the bags alone or might not, hard to tell.

Do want.... good job!

I find even 1 wideloader limits my mobility as I have to watch out for a bike over twice as wide as normal so hitting stuff and people [!] becomes an issue. I've seen other folks build running boards for their BD's and Xtras which would give your bags the support they need with out the oversized width.

I like to ride my BD like a regular bike when not hauling stuff so this matters to me more than if I used it only as a heavy hauling rig....so YMMV.

Adam - that bike looks cool. Are you planning on touring with it?

Yeah, it's as wide as a trailer. I'll see how it works without wideloaders. I also played with the idea of making the wideloaders, um... less wide :D

Thanks! Yup. That's part of the plan :D