Crank Forward Forum
Welcome to our forum. With the number of CF bikes growing, customers have expressed a need for a message board dedicated to CF bikes. We hope this message board gives you the chance to exchange stories or ideas that will continue the growth of Crank Forward Bikes. Feel free to post a message.
Hammer Truck
Somebody tell me about the Hammer Truck, a new Rans Longtail cargo bike seen at Interbike. Is this real?
Re: Hammer Truck
Sure is Greg. I got to ride the unpainted prototype back in Hays on the July 4th weekend, and am very excited about this new util-bike. If I recall, it was maybe 6" longer then a stock Dynamik, and was around 30lbs in 4130 chromoly. The handling was ultra smooth and stable, and you quickly forgot about the bikes extra length.
Here is the one photo on BROL's homepage that shows the Hammer Truck:
http://www.bentrideronline.com/gallery/1/rans x-stream1.jpg
Regards,
~Nanda
Re: Hammer Truck
Is it one-piece construction, i.e., a new frame, or is it an xtracycle Free Radical mated to a CF frame? If it is a new frame, does it use the xtracycle accessories? When will it be available?
Re: Hammer Truck
I did find these pictures -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2886853812/in/photostream/ -- but they're awfully dark. I want one now. Randy?
Re: Hammer Truck
Good find Greg...that's the bike 
If you hit the "All Sizes" selection at the top of the photo and go to the Original size it's easier to make out the details. BROL's Day 2 coverage will have more photo's of the CF's as stated at the bottom of the Day 1 coverage.
I have some photo's two, but am hesitant to share them as they are right from the factory floor (might see something we shouldn't etc. ; ) and didn't want to abuse the privilege without Randy's approval.
All will likely be revealed as Day 2 of Interbike unfolds.
These are exciting CF times...
~Nanda
Re: Hammer Truck
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2886853984
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2886853812
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2886854208
I'll elaborate on what you're looking at in those photo's a bit. Those are 40 spoke Velocity wheels (from Dynamik Duo) with Avid BB7 160mm mechanical disc brakes, and Primo Comet kevlar tires with the reflective sidewalls. I believe the HammerTruck has the tandem fork from the Dynamik Duo, and is shown with a forward facing curved riser with B-37 double bend bars as used on the Citi. This handlebar riser combo creates an open cockpit, making the sitting/standing transition easier to preform, with only mild hand pressure and forward lean (depending of your arm length), and puts you in a powerful position the task at hand.
The last photo shows Carl of RANS, and the Ride And Carry (RAC) system, with sling style stow-able bags, which is design to work with and take full advantage of the crank forwards unique geometry. The RAC is all aluminum with joiners and hardware from the RANS aircraft dept, and should be compatible with existing CF's (I've seen a photo of it on a Citi, but not a Fusion or Cruz yet). This will give the same hauling functionality to all crank forward owners that already invested in the concept.
Here is a post on EcoVelo about the RAC, fitted to a Dynamik Duo which has the standard Dynamik geometry:
http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/07/09/rans-ride-and-carry-cargo-system/
Regards,
~Nanda
Re: Hammer Truck
So the RAC is different then the Hammer Truck because the Hammer Truck is a single piece frame and the RAC is an add-on like the Xtracycle? I'm confused.
Re: Hammer Truck
Found a few more HT photo's:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2887453239/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2888288394/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2888288162/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2888288064/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindustries/2886682818/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindustries/2886682950/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindustries/2886682872/
The Hammer Truck is the new bike model, the RAC is the attachable rack system, but does not extend the frame like the Xtracycle.
Regards,
~Nanda
Re: Hammer Truck
Look for a full report soon. The HammerTruck is a fresh design with ideas garned from Xtracycle. Think of it as Extracycle inspried design, yet having its own identity.
The HT cargo system is larger and higher capcity than the Xtracycle, and not to be confused with our new RAC, which is a separate system that adapts to existing Dynamik and Fusion frames. The Zenetik is not really made for these loads, so we do not recomend it for RAC. RAC's will come in two sizes the Mega and Mini RAC's one the Mega is 3" longer. Pricing will range fro $375 to $500. They will be rated in the 120 to 180 pound range.
The HT will have several options like slings, running boards with bras, top deck, and bike hitch. Prices and details to follow on our site over the next weeks. Delivery of HT and RAC should happen by Jan.
The Extracycle people or fantastic and willing to lend help, sell parts or whole systems to encourage the concept of cyclist taking on the load. We are hoping to adapt what we can in terms of those bits and pieces, as needed and help to increase the volume for new items they develop. It should be a fun time for haulers.
Re: Hammer Truck
Here are some photo's of the Hammer Truck and Ride and Carry system (Randy said ok to post'm)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2890548254/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2889712953/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2890548192/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2890548158/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2889712925/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2889712891/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2890548082/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/2889712871/
Regards,
~Nanda
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
****, and I just bought a CITI! I need one of these two Candidates to slide me some of that 18 billion they keep talking about. :)
I'm really looking forward to the full scoop on the Site where I hope we'll learn what comes with the Hammer Truck, side bags, wide loader things, all of it.
I was very close to selling my citi to fund a Yuba w/ e-assist. Now I really got some noodling to do.
500 lb capacity !? That beats the yuba. RANS CF seating and posture, that beats the yuba too. Looks like a triple chainring upfront, that also beats the Yuba!
Randy Rules! Can't wait to read more.
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
I was reading on Vik's blog or somewhere esle that the Big Dummy rides nice with the large 2.35" Schwable Big Apples, but the increased height of the tires makes it a bit tricky to get your feet down. The Hammer Truck will not have this issue with it's lower seat height
Regards,
~Nanda
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
The frame is steel, and may be that way for the first year, the bike minus rack is 29.5 pounds, and 39.5 with. Yes, you will be able to buy it as a frame set. MSRP as a bike with stock rack, less bags or runners is $1995. Made is USA.
Re: Hammer Truck
That's great. Just what's needed Xtracycle / Big Dummy capacity (and some) and Crank Forward comfort.
Any chance it could be topped off with a reliable reasonable cost through the gears electric assist. A custom Panasonic system would be perfect, but that's a build in rather than add on system so perhaps a variant of Cyclone or Stokemonkey could be the way to go.
When can we order?
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
There are several good reasons to prefer a Panasonic or equivalent electric assist system on CF-bikes, in order to keep the bike's mass as central as possible. This will add to the dynamic performance of the bike.
Also in car and boat racing, light ends are favored for the same reasons.
Electric assisted bikes are a booming business in Europe. The best technology comes from the Swiss firm Flyer, http://www.flyer.ch/, which is borne out reapeatedly by independent tests, e.g. at http://www.extraenergy.org/main.php
The HammerTruck ITR is a nice and inspiring story, and the observations on the beneficial effects of a bike culture are very to the point. I want to compliment Randy Schlitter with this!
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
In the interest of cross-pollenation of ideas and technology, I would point interested parties to the following blog for e-assist info:
http://www.cycle9.com/blog/c9blog.php
I have visited the shop, and even rented an e-assisted Yuba Mundo. While the yuba was great, with a 36V Forsen front hub motor, their recent tests of the BMC Puma geared hub motor looks very impressive. I've shared this crankforward site, as well as the newly posted ITR on Ransbikes.com with them in hopes to drum up some interest. Morgan is a great resource to discuss e-assist. I recommend her and the staff at Cycle9 very highly.
There is also some lively discussion of e-assist cargo haulers on groups.yahoo.com group name is "roots radicals" and they are predominantly xtracycle owners/advocates but much of the discussion is around cargo and kid hauling and recently some discussions about e-assist.
Things are changing in the bicycle industry and I really hope the burgeoning niche of comfortable cargo haulers takes off. Trek even has a concept one now, under the Gary Fisher flag, called El Ranchero. It's nifty hauler with a real seat and bars for a passenger.
Re: Hammer Truck
Re: Hammer Truck
We are trying to get several out this month, more after the first of the year.
Re: Hammer Truck
There was an article in today's Los Angeles Times Health section on these bikes.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-gear6-2008oct06,0,7119296.story
Pretty cool. They refer to them as sport utility bikes.
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