It's been an unusually warm few weeks for us here, and when the weather gets warm people start thinking about carrying absurd loads on their bikes. So just in the nick of time (or not -soon-enough for some) we're getting a shipment of SideCars, Hoopties, P-Racks. The boat docks tomorrow, so we hope to be shipping everyone's pre-orders at the start of April, just as soon as the container clears customs. Thanks for hanging in there!

After the jump: SideCar in use, and SideCar use tips!

Local Bay Area rocker Justin Ancheta shows us how to package a Cargo Joe as luggage on an airline.

The second most popular question about the SideCar has been: “Can I use it with a Kickback?” closely followed by “How?” (The most popular question is “When can I get one?” the answer to which is “Late February 2013.”)

To ease your concerns we’ve created a quick photo tutorial.

Weather-resistant, recycled, and made in the USA, the new SideCar Deck is now in stock! Get all the details over on its product page, or check out this awesome slide show on how it is made (courtesy of RPI).

To help you assemble and use your new SideCar, we've made a short instructional video:

Two important details that didn't make into the video:

Insert the front stem into the bike so that 3-3/4" (95mm) of the stem is outside of the frame tube, then adjust the rear stem so that the platform is parallel to the center line of the bike. This ensures that there is enough of the stem engaged with the frame, but still allows room for the KickBack or kickstand.

The large Nylock nut may not be screwed all the way down on some axles. It is a Nyloc so there is little chance of it unthreading, however you can tighten it down to the stop to reduce the amount of horizontal play in the axle. Some play in the system is normal, do not over-tighten the nut.

If you have further questions or comments, please leave a comment below or join the conversation on our GetSatisfaction page.

To help you assemble and use your new Hooptie, we've made a short instructional video:

If you have further questions or comments, please leave a comment below.

The EdgeRunner is our first full-frame cargo bike. It has an optional electric assist for making it up hills or getting to school on time. Ross takes you through the bike in the video below, and highlights some of the advantages of having a smaller rear wheel.

During Interbike 2013, Ross gave Electric Bike Report the inside scoop on some of the great things we're rolling out soon. Check out the rest of the series here!

2007: The Original FreeLoader.

2010: The FreeLoader Redux

2013: The X2

So good we had to change the name, the X2 comes with a whole new range of features and uses, ranging from a new waterproof flap, to the huge interior pocket, to an integrated rub guard. Check out the video below to see how it all works.

During Interbike 2013, Ross gave Electric Bike Report the inside scoop on some of the great things we're rolling out soon. Check out the rest of the series here!

Parents have been making quite a hoopla about the Hooptie, which provides a grab rail and finger guard for up to three children. It also accommodates the PeaPod seat and expands to fit older children, so it grows with your family. Ross explains it all below:

During Interbike 2013, Ross gave Electric Bike Report the inside scoop on some of the great things we're rolling out soon. Check out the rest of the series here!

This one is for all you heavy-haulers out there needing even more platform: The SideCar! It rolls, it folds, it carries bulky loads! The SideCar!

During Interbike 2013, Ross gave Electric Bike Report the inside scoop on some of the great things we're rolling out soon. Check out the rest of the series here!

EdgeRunner is already becoming an innovation platform of its own. The low rear end allows for all kinds of accessories that aren't possible on TallTails (i.e. large wheel LongTails).

EdgeRunner Electric advisor Michael Bock has doubled down on the EdgeRunner with his Bock-Feat (ha ha), made of sustainably harvested Koa. We will be test running it with kids tomorrow at Showroom Saturdays - from 10am - 4pm at Xtracycle Headquarters, 4300 West St. Oakland CA 94608.

Xtracycle has spent the last 14 months developing the next generation of Long-Tail Cargo Bike and, true to our nature, have partnered with several noteworthy industry leaders.

As we thought about the future of the cargo bike, no one could deny the role that electric assist would play. We are captivated by a vision of transportation that is bike-centered, but we acknowledge the role that pedal-assist technologies will play in bringing more riders of all ages, rider strengths, and ambitions to the table.

My wife and I have been riding cargo bikes in New York City for the past three years . Typically we are shopping for groceries and transporting our children to/from school or the gym and carrying all of our miscellaneous bags. We do not own a car and we ride year round unless there is ice on the street. We own two cargo bikes, a Kona Ute and a Yuba Mundo. The Kona came with two grocery type bags and we had each been using one of those. The Kona bags are not great, but are basically functional with limited capacity. I have been searching for a bag that would fit these over-size racks and that could be left attached, so the idea of being able to take an Xtracycle bag and use it on our bikes was welcome. Since the Freeloader bags are not designed specifically for use on these frames it required a little trial and error to make it work. But I am happy to report that the bags can fit on both frames and have increased our carrying capacity tremendously.

We hope to hope to have this product available for Spring 2013.

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