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From Open Source LongTail Technology

Xtracycle LongTail Standard - Open Source information

The bicycle industry is entering a new age of bike design. Changing culture and rising costs of resources are getting more people onto bikes, many of which are used for commuting, hauling groceries, or good old off-road fun. Xtracycle has been building the Free Radical kit for about 10 years, with other manufacturers such as Surly jumping on the bandwagon to create one-piece frames. Smaller fabricators are making their own bikes, and the demand for an open-source standard is increasing.

Xtracycle has therefore decided to put the basics of their Longtail design up for anyone to use. While we want to ensure the compatability of parts, we’re not charging money for the right to use our technology. We only ask that makers conform to a certain set of criteria, so that customers can be assured that everything will work well together.

Currently, we have 28 articles and counting!

1 Established Frame Standards
2 Accessories
- 2.1 Existing accessories
- 2.2 Future Products
3 Community Portal

[edit] Established Frame Standards

These pages explain the existing dimensions, and are intended to provide designers with deeper explanation of why things are the way they are, and what problems have been encountered before. For the authoritative dimensions and requirements, refer to the LongTail Frame Standard.

[edit] Accessories

[edit] Existing accessories

[edit] Future Products

A place for designers to discuss what should be made, and how. When creating new subjects, try to use the need that's being addressed, instead of the particular product. Make sure you delineate between what's a discussion and what's solid information. Also, remember that while Xtracycle isn't here to steal your ideas, anything you put on here is now open-source and as such is available for everyone to use freely.

List of potential products

List of unmet user needs