The RFA Sport is the same length as a standard eBike. The rear Sport MultiRack has a deck length of 18″ and it can carry two standard panniers and one child in a Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi seat. A PorterRack can be installed on the front and paired with a PorterPack for front cargo carrying.

The RFA Utility is a mid-tail cargo bike. The rear Utility MultiRack has a deck length of 25″ and it can carry 4 standard panniers, two children in or out of Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi seats or one adult passenger. A PorterRack can be installed on the front and paired with a PorterPack for front cargo carrying.

Out of the box, RFAs are set in Utility mode. If you order an RFA unassembled it will come in Utility mode. If ordering a bike through Direct Home Delivery, ordering it through a partner shop or ordering it at our storefront in Mill Valley, the RFA can be built in Sport mode. The mode can always be changed later by a local bike shop.

The mode that the bike is configured in at purchase can be changed when needed (with help from a professional bike mechanic) by adjusting the DynamicDrops and swapping out the rear MultiRack. So you can buy an RFA in Sport mode and lengthen it into Utility mode later, or you can buy an RFA in Utility mode and shorten it into Sport mode later. Read on for more details on what it takes to switch an RFA’s mode.

The DynamicDrops are unique to the RFA and they allow a bike builder to set the rear drop-outs in two different setting: the short Sport mode or the longer Utility mode.

The rear drop-out on a traditional bike frame is the spot on a frame where the rear wheel installs onto the bike. Historically, bikes have a fixed, welded-into-place rear drop-out, meaning your rear wheel can only ever be installed in that position. The DynamicDrops make it so the rear wheel can be installed in two different positions. The shorter Sport position means your bike will be the same length as a regular eBike. The longer Utility position will move your rear drop-out further back meaning your RFA can become a mid-tail cargo bike.

Because of how solid and secure the DynamicDrops connection is, switching between modes isn’t something you can do in a few minutes. That said, it is something a seasoned mechanic at your local bike shop could likely tackle in an afternoon. Because of the time and attention needed to safely adjust the DynamicDrops into an alternate mode, it is best to initially go with the RFA setting that will meet your needs at the moment, knowing that if your needs change, you can reconfigure your bike in the alternate mode to meet those changing needs.

Because of the different lengths of the RFA when in Sport and Utility mode, a few other things would have to be taken into consideration when switching between modes.

1. 1. You need the custom RearRack made for the chosen installation mode of the RFA. The RFA Sport has a smaller SportRack and the RFA Utility has a longer UtilityRack. If you buy your RFA in Sport mode, your RFA will come stock with the SportRack. If you decide to move your RFA into Utility mode down the road, you will need to purchased the longer UtilityRack. If you buy your RFA in Utility mode, your RFA will come stock with the UtilityRack. If you decide to move your RFA into Sport mode down the road, you will need to purchased the shorter SportRack.
2. 
   2. Accessories. Because of the different deck lengths, the RFA Utility accessories do not fit on the RFA Sport. If you start out with an RFA Sport and move up to an RFA Utility, you might want to add some of the accessories compatible with that model. If you start off with and RFA Utility, some of your accessories will not be compatible with the new Sport position. The RFA Utility accessories that don’t work on. the

We advise only using the rack for the mode your RFA is set in. If your RFA is in Sport mode, only use the Sport MultiRack. If your RFA is in Utility mode, only use the Utility MultiRack.

Using a Utility MultiRack while in Sport mode would cause the weight distribution to be significantly unbalanced, leading to an unstable ride. Significant passenger weight carried behind the rear wheel on a cargo bike is not ideal and not recommended. While using the Sport MultiRack when in Utility mode would not cause this weight distribution issue, it would negate the benefits of having your bike in Utility mode since the shorter Sport MultiRack would not allow you to enjoy the benefits of a mid-tail cargo bike.

We advise only using the rack for the mode your RFA is set in. If your RFA is in Sport mode, only use the Sport MultiRack. If your RFA is in Utility mode, only use the Utility MultiRack.

Using a Utility MultiRack while in Sport mode would cause the weight distribution to be significantly unbalanced, leading to an unstable ride. Significant passenger weight carried behind the rear wheel on a cargo bike is not ideal and not recommended. While using the Sport MultiRack when in Utility mode would not cause this weight distribution issue, it would negate the benefits of having your bike in Utility mode since the shorter Sport MultiRack would not allow you to enjoy the benefits of a mid-tail cargo bike.

RFA riders have had success with the SKS Chromoplastic Longboard 26″ fenders.

40 lbs.

If your child falls asleep while riding, there is nothing included to hold their head up. Most riders will DIY a solution to help them keep their heads from wobbling when napping.

Yes. The Hooptie rails will need to be in the widest setting. There is no need to remove the inner padded rail.

The Yepp Mini is a good fit for the front of many Xtracycles. We also believe the iBert might fit but we haven’t tested that one out yet.

Please note that how comfortable a rider is with a front child seat depends on the individual rider. What might be comfortable for one rider might not be comfortable for another.

We are not aware of any harness system for rear passengers older than 5. The Hooptie might offer a level of protection that would make you feel secure. Another option would be to attach a trailer to the bike built to carry older children and adults. Wike might make an option that would work for older rear riders – here is their extra large Special Needs trailer.

6062 aluminum.

There is no set weight limit on the U-tubes. When properly installed, they are like an extension of the frame and very strong and solid. One fo the the biggest factors to consider is rider comfort in being able to balance the weight that is being carried down low on the U-tubes and keeping the bike balanced (i.e. don’t carry a load of bricks on one side and nothing on the other since it will make the bike very unbalanced).

No. The U-tubes are only compatible with Xtracycle brand longtail cargo bikes. This includes the Surly Big Dummy.

Yes, they do.

The total vertical length of the U-tubes is 29.75″ from front to back. In the wide setting, the U-tubes will extend 5.25″ on each side from the frame towards the front and taper to 6″ out from the frame towards the tail end of the bike. In the narrow setting, the U-tubes will extend 4.5″ on each side from the frame towards the front and taper to 5.25″ out from the frame towards the tail end of the bike.

This reflector attaches to the bottom of the Herrmans H-Black MR8 E 6-12V.