For 2019, Xtracycle introduces the RFA, the world’s first “future-proof” electric-assist utility bike: It’s many things: a speedy city commuter, a practical utility bike, or a mid-tail cargo bike capable of carrying two children.
“By ‘future-proof’ we mean this is a bike that can grow and change to meet the needs almost anyone, through all stages of life, from young adult, through parenthood, into older-age,” said Xtracycle CEO and founder Ross Evans. “We wanted this to be a bike that never became obsolete. We’ve always aspired to that, but with the RFA, we think we’ve pushed the idea further than anybody ever has with regard to bicycles.”
The keys are Xtracycle’s patent-pending DynamicDrops rear dropout system and the array of available add-on components. DynamicDrops allow the bike to have two distinct wheel positions for the rear wheel.
In “short mode” it has the wheelbase of a standard bicycle, and a zippy, agile feel. In “long mode”, the bike is a full mid-tail cargo bike, with a smooth stable and able to carry two children and four panniers.
Xtracycle’s lineup of racks and bags can outfit the bike to meet a rider’s cargo needs, heavy or light.
The RFA Sport Mode: The Ultimate City Bike
In Sport mode (short mode), the RFA is a super-capable city bike that goes with you anywhere. Pair it with our Sport MultiRack and you can carry two panniers or one child in a Yepp Seat in the rear. On the front, we’ve included our PorterRack mounts for attaching our patented PorterRack and PorterPack for additional cargo capacity. With a standard bike wheelbase, it will fit on bus racks, car racks, and on elevators. When your family grows or you need more carrying capacity, the RFA Sport can be elongated to become an RFA Utility mid-tail compact cargo bike.
The RFA Utility Mode: Serious Cargo Bike
In Utility mode (long mode), the RFA is transformed into a fully capable mid-tail cargo bike that can carry two kids in or out of Yepp seats, four standard pannier bags, or any of our RFA X3 Bag System components. With our modular Utility MultiRack, you can carry almost anything you can imagine or need. We’ve even engineered in the ability to rotate the handlebars 180º so the RFA Utility fits on bus racks, car racks, and elevators. Perfect for compact spaces and growing families that need to carry kids and cargo. When you decide you no longer need the cargo space or the kids are riding on their own, the RFA can be converted to Sport Mode for compact utility.
Built to Last
The RFA has a heavy duty chromoly frame and thru-axle fork for long lasting durability and safety. It comes with large volume 24 x 2.5in Maxxis Hookworm tires for a smooth, supple ride. The frame can also accommodate high-volume 26” wheels for riders that prefer them. All RFAs come with a powerful, reliable Bosch mid-drive electric assist motor and several battery options depending on needed range.
“Thinking about a bike as transportation, e-assist is a game-changer,” Evans said. “Hills, heat, distance and time, things that might have been concerns on a regular bike become non-issues. Yet electric-assist is an investment, and that’s why we wanted to make sure we created a bike that will hold its value in someone’s life for literally decades.”