Radical Design

General

Does Radical Design have its own showroom so I can see the whole range of bags at one place?
Only one, here in Gasselternijveen! Please phone beforehand, if you plan on coming. All products are normally there.

Can Radical Design send a brochure of all products?
Per product range there is a brochure. Our dealers have them, they can also be found at downloads. On request we can also send them to you.

Do I need to take spare parts on a world trip?
Radical Design products more than averagely hard wearing. If you want to play safe, consider taking a roll of duct tape or needle and thread and some repair buckles, see (see buckles) Be careful with zippers, they are hard to replace.

How can I repair a cut in my bag?
A small cut can be easily repaired with so-called Seamgrip, often available at outdoor stores. Big cuts need to be repaired on the sewing machine, by a professional workshop. Radical Design can do this for you as well, using the original fabric, for a reasonable price.

Does Radical Design rent out trailers, like Cyclone and Wheelie?
No, but some dealers may do so, please inform at your local dealer.

Waterproofness

Are Radical Design bags waterproof?
Radical Design deliberately chooses for 90% waterproof bags. The last 10% can easily be added by using a cover or liner. We offer them for various bags in our product range, the Cyclone III bicycle trailer even comes standard with a cover. For our recumbents side panniers we offer liners. The Wheelie III range features a rain cover. Another effective solution is to use those sturdy plastic dust bags from DIY stores. Cheap, strong, waterproof and also handy to partition your luggage.

Why are Radical Design bags not fully waterproof?
Because we find that those (welded) bags have disadvantages.

  1. They are also waterproof when you don't want it, for instance when the sun is burning and your damp sleeping bag is inside. It gets really hot inside and REALLY smelly!
  2. Our bags are being used all over the world. A sewn bag can be repaired, always and everywhere.
  3. Sewn bags give full design freedom.

Can the waterproofness of the fabric be enhanced with (silicon) spray?
Silicon spray makes fabric water-repellent, not waterproof. After many years of use, the water repellence wears off and can be restored with silicon spray. Waterproofness comes from the PU coating on the inside of the fabric. Once this PU coating starts wearing off, the life cycle of the product is coming to its end.

Can I proof the seams of my bag with seam sealer?
Seam sealer, as found in outdoor stores, is designed for thin fabric, like for light-weight tents. It does not work with rugged fabric like our Cordura.

Covers

Does Radical Design offer a protective cover for bikes, when traveling by plane or train?
Yes, the Bikebag. Also quite useful at home or in your car, to avoid getting (your car) dirty.

How do I clean my yellow Undercover transport cover?
A yellow Undercover gets dirty very quickly. On the other hand, yellow is a very practical colour at the airport, to find your luggage between all those black suitcases and bags. Dirty looking bags look less attractive to criminals too! Leave the bag to rinse for at least a day, with soap. Then brush with a soft brush. Mind you: next trip it will be just as dirty again!

Recumbent bags

In which Top Bag can I fit a document folder (rack)?
Document racks fit in the rack bag L and in the Backbone.

The zipper pullers make a tingling sound when I am cycling. What can I do about that?
Either you push at least one of them inside the bag, or you can thread a piece of webbing or cord through the holes of the pullers.

Is the indicated contents of side panniers per bag of per pair?
The contents as indicated the total contents of a left and a right pannier together, of the pair.

Bicycle trailers

Our special Cyclone III extended information section gives insight in the differences between one-wheelers and two-wheelers (specifically Radical Design Cyclone III) trailers.

Can the Cyclone III be checked in at the airport as normal luggage, when the wheels and tow bar are taken off?
Yes, that is one of the unique advantages. When combined with the optional wheelbag, it can even be checked in as one piece.

How do I handle the Cyclone III on trains?
The Cyclone III has two extra axle positions at the rear end of the frame. With a twist of the hand the wheels can be shifted to these positions, thus making the Cyclone III a walking trailer. Now you can comfortably walk your Cyclone III through train stations and into trains. If need be, the wheels and tow bar can be removed completely, to make it look like plain luggage. You can still move it thanks to the two carry handles and the shoulder strap.

How do I balance the load in the bag?
Just like with car trailers, balance the load in such a way that there is a small downward force onto the hitch.

Can the hitch be mounted on a fixed axle or a dropout axle?
The hitch can be mounted on both fixed and dropout.

What if my dropout axle is too short to accommodate the hitch (bike part)?
In 99% of the cases, the dropout axle is long enough. In case yours isn't, these axles can be found at your bike store in several lengths to solve the problem.

Should the ball of the hitch (bike part) point upward or downward?
The ball should point upward and slightly backward, to make a 90 degree angle with the tow bar.

Can I transport a dog in the Cyclone?
In the standard layout the Cyclone III and the Cyclone Cargo are not suitable for transport of a dog. Nevertheless we know people who have tweaked a Cyclone trailer into a dog trailer and who are happily riding around with it.

Can I transport a child in the Cyclone?
Cyclone trailers are not intended and not suitable as child trailers.

What kind of grease can I use to maintain the Cyclone?
Use Vaseline to grease all moving parts, including the tow bar-frame contact areas.

Can all parts be ordered separately?
Yes, all parts can be ordered separately.

Walking trailers

Can I reduce the size of a Wheelie III to fit it in public transport?
The tow bar and wheels can be easily removed, leaving only the main frame of 115x42x36 cm (46x16.5x14.5 inch).

Can I add extra luggage onto the Wheelie III?
Yes you can. We propose the special Extender bag, which adds 40 litre and has an optimal shape for weight distibution and fit. Of course you can also choose to add your own bags to the Wheelie, but keep in mind the shape, weight distribution, height adjustability and fit of the rain cover.

How do I balance the load on my Wheelie III?
Put heavy gear as low down as possible and lighter stuff higher up. That way the load on your hips is as low as possible. There should always be a few kilos on your hips though, for a steady ride.

What is the Wheelie's turning circle?
With your hip belt clicked in on both sides: 2.5 metres. A trick to make it les, is to detach the hip belt connector strap on one side: 1.5 metres. With the hip belt fully detached, the turning circle is less than 1 metre.

I'll never get used to having this long thing behind me!
It takes no more than one day to get used to it. In very narrow allies or steep descents it is better to push the Wheelie III in front of you, like a wheelbarrow, to be more at ease.

How do I navigate the Wheelie III over obstacles?
Small obstacles are no problem for the Wheelie III. When they get bigger, or during steep descents, it is safer to use the wheelbarrow position. If someone is walking behind you, she/he can lift the Wheelie III by its parking bar, to float over something real high, like a fence. The narrow wheel position lets you roll the Wheelie on real narrow tracks. If the going gets totally desperate, the built-in carrying system lets you carry the Wheelie III on your back.

How does walking with the Wheelie III compare to backpacking?
Plus: Just a hip belt around you means less sweating, more freedom of movement and looking around. Your knees and back are less stressed. Taking a few extra kilos is no problem. Neither is making a few extra miles.
Minus: Very rugged terrain is easier with backpack. It is very rare to have a flat tire on your backpack

Can I mount a mileage indicator on the Wheelie III?
Yes, you can.

Can I walk stairs with the Wheelie III? Are the wheels strong enough for it?
If you are fit enough, so is the Wheelie III and its wheels!

Can I lock the Wheelie III, for instance in front of a restaurant or shop?
The Wheelie III can be attached to anything with a cable lock. The bag remains accessible though, so the safest way is to always keep the Wheelie III with you.

Dog products

Can I take the bags off and still leave the harness on?
That's right. Our dog packs consist of two parts, the pad, which is the harness, and the bags. They can be attached and detached as you wish. Many people use just the pad, when they walk their dog in the dark, the reflective strips make you dog well visible.

Can my dog use the pack in hot conditions?
A dog does not sweat through its fur. So carrying a dog pack does not have an influence on its well being in hot conditions. Depending on its race, it may be encumbered by heat. Like yourself, it will need to drink a lot.

What material is the inside of the pad made of?
We use Spacer mesh there, see fabrics.

Does Radical Design make carry straps to carry a dog in?
We make a rescue dog harness which can be used for this purpose.

Does Radical Design make hip belts to attach my dog leash to, for instance to train sledge dogs?
We have made these in the past and can make them again, if requested.

Raw material

Is your Cordura fabric air tight?
No, none of our fabrics are.

Does Radical Design have fabrics to make clothes?
Our fabrics are designed for bags and backpack, they are not breathable. Some people use them to make anti-abrasion patches.

Can Cordura be processed with a normal sewing machine?
Yes, it can be sewn with a domestic sewing machine. Too many layers can give trouble sometimes. Make sure you adapt the thread tension when using thick thread though. Make sure you buy appropriate needles when using thick thread. Adjust the pressure foot tension to maximum.



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