Xtracycle Hooptie and Toddler Seats: A Compatibility Guide

One of the most common questions from Xtracycle owners is: which Hooptie and toddler seats work with my bike? The answer depends almost entirely on which rear deck your Xtracycle has. Here's a breakdown.

First: Know Your Deck

There are two broad deck styles. Integrated decks are the newer style — they're metal and integrated/one-piece with the rack. Removable decks were used on older bikes and clamp onto the upright supports; they're made of wood or plastic.

Integrated decks

1. EdgeRunner All-In-One Rack / RFA Utility Rack / Hopper Rack / Swoop ASM Rack*

These are the decks found on more recent productions of Xtracycle bikes: the Swoop and Stoker with Shimano motor, all RFAs, the Hopper, the Swoop ASM. 

Hooptie compatibility: If your Xtracycle has an EdgeRunner All-In-One Rack, an RFA Utility Rack, or a Hopper rear rack, you can use a Longtail Hooptie (for the EdgeRunner All-In-One Rack) or the Midtail/RFA Hooptie (for the RFA Utility** or Hopper rear rack). The Hooptie will work out-of-the-box with no additional materials needed for installation. 

*If you have the Swoop ASM, the compatible Hooptie comes with the bike.

**One important note on the RFA: the Midtail Hooptie is compatible with the RFA in Utility mode and the Hopper, but not with the RFA in Sport mode. For the RFA Sport, refer to the SnackBars instead. 

Toddler seat compatibility: For the Swoop ASM*, Swoop & Stoker with Shimano motor, RFA (Shimano or Bosch motor), Hopper, or any older Xtracycle with the All-in-one rack, the following rack-mounted seats are compatible for children 4 and under: Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi, Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi, Thule Yepp 2 Maxi, Burley Dash, Hamax Caress, Polisport Guppy, Bobike One Maxi, and Qibbel Air. The maximum child weight for these seats is 40 lbs.

*The Swoop ASM is also compatible with any MIK-compatible toddler seats, such as the Thule Yepp 2 MIK.

Using a Hooptie with a toddler seat: When using the Hooptie with a toddler seat, be sure the side Hooptie rails are set to the wide setting. There is no need to remove the inner rail.  This does not apply to the Hooptie on the Swoop ASM which has only one width which is wide enough to accommodate a toddler seat.

Removable decks

2. FlightDeck LT2 (2015 and Newer Longtail Bikes)

This deck came on 2015 and later Xtracycle EdgeRunner longtail bikes as well as the Swoop, Classic, and Stoker with Bosch motors, the Leap, and non-electric Swoop. Classic and Stoker models.

Hooptie compatibility: The LT2 FlightDeck is compatible with the LT2 Hooptie. This version of the Hooptie is no longer sold by Xtracycle but can be found second hand.

Toddler seat compatibility: For the LT2 FlightDeck (with the Xtracycle Yepp adapter), only the Thule Yepp Maxi Easy Fit is compatible. The maximum child weight is 40 lbs. Important: you need to make sure your toddler seat has this attachment mechanism:

 

3. FlightDeck LT1 and LT1 v 2 (Pre-2015 Longtail Bikes)

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Hooptie compatibility: The Hooptie LT2 can be installed using the Hooptie Retrofit Kit. This version of the Hooptie is no longer sold by Xtracycle but can be found second hand.

Toddler seat compatibility: The LT1 deck isn't compatible with any toddler seat; the LT1 v 2 deck is compatible with the Yepp Maxi EasyFit and does not require an adapter. Important: you need to make sure your toddler seat has this attachment mechanism:

4. SnapDeck (Original / Legacy Wooden Deck)

The SnapDeck is not compatible with any Hooptie or toddler seat. If your bike has a wooden SnapDeck, you will first need to replace that deck before installing a Hooptie or toddler seat. Xtracycle no longer sells flightdecks but they are often available second hand.

Key Tips

For each toddler seat, make sure you are choosing the rack mount option. Frame-mounted seats are not compatible with the rear rack on any Xtracycle bike.

Also, the Yepp Maxi Easy Fit will not be compatible with the metal one-piece rear rack on current bikes. For more information on which toddler seats are compatible with Xtracycle decks, please see this page.

Once your child outgrows the toddler seat, you can transition them to riding directly on the rear deck with just a Hooptie handrail for security. Xtracycle recommends children be at least 4 years old before riding in a Hooptie without a child seat. 

And again, when using the Hooptie with a toddler seat, be sure the side Hooptie rails are set to the wide setting. There is no need to remove the inner rail.  This does not apply to the Hooptie on the Swoop ASM which has only one width which is wide enough to accommodate a toddler seat.