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Message started by Bud_Bent on Jul 22^nd, 2008, 10:00pm

Title: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 22^nd, 2008, 10:00pm

With TTTT coming up, there seems to be a fair amount of interest in wheel covers like the ones I made last year (in the photo below). They are very light and do add some speed on flats and downhills.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x5/Bud_Bent/2007%20TTTT/tttt05.jpg

I've committed to making a couple of covers, and have the material for a couple more than that, but if there are many others wanting them, I won't have time and material to make them all, but I don't mind helping. There are lots of ways to make wheel covers. Here (http://wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/wheeldisk/wheeldisk.htm) are instructions on recumbents.com for making them several different ways. These (http://www.recumbent-bikes-truth-for-you.com/wheel-disc.html) are made out of coroplast like mine, but mine are even lighter. If you want professional looking ones, and don't mind paying more, and a bit more weight, these (http://www.wheelbuilder.com/closeup.asp?cid=25&pid=185&offset=0) are nice.

The coroplast covers mentioned above are made out of 2mm coroplast, which I wasn't able to find locally at all. If you order coroplast anywhere else, the shipping cost kills you. So, I used 4mm coroplast that I found locally, and split it with a letter opener. This worked well, and made some of the lightest wheel covers around. You can secure it to the wheel either with tape or tie wraps. Tape looks the best, but doesn't much like time spent in a 130 degree garage. I don't mind giving some instruction (a wheel cover making party, maybe?), but if many people want covers, we'll need more material. The only local place I found with a stock of 4mm coroplast at a reasonable price was Regal Plastics. I paid $18 (~$20 after tax) for each 4' x 8' sheet of coroplast, and they have a $50 minimum order. A 4' x 8' sheet would make either either 4 or 8 sets of covers, depending on whether or not you split the material. So, anyone who wants to buy a sheet will probably have a lifetime supply of cover building material for $20, and it would only take three of us buying one sheet each to make the minimum order.

Regal Plastics' Fort Worth facility isn't that far from where I work, so if anyone would like to buy a sheet of coroplast, I don't mind paying and picking it up. So, I'll ask the question: If I make a trip to Regal Plastics, who wants to buy a sheet of 4mm black coroplast for $20 (I'll have to make sure that price is still good)?

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by catroad254 on Jul 22^nd, 2008, 10:44pm

Bud,

I'm interested in getting some coroplast - not necessarily for wheel covers but maybe for a tailbox. Let us know the current price.

Thanks,

Ken

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Strada177 on Jul 22^nd, 2008, 11:26pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

I do! I do! I'll take one(Peggy doesn't think she would use hers. We could always share).

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Jul 22^nd, 2008, 11:42pm

I'll want one for the carbent when it gets here, so yeah.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Brad Bedell on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 7:20am

I'm in for a sheet.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Kwijybow on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 8:04am

Hi Bud,

I'd love to have a sheet of coroplast!

Thanks!
Nelson.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 9:41am

A wheelcover making party... I love it.... :) Count me in!

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by evblazer on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 10:59am

I have some white I was going to practice on but if you are going to get something darker I'd be in and a party would be nice too since I don't think I'm going to be very successful on my own hmm.
Never thought of splitting the 4mm I had I'll have to try that tonight.

I've been meaning to try a tailbox also I could hard mount it to my rear rack and I think I have seen plans out there for em.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Rawhide on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 11:52am

I'd be glad to swap someone for just enough to get the rear wheel done on my Corsa by getting all the heavier duty type coroplast you need for projects like tailboxes etc. DJ

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by bikerteam on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 1:16pm

Bud - how about if you send a massive sheet to Randy S., and ask him to make us each a mini wing to give us some leading edge lift, thus making the bike lighter and ultimately faster.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 1:52pm

Rawhide wrote:

I'd be glad to swap someone for just enough to get the rear wheel done on my Corsa by getting all the heavier duty type coroplast you need for projects like tailboxes etc. DJ

Are you saying you have a source for heavier coroplast? Alright, come clean!

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 1:53pm

bikerteam wrote:

Bud - how about if you send a massive sheet to Randy S., and ask him to make us each a mini wing to give us some leading edge lift, thus making the bike lighter and ultimately faster.

If it'll help me fly up those hills, I'll get right on it.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Rawhide on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 2:42pm

Posted by: Bud_Bent Posted on: Today at 1:52pm
Quote from Rawhide on Today at 11:52am:
I'd be glad to swap someone for just enough to get the rear wheel done on my Corsa by getting all the heavier duty type coroplast you need for projects like tailboxes etc. DJ

Are you saying you have a source for heavier coroplast? Alright, come clean!

Why Bud, how astute you are! Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. I'd guess it's heavier than what you're talking about using on the wheels. Maybe I should bring some out to the Goatneck for perusal/distribution?
DJ

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by barlows on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 6:38pm

If there's a coroplast buy in the near future, count me in for a sheet.

Steve

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 10:06pm

Rawhide wrote:

Why Bud, how astute you are! Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. I'd guess it's heavier than what you're talking about using on the wheels. Maybe I should bring some out to the Goatneck for perusal/distribution?
DJ

Yes, bring a piece to Goatneck. Because I split it, thicker might work ok. I'd like to see what a piece looks like after I split it.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Rawhide on Jul 25^th, 2008, 12:30pm

I'm bringing 4 sheets to Goatneck, so if anybody wants some to "practice" with, you'll be able to shoose any color you want as long as it's white. These sheets are 48" square or there abouts. I've got our distributon warehouse saving all of these they come across. I'm gonna be doing a rear fairing/trunk for my Rocket.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Mrs Strada on Jul 25^th, 2008, 9:25pm

I do want one if it doesn't make the bike to unstable in a cross winds. I get blown all over the road as it is.Is Steve looking for more advantages he is all ready a lot faster then me. ( no he said he would share, would that work at the TT)
Peggy

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 26^th, 2008, 4:08pm

Peggy, try some rides with a wheel cover and see what you think. You can always take it off if you decide you don't like it.

DJ's 6 mm white coroplast would work (not only for this, but for any kind of coroplast project - coroplast is so light, but strong, you can make anything out of it), but I think the 4mm black will make nicer wheel covers. I'll donate a big enough piece of black for a set of wheel covers for you, DJ (you never know, I might need some of that 6 mm later).

Steve and Peggy have already committed to buying a sheet of black 4 mm, so I'll definitely be making the trip to buy some, some time this coming week. A 4' x 8' sheet now costs $21, and will make lots of covers or whatever. I'll pay for what I pick up, and you can pay me when you get yours from me.

Per the responses in this thread, I'm planning on getting the following:

1 sheet for Steve and Peggy
1 sheet for Greg
1 sheet for Brad
1 sheet for Nelson
1 sheet for Paul
1 sheet for Mark
1 sheet for Steve Barlow

If you're never going to do anything else with coroplast, you could go in with someone else and split a sheet. So, if you've changed your mind, worked out a deal to split with someone else, or plan on just trying to talk DJ out of some of the free stuff, let me know and I'll take you off the list. Otherwise, I'll get sheets for those above.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Jul 26^th, 2008, 4:35pm

I'd like to split a sheet with someone if that's ok.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by redbike 33 on Jul 26^th, 2008, 6:19pm

There will be a lot of coroplast destroyed after this politicla election. Many of the pol's will use 4X8 sheets. I don't know what the thickness will be. You may not like what is printed on them but the price will be right.
Tom

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Kwijybow on Jul 26^th, 2008, 9:22pm

Hi Bud,

Let me know if you need prepayment. That's quite a large order. I've been meaning to buy some coroplast for forever, seems I always miss harvesting one of the election signs. I really appreciate it. I may end up making covers for my 26" wheelset. I have the Renn disk in 650C.

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Brad Bedell on Jul 26^th, 2008, 10:08pm

aikigreg wrote:

I'd like to split a sheet with someone if that's ok.

I can do that. I know I won't need that much.

-B

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 26^th, 2008, 10:13pm

Ok, 1 sheet to be divided by Greg and Brad. Anyone else want to make a change?

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 27^th, 2008, 2:41pm

I'll split with someone -- I just want enough material for the "wheel cover party"... ;)

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Mrs Strada on Jul 27^th, 2008, 2:54pm

Paul I think Steve and I will enough left over, we bought one sheet and only need to make 2 covers out of it. I'll check with Steve.
Peggy

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by barlows on Jul 28^th, 2008, 6:41pm

Paul, you're welcome to as much of mine as you need. Bud, let us know how/when to get some cashola to you.

Steve

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Jul 28^th, 2008, 8:48pm

d'yall wanna do the coroplast party after our trial run of the TTTT - Aug 9?

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by evblazer on Jul 28^th, 2008, 8:50pm

I gotta say I tried cutting out a wheel cover and I got it round and about the right size. Then I tried to put it on and creased to worthlessness. :-[

I'm thinking 6 or 12 hour maybe for the time trial so any help I can get and all that ;)

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 28^th, 2008, 9:56pm

Ok, the revised list:

1 sheet for Steve and Peggy and Paul
1 sheet for Greg and Brad
1 sheet for Nelson
1 sheet for Mark
1 sheet for Steve Barlow

That's just 5 sheets, and I've already been paid for one, so I think I can float enough cash to pay for the rest and let everyone pay me when they get theirs. I'm planning on making the purchase Thursday.

As for when and where to get together for cover building, that's a good question. If indoors, we'll need a fair amount of table space. If outdoors, I think it needs to be in the morning before it gets hot. Anyone have ideas?

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jul 29^th, 2008, 2:23pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

As for when and where to get together for cover building, that's a good question. If indoors, we'll need a fair amount of table space. If outdoors, I think it needs to be in the morning before it gets hot. Anyone have ideas?

How 'bout a local church? :D

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/flyinglazboy/coverchurchsign.jpg

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 29^th, 2008, 9:13pm

LOL ......... does that mean we'd have to limit our cursing while making the wheel covers?

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Strada177 on Jul 29^th, 2008, 9:35pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

LOL ......... does that mean we'd have to limit our cursing while making the wheel covers?

Well,that eliminates me! Colorplast party Aug.9th? Sure.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by evblazer on Jul 30^th, 2008, 6:32am

I probably should restock my first aid kit on my bike if I'm going to have a sharp object anywhere near me. I didn't want to put too many band aids in there for goatneck because the weight would slow me down. ::)

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Strada177 on Jul 30^th, 2008, 1:19pm

evblazer wrote:

Image me with a very with a sharp object?! Be afraid,very afraid!!!!

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Jul 31^st, 2008, 7:48pm

I picked up the coroplast today. It turns out that Regal Plastics gives a better price to any organization than it does an individual. No one told me last time, because I only bought two sheets, which is technically less than their minimum purchase ($50) anyway. This time, using rbent as the organization, I got the sheets for $14.00 each. So, anyone who wants coroplast for a project later should remember to give them rbent as the organization making the purchase, for the better price.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by evblazer on Jul 31^st, 2008, 9:11pm

Strada177 wrote:

Image me with a very with a sharp object?! Be afraid,very afraid!!!!

Well cutting down the big sheet should be a little easier if I remember to bring my corrugated plastic sheet knife.
http://pages.infinit.net/plastkut/image/page02.jpg

Lots of neat ideas of what to do with your extra coroplast here: http://www.plastkut.com

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 13^th, 2008, 9:12pm

HHH is the weekend after this coming one, so if you want wheel covers by then, time is running out. Steve and I are planning on stopping by my house after our ride Saturday to make Peggy's wheel cover. I figure by the time we do 100 miles, eat a sandwich, and get to my house, it will probably be 3:30 to 4:00. If there are others who would like to join us, Rose has offered the use of her shop, which is within a couple of miles of the ride start. If you are interested, pm me, and I'll give you my phone number. If it's just Steve and I, we'll just do it on my kitchen table, but if there are several people, we'll gather at the shop.

Also, I have no plans for Sunday, so if we have a group that would rather meet then, we could also use the shop. Let me know.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Brad Bedell on Aug 13^th, 2008, 9:41pm

Bud, I picked up a Zipp Disc. If you find someone who wants my 1/2 sheet, they can have it. If you can't, I'll give you the $$ for it next time I see you and we'll just donate it to the local homeless shelter.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Aug 13^th, 2008, 10:16pm

I may not need it, but I want to cover both my tica front and rear of the carbent when it gets here, which won't be for another couple weeks still. So I might take some of brad's half if necessary. since I'm joining y'all for the ride I'll join the wheelcover party as well, if that's ok.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Opus the Poet on Aug 14^th, 2008, 1:39am

I should probably mention that I used Coroplast to skin out my tailbox, and I have found that layers of 2mm Coro laminated crossways make a very effective insulator. I sometimes had to carry a bottle of water (unfrozen) so that I would have something to drink until the frozen drinks thawed out. The trip to Sherman I did with Paul last year I still had ice in my hydration bladder when we were pulling out after lunch to go home, and the water was still cool in McKinney.

I used 2 layers top, 1 layer on 3 sides and 2 on the front, and 3 layers in the floor to stop radiated heat from the road.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 14^th, 2008, 11:40am

It looks like we'll have enough people Saturday to meet at my wife's shop after the ride. It's a beauty shop, and there will be people working until 3:30 or so, so we can't have it until then. Let's meet at the Subway near the ride start, right after the ride. I'll need a sandwich anyway, and when the shop clears out, we can all caravan over to it. It's only a couple of miles from the Subway.

Anyone who's planning on going who doesn't have my cell phone number, pm me for it. It there's serious rain Saturday (and they are starting to call for it), ride plans might change. Better bring your jacket, too. They're calling for a high of 85 degrees.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 14^th, 2008, 7:43pm

Anyone who just wants to just watch while we make wheel covers, that's fine. Just show up. If you plan on making a wheel cover there, bring scissors, pen or marker, electrical tape, cotton gloves, and a straight edge (yard stick or such). That will help speed things up. I'll supply the oddball stuff, which is a carpenter's compass, modified letter opener, cassette tool, and hot glue gun.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 15^th, 2008, 10:14pm

Not sure why, but I was thinking of the wrong ride start. Tomorrow's ride starts in Burleson, there's no Subway close by, and it's more than a couple of miles to my wife's shop. If the weather lets us ride, we'll figure out at the start where we want to meet afterward.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Aug 15^th, 2008, 10:34pm

We could always come up to my house. There's a subway down the street, garage and patio space, and my pool is working if y'all wanna bring your shorts or swim in your bike clothes. But we can still hit any subway along the way and do it at Rose's.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Bud_Bent on Aug 15^th, 2008, 11:11pm

aikigreg wrote:

Yeah, there's bound to be something near the ride start. It's only a few blocks off I-35W. I figure we can check you or Steve's gps and see what's close. It looks like they've lowered the chance of rain, so maybe we'll get the ride in.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by evblazer on Aug 16^th, 2008, 6:59am

I'm too late to hit the FWBA ride so I think I'm giong ot miss the party :(

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 19^th, 2008, 10:41am

Guess I'm gonna want one o' them fancy wheel covers... ;)

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Brad Bedell on Aug 30^th, 2008, 8:51pm

So, do these things work? I know my disc works quite well.

I have a powertap on a 700c wheel if anyone had a cover I could borrow/zip tie on. I could do some real data testing.

-B

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Aug 31^st, 2008, 1:45pm

let me borrow it - I'll do a run on the tica before and after and make a cover for it.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Strada177 on Aug 31^st, 2008, 3:14pm

Brad Bedell wrote:

So, do these things work? I know my disc works quite well.

I have a powertap on a 700c wheel if anyone had a cover I could borrow/zip tie on. I could do some real data testing.

-B

Brad, Yes. The wheelcovers do make a difference. I noticed a difference at H'NH. I have no idea how much of the difference they make(mu guess 1 mph or so). Peggy gave Bud a kiss on the cheek after H'NH hell because she felt like the wheelcovers made that much of a difference.

Me? I just "thanks" ,no kisses.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Brad Bedell on Aug 31^st, 2008, 6:08pm

aikigreg wrote:

let me borrow it - I'll do a run on the tica before and after and make a cover for it.

It's a campy 10 speed freehub. It would work best on the road bike.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 8^th, 2008, 6:52pm

Steve, I'll want to get that piece of board to get my wheelcover made up, sometime in the next week or so....

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by bikerteam on Sep 9^th, 2008, 5:38am

Paul - I was just looking at the picture of you on the XS. Man, it sure looks like at least 80% of your weight is on the rear wheel. Randy told me that the production version would be stretched out some. Even with that, I'll probably order an even longer XL size to more equally distribute the weight.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Sep 9^th, 2008, 9:24am

bikerteam wrote:

Yeah it's like 25 front 75 rear. Makes it a bit squirrely at high speeds, and probably not ideal for gravel and bumps, but it's still a fast bugger!

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by Strada177 on Sep 9^th, 2008, 6:45pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

Steve, I'll want to get that piece of board to get my wheelcover made up, sometime in the next week or so....

You'd best hurry...Peggy & I are going to California(just like the Zep song). We leave Friday. We return on 9/21.

PM me & we can make arrangements. Good thing Peggy mentioned something to me about this post. I didn't even see it.

Title: Re: Coroplast Wheel Covers
Post by aikigreg on Sep 9^th, 2008, 8:31pm

If not, you can coe by my place after practice on Sat. and grab some of my coroplast - I have a whole sheet.