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Message started by evblazer on Feb 16^th, 2010, 5:47pm

Title: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't weld
Post by evblazer on Feb 16^th, 2010, 5:47pm

And the all important head tube weld is rejected by the safety inspector :(
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S3sroGC_tnI/AAAAAAAABDo/NEu7yBPHMlA/s400/BlueberryInspectingHeadtubeWeld.jpg
Well at least it is off the drawing board for now.
Better pictures of the inspector and her condo which apparently wasn't enough to bribe her http://picasaweb.google.com/shantar42/BlueberrysHouse#5433493341472424754

The poorly photochopped plan. I do plan on pulling in the rear as much as possible so it might be a bit shorter.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S1ky_SKmT6I/AAAAAAAABAc/rjLlHi3LVSc/s288/SofriderLowracer.jpg

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by power_bent on Feb 16^th, 2010, 6:16pm

EV cool looking Bike...

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Feb 16^th, 2010, 7:57pm

evblazer wrote:

I do plan on pulling in the rear as much as possible....

Greg does that a lot, too..... ;D

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by aikigreg on Feb 16^th, 2010, 8:33pm

Hey, my personal life has nothing to do with this - and I thought we agreed to keep it a secret.

Cool bike - I could be down with a longer leaner fwd.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by Bud_Bent on Feb 16^th, 2010, 9:56pm

That looks good, Mark. I've always thought the main thing wrong with the Cruzbikes is that the seat wouldn't recline enough. That looks solved in your setup.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 17^th, 2010, 6:54am

EV, for some great tips on homebuilts see: www.atomiczombie.com. You could post your pics over there and get tons of help...wanted or not! Use what you can, leave the rest! There are some tremendous builders that frequent there.

I'm very interested in this design. I like the idea of FWD that avoids all the chain routing and heel strike issues. Never ridden a Cruzbike, but looks like a cool idea. I like the low version you have. Maybe I'll have to copy you!

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 17^th, 2010, 8:10am

Here is Reku Papa's version from BROL which is minus all the suspension, with a much steeper head tube angle in front (or is it less steep? [smiley=undecided.gif] [smiley=undecided.gif]) and I think a tad higher.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MlpOvQQ_8p0/S1G877vAjVI/AAAAAAAABDg/kyvBIpm6SGA/s640/first_tour_elephant.jpg
Yup I've been looking at atomic zombie and BROL homebuilders and plans for this and that for months and months. Finally just had to start something.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 17^th, 2010, 12:58pm

OK, that's it. I have to build this around that seat I bought from Paul. Thanks Mark.

I've also seem a fairing put on the front of a CB, so may have to add that for winter...

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 17^th, 2010, 4:21pm

Everytime I look at that stupid beyond crappy barely makes it over halfway up my back cruzbike seat I get peeved at missing out on buying that xtra large purple challenge seat from angletech. My hurricane seat just seems to fit me like it isn't even there yet I'm locked into the bike.
I do have an extention on the cruzbike so it doesn't dig into my spine at the tip of the seat but reclining it more probably ain't gonna help. I'll either have to figure out how to clone the challenge seat or beg Kelvin for a cheap scratched up color mismatched one.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by aikigreg on Feb 17^th, 2010, 5:34pm

I like Reku's design. Or is it an AZ plan?

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 17^th, 2010, 6:06pm

As far as I know, that's not an AZ plan. Are you still looking to build a Delta Wolf?

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by aikigreg on Feb 17^th, 2010, 7:56pm

I'd enjoy it, but don't know wnen I'll have the time. My single speed has given me a bit of the fun I was looking for out of a trike - slower more relaxed pace I can use with the wife. And she can pinch my butt on the upright which she seems to enjoy for some reason :)

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 19^th, 2010, 9:26pm

Reku's bike I believe is reku's design and my bike is a merging of ideas from the atomic zombie marauder, atombike, cruzbike, zox and probably others such as my hurricane that I'll probably get a clone seat of and use the same seat to bb height. Oh and hours reading and rereading stuff on http://www.fleettrikes.com/

Made some progress tonight while my wife was at the gym.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S39UKAm7hzI/AAAAAAAABD0/oUPPkNzhFa4/s400/QuasiLowRacerCruzbike_FrontFrameStage2.JPG

Since I'm only doing the single tube back and down I'm hoping a little reinforcement will help although I'm using pretty thick tubing to begin with but every little bit helps maybe.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S39UKV9pmgI/AAAAAAAABD4/DTQfILmQv9U/s288/QuasiLowRacerCruzbike_HeadtubeCloseupStage2.JPG
So far the weight is 3lbs 9oz! The cruzbike sofrider is basically a walmart mtb frame so it wasn't light to begin with but when I switch my frame and the cruzbike I'll weight it to see how much i'm adding.
Oy.. Oh well had to cut it down and try again. WAAAAY too far back from the tire. This iteration is really tight hopefully it won't bottom out into the front tube with the suspension.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4A_uFrF3zI/AAAAAAAABEk/wnkPzd600-g/s400/P2202737.JPG

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 20^th, 2010, 7:01pm

Well that iteration made it too close to the tire so I started again with a new headtube and all. If I get everything fit up I'll put gussets and such on then.
It is a little loooooooooooooooow right now but I'm going to attach the front end and try and figure out where I can put the seat and pedals and be able to still ride the thing. My legs aren't as long as I had hoped. :(
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4CEbX4BnxI/AAAAAAAABFE/weAx9yWfyUs/s400/QuasiLowRacerLooooow.JPG

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 21^st, 2010, 9:32pm

Looking good. I think this will be the lines for my next build.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 21^st, 2010, 10:30pm

The cruzbike kit may end up being more trouble then it is worth but for a first build and is to be more of a utility/commuting/*caugh*electric*caugh* bike so I'll use it and see how it works. The problem I found with it is that it puts the bottom bracket a good four inches further then it needs to be to clear the wheel to give that wide range or adjustments and/or to reuse as many parts as they could from existing parts.
Sooo what this means is I couldn't go as low as I wanted. My wife came out to the workshop with me for a while and found my old office chair was a great way to test seating height since it adjusts from 12 to 30 inches. Ended up finding that right about 16-17 inches gave me the bottom bracket over seat height I was looking for.
Was able to reuse the seat mount from the cruzbike kit by cutting in half a tube and welding it on top of the frame just behind the wheel. For now I'll reuse the cruzbike seat since it's free and all.
Just gotta make the brace to attach the spring and figure out some easy way to attach the seat to make it adjustable. I just remembered I might have a spare pair of bacchetta seat struts That would be a good temporary fix.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GIFgiCQnK-8/S4IFFH0oMII/AAAAAAAABFg/2YQwK2UJ6mc/s400/Quasilowracercruzbike_Stage3.JPG
I fear measuring that wheel base. I'm gonna call is a medium wheel base bike and just make sure I never line up next to Ray when he is on his LWB.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 22^nd, 2010, 6:58am

So you got the 'real' Cruzbike conversion kit? If possible I'd like to see this sometime. I'll probably do the garage hacker thing myself, but I'd like to get some good reference photos if at all possible.

The lines look pretty good any way. I saw a guy somewhere that combined a Cruzbike and an Xtracycle to make a long Cruzcycle. http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/05/25/gallery-johns-xtracycle-cruzbike/

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 22^nd, 2010, 9:20am

That cruzbike/xtracycle pic is the original reason I got the cruzbike softrider V1 which happened to be the prototype one. I'm using it like one would a kit though. The long chain on my diamond frame with the xtracycle kit was always a big pain. I thought I could try the cruzbike MBB out and get a recumbent xtracycle. If I liked the MBB I might invest in say a silvio or something.
Ended up though that the 26" seat height was just way too high for me I couldn't deal. The silvio knocks a few inches off of that but I couldn't really ride my sofrider enough to tell if I liked the MBB thing.
I do have the plans and some items to make my own front triangle which I might do if what I have works. Basically I'm just trying to lower the original sofrider I have a good 8-10 inches.
I'm 80% thinking this is going to fail miserably and I"ll put back the fork and rear suspension back on the sofrider and sell it on the cheap which I might do anyways if I build my own from triangle so I might as well finish it. It is good practice for my next bike just trying to decide python or zox tilting trike. I like the looks of the python buy I can't see riding a bike without steering out in traffic.

Good news for me. I found my old bacchetta seat stays. I plan on just bolting those up for an easily adjustable seat back so I just need to get the rear suspension connected and I'm good.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 22^nd, 2010, 10:07am

Cool. I keep an eye on this thread and your progress.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 25^th, 2010, 10:09am

Mark, it's starting to look a bit like the Zockra :http://www.zockrabikes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=8

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 25^th, 2010, 8:23pm

I WISH!
One thing I just noticed on the zockra is the bb and seat are almost the same height and reviewing the cruzbike site looks like those are too.
On my quasi-low cruzbike in process the bb is 7-8 inches above the seat. I may be dooomed.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Feb 26^th, 2010, 4:14pm

Someone just posted this on BROL. A much cleaner more refined non suspended version of what I'm trying to do.
http://beauxdebris.free.fr/vrac/Luciole.jpg
I hope one day I can do something like the above.. But I post it because it matched the handlebar the recline I hope to have and the seat to bb height. Even has about the same pivot angle so it could work.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by Kwijybow on Feb 26^th, 2010, 6:28pm

Purty! I look forward to seeing your's in action!

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Feb 27^th, 2010, 7:33pm

Nice.

I think I'm going to go with a 20/26 like he Zockra. Of course mine will be heavy steel tubng and not CF...trying to mod a 20' rear triangle for the front, and have to add the forks...mostly taking things apart and thinking in the garage today...

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Mar 10^th, 2010, 10:12pm

Almost there:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00180-1.jpg

Need to figure out the front triangle. I need to find a way to have the top of the tube detachable incase I need to do headset work...

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00182-1.jpg

Sat on it today (kind of), need to have a seat mount to feel more comfy, but I think I'm going to like it. One thing, it seems that I may have to scoot the seat back more as I feel like I am sitting to close to the pedals and can't get my knee straight enough (i.e. slight bend). At the extended point my leg is still bend pretty good...is that how these FWD bikes work?

I've spent a lot of time looking at other bikes (Reku, Zockra, etc.) and reading a lot, but never rode one, just jumped into the build!!

I have built a LWB low racer (Marauder) and a Delta Wolf, as well as a Spin cycle...this is addicting, and fun...

Of course my riding experience is an old Infinity...

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by aikigreg on Mar 24^th, 2010, 7:04pm

That bike looks sweet, Jim! What size front tire?

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Mar 24^th, 2010, 9:25pm

Its a 20" off an old kids bike. Looking at the Zockra theme...

I may have to redo the whole thing though as it just seems too short...still working some stuff. Problem is I can't get any garage time due to work and coaching baseball....I will get out there again soon. The rain tonight gave me about 30 minutes before band practice...

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by aikigreg on Mar 24^th, 2010, 9:34pm

Tell me about it - I'm SO glad I quit coaching this year. Baseball season in HS in just ridiculous.

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Mar 29^th, 2010, 3:14pm

Update, I may go with dual 20" s for this ride an forgo the GEBE. I'll repair the Infinity with an extra strength wheel & the GEBE, and make that the work commuter, and this one the ride bike...still not sure yet.

I suppose the question is this: if I have a 20" on the front and it is FWD, then all the talk about 26" wheels get you more speed, why put a 26" on the back of this without and drive chain? I'm sure this is all theory, because the motor is what counts... [smiley=twitchy.gif]

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by evblazer on Mar 29^th, 2010, 3:48pm

If you don't have a suspension on the rear the taller rear wheel along with a wider then racing tire might help a little with the bumps. Other then that i dunnu. I like having one tire size on a bike myself that was I can carry a spare that will fit both and tubes that will fit both. Having a smaller wheel in back will alow you to tuck it further under the seat and make the bike much shorter overall which will change handling perhaps. The difference between my cruzbike and hurricane is pretty drastic but is only a problem if I forget which bike I'm on.

Course I now have a feature that puglsey was claiming for a bit. I have dual 135mm hubs so I could carry a rear wheel that is actually rear and be able to swap it up front if necessary. I can run a flip flop hub or perhaps keep a racing cassette on the back to swap up front but I'm not sure why. If it was snowing winter riding perhaps but I haven't frozen any freewheels down here. Ok maybe not so useful here but it could be useful if I wanted to run my current electric setup through a chain to the rear wheel and not have it affect my pedaling chainline [smiley=whistling.gif]

Title: Re: First bike build - Even a bunny knows I can't
Post by JimFPU on Mar 29^th, 2010, 6:36pm

I still plan on the suspension, just have to rework the mounts a bit. Of course at this point I may rework the whole frame, but we'll see. I do like the idea of having only 1 size tire to fix 'in case'.