Step 15: Test Ride!
Ok, re-assemble if you had to cut some of the frame and test ride again - hopefully everything feels right. Mount and adjust the brakes, set up the deraillers, and give all of the hardware a once over. If you haven't already, give all the bearings in the steering tubes and the bottom bracket a good dose of grease and reassemble.
Remember that you will have a pretty wide turning radius as this bike's a little over 9 feet long! You should find that the low center of gravity makes this bike easy to balance. I think you will also find that it's pretty fast. I can easily get to 34 mph on smooth flat pavement. Keep in mind that your brakes may not be up to the task of slowing you down quickly from those speeds - they may melt if you aren't careful. Also, cars will probably have a difficult time seeing you. I don't ride mine on the road anymore unless I am with a group. Toe clips or clipless pedals are very nice to have.
You will almost certainly want fenders as soon as you are done with your first ride. I made mine with these instructions.
Paint it as soon as you have all the bugs worked out, and please post pics - I love to see what people build! This is not a terribly difficult build and the results are well worth the time. This is my favorite bike out of the 15-20 I own. It's comfortable and fast and always attracts attention. I'll keep an eye on comments, so let me know if you need a photo or better explanation - enjoy!
Remember that you will have a pretty wide turning radius as this bike's a little over 9 feet long! You should find that the low center of gravity makes this bike easy to balance. I think you will also find that it's pretty fast. I can easily get to 34 mph on smooth flat pavement. Keep in mind that your brakes may not be up to the task of slowing you down quickly from those speeds - they may melt if you aren't careful. Also, cars will probably have a difficult time seeing you. I don't ride mine on the road anymore unless I am with a group. Toe clips or clipless pedals are very nice to have.
You will almost certainly want fenders as soon as you are done with your first ride. I made mine with these instructions.
Paint it as soon as you have all the bugs worked out, and please post pics - I love to see what people build! This is not a terribly difficult build and the results are well worth the time. This is my favorite bike out of the 15-20 I own. It's comfortable and fast and always attracts attention. I'll keep an eye on comments, so let me know if you need a photo or better explanation - enjoy!
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/robmock/5989318294/in/photostream/lightbox/
My bike originally had a small wheel in the front at a way too raked-out angle. When I saw this instructable, I very quickly stuck the front half of an old 10 speed street bike onto it at a better angle. VERY HAPPY with the ride now!
My only suggestion: The old version used a 3/8" solid round remote steering bar.... I switched to a half-inch hollow square tube which does not flex under compression when turning right (like the 3/8" stuff did).
With my old upright bike I used to have groin soreness and wobblyness in my legs after long rides, but with this bike I can go WAY farther at similar or faster speeds with no issues. When other guys get off their bikes, they're waddling around like ducks and they're all hunched over... that used to be me!
Other Changes:
(1) Used only one bigger pulley (from McMaster Carr) under the seat
(2) Ran a tube directly to the rear handlebar tube instead of going down to the main square tube (the black tube in the picture)
(3) Cut off the large chain ring after a year because I never used it
Things I'll Change Next Time:
(1) A little steeper backrest next time... too hard to do head checks behind me with the current seat angle (I'm sure it'll still be comfortable and fast with backrest 10 degrees steeper)
(2) Front head tube will not be "long style". I do not notice the tall front head tub in my field of vision, but all in all, I'd rather have it shorter.
Awesome bike - incredible. Just incredible...
-Tim
Judging by the distance between the front down tube and the front main tube, it looks like one of your donor bikes was a woman's bike. is that true?
Also, you mention having to cut material out of the center to keep your heals from dragging and your toes from hitting the front tire. Is there a way I can assure that my measurements are correct to avoid changing it after its done?
All I need now is a welding machine!!!
Happy Trails!