Cheap Short Wheelbase Wood Conversion Recumbent Bike

Or CSWWCRB, for short.

Perhaps you've seen one or two in your hometown, or not at all. Recumbent bikes tend to have a (lets say) "mature" following as compared to it's traditional bike counterpart. Perhaps that's because 'bents are more expensive due to their comparatively low production volume. For this reason, you'll find a lot of people making home built 'bent frames and fairings.

For this project, I'm making a short wheelbase (SWB) 'bent on a very small budget and recycling components from other bikes in addition to a frame. I call it

The WidowMaker

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I should mention, WoodenBikes.com is an awesome site worth checking out ;) If it wasn't for encouraging words from the site (and meeting/talking with the man behind the site at Maker Faire) - I would have been weary about mounting a crank in wood :p

One day, I want to build an awesome 4x4 tandem battering ram :D

Step 1: Materials and Tools Used

Materials
1 Womens Beach Cruiser frame with rear wheel and coaster brake
Some pine 2x4
5 Bolts/nuts
18 washers
1 rear derailleur
Scrap .5" PVC and cement
Extra chain
20" wheel from a children's bike (optional)
1 piece crank from another donor bike (which also gave up chain and derailleur)

Tools
2 C Clamps
Adjustable Wrench
Saw
Drill and bits
Hole Saw
Chain Tool
Screwdriver
Hammer (for removing BB cups)
Measuring tape (for measuring X-seam etc.)
Something straight and long (measuring tape works)

Optional
Crank puller (or go to your local bike shop and have them pull your crank - for the non 1 piece crank guys)

There won't be any hack sawing, welding or irreversible changes made to the frame to be converted ;)

Comments

[mon churlish]

nice cycle<<

[nanundo]

This's my inspiration I wish do this with my self
thank you.

[glassspider2142]

yo bro i am lazy as a baptast sunday! even i can get exersize with your bike as i love to recumbent! hell i may even lay off my next heart attack for a year or two!

[Shifrin]

This is a Great Instructable, I've always been wanting to both make and ride one of these, Hopefully now I can! Thanks -Alex

[Woodenbikes]

Way to go Trebuchet3! Welcome to the www! (wonderful world of wood). These wood bikes are pretty addictive, in their funky clunky ways. It just makes you want to experiment more. A nice wood paneling fairing shell could greatly increase the danger factor on Widowmaker. In fact, now you've given me the idea to make the recumbent wood box coffincycle. Keep up the good work!

[olderguy]

This sounds like a fun thing to do. It's going to be my 2nd project. Right after the bike trailer.

[John Smith]

Good Instructable. Is there any reason to choose a recumbent design over a regular one? Last pic of last step: Do I spy a Ka-Bar?

[tippmannphreak]

haha! i think so

[trebuchet03]

Is there any reason to choose a recumbent design over a regular one?
If you've ridden a recumbent before, you either love it or hate it. Most people that are not already set into their hard core biking ways absolutely love it. There's something called the 'bent smile - because that's the only thing 'bent owners can do :p

There are hundreds of different recumbent positions and configurations - compared to the two triangle bike design that has been optimized for a VERY VERY long time... But the general benefits are:

More comfortable
Better for your back (with a proper seat)
You can be in a more aerodynamic position
Pedal force isn't limited to arm strength and body weight - you're basically doing a leg press into the seat as opposed to holding yourself down by the handlebars.

A draw back for two wheelers is hill climbing ability -- you can't stand up use gravity to put more power down. So on a hill, go too slow and you'll fall over. A trike solves that, but will very likely be heavier.

Not to mention every single speed and distance/time record was completed by a recumbent -- 81mph on a bike is nothing to ridicule :)

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The biggest drawback is cost as they are not mass produced... bugger.

[Cosantoir]

The speed records are on rather specialized 'bents... Complete with full fairings, lead vehicles to reduce air resistance, etc... And actually, the current "never mind the details" speed record (130+ mph) is held by a rather mundane "safety" bike, though one going steeply downhill. All the same, the speed records of any sort are so divorced from normal bike riding that it's hard to justify bringing them up. Recumbents have some ergonomic advantages, but also some practical disadvantages. Relatively poor visibility, in both the "seeing things" and "being seen" senses of the word, is certainly worth consideration. Riding a bike for utilitarian reasons---as opposed to weekend recreational riding---demands somewhat different tests of practicality. Recumbents have a considerably lower profile than the more common "safety" (or "double diamond", "triangle", etc) sort of bike, and this can result in considerably more risk when sharing traffic with autos. The lesser ability to deliver gravity-assisted pedaling power can also impact the hauling of heavy loads; though I have to admit I've never seen a recumbent designed for hauling heavy loads in the was the various "cargo bikes" or "longbikes" are built. But, again from a strictly utilitarian viewpoint, a bike that can't haul 100+ pounds without excessive effort is of little use...

[trebuchet03]

Complete with full fairings, lead vehicles to reduce air resistance, etc...

Fairings, yes - Lead vehicle to reduce air resistance - no - this is not allowed by IHPVA (the organizing association that runs the speed events) rules. They even have rules about the minimum trailing distance (I believe it is something like 200m) as a car behind a vehicle can provide an advantage.

But mind you, fairings aren't some exotic recumbent only feature - any bike can be faired ;)

Relatively poor visibility, in both the "seeing things"
I completely disagree. I naturally want to face forward and upwards rather than somewhat downwards towards the ground (this is comparing a road bike to a road recumbent two wheeler). One of the reasons a lot of people enjoy bent's is for this very reason - it's much easier to enjoy the world around you :)

"being seen" senses of the word,
People say this all the time... I disagree from an expirience point of view.
First, cars tend to swerve out of the way to miss turtles and other small debris. I've never seen a recumbent smaller than a turtle crossing a road. At the same time, cars claim to have never seen other cars when they get into a crash. You can't expect anyone driving a car to see anything regardless of what bike you're on.

From the aforementioned experience point of view... I'm currently living in San Francisco and ride my recumbent everywhere. I command much more attention while on my 'bent than when I'm using a loaner diamond frame. Cars get a lot closer to me when I'm on a diamond frame and they keep away when I'm on my 'bent. It's nice :D

In Orlando, FL - I ride on the road. Orlando is NOT a bike friendly city like San Francisco.... I had been riding on the road with the frame pictured below more than 6 months without issue on roads with a speed limit of 45 ;) I do try to avoid bike lanes, where possible, as they're poorly designed - road debris gets pushed in by cars. Normally, these small items are fine for cars, but potentially detrimental to bikes :/

Yes, I will admit that there is potential risk while riding in the door zone. Lucky for me, all of the accidents I've heard of are of people getting "doored" while riding a diamond frame bike... So no one can claim visibility in that respect - if the person doesn't look, it doesn't matter how big, tall, bright or otherwise you are ;) The point is, be predictable - I'm not saying don't take safety precautions - I'm saying the best safety precaution is how you ride, not what your ride or what you ride with.

Recumbents have a considerably lower profile
There's a different tool for every job. Your comment is not well informed ;) I ride a high racer recumbent - which is, in fact, a high profile 'bent. High racers, according to the manufacturers, have been popular due to their dimensions and wheel sets... But again, what good is this profile when the profile of a car is too small to prevent an accident?

Riding a bike for utilitarian reasons---as opposed to weekend recreational riding---demands somewhat different tests of practicality.
I totally agree - by the same token, understand that "recumbent" does not refer to a bike with similar geometry such as a diamond frame bike. A tri-bike has an overall similar geometry to a commuter. But both of those bikes have very different handling characteristics as they're different tools for different jobs. I don't ride a super low bike meant for racing.

The lesser ability to deliver gravity-assisted pedaling power can also impact the hauling of heavy loads
I again, disagree. If the recumbent bike has the same drive train as the non recumbent - I'm totally with you. But this isn't the case. Designers know that gravity isn't going to help - so we're geared as such. The breadth in gearing on my 'bent is huge enough that I've got an instructable on how to move house by bike - and I used my 'bent, fully loaded in San Francisco - a city not known for it's level terrain :)

As a side note - my intentions aren't argumentative. You've provided clear, thought out points that I semi-frequently hear at traffic lights while talking with other cyclists. Most of these fellow riders have never ridden a 'bent or have only tried and say it's "hard" :D I've been on 'bents for >4 years, in traffic an everything, and have no plans to stop :D I'll try to get helmet cam footage while riding in traffic for a space comparison :)

So I guess I should show a picture of my bike :D It's dual ETRO 559 wheels - so 26" equipment fits on it :) This isn't some obscure bike that isn't representative of 'bents - because no frame is representative of the recumbent community. This frame was commercially manufactured and a new version with similar specs is still sold today :)

Yes, I love my bike - it fits on bus bike mounts, I can bring it on the subway and while cruising downhill, I can put my feet up lazy boy style :)

[John Smith]

dang that looks comfortable... but i'm more of an offroad kinda bike rider. i prefer to stand up when i'm riding on trails. either way, thats pretty cool. I'd try it.

[kill-a-watt]

there are a few more drawbacks. Keep in mind, I'm not a 'bent hater here Jumping curbs, off road riding - much tougher with the recumbent. Not being able to pull a wheelie is a major disadvantage everywhere besides the paved bike trail. Bike racks on public transport - putting a 'bent on a bike rack on the metrobus is not allowed. This has more to do with the shape of the 'bent than anything else. So having a 'bent may restrict your commuting options.

[trebuchet03]

Public transport is a good point - I never thought of that, but I don't have decent (easily used) public transport.

Curbs are also a good point - I make it my business not to jump curves on my normal bikes anyway :p But going up curves could be a problem - although, I was never able to get that stupid beach cruiser up any appreciable curb (I wouldn't expect it to either). I can see where that would be a benefit for some though :)

Pulling a wheelie -- yes, that too. The only time I pull up on my bike is for comfort reasons (unavoidable bumps), which isn't a problem on a 'bent with a proper seat :p But I ride almost exclusively on paved roads (and don't go up curbs anyway).

Off Road riding.... Well, there's plenty of video out there of people taking their purpose built 'bents off road :p

Video

invalid movie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGo5eeb0OBI

But the emphasis must be put on purpose built - I mean, I wouldn't expect my road bike (or even that beach cruiser) to perform very well off road :p In fact, I know explicitly that they don't perform well at all :p

So, revised drawbacks

*hill climbing ability for heavier 'bents
*no wheelies (or very hard to)
*going up curbs may be a problem
*potential public transportation issues (that could be a big issue for some)

+/- for off roading - I haven't done it myself (and don't do it normally), but it seems people do it without issue. I'll rank this with "balancing is harder" - it's not harder, just different :D

[kill-a-watt]

I'm an extremely pedestrian conscious bicycle rider. This comes from being a hiker first and foremost and my personal experience on many mixed use trails (summery: I don't mind the horses, but If I have to pick up after my pet, why don't they? -and- Well over 51% of bicyclist on the trails are either ignorant or outright hostile toward "sharing the ~~road~~ trail". Twice, for example, I've been hit by ignorant and careless bike riders that did not announce that they were overtaking me.) I'm also careful around autos. I know I have as much right to the road as them but well, Force equals Mass times Velocity squared. All this is a roundabout way of saying I hop curbs, a lot (please note that I stuck wheelies in there with hopping curbs. I'm not going to bash 'bents for not being able to pull a wheelie for the wheelie's sake) I break the law and ride on the sidewalk as a safety measure unless there is a pedestrian there. Being able to hop a curb is a safety maneuver that I don't want to be without. I ride a MTB in a mixed suburban neighborhood. That means that there are a variety of different terrain where I ride. There's a roadway nearby with a wide bike trail on the shoulder. However, to get to my house, I've got to turn on a road that has a very narrow two lane bridge. I can avoid this hotspot if I instead ride behind a shopping center, through a field, through a singletrack in the woods with a creek crossing, and through a townhouse neighborhood. I hop curbs a lot. All the metro busses in the greater DC area have bike racks. That's an advantage while being out and about while carless that I don't want to miss. In short, although I crave the comfortable seating of a 'bent, it's not suited for my style of riding. I do have a bunch of 20" bike parts around and I am lusting after a purpose built 'bent MTB for biking on the C&O towpath, which is technically off the pavement, but I'm betting that I won't ride that one nearly as much.

[trebuchet03]

All this is a roundabout way of saying I hop curbs, a lot (please note that I stuck wheelies in there with hopping curbs.

Oh no! I didn't mean to imply that ;) One the guys I ride with does - but we call him the "new guy" because of the goofy stuff he does (and shouldn't do). The main reason I don't is because I'm riding on an old old steel lugged road bike, and really can't afford to damage my wheels. Really, I built a 'bent using dumpster materials :p

Twice, for example, I've been hit by ignorant and careless bike riders that did not announce that they were overtaking me

Yeah, I've been there too (just not on a trail) - it bothers me more when they're going the wrong way (I usually will yell something at them in cases like this).

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In any case, my apologies if anything came off offensive to you - not my intent :)

[kill-a-watt]

Nothing came off as offensive, and that was never my intent either.

[trebuchet03]

Sorry about the bad video link

[kill-a-watt]

Interesting., however these were pretty tame trails for a MTB. I didn't see a single log across the trail or a creek crossing with large rocks. Even the last scene had the 'bent going off the trail to avoid that hump, a minor violation of the "tread lightly" philosophy. MTBiking would not be what it is without the bunny-hop.

[John Smith]

Oh, I didn't know that.

81mph on a bike?!?!? Taht iz fazt!

[Leon Close]

Very nice, I have a similar but slightly more complicated project started myself. For the bottom (front?) bracket, would it not be better to chop the entire shell, complete with bearing cups, from a donor frame? I'm thinking there will be problems with bearing adjustment your way.

[trebuchet03]

You could do that, but it's a lot of extra work ;) You'll have to carve out the wood to accept the whole assembly (believe me, that's not a whole lot of fun comparatively). I'll see if I can dig up pictures of an old project that did just that :)

The nice thing about using these cheap 1 piece cranks is that they hold themselves together with compression. The only adjustment is 1 threaded nut. The cups themselves are snuggly fit in the wood and I haven't seen them try to work their way out as of yet :p

[Leon Close]

Yeah I suppose it wouldn't really be practical to try and use a three piece bracket without the threaded shell. The press in cups certainly make it easy, and the wood should compress as much as it's going to after a few rides. A bit of epoxy would help too.

[trebuchet03]

Woodenbikes.com mentions 3 piece cranks here. But it's not good news for wood application :p

As he said, keep low expectations and you'll get amazing results :D

I was just thinking of how to use the entire BB shell... If I were to do it that way (try again)... I would drill a semi circle into the top of the boom and place the shell inside. Then use U-bolts or something similar to hold it down. Even some good water proof epoxy (in case of rain). Just an idea :D

[oops56]

I know one thing i would not be wearing flip flops on a bike of any kind

[trebuchet03]

It's Florida, Flip Flops or Sandals in any weather :p

[Visitor]

Brilliant work (again). Please list the problems you mentioned in last step with your fixes to them. I've seen many recumbents where the chain is routed through a PVC conduit tube. It bends quite nicely and can be used to move the lower chain away from the moving parts. That handlebar looks like it might work under the frame too. IMO that high chopper style bar looks funny. Is there any way to fasten it to the fork crown?

[trebuchet03]

Please list the problems you mentioned in last step with your fixes to them.

I modified the final step to make to more clear :) The numbered items are issues and tips to avoid problems later ;) Key problems: seat (my lack of a bottom seat), I need suitable handlebars, and a noisy idler ;)

That handlebar looks like it might work under the frame too. IMO that high chopper style bar looks funny. Is there any way to fasten it to the fork crown?

Those are actually cruiser handlebars :p But yes, it's not ideal. Under seat steering (USS) requires some extra equipment (tie rod and some sort of frame interface). If you're close enough (and have the physical space) to the fork, you can hard mount a USS handlebar - but that will be very uncomfortable if you're too far away :(

[Visitor]

Oh, and I can't help thinking that if one extends the longer 2x4 all the way to the rear axle, one wouldn't need a complete steel frame at all. My wife doesn't allow any more bikes in the house but I think I could build this so that she doesn't realize what it is until it is too late...

[trebuchet03]

It starts getting complicated at that point -- you have to accommodate the rear axle and/or drop outs and then you'll have to hard mount the head tube -- but it is possible :) Check out the woodenbikes.com link :D

My wife doesn't allow any more bikes in the house but I think I could build this so that she doesn't realize what it is until it is too late...

Just say it's not a bike -- it's a 'bent :p

[Lftndbt]

This makes me smile ;) Hardcore biker here... The guys at work bag me enough as it is for riding ( yet individually all have asked me how to get their calves looking like my guns by summer... ;P ) I always wanted to have one of these! Not sure if the cannondale will convert though....;) Bike's are sooo good... Nice Instructable!