3D Printed Bike for Toddler (walking Bike)

In this Instructable I show you how I made a 3D printed bike (frame) for my son.

I am new to 3D printing and was curious if it is really possible to print 'anything'. So I started with this bike.
It's really amazing to see your own design being printed in real life.

Supplies

The materials and tools I used for this project.

For the frame:

• 3D printer Creality Ender 3 * (affiliate link)
• PLA+ High temperature PLA
• Epoxy
• sanding paper
• Basic tools

For the rest of the bike:

• 2 wheels
• bike seat
• front fork
• steering wheel

Software:

• Blender free 3D modeling software
• Cura slicer for the 3D printer

* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Step 1: Check Out My Video!

In this video I show step by step how I made the 3D printed walking bike from scratch. I hope this video will give you inspiration or help to make a cool project yourself.

Along with the video I show you in the steps below how I dit it :-)

Step 2: Drawing

I started with a sketch of what I had in mind.
Then I translated this sketch into a 3D model.

To make the model I used a free software called Blender.

I made the frame not too difficult because 3D modeling and printing is all new to me.
So everything pretty straight forward.

Step 3: Preparing and Printing

I had to cut the frame into smaller pieces. This because the size of the frame is too big to print on my Ender 3.

I exported the files from Blender as .STL files and imported it into a software called Cura.

With this software you can prepare your file for the 3D printer.

I setup the printer for PLA+ and I didn't use any infill. But I did use supports.

I don't use infill because I will fill the frame with epoxy.

When I prepared all the files it was time to print.
The total printing time was about 80 hours and about 500 grams of PLA

Step 4: Putting It Together.

When the pieces came out of the printer I was really relieved that everything went well.

1. I sand the connections of the parts so they fit all nicely.
2. Then I open up all the ends of the parts, so when I pour epoxy, it will flow trough the whole frame.
3. I glue the frame together using epoxy.

Step 5: Fill It Up With Epoxy

Now I drill a small hole in the bottom of the frame and fill the whole frame with epoxy.

So it will form a really strong connection.

I do this to lessen the printing time and to make the frame extra strong.

When the epoxy is dry, I sand the frame and give it a final coat with a red coloured epoxy.
This to make it extra durable.

Step 6: Assemble

Now all left to do is assemble the bike and give it a go.

Step 7: Done :-)

My baby boy really likes his new bike.
It's still a little bit big for him, because hes only 19 months old.
But this spring he can enjoy it in the bike park.

Thank you for checking out my Instructable :-)

Please also check out my youtube channel

Comments

[unoilab]

Hi, I love your project and I will like to try to do one. I was wandering if you can share the model, the .stl file or de 3d file? I will love to try to build this incredible project.

[josh]

So Great! this is incredibly awesome!

[camps05]

Me parece un proyecto muy bueno. La idea de utilizar una impresora 3D para fabricar una bicicleta para niños es genial. Creo que podría tener muchas posibilidades en el mercado enfocando el producto como una especie de puzzle. Por dar una idea, se podría mejorar el tipo de conexión con las piezas y utilizar un anclaje tipo "click" y poder diseñar tu propia bicicleta con diferentes colores. Pero en si la idea me parece increíble, tiene mucho mérito.

[OfficalGeeko]

DUDE, Why did you print the parts hollow?! now they are more fragile and likely to need to be replaced.

[mukeshg7000]

they are filled with epoxy, not fragile anymore

[Bob-Bee]

Read my Instructable or check my video and you will find out why. No they don’t need to be replaced anytime soon.

[jacklinton333]

Loved the video! Great work, and thank you for sharing.

[Bob-Bee]

Thanks you 😃

[SetoKaiba]

Wow, your first 3d printing project was a bike!!! mine was that little cat sculpture that comes with the SD card :)

[Bob-Bee]

Haha, the Dog was actually the first thing I printed ;-)
The bike was my first 'own' project.
It was straightforward. But took a long time to print.

[jeck11]

I love how you piece it out and filled it. What was your total cost (if you don't mind me asking)?

[Bob-Bee]

Tanks :-)

The totals costs in materials was just under 100$.

PLA+ (500grams) - 20$
1,5 KG epoxy - 30$
red color for coating and sanding paper - 10$
Other Bike parts - 30 $

[John LS]

Brilliant. I suggest you submit to GCN (Google and look at Youtube videos, if this doesn't mean anything to you). Fyi there is a presenter named Oliver Bridgewater who is the butt of some friendly ribbing!

[Bob-Bee]

Thank you John, I will have a look into Global Cycling Network :-) Thanks for the tip. Cheers!

[KelloT]

how much does it cost?

[Bob-Bee]

I spent about 20 dollar on the PLA+ (500grams)
And 30 dollar for 1,5 KG epoxy
A few dollars for the red color and sanding paper etc.
Bike parts about 30 dollars.

The total build was just under 100 dollars.
Not the cheapest children's bike but a unique one ;-)

Oh yes, and the 3D printer of course, that one was about 175 dollars.
But I will use it for a lot more projects :-)

[352853]

This is so cool

[Bob-Bee]

Thanks :-)

[Ham It Up]

Hello Bob, that is an incredible build! I can't believe that this is your first build. You have excelled past a large majority of 3D Printers that have been at this for a while including myself! I can make some complex prints, now, but that was after many trials and errors.

I'm also impressed with the fact that you learned how to use a 3D modeling app quickly to produce your final model. There was a long learning curve for me to learn how to use Fusion 360. I understand that Blender may be easier to use initially then Fusion 360. You also picked a good printer to complete your project.

Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing some of your new creations in the near future!

[Bob-Bee]

Thank you :-)
The most challenging for me was to find the right material. First I wanted to use ABS, but I couldn't get it nice without warping and shrinking. For my design I needed to have the exact measurements to make all the pieces fit correctly.

Then I wanted to go for PETG, but I read that that will not bond with Epoxy.

So finally I found a high heat resistance stronger PLA. It printed very easy.

The information and tutorials on internet helped a lot with the software and the printer.

Cheers!