cruzbike put together from thrashed bikes (no diy kit)

frankvl

New Member
I made a cruzbike-type bike from old bikes that I found on the farm where I was staying (inland of Byron Bay): a cheap mig welded alloy frame + its drivetrain on the front, a Giant alloy frame where all other parts were rusted, the rear derailer from a high end LaPierre downhill bike that got smashed when the drunk driver fell off the mountain (he's fine) and some nice stainless? Shimano wheels (they might have been part of the Giant). The mig welded bike is actually the one that I used to go from sydney to Byron Bay with a home welded trailer, but I had to stop at Newcastle because my arse and the trailer were finished.

In fact, I have ridden on the bike so much back in the Netherlands, with normal clothes and crappy bikes, that my skin has gotten too sensitive; it hurts to sit on a saddle right away. Which is what drove me to make this; I did not have the parts to try a low recumbent and that would have probably not worked in the Aussie mountains anyway.

I am opposed to money and trade for the greedy, ungrateful and wasteful effect it has on people of all kinds (I don't see a future in it so I'm experimenting with alternatives). The Dutch are also simply proud of being cheap. Anyway I never had to pay for a bike so why start now? I tried a bit to make a bamboo bike, but I ran out of time, so I tried this instead. But unless you have a tig welder and know how to use it on aluminium, I recommend getting a proper Cruzbike; my version works (for now) but that's about it. I worked about 3 months on the functional parts, mostly because I didn't know anything about bikes. I only bought new brake cables, and from the rest of my gear (all I have, apart from savings) I only had to buy the ereader (which I hacked for offline street and satellite navigation with the battery lasting about a week). Western people throw a lot of useful stuff out because specialisation makes them dumb and irresponsible.

Here is the video with excerpts from the third and successful attempt to get to Brisbane. Almost everyone's head is turned, which is a bit of a challenge in my stealth-based, almost moneyless lifestyle. Once my new passport is in I'll continue to Cairns (> 2000 km total). By the way, I'm a world nomad, it's not a holiday thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUgkEJ5FLVs?



SAM_3258.JPG


I handcrafted the wood to the shape of my arse/a saddle, but I don't have a picture of the end result. The backseat didn't have to be this wide.

SAM_3222.JPG


Older version with mesh seat and giant corroplast pannier (I want to try that again, but a more appropriate design this time):

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Current issues:
- stem extension slowly gets loose (possibly also because I have been carrying quite heavy loads on my handlebars)
- the mesh seat wasn't very stable; the wooden version is, and provides an amazing amount of control.
- I can't make my derailer reach for the lowest gear in a stable manner, because the attachment thingy doesnt fit into the frame at the designed angle.
- I had to hammer my fork crown to sh**
- no significant suspension, and therefore no loss of energy; I don't see the point in going speeds where suspension matters; it's too reckless (with or without weight) and I wouldn't be able to enjoy the surroundings.
- starting on a steep slope usually doesn't work, even when it's in the right gear.
- I have steps along the axle for better control downhill (they aren't really necessary anymore once you learn to ride it)
- I wish I had disc brakes
- I still have to reduce my stuff further, and make proper panniers
- most is held together by rope, hose clamps, pieces of old bike tubes and duct tape.

My blog about self-sufficiency; I'll be writing about my tour here at some point, in the event that I survive:

http://howtoliveinthefuture.wordpress.com/
 

MrSteve

Zen MBB Master
Wow

I'm impressed... by your passion, your life style, your blog and even by your bike.
Your pipe foam covered, bottom-bracket mounted cargo-carrying rails look fantastic.

Question(s):

-Is that all-thread between your front triangle and the fork crown?
-If so, how stable/reliable is it... so far?

I've bookmarked your blog.
Thanks,
sincerely,

Steve

 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
Nicely done.  Thanks for

Nicely done. Thanks for posting.

Looking at your video, your hands are much lower and closer to your body than what I have on either of my MBB bikes. Have you played around with that position?

As far as suspension: (1) it's not necessary - lots of bikes are unsuspended, but (2) I disagree that suspension is only desired when riding at high speed. I find I appreciate my suspension even at low speeds on crappy roads.

Cheers,
Charles
 

frankvl

New Member
I forgot to stress how

I forgot to stress how superior the general cruzbike design is in comfort, performance, control and luggage capacity. It will definitely remain my transportation of choice and I'll probably end up buying the Quest for it's folding ability. I saw one today in Brisbane; I'm hoping it will bring a lot more people to use a bike rather than the most deadly man-made object ever made (the car).

@yakmurph:
In the end I didn't need the bars anymore so I took them off, but they were very handy indeed, made from an old camping chair; featherlight. They were attached with hose clamps to the metal seat, which was very stable.

The front part seemed to mostly stay in place with the axle nuts; I added the threaded rod to stop it from moving slightly as I push the pedals; seems to do the job; it's still adjustable and it's not rusting. My stem extension is definitely the weaker link and would fail first (so I'm very careful not to cycle with too much stress on slopes).

@cplager:
I extended the handlebar horizontally (with a tube connected by 2 hose clamps and wedged between the adjuster nut of the stem) to give my hands more leverage as they counterbalance the pedals; it gives a nice chopper-kind of feel. I started out with knobby tires, so I had to mount the saddle as far upfront as possible, and then it seemed best to make the handlebar as low as possible for more direct control with my muscles. Especially in the beginning I kind of hung on it with my weight to keep the wheel automatically straight. Later on I used a proper flat tire, so I might not need it so close anymore, but I definitely like the position. The other thing is that the front part and fork didn't fit well together, so I'm limited in the angle.

The seat, wheels and my flesh provide a minimal amount of suspension. I don't notice discomfort, but I do have to slow down for potholes and ridges (to save my back and avoid things flying out of my worn out panniers). I like the idea of using suspension in combination with harder wheels; it sounds more efficient.

I had good quality hydraulic rear suspension from the LaPierre frame, but the rear wheel was slightly at an angle because of the crash, and also I made the beginner mistake of drilling and cutting into an aluminium frame, so it wasn't trustworthy anymore. Not having suspension saves a bit of weight too.
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
Hi,I've ridden upright

Hi,

I've ridden upright bikes, folding bikes, MBB bikes (like Cruzbikes) and LWB recumbents (own a crappy one). I've taken a 5 minute test ride on a SWB bike (I found it a lot harder to ride than my Cruzbikes, but I only gave it 5 minutes) and trikes.

I agree with you about the MBB format. As long a I ride two wheeled bikes, I'll ride MBB bikes. They are just so much more comfortable. I'll eventually get a trike, too (although I'm hoping John is done messing around with making the Vendetta and Silvio fabulous and can get to work on a MBB leaning trike!).

The Quest is a great bike and you'll be happy with it. On the other hand, if you decide to keep building (even after you get the Quest), I'll be very interested in seeing what you make.

I'll also recommend heading over to 'Bent Riders Online, too. (They have had a spam problem, so if you don't find your user name approved, either send an email to admin (at) bentrideronline (dot) com, or PM me with your user name and I'll let them know.)

Cheers,
Charles
 

frankvl

New Member
A nice bonus that came up

A nice bonus that came up with my bike is that the seat is low enough to jump over from the rear, and the shadecloth (mesh) I use is very slippery, so I can make some speed walking and then smoothly jump onto the bike with the right leg, having some momentum for an easy start. (I used a patch of leather to avoid my manparts from slipping onto the stem, which is already as close as it can get).
 
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