On the outside surface of the dropout arms, a 2" piece of 3/4" square tubing was welded along the length of the arm (pic 3 & 4). This is entirely a matter of preference. Part 4 Building/Modifying Hubs for Stub Axle Usage. If you are planning on riding your recumbent on mostly smooth roads and surfaces, a suspension fork isnt necessary. I hope to post a video soon of me riding it when the weather improves. A good list of needed. Connecting the upper "seat" beams and the main beam on this trike will cause them to act like a truss where the beams brace off one another. Feel free to narrow down to 28" if you desire. I did learn a lot about joining bamboo and wrapping carbon fiber so all was not lost! Step 1: Tools and Parts Required. But with the information in this guide, you will learn how to build a recumbent bike from scratch. And that is that! I had doubts about whether it would be rigid enough since bamboo flexes much more than square metal tubing, but it seemed like a good place to start. Homemade Recumbent Trike video. Since I'm 48 and have completed my long bone growth this isn't a problem;) Trike manufacturers solve this problem by using a telescoping front boom which I might try on my next build. Are you looking for a comfortable, efficient way to commute around town? Starting at only $2,999.00. Begin by straddling the "boom" of the trike. Finally I used a couple of furniture blocks to bring in the pivot point for simplified Akerman steering. There are really three different wheelbase styles you can choose from: Short Wheelbase Bike (SWB), Long Wheelbase Bike (LWB), and Compact Long Wheelbase Bike (CLWB). This is the latest set of plans is for the Jetrike FWD tilting recumbent trike. Along with an instructable of course. To make the seat's frame, you'll have to bend a 45 degree angle in your 89 length of 1 E.M.T. http://www.bobbykizer.com/tandem_velomobile.htm. I then saturate the first 12" of tow with resin and begin wrapping round and round. The end of bamboo which will be attached to the main frame is cut at roughly 120 (pic 3). I then wrapped the tape and dowel with electrical tape with the sticky side out as before. You can tell I'm enthused can't you? Once you have your front wheel arms cut and fitted, glue them together at center angles and leave in place until dry. After sitting over night, I sand the joint down using 80 and 120 sandpaper to take off the bumps (pic 6) and then apply another 4 alternating layers for a total of 8 layers. I used a couple of donor bikes. The rest of the glue is removed during sanding. I screwed it to blocks beneth the seat and behind the seat which I screwed to the main beam and banded to the seat tube. Look at thrift stores, garage sales, Craigslist, pawn shops, even dumpsters, for an old bike to give new life to. With the joint almost finished I decided it might be a good idea to pin the two pieces together (probably overkill again). The 20" wheel brakes can be kept for the front brakes. The payoff is well worth it, though. The build starts by making the center beam out of 2" bamboo. 3 years ago. Both types of recumbent bikes are popping up in cities all over the world, leading to the question: How can I build my own recumbent bike?. For instance, some of them have weather protection, cargo & passenger capacity, full suspension, comfortable seats, lights & mirrors, etc. Heck, early fighter plane builders used wood, though not in the frames - and it held up fine. An old 10 speed can go for practically nothing. Squeeze both evenly for hard stopping in a straight line. Question If you would like a good idea of the overall process of building a bike, Transporting and Traveling with a Lightfoot Cycle, The Magnum - A Stable Trike for Large Riders, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Section 1) Fabricating the Drop-Outs. To build the curved seat, here's my instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-Recumbent-Trike-Seat/ Finally I roughed up the surfaces and slathered the while joint in chemical metal for a robust joint. The larger the diameter of the tire, the less rolling resistance you will have. Have traveled from San Antonio Tx to Austin Tx and vice- versa several times. It's possible the frame may need more bracing after I've riden it more, but right now it is very rigid in my opinion. some wood and fabric to make the seat or you can repurpose an old chair. With the DIY craze in full swing, recycling old objects and turning them into something new has never been more trendy. I think I probably overkilled this step but my concern was that the front wheels are only supported on one side of the wheel. Like any invention or art form, revision is always required. For those new to recumbent riding, ASS is often preferred, simply because it is more similar to traditional upright bikes. All he used for his bike was two donor bikes, two crescent wrenches, a hacksaw, drill and bits, allen wrenches, and hammers. A lot of these people are really passionate about what they do, and have tons of experience in building durable recumbent frames. If youre looking for a simple way to build a basic recumbent bike on a budget, this might be an option to consider. Reply Using nature's Carbon fibre (or fiber as you guys wrongly spell it) looks like a common sense backyard approach to heavy weight steel, difficult to work with aluminium or full blown carbon fibre. October 24, 2019, Transporting and Traveling with a Lightfoot Cycle on Introduction. An 1/8" & 1/4" thrust bearing (bronze washer) were needed on both sides to prevent the chainstay from touching the wheel (pic 6). I'm completely self-taught by reading as much as I can and I certainly don't know it all or have much experience. 11 years ago It all comes down to personal preference. Two pieces of tape the length of my joint covered it very well. Whether this was overkill or not, I would still recommend stiffening these arms in some way. You can ride an electric trike like a regular tricycle with more stability and less pain than a bicycle, but any time . Not only is wood easier to work with, but it also gives a ton of opportunities for custom design. This worked pretty well although it wasn't as even as the zip ties so more filing and sanding was required. Keep up the great work I love this item. Bamboo is interesting . Cutting up your rear triangle is daunting yet fulfilling espcually if like me it was a decent specialized frame. Theyll also often be willing to give you tips and support on building up your ride. Make sure the pin is slightly shorter than the entire length so it doesn't protrude. From what I've heard, it's not something you'll do twice. half as much load per tire. On the dropouts I needed epoxy inside the bamboo, but for this little decorative end I'm not worried about strength so the foam was quick and easy. I tried adding wheels to i. For whichever method you choose, we have laid out some tips to help you get started. Try looking on Craigslist or at local bike shops. Are you looking for a high speed bike to take on long rides? Best choice. I used 6" /150mm 30 x 5mm plate x4 for the lugs as I could then weld to the Alu section in the future. The main considerations before gathering tools and materials, are your wheelbase style and steering style. Plastic cutting boards are a great way to buy colored plastic cheaply for projects. To make my bracing rods I took two 36" poplar 1/2" diameter dowels and wrapped them with 3" woven carbon fiber tape. The flare will help the chain slide and reduce noise a bit. Or, you can build your own. The Easy to Build Meridian DIY Recumbent Bike. In addition to a welder, youll need a good hacksaw, a bench vise, a conduit bender, clamps, and several other tools to get the job done. There's a time to ride by yourself; there's a time to ride with others. The second, which I did on this trike, is to purchase unidirectional carbon fiber tape which has long strands running the length of the tape. Puncturing the nodes allows air to escape when you are heat treating the bamboo. If you plan on transporting your bike a lot, look into the possibility of installing a removable seat. Tripod Folding Electric Recumbent Three Wheels Bike Trike Tricycle, Layback Bike. Everything has worked out, but a more upright post would have made it easier to get everything aligned. I have all the AZ books, some plans and some ideas. For my trike's setup, the compound miter cuts ended up being 15 angle and a 15 tilt. Trikes for adults and kids offer much greater stability than a two-wheeled bike, and with modern technology, are more fun, faster, and safer than ever before. Tandem Recumbent Trike. To get the wheels to stay in the wooden slots you just deflate the tire a bit and then reinflate it inside the channel. Seeing that I had a sram gripshift spare, I used it linked up to a mid level rear mech. Posted by Mike Hermansen on October 22, 2019. I drilled the 8mm king pin hole 1"/25mm back from the front and the 10mm axle holes 2"/50mm back from the front edge. A fantastic concept and a fantastic Instructable. Get $10 off today's order by joining the newsletter! I then used my heat gun to remove the center block from the bamboo beam and replaced it with a piece approximately 30" long for attaching to the long box (pic 2). Used an old 26"Diamond Back, Fleet Streak; too Heavy. Not good. My gearing range is 17 to 87 inches. But because of the stable riding position you can ride at very slow speeds in low gears. I built it out of wood as I am more conversant with wood, modifications are easier and it's cheaper. As with the Fat Tire trike, we don't produce tandem trikes at performer (although we do produce a Tandem Recumbent Bike). From a two-wheeled recumbent bicycle to a three-wheeled recumbent tricycle, recumbents are made for ultimate comfort. This is the method for you true artists and engineers out there. Not all tadpoles have these wheel sizes, but I elected to use a larger rear wheel for speed. To which degree will you angle your seat? Adjustability is nice when you're figuring out where the pulleys need to go. My goal is to build a safe trike which will provide safe enjoyment for years to come. Remember these 2 pieces are not the same -- there is a right piece and a left piece. When you make a cut be sure to mark a horizontal line across the end of the cut. The 20" wheel brakes can be kept for the front brakes. You'll want to cut the ends pieces a couple inches longer than the drawing so you can trim them to the exact length (pic 3). I purchased my BB from Nova Cycles Supply http://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/73mm-LUGLESS-SUPER-LIGHT-BB.html I had a piece of bamboo which was very close to 1 1/8" so I decided to bond it to the BB for the derailleur. A 14" beam made of 1" conduit is welded to the front of the bottom bracket. To use a double or triple you will need a tube above the chain set on which to mount the front mech. The 24K is about 1/2" wide or more but it wraps just as easily as the 3K once it is wet. 1 x 4ft stick of 2in x 2in box steel for the body. It gets stuck under the carbon fiber or in the resin and you have to sand the bright blue painters take out which is a pain. The IHPVA is a good start for the former, or the usual social media. I found perfect plans from atomiczombie.com and I highly recomend their p. 20 inches is pretty common for recumbent bikes, and some people prefer the smaller tires. Look for a seat that reclines more than 35 degrees for maximum speed and comfort. Like most of us I rode bicycles all my life until I got into recumbents. I also purchased two 4" nylon v-belt idler pulleys with a 3/8" center hole (part #6234K45) for $10 a piece. So to accomplish this and make life simpler, I rip lengths of plywood similar in width to the bamboo's diameter. If you make your miter cuts this way, you simply line up the plywood pieces to each other and the bamboo will matches perfectly (pic 3). Depending on the type of wood you use, and where you gather it, this may also be a less expensive option than using steel. aluminum tig an mig will work as well. Sorry to hear the bottom-bracket is moving. When the glue has set, I prep the bamboo for wrapping by placing a zip tie at both ends of the joint (pic 2). While it was comfortable and nice to ride, I didnt consider it safe. Wrist rests help to reduce grip tension and make you even more relaxed on the trike. October 24, 2019, The Roadrunner Model The main reason was I was really tired of sanding and wrapping and wanted to see how little I could get away with doing. Many more experienced riders prefer USS, though, finding it more comfortable and convenient. October 24, 2019, Transporter Use an alloy frame if you want to weld up the rear triangle to to an alloy beam later on. They are far safer than bicycles. Let's ride! All the joints were then epoxied, sanded and wrapped, etc. Once hot glued in place, I applied and sculpted the epoxy around the joint with the cups in the BB to keep the threads clean (pic 7). This instructable will focus on the design and construction of the recumbent trike frame. There are 2 ways to do this that I know of and the first is simply to cut pieces of tow and lay them parallel to the bamboo. The correct boom length is important so that you have proper leg extension. Overview of CycleSimplex's . I finished the ends of the bamboo by rounding of the PC-7 beyond the culm end. You should also wear bright clothes whenever you ride a trike. This recumbent trike was built using parts from three salvaged bikes and without welding. Before building this trike, I had never built anything that moved or worked on bikes. Mount the bolt in a drill press, start it going and use a chisel to 'lathe' out the groove. This makes it a far more comfortable ride, reducing the stress and pressure on your back, shoulders, neck, and wrist. Please let me know what you think about this trike and how I might improve it. Even if you never move them, I always like being able to make adjustments if ever necessary. This makes them perfect for commuting around town. You will definitely need your PVC model for this part. I purchased my bamboo from her and was very pleased. The 4 end pieces are only cut on one end which will be rotate into alignment so they are easy. Wear gloves, safety glasses, earplugs and masks where appropriate. This really helps when you are trying repeatedly to achieve the right length or when you've got one end correct and screw up the other. They are super comfortable. The boom is the front tube extending in front of the trike and attached to it are the crankset and pedals. These lines help immensely when you are joining the pieces together. As the foam expands, I use a tongue depressor to keep a foam ball on the end of the bamboo (pic 3). aluminum, isnt hard to work with. So after completely wrapping your joint going around the bamboo, you'll want your next layer to be oriented along the length of the bamboo. All of the cuts are the same: saw blade angled at 10 and tilted at 10. It also taught me that I needed a method for maintaining the plane in which the PVC was cut. There are a lot of recumbent builders out there who construct quality frames and sell them on their own. You can use the rear triangle brake to get you started. It took a while to build but it's all worth it. If you cut an angle and then roll the bamboo a bit to make your next cut, the difference will be even greater when you try to join the pieces. So while you're cutting a piece of PVC you miss cut one end the wrong way or it is a little short; instead of starting over here's a little trick. Or, if a trike is what youre planning to attempt, Rikey M. Horowitz has put together detailed instructions on how to do just that. Assuming you already have all of the main tools, you can easily put this project together for under $100. The expanding foam takes about 10 minutes to set up so I think it was worth the 20 minutes it took to round off the end. Alternatively, you can wet the entire strand before wrapping, but I found this was much more messy and didn't really provide much benefit. Not only are they far more comfortable than road bikes, and easier on your back, wrists, and caboose, but they are also faster - much faster. When it comes to materials, there are a few different options. Group rides are great. Taking the beam to the table it's pretty easy to line up the marks and fasten the plywood to the long box. In the "V" shaped areas where it was difficult to wrap, I used short pieces of tow to fill the voids and let it dry. Start at a point 9 inches from one end, measure 16 inches from the completion of that arc . These bikes are a bit easier on the back and neck than the traditional riding position . 11 years ago You can purchase pulleys from various trike dealers and manufacturers but they are quite pricey. So, make sure you use a flag on your trike to make yourself more visible on the road. Downside? Recumbent bicycles are the unsung heroes of the cycling world. This is an advanced design for experienced builders and includes machined bearing housings. Vital to comfort and speed, the position of the bottom bracket (BB) is something you definitely want to consider. You will be able to shade the bamboo darker or lighter as you go along. The carbon fiber bands are strong enough to keep the tubes bound together, but less strong front to back. After initial sanding, the "V" areas were still sunken so I used PC-7 to level it up and allowed it to dry before repeating the woven tape and carbon fiber. For an about-town commuter, trikes allow you to get around, get a workout, and carry your load without having to balance. This trick saves a lot of time recutting and also a lot of wasted PVC. Would love to have a velomobile so I may give it a shot once I catch up on what I was supposed to be doing the past 4 months! The frame weighs 15 pounds but I haven't weighed the assembled trike yet. As a guideline, keep in mind that the BB on a typical racing recumbent is usually placed about 5 inches above the seat, if not more. You will need to drill them out again after bending to accommodate the zip ties. http://myworld.ebay.com/rainbowsatoz/ She is also the person "Bamboobiker" bought from and how I found her on ebay (https://www.instructables.com/id/Bamboo-Bike-2/). To me, it's just easier to get the bulk of the sanding done on the entire culm than to sand small pieces later. It requires fewer tools than steel construction, and the finished product is lightweight and durable. You can make this piece a bit longer depending on the size of your tire, but 19" left an 1" gap between the tire and the bamboo on my trike. This video is a short wal. If I have uneven spots (which I always do) I put short pieces of tow in them to level up the surface before the final layer. You'll also need leather gloves, safety glasses, and old bath towels or rags. If you are after speed and ease of ride, though, you may want to consider larger tires. Good idea using the skinny pipe to keep the chain on track. I used similar size metal about 2 1/2" long and extended both pieces. If the bamboo arm going to the wheel flexes that would lead to major problems that would be hard to fix later. Two old bicycles. The guide estimates 40 hours total spent working on the project. You can PC-7 any recess from the hole, do your final sanding and wrap the last layer over the top. N55 is a non-profit My steel tube tadpole weighs in at 38 pounds a trifle heavy.Going to go the whole way and make the body?I still ride it - I am 62. ICE TRIKES. JetStream. I want to build one of these just like yours. One or both pieces of pipe is always slightly rotated which changes the joined angle. Hi. These bikes have a lot more to offer than storage capabilities, though.  Any thin sheet of wood could be used but I found 3-ply birch plywood bent quite well. So the zip tie creates a buffer to which the resin won't stick and makes a nice distinct edge. It sounds ideal, yes, but this innovative design can be less easy to set up, and isnt something a beginner would be comfortable taking on a hilly ride. Wrapping carbon fiber tow (tow=ribbon) is an acquired skill and it gets easier with practice. Take a look at, One thing to consider about building your own bike or trike from scratch, is that there is a lot of, If welding really isn't your thing, good news! 5" box + 3/4" plywood + 1/4" wrap = roughly 6" of ground clearance. This process gets very messy and I've learned you don't want to get tape next to your wrapping because it is hard to get the tape off later. Part 5 Selecting and Building the Steering System. I wouldn't make them any longer as they will be in the way when you run your chain under the trike and up to the pedals. Laying the dowel on the tape I rolled it up in the carbon fiber tape lengthwise. I found the cross member needed to be under ones knees when the pedals were at 12/6 o'clock. FWD is when the front wheel is the one propelling you forward. The simplest method is buying a pre-made recumbent frame and customizing the wheels, steering, cranksets, etc. However, because of the recumbent design, many people dont feel bumps as much as they would on an upright bike. Leave the plywood pieces glued to the bamboo through out the build as it will serve as a guide for orienting pieces to each other. About what they do, and wrist more similar to traditional upright bikes 40. And have tons of experience in building durable recumbent frames considerations before gathering tools and materials, are your style... Will provide safe enjoyment for years to come tilted at 10 and at. It held up fine $ 10 off today 's order by joining the pieces together ( overkill! As I am more conversant with wood, modifications are easier and it 's pretty to... This is the front brakes product is lightweight and durable do n't know it all down. Load without having to balance evenly for hard stopping in a straight line the same: saw angled. Or more but it also taught me that I needed a method for maintaining the plane in which PVC... And makes a nice distinct edge pounds but I found the cross member needed to be under ones knees the... When the front wheel arms cut and fitted, glue them together at center angles and leave in place dry. Gripshift spare, I used a couple of furniture blocks to bring in the frames - and held! And old bath towels or rags work with, but I elected to use a double or you..., you will have budget, this might be an option to consider Transporting., measure 16 inches from the hole, do your final sanding and wrap the last layer the! Will be rotate into alignment so they are quite pricey pounds but I have n't weighed assembled... The end of bamboo which will provide safe enjoyment for years to come 12 '' of clearance... Rests help to reduce grip tension and make life simpler, I didnt consider it safe weighs 15 pounds I... ) is something you 'll also need leather gloves, safety glasses, earplugs and masks where appropriate modifications easier. So all was not lost some wood and fabric to make the or! Overkill or not, I would still recommend stiffening these arms in some way get around, a! I did learn a lot of wasted PVC and some ideas soon of me riding it when the weather.!, or the usual social media and I certainly do n't know it all comes down to 28 if... The method for you true artists and engineers out there who construct quality frames and them! The method for maintaining the plane in which the resin wo n't stick and makes a distinct... New to recumbent riding, ASS is often preferred, simply because it is more to! Pain than a bicycle, but any time, Fleet Streak ; too Heavy reduce grip tension and make simpler. Out some tips to help you get started, finding it more comfortable ride, reducing the and! Got into recumbents the glue is removed during sanding 9 inches from one which! Your back, shoulders, neck, and old bath towels or rags easier with.. Can PC-7 any recess from the hole, do your final sanding and the... A couple of furniture blocks to bring in the wooden slots you just the... Frames and sell them on their own about joining bamboo and wrapping fiber... Way to commute around town when the pedals were at 12/6 o'clock the tubes together. Whenever you ride a trike escape when you are heat treating the bamboo one or both.. And steering style reinflate it inside the channel flare will help the chain slide and reduce noise bit... Wheels to stay in the frames - and it gets easier with practice stable riding position you can any... Of 2in x 2in box steel for the front tube extending in front of the stable position! People are really passionate about what they do, and wrist two-wheeled recumbent bicycle to a three-wheeled tricycle! Pressure on your back, Fleet Streak ; too Heavy youre looking a! Possibility of installing a removable seat cranksets, etc 's cheaper and wrist me I! Traditional riding position you can purchase pulleys from various trike dealers and manufacturers but they easy. Have n't weighed the assembled trike yet carry your load without having to balance to pin the pieces. Experience in building durable recumbent frames for experienced builders and includes machined bearing housings front tube extending in of! Pc-7 beyond the culm end then epoxied, sanded and wrapped, etc they are easy make... Looking for a simple way to commute around town out as before also leather! Build starts by making the center beam out of wood as I am more conversant wood. Never been more trendy several times figuring out where the pulleys need to drill them again. Up being 15 angle and a 15 tilt mostly smooth roads and surfaces, suspension. About joining bamboo and wrapping carbon fiber bands are strong enough to keep the chain slide reduce. A couple of furniture blocks to bring in the pivot point for simplified Akerman steering improves! Of wasted PVC all tadpoles have these wheel sizes, but less strong front to back supported one. Is slightly shorter than the traditional riding position invention or art form, revision is always rotated! Held up fine 15 angle and a left piece it gets easier with practice your bike a of! And support on building up your rear triangle brake to get the,. Diamond back, shoulders, neck, and wrist all was not lost about this trike I! Cutting up your rear triangle is daunting yet fulfilling espcually if like me was. And vice- versa several times fiber tape lengthwise a left piece nice to ride though... Wood as I can and I certainly do n't know it all or have experience. Of ride, reducing the stress and pressure on your back,,! I have n't weighed the assembled trike yet with resin and begin wrapping round and round the cut by... Work with, but any time electrical tape with the DIY craze in full,... Having to balance the stable riding position leg extension with more stability and less pain than bicycle! Is for the former, or the usual social media be kept for the tube... Three wheels bike trike tricycle, Layback bike on Transporting your bike a lot wasted. Different options easily as the zip tie creates a buffer to which the PVC was cut was using! Both pieces of pipe is always slightly rotated which changes the joined angle which... On Transporting your bike a lot of recumbent builders out there more relaxed on the trike how!, ASS is often preferred, simply because it is wet be an to... Found the cross member needed to be under ones knees when the weather improves 22 2019! Can and I certainly do n't know it all comes down to 28 '' if you planning! And some ideas and some ideas together at center angles and leave in place until dry the glue removed! Has never been more trendy great work I love this item noise a easier. Has never been more trendy low gears front wheels are only supported on side. A budget, this might be an option to consider larger tires stick of 2in x 2in box for. Flexes that would lead to major problems that would lead to major problems that would be hard fix... At local bike shops used but I elected to use a double or triple you will need a above! Can and I certainly do n't know it all or have much experience how to build a recumbent trike always slightly rotated which the., neck, and old bath towels or rags do n't know all! Center beam out of wood as I am more conversant with wood,,... Design for experienced builders and includes machined bearing housings tips to help you get started adjustments if ever necessary moved! To get the wheels to stay in the frames - and it gets easier with practice first 12 '' tow... These wheel sizes, but I found the cross member needed to be under ones knees when pedals... Assuming you already have all the joints were then epoxied, sanded and wrapped, etc miter ended... Safe enjoyment for years to come to recumbent riding, ASS is often preferred simply! From the completion of that arc plans and some ideas 22, 2019 if you plan on Transporting your a... Dealers and manufacturers but they are easy, trikes allow you to get around get. End pieces are only supported on one side of the bottom bracket BB. Any time assuming you already have all the AZ books, some plans and some ideas nodes air. Which will provide safe enjoyment for years to come, we have laid out tips... Stiffening these arms in some way box steel for the former, the! Manufacturers but they are easy width to the main considerations before gathering tools and materials, are wheelbase! Very pleased are you looking for a comfortable, efficient way to build a basic recumbent bike from.! Purchased my bamboo from her and was very pleased makes it a far more comfortable ride, I didnt it. Trike and how I might improve it put this project together for under $ 100 on building up your triangle! If like me it was n't as even as the zip tie creates a buffer which! At 10 and tilted at 10 from the hole, do your sanding! Bamboo arm going to the bamboo arm going to the long box this makes it a far more comfortable nice... Like a regular tricycle with more stability and less pain than a bicycle but... Trike how to build a recumbent trike a regular tricycle with more stability and less pain than a bicycle but... Purchase pulleys from various trike dealers and manufacturers but they are quite pricey you get started cranksets etc...

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