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Old 01-11-2013, 04:35 PM
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allessence allessence is offline
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Default Anybody ever build a bike?

Hi Guys.

This past August I got into Moutain biking.. I used to ride dirt bikes and stuff so it came sort of natural..

my first experiences were about getting pretty beat up since I was only riding my old touring bike with no suspension..

Soon after I bought a Full Suspension alum framed beauty.. one of these to be exact..

http://www.motobecane.com/ds/fpds.html



Then a few weeks later I came across a good deal on a 29R GT sensor 9R..

http://www.gtbicycles.com/2013/bikes...r-niner-expert

I have a 2012 model.


Both awesome bikes to have in the stable.

Recently i demo'd one of these.. Surly Moonlander also known as a FATbike.


http://surlybikes.com/bikes/moonlander


I decided the Moonlander though a nice bike I would like one in a full suspension.. Hence I think I might have to build one.

I like the frame on the 29r so it would primarily building a swingarm and front fork with modifications here and there..

So, figured I'd give you guys a try since there is lots of know how here..
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  #2  
Old 01-11-2013, 06:15 PM
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dubby dubby is offline
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Well, I've never built a bike, but I've assembled a couple way back when. Things have changed a lot since the '90s so I'm probably not much help when it comes to parts and pieces that'll work now.

I'd suggest you find the relevant measurements of the bikes you like, then try and find a full suspension frame that comes close. Then just pick and choose what components you want to throw on it. Actually it's a lot of fun, spending hours to find what you want and then seeing it come together.

Of course, sometimes you end up with parts that don't work as well as you thought, then you toss them aside and try something else.
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Old 01-11-2013, 06:36 PM
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allessence allessence is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dubby View Post
Well, I've never built a bike, but I've assembled a couple way back when. Things have changed a lot since the '90s so I'm probably not much help when it comes to parts and pieces that'll work now.

I'd suggest you find the relevant measurements of the bikes you like, then try and find a full suspension frame that comes close. Then just pick and choose what components you want to throw on it. Actually it's a lot of fun, spending hours to find what you want and then seeing it come together.

Of course, sometimes you end up with parts that don't work as well as you thought, then you toss them aside and try something else.
Thanks for the prompt response.

Bikes today really are pretty amazing machines.

there seems to be 3 mega producers of parts and then some smaller outfits..

Shimano, Sram, Capinigio..

Shimano and Sram are usually swappable..

The tires are 4.8" wide.. Hence fatbike..

I like the way the GT bike handles and the suspension is pretty sweet.. it has what is called an Idrive.

I was thinking of finding and Idrive frame and then modifiing the rear suspension to account for the extra width.

The bottom bracket has to be 100mm vs 68/70mm to accomidate the wider tire as well.


From website:

http://surlybikes.com/parts/lou_4point8



This is Lou, one of our 4.8˝ tires designed for 559mm (“26inch”) super wide rims such as our 100mm Clown Shoes. Together with our Bud 4.8, the two are, to quote one of our designers, “designed as a front and rear pair.” Exciting stuff. He goes on to say, “They are meant to be the wildest, gnarliest, oh my god my face is bleeding tires available. The footprint is massive (larger than Big Fat Larry) and the tread is aggressive. This combination is going to keep you moving in the most demanding soft conditions any bicycle will attempt. You could say these tires are 4.8˝ Nates, but they are so much more than that.” For example, their tread height is a staggering 7mm (6mm on Nates, 4.2mm on Larrys). They measure about 30.8˝ in diameter, inflated, and their casing is 120tpi with a Kevlar folding bead.

As mentioned, Lou is the rear tire. The shape of the tread is designed to paddle rather than steer. These tires are meant to broaden your horizons. Go try it.
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Jennifer

If I defend myself I am attacked.

My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.

My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability.

I'd like to think of something smart, but I don't want to hurt myself.

My google+ page

DoALL 36"
Another Johnson model J Project
Lathe? Maybe..... 1958 SBL 13"
Yeti Esseti Aka running welder on 3phase.

https://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums...860#post766860
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  #4  
Old 01-11-2013, 06:55 PM
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Hi,
I've built a few bikes over the years. Mostly road bikes.
Here is a link for some frame materials
http://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/

I'll post some other info if I can find them.

What material are you thinking of using?
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  #5  
Old 01-11-2013, 07:05 PM
carbon carbon is offline
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[QUOTE=allessence;526870]



I was thinking of finding and Idrive frame and then modifiing the rear suspension to account for the extra width.

The bottom bracket has to be 100mm vs 68/70mm to accomidate the wider tire as well.



QUOTE]

I like the idea of modifying an existing frame. There is alot more going on with the rear suspension geometry than most people could imagine.

From the work that I've seen here that has come out of your shop. I think you are more than capable for this project.
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  #6  
Old 01-11-2013, 07:12 PM
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here's some inspiration. the thread is mostly about his shop build but as it progresses he starts showing his custom jigs for welding up bikes.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=112578
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  #7  
Old 01-12-2013, 12:38 AM
AdreamSoReal AdreamSoReal is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lathedog View Post
here's some inspiration. the thread is mostly about his shop build but as it progresses he starts showing his custom jigs for welding up bikes.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=112578
Those are some damn cool bikes!
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  #8  
Old 01-11-2013, 07:13 PM
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Cant help with mountain bikes only thing I have built so far was a Tadpole trike " single rear wheel " for my grandson .


These guys dont do " mountain bikes " so to speak but you might get some ideas here at least on modifying factory parts to suit your needs .


http://www.atomiczombie.com/



I do plan to build one of these for myself but again not a mountain bike .


http://www.atomiczombie.com/Marauder...0Lowracer.aspx


Rick
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  #9  
Old 01-11-2013, 09:22 PM
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allessence allessence is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carbon View Post
Hi,
I've built a few bikes over the years. Mostly road bikes.
Here is a link for some frame materials
http://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/

I'll post some other info if I can find them.

What material are you thinking of using?
Alum Or titanium to keep weight to a minimum.. The tires on Fatbikes weigh a ton. More than likely I'll use alum.

[QUOTE=carbon;526875]
Quote:
Originally Posted by allessence View Post



I was thinking of finding and Idrive frame and then modifiing the rear suspension to account for the extra width.

The bottom bracket has to be 100mm vs 68/70mm to accomidate the wider tire as well.



QUOTE]

I like the idea of modifying an existing frame. There is alot more going on with the rear suspension geometry than most people could imagine.

From the work that I've seen here that has come out of your shop. I think you are more than capable for this project.

The Suspensions on modern bikes has come a long way in 20+ years. I get little to no bob at all when I am in the saddle of my GT pumping up a hill.

At this point I think it would be the fastest build up.. If I could come under 2K for the complete build I'd be pretty excited.

Do you happen to have a jig frame for your builds? Or do you make a jig as you go..

Thanks, Kind words.
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_________________
Jennifer

If I defend myself I am attacked.

My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.

My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability.

I'd like to think of something smart, but I don't want to hurt myself.

My google+ page

DoALL 36"
Another Johnson model J Project
Lathe? Maybe..... 1958 SBL 13"
Yeti Esseti Aka running welder on 3phase.

https://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums...860#post766860
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  #10  
Old 01-11-2013, 11:02 PM
carbon carbon is offline
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I used to have a jig years ago. This past summer I started thinking I would like to build some frames again. I'm thinking of using an aluminum extrusion to build a jig like the attached photo. I was out checking out some surplus extrusions two weeks ago. I'm thinking a couple hundred dollars in materials and some machining.

What I like about this type of frame jig is the ability to set the angles for the headtube and seat tube pretty easy to whatever you like. It can also be broken down for storage or repurposed for another project

I would replicate a tried and true geometry and make allowances for the monster tires.

Do you really need full suspension with those tires? Those tires provide quite a bit of suspension on their own. It would be a neat project to try though.

What are you thinking on the front fork (suspension?)
Modifying a suspension fork by either sectioning the fork crown wider or machining a new wider fork crown?
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