Critical Mass video with tall bikes

[livewirerc]

I've been riding in the Austin Critical Mass lately, and here's a 10 minute ride video I put together that features a couple tall bikes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jpXZj7x2KI

I figured y'all'd get a kick out of the video. Riding one-handed is always fun. :)

[DevilsGT2]

Haha, critical mass is so awesome. I just started going again after a 4-5 year hiatus, I had forgotten how fun it is. Yours looks pretty small compared to the one in SF, but enough to stop traffic that's for sure.

[Blue Jays]

I'd like to own one of those silly tall bikes, just for kicks. Looks like fun.

[oilfreeandhappy]

Cool. Some of those riders could use their seats adjusted though.

[wethepeople]

I'd like to own one of those silly tall bikes, just for kicks. Looks like fun.

I built one just for kicks, I didn't even think I would ride it much. But I'm glad I did, I commute on it most days now, funnest bike I have ever been on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/100_0914.jpg

[-=£em in Pa=-]

^^^^ Soooo cool !

[East Hill]

What's your spoke card, wtp? And is that a lighting system on the front?

East Hill

[Blue Jays]

wethepeople, very cool! Is there a peg on the opposite side of the bike to "boost" you into the saddle or do you just step on the chainstay once you get the bike rolling? Did you do all the brazing/welding or did you find a shop to incorporate your design? I don't have a metallurgy background, so I would need to find a good metalshop. I dig your bike...it probably gets tons of attention!

[hockeyteeth]

I believe his spoke card says "Bike Theft Deterent System". I thought about putting a sign on my tall bike which says "If you can ride it, it's yours" and just never lock it up. I doubt anyone would steal a tall bike unless you lived in Portland or some other bike-hippie epicenter.

I think I'll take some photos of my tall bike since this has become a "show and tell".

[wethepeople]

What's your spoke card, wtp? And is that a lighting system on the front?

East Hill

Spoke card says "Bike Theft Deterrent System, this bike is protected by a spoke card" It seems to be working too. And yes, thats my ghetto lighting system. a 9 LED light taped to a rack.

wethepeople, very cool! Is there a peg on the opposite side of the bike to "boost" you into the saddle or do you just step on the chainstay once you get the bike rolling? Did you do all the brazing/welding or did you find a shop to incorporate your design? I don't have a metallurgy background, so I would need to find a good metalshop. I dig your bike...it probably gets tons of attention!

Nope, no peg. I just step right onto the pedal and go. I did all the welding in a friends garage, just used an ordinary mig welder. If you want to build one but don't have a welder or anything you could probably hire some guy in a muffler shop to do it for you for a 12pack and some cash.

[Blue Jays]

How is the steerer connected all the way up to the upper frame and handlebars? There must be plans shown on the internet someplace!

[wethepeople]

I just cut the fork legs off of the top bike and ran a piece of gaspipe down to the other stem.

It is just two bike welded on top of each other after all.

[East Hill]

Spoke card says "Bike Theft Deterrent System, this bike is protected by a spoke card" It seems to be working too. And yes, thats my ghetto lighting system. a 9 LED light taped to a rack.


I tend to agree with hockeyteeth that the theft deterrent is the fact that it's a tallbike! Somewhat like me with my bikes--they are so small that virtually no normal size person would even try to ride one of them.

Your stuff is always great to see.

Hockeyteeth, we're looking for those pictures now.

East Hill

[kemmer]

I did a little write up when I built mine. It's on the interwebz somewhere, I'll see if I can find it if you're interested.

[East Hill]

I did a little write up when I built mine. It's on the interwebz somewhere, I'll see if I can find it if you're interested.

Always!

East Hill

[kemmer]

Here ya go! I have taken pictures during other builds, I really need to add them to that site.
http://kemmer.fotopic.net/

It looks a little different now, with little ape hangers and a 20" front wheel. I need to add some new seat stays cause the current ones keep bending.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1010049.jpg

[wethepeople]

20" front to keep from wheelieing?

[kemmer]

20" front to keep from wheelieing?

Yup.

[wethepeople]

What I found that really helped mine from wheelieing is tipping my ape hanger a bit further forward so they aren't quite lined up with the bars.

[East Hill]

I feel so inadequate! Here I am whinging about needing those tiny bikes, you guys are making me ashamed of myself :D .

Kemmer, you are obviously enjoying yourself too much on that bike! Yes, you need to add the other photos, you bum.

East Hill

[AverageCommuter]

Love those tall bikes that are also long. The one that the gal is riding near the end and the guy with what looks like suspenders. Does anyone know where I can see more like that? Those look like something I might have to try my hand at making.

[hockeyteeth]

Here is my tall bike:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/abetterseptember/tallbike002.jpg

The bottom frame is an old Fuji which is at least a 60cm, the top frame is a Peugeot which is a 56cm, I believe. So the bike as standing in the photo measures about 6' from the ground to the seat, considering it is rolling on 700c wheels.

I wish my friend and I hadn't built this thing so hastily, because we made a huge mistake while extending the fork - we just cut the steerer tube off completely and welded some EMT conduit to the fork crown. So now this beast has no headsets on either frame, causing the 3/4" conduit to shake violently in the head tubes when you ride. It's tons of fun!!!

*edit - sorry for the non-driveside photos.

[kemmer]

Those frames were way too nice to use on a tall bike if you ask me. (I know you didn't)

[hockeyteeth]

I painted both those frames, so they probably just look nicer to someone who has never seen them up close.

The Fuji was pretty rusted, so I didn't feel secure making it into anything other than a joke bike. The Peugeot was my faithful fixed gear conversion for a few months until it was mangled in a car wreck - the stays were totally misaligned.

I also just noticed that my fork is bent back a lot. It would probably help prevent tipping backwards if I fixed it rather than use a smaller front wheel.

[East Hill]

...the top frame is a Peugeot which is a 56cm, I believe.

I will not tell poor tolfan that his dream 56cm Peugeot is now incorporated into a tallbike :D .
[tolfan has been looking for a 56cm Pug as long as he has been a member!]

I like the red/white polarity going there.

East Hill

[kemmer]

I painted both those frames, so they probably just look nicer to someone who has never seen them up close.

The Fuji was pretty rusted, so I didn't feel secure making it into anything other than a joke bike. The Peugeot was my faithful fixed gear conversion for a few months until it was mangled in a car wreck - the stays were totally misaligned.

I also just noticed that my fork is bent back a lot. It would probably help prevent tipping backwards if I fixed it rather than use a smaller front wheel.

I was hoping it was something like that.

[livewirerc]

Just finished another video, (April Critical Mass), this time with four tallbikes and an assortment of other alt bikes to gawk at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta7x1iZFFlA

This time I actually put together a selection of clips from throughout the ride vs. just a few long shots. Let me know what y'all think.

[hockeyteeth]

I liked it! The edited video is much better.

[Architecture]

oh look, it's jason. what's up, dude? i'm hoping it isn't rainy come 5pm.