Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Bars full - dashboard construction planning help.

Hello.

My bars are currently full of crap, and I'd like to mount them more efficiently than just bungie-corded to the bars.

Current bars:

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3498/gpsqt6.jpg

GPS, Speakers, and (not pictured) 3W CREE LED Flashlight and 1W Luxeon Flashlight (bungee corded to threaded headset reflector mount, which you can kinda see)

My plan is to take out the headset reflector mount (2mm thick at the keyed washer portion) and replace it with a piece of sheet metal upon which I can bungee down my speakers and flashlight, install a screw for mounting a camera, and leaving the GPS on the bars.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2664/dashboardmq0.png

My questions:

1. is .7mm thick steel recycled from a computer case thick enough to do what I require without dropping my electronics all over the road?

2. Any good ideas for a good "quick-release" system at the purple dotted line portion?

I love my gadgets! :D

Contact these guys (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/nyregion/29bikes.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) for some tips on how to get more stuff on your bike.

You might try the commuting or long distance cycling forums for an answer.

ya freek ya

1 - I suspect the steel will not be strong enough. too bendy.
2 - no idea

DANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

You plan on leaving any room for your hands to steer with???

I love just getting out and riding and getting away from everything. I can't imagine taking all that stuff with me. But if thats what you like, more power to you and good luck with your project.

No one will ever accuse you of being a weight weenie, that for sure!!!!:D;)

For materials, I'd go with either wood or plastic. You can get sheets of opaque plexiglass from pretty much any big hardware store. You can cut it, drill holes, and it's pretty cheap. Make sure you sand the edges or tape them so they're rounded off; plexi is pretty sharp when you cut it. Be aware that it does shatter on impact.) This could be an issue if you ever do a panic stop and go over the handlebars.) Wood would also work.

You might also want to consider something for cable routing. You can cram more gadgets in less space because you don't need room for the cords. (That doesn't seem like all that much room, but it adds up. A half inch saved is worth it.)

If your camera has a tripod mount, you might get use that to attach it to the board.

But... the largest thing you have on here is the speakers. You might consider modifying a bottle cage to hold the speakers, juat mounting the MP3 player on the dash.

If you have the steel grooved it will add strength. Find a machine shop or body shop that has a bead roller. You can add design and be functional. Remember the best way is form follows function, not the other way around.

Nitto handlebar extension-the big one.

1 - I suspect the steel will not be strong enough. too bendy.
Think I can get away with JB-welding two layers together, making 1.4mm of steel + a layer of jb weld?

moose67, what does it mean to "groove" steel?

neilfein, why not steel? Maybe steel with a jb-welded layer of wood? JB WELD IS KING! I'm not putting the speakers in a cage because I like them near me and pointed at my head when I'm riding. I'm considering just putting a rear rack on the front (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=381494) to hold lights and speakers. It'll look stupid, but who cares?

neilfein, why not steel?

I was thinking about weight. but plastic and wood are easier to work with. Although if you have the tools to do this in metal, awesome.


I'm considering just putting a rear rack on the front (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=381494) to hold lights and speakers. It'll look stupid, but who cares?

How about using a seatpost rack on the front of the bike as a frame for this? If you get something simple, you might be able to curve it upwards if you have the equipment to soften the metal. It's doubtful if you can get the clamp to fit right out of the box, but there might be a way to rig it.

It's cool that you're carrying all of that stuff, but none of it's waterproof. What happens when it rains? Do you just not ride?

It's cool that you're carrying all of that stuff, but none of it's waterproof. What happens when it rains? Do you just not ride?
I live in Southern California. It rains for maybe two weeks out of the year. I simply skip the electronics if I really need to ride, but I usually just stay indoors if it's wet and I don't need to ride. I don't need most of the electronics if I'm simply commuting to school in the rain, for which all I need are my lights, but the GPS really helps if I'm going somewhere new. The speakers just keep me entertained.

I don't find any of my gadgets to be annoyances, I rather enjoy their unique addition to my cycling experience.

I don't plan on rocking a fully loaded electronics-mobile on a day-to-day basis, rather I will switch things out as needed. I like my camera for when I'm doing interesting rides in a nice location with something cool to capture on video (like a descent), the lights for night rides, the GPS for new areas, the stereo for all the time. :)

The seatpost rack is a good idea, but I'm going to try to fix my rear rack on the front idea. Right now I'm having trouble with getting around the fork tubing. I'll get some washers and longer bolts tomorrow at Lowes.

How do you feel about double handlebars? This link (http://thirdwave-websites.com/bike/surly-long-haul-trucker.cfm#stembars) contains links to a half-dozen sites that describe alternatives.

http://thirdwave-websites.com/bike/surly-long-haul-front.jpg

I think the OP's bike has reached a point where riding is more about gadgets than actual riding.

I like the OP's approach. Definately love the idea of extending some of the area for some other items. Riding often can get boring and adding up some extra gear always keeps me going more and more and wanting to ride more.

To each thier own and more power to the OP.

Are you kidding me 1 speedmeter and one light is all you need what are you doing with a stero on a bicycle and what would you need a camera for. Good luck with it all.

I would go for a fork-mounted or brake-caliper mounted light or lights rather than put them on the bars. For speakers, you can probably velcro some smaller speakers on to your top bar, ala those Bento Boxes you see.

Don't put too much crap in front, as it will interfere with handling and safety.

I would go for a fork-mounted or brake-caliper mounted light or lights rather than put them on the bars. For speakers, you can probably velcro some smaller speakers on to your top bar, ala those Bento Boxes you see.

Don't put too much crap in front, as it will interfere with handling and safety.


Handling will be less affected if you keep massive objects, like battery-filled flashlights and possibly the PDA, as close to the head tube axis as possible - they contribute minumum moment of inertia.

So, if the Dell can go on the stem extension and the headlamps on the fork blades, that frees up your bar tops for a cycling computer and the audio, and minimizes added "swinginess" in the handlebars at low speed. I would guess it's not perceptible at higher speeds, say 13 mph or greater.

Speaking of stereo, how's the imaging?

If you go to Nuvistors, you could design a miniaturized vacuum-tubed 'bar stereo! (LOL)

Road Fan

Go to your local autobody shop. I'm sure they can weld a 12" x 12 " tray to your bars. 1/4 inch diamond plate might look nice. Should only add 10 or 12 lbs.

Kinda silly having all that crap on your bars isn't it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190196427644&ih=009&category=22689&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:ENDSOON#SLIDESHOW

This part of BF is like lifting a rock in your backyard and finding millions of Freds crawling around.

Be sure to save some space to cut a hole to store your shaving mug, brush, mirror and kitchen sink :rolleyes:

Glad to see you're at least using speakers instead of earbuds. Be safe.

Be sure to save some space to cut a hole to store your shaving mug, brush, mirror and kitchen sink :rolleyes:

Glad to see you're at least using speakers instead of earbuds. Be safe.

I think the way all the gadgets are mounted to the bars makes the bike much more unsafe than using earbuds. Looks like the bike would have very poor handling and the op might be distracted fiddling with all those gadgets.

Where on earth do you ride carrying all that stuff? I can't see you going very far as the bike probably wouldn't be all that comfy without all the hand positions but then you have a huge gps unit which I could only see the need for if you are going a considerable distance.

Just get an edge 605 and an mp3 player with earbuds and turn off the mp3 player in urban areas so you can hear what's going on around you.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/40-1409-NCL-TOP.jpg

Just put one of these on the bars

What about a set of aero bars, with a panel between them? Then you'd have a tray AND a place to rest at traffic lights when you tire of pushing all that stuff around.

Something like this picture. Then you can mount your lights out the sides. Its all centre-line stuff, you you're not worrying too much about weight left vs right.

(Note dodgy MSpaint sketch in homage to your original).

Jim

I would really go the opposite and take stuff off the bars!

1. lose the speakers and move the mp3 into your back pocket, using one earphone
2. get one of those tiny Dinotte lights instead of the flashlights
3. get a mapping GPS and put it in your rear pocket - you're not going to get lost, right?




Contact these guys (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/nyregion/29bikes.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) for some tips on how to get more stuff on your bike.
Oh geez I think I road in back of one of them on the MS bike tour - pretty good sound!


http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/40-1409-NCL-TOP.jpg

Just put one of these on the barsThat actually looks very clean.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/40-1409-NCL-TOP.jpg



I use one of these when I need to practice for the philharmonic while on the go.

You do not need any kind of music destracting you on the road. Your rear vision is your hearing you need to hear the cars comming from behind you to be safe. Please be safe and don't make the bikers ths problem on the road.

You do not need any kind of music destracting you on the road. Your rear vision is your hearing you need to hear the cars comming from behind you to be safe. Please be safe and don't make the bikers ths problem on the road.

I know two deaf cyclists. Somebody better tell them that they better stop riding or they'll get killed!

Seriously... being able to hear the hundreds of cars that pass me everyday ISN'T that important... And half the time I can't hear them over the wind noise, anyway.

Contact these guys (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/nyregion/29bikes.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) for some tips on how to get more stuff on your bike.


that gets my vote for the most idiotic, ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Is that really a support leg off the back under the woofers?



As for the people in this thread that think steel isn't strong enough to hold lights and mp3 players I have 2 words: angle iron.

That stuff holds up cars.