Utility Cycling - Vik's Big Dummy - it's alive!

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I finally got the beast rolling this AM. I was impressed that the Rohloff didn't need to be adjusted and shifted great right away. I was also happy the Rohloff didn't make as much noise as I had anticipated - in fact in a lot of the gears I couldn't hear it at all.

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You know you have an interesting bike on your hands when 3 busy LBS mechanics drop what they are doing and come outside for a test ride...;)

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When I got home I threw all my painted Xtracycle goodies on it and finally was able to see the whole enchilada.

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I still need to add the disc brake guard and the Rohloff chain guide, but the Big Dummy is rideable at long last....:D

Sorry for the craptacular pics....I didn't have time to do any better and wanted to post something for all the board members that have followed this saga!

Hi Vik,

I understand the advantages of the Rohloff. But what do you think of the limited number of spokes (32 ... right?) for the rear wheel of a utility bike?

-G

I just saw an earlier thread on your Big Dummy Vik including the posts regarding the rear wheel.

Frankly I'm taking this opportunity to validate all the claims I've heard about Rohloff hubs. I'm a skeptic and the long, long, long bike build process was a direct result of the lack of availability of Rohloff parts. If I had decided to use a standard MTB drive train I would have had this bike on the road in a day or two after the frame arrived as opposed to more than 6 weeks later...and for much less $$$.

Perhaps after a summer of riding I'll drink the Rohloff kool-aid and overlook the numerous problems reported on the Thorn Rohloff Forums and the scarcity of spare parts in favour of the hub's reliability and minimal need for maintenance??? Part of the reason I got a Rohloff for the Big Dummy is that I can live without this bike for a while in the event of a problem that requires significant down time.

I will say that at one point last night I thought I had damaged the hub [wouldn't shift at all] and envisaged a long period while I tried to get advice/repairs on how to fix it. In my frustration I made a hasty decision to pull the hub from the BD and install an off the shelf MTB drive train rather than deal with more frustration and delays. In my wisdom I took 10 mins to drink a beer and calm down. Then I tore down the hub [as far as I had before] and did some trouble shooting to find out I had installed a small pinion gear upside down. Problem solved.

Having ridden a few KMs on the hub I am pleased so far and my negative feelings from last night are evaporating. Although I'm tempted to stock up on a few Rohloff specific parts just in case.

I'm still not convinced I'd choose one of these hubs for a long tour in Mexico, Central Am or South Am, but who knows perhaps I'll change my mind with use....?

Sorry for the ramble, but I'm fascinated by my love/hate relationship with the Rohloff...LMAO...;)

Did you ever consider putting a tandem hub on the rear? Or would spreading the Big Dummy's rear dropouts just be a baaaaaaad idea?

-G

Did you ever consider putting a tandem hub on the rear? Or would spreading the Big Dummy's rear dropouts just be a baaaaaaad idea?

-G

A tandem standard dérailleur hub or a tandem Rohloff hub? I think a normal 26" rear wheel with 36 or 40 spokes would be strong enough for the use I'll put my BD through [I'm 150-160lbs]. The undished Rohloff is supposed to be as strong as a 40H tandem wheel.

I probably wouldn't spread the dropouts on a Big Dummy - less because I think it would be a problem, but rather because I tend to use what the bike designers had in mind for the frame. If Surly designed it for a 135mm MTB wheel that's what I'll use - up until the point I have an issue.

A tandem standard dérailleur hub or a tandem Rohloff hub?

A standard derailer hub. I would be a way to get a crazy strong wheel on the rear without the Rohloff.

I don't have the background to effectively evaluate Rohloff's claims ...

Hmmmm, taken further, other than simply anecdotal stories, I really don't have the background to evaluate how much stronger a 48-spoke tandem hub-wheel would be compared to a 36-spoke MTB hub-wheel either.

Rear wheels have given this 190-pound rider some issues lately. The 36-spoke rear wheel on my Jamis Nova which I use as a commuter has always given me trouble. I essentially have to true it two or three times a year according to use. I even had to true the 32-spoke rear wheel on the Bike Friday ... although that was from a heart-stopper when I had a pedal strike and the bike slid sideways for a foot.

A standard derailer hub. I would be a way to get a crazy strong wheel on the rear without the Rohloff.

I don't have the background to effectively evaluate Rohloff's claims ...

Hmmmm, taken further, other than simply anecdotal stories, I really don't have the background to evaluate how much stronger a 48-spoke tandem hub-wheel would be compared to a 36-spoke MTB hub-wheel either.

Rear wheels have given this 190-pound rider some issues lately. The 36-spoke rear wheel on my Jamis Nova which I use as a commuter has always given me trouble. I essentially have to true it two or three times a year according to use. I even had to true the 32-spoke rear wheel on the Bike Friday ... although that was from a heart-stopper when I had a pedal strike and the bike slid sideways for a foot.

Yeah it is hard to compare such things...my touring bike has a 32H 700c rear wheel and I toured some really rough roads [+ a bit of offroad] on it in Baja without having to touch it with a spoke wrench.

I didn't get the Rohloff because it was a stronger wheel than a 36H or 40H MTB wheel. It got it because I've always wanted one and was interested in seeing if it was as maintenance/trouble free as I've read.

Nice build. Vik.

I've got a couple of Rohloffs now. I've carried some ugly loads, and gotten nothing but trouble free work from them. There is a break-in period, but you will be happy with the money you've spent.

That must be a long bike, w/ perspective in the 1st 3 pics it looks like your rear wheel is on a 24" rim kinda...

Nice build. Vik.

I've got a couple of Rohloffs now. I've carried some ugly loads, and gotten nothing but trouble free work from them. There is a break-in period, but you will be happy with the money you've spent.

Thanks Allen....having experienced Rohloff folks like you to bounce ideas/problems off makes me feel better jumping into something totally new like this...:o

Hardy - it is really long...I've hit several things today as I wheeled the bike around forgetting I had the extra length to deal with. My wheels are dual 26" hoops - although Surly does talk about the idea of putting a smaller wheel on the back...I'm not that adventurous to try it...;)

Looks great Vik, enjoy!

(cue applause track)

Nicely done, Vik! A sincere congrats on getting it built!

:beer:

I've started a Big Dummy Blog here (http://www.viks-bigdummy.com/)...if anyone has anything they'd like to contribute [photos, ride reports, etc...] I'd be happy to post them....:)

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Wow - had a blast my first real day of dummy riding. Picked up a friend from work and we rode around taking care of some errands. The dummy was pretty easy to handle with a passenger in rush hour traffic - easier than I expected. I eventually dropped her off at home and went to collect another friend for dinner and a movie. It was really nice to be able to talk to someone while riding and far more sociable than going for a ride with someone else.

The Rohloff continues to impress - especially when you are at the bottom of a steep hill in the wrong gear with a passenger. So easy to just shift standing still.

My passengers had fun and one of them has already ordered an Xtracycle for her MTB.

BTW - the H-bars are awesome. I'm really glad I gave them a try...:p

Looking forward to more Big Dummy adventures tomorrow...:)

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Vik, that is a sweet ride. I'm curious and too lazy to add it up. What was the final price tag (if you bought it all new)? It seems to me like a pretty perfect setup for a hard core utility bike.

Vik, I've been following this build for weeks now - thanks for sharing. I think there's a lot of us "kicking the tires" on doing a rohloff-based project bike and it's been great to hear how it's been going, especially from CDN availability standpoint.

I look forward to hearing about how the BD enables you day-to-day. I'm still struggling w/bob trailer+std bike vs. dummy in my mind.

Hope the calgary spring warms up for ya!

Mike

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I spent the day riding the Big Dummy with my friend Kurt. We decided to take his MTB to a LBS 15kms away for some serious overhauling. On the way we encountered snow and ice - yikes!

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Everywhere we went the BD enjoyed lots of positive attention.


Vik, that is a sweet ride. I'm curious and too lazy to add it up. What was the final price tag (if you bought it all new)? It seems to me like a pretty perfect setup for a hard core utility bike.



Yes - my guess for the total cost of this BD is ~$3500, but I think you could build a totally serviceable Big Dummy for about 50% of that with a standard MTB drive train and less bling parts.


Vik, I've been following this build for weeks now - thanks for sharing. I think there's a lot of us "kicking the tires" on doing a rohloff-based project bike and it's been great to hear how it's been going, especially from CDN availability standpoint.

I look forward to hearing about how the BD enables you day-to-day. I'm still struggling w/bob trailer+std bike vs. dummy in my mind.

Hope the calgary spring warms up for ya!

Mike

Mike - I have to say I am really impressed so far in the utility department and simply how much fun the BD is to ride around. I have a BOB and think it is a good trailer, but the BD is far more versatile.

If you want to explore the whole idea you could add an Xtracycle to your MTB for a reasonable cost and either you'll be totally satisfied and not want a BD or you can get a BD and use 80% of the Xtracycle kit on your BD and sell the Free Radical separately.

Vik, I've been following this build for weeks now - thanks for sharing. I think there's a lot of us "kicking the tires" on doing a rohloff-based project bike and it's been great to hear how it's been going, especially from CDN availability standpoint.

Hi Mike,

If you want a Rohloff you can order it from Rarified (http://www.rarifiedonline.com/) in Okotoks Alberta [just outside of Calgary] that's where I got mine. They also carry Ortleb, Surly, Brompton and a few other bike items. Nice folks....:)

Hi Mike,

If you want a Rohloff you can order it from Rarified (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39342780@N00/2261080129/sizes/o/) in Okotoks Alberta [just outside of Calgary] that's where I got mine. They also carry Ortleb, Surly, Brompton and a few other bike items. Nice folks....:)

Is that an,... xtracycled,....suspended,... recumbent?!!!!:eek:

Is that an,... xtracycled,....suspended,... recumbent?!!!!:eek:

ummmm.....not sure what you mean????...:o

ummmm.....not sure what you mean????...:o

Your link to Rarified in the post above points to a flicker page with this (below) image.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2261080129_348a063d38.jpg

Your link to Rarified in the post above points to a flicker page with this (below) image.


Thanks Allen....the link to Rarified (http://www.rarifiedonline.com/) has been fixed...:p

What a lovely bike, Vik. :)

Thanks Allen....the link to Rarified (http://www.rarifiedonline.com/) has been fixed...:p

They carry Rohloff? Huh? I googled "rarified alberta" and when that site popped up I though it was a Williams & Sonoma type store.

Did you see the fancy Danish bike bell on that site, Allen?

I missed that. I did see the basket you like, the girly girl one.

They carry Rohloff? Huh? I googled "rarified alberta" and when that site popped up I though it was a Williams & Sonoma type store.

Their website doesn't cover everything they carry and they aren't going to have 3 Rohloffs sitting on the shelf, but they are a Rohloff dealer and will order one in for you.

Did you see the fancy Danish bike bell on that site, Allen?

That bell sounds really nice as well as looking great. I don't have a bike nice enough to put one on though....:o

That bell sounds really nice as well as looking great. I don't have a bike nice enough to put one on though....:o
You're joking, right? :eek: You just put together an incredible bike.

You're joking, right? :eek: You just put together an incredible bike.

My Big Dummy is a super cool bike, but it isn't "nice" enough for that bell. This bike from Clever Cycles (http://clevercycles.com/) would be worthy of that bell!

http://clevercycles.com/blog/images/2008/03/p1020287.jpg

I got to ride a girly version of that bike. So sweet and smooth. :) You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. I think your longtail is definitely good enough for that bell.

I got to ride a girly version of that bike. So sweet and smooth. :) You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. I think your longtail is definitely good enough for that bell.
I think so too.

The link still points to the flikr site.

The link still points to the flikr site.

I changed the link to Rarified in my posts, but here it is again (http://www.rarifiedonline.com/).

I changed the link to Rarified in my posts, but here it is again (http://www.rarifiedonline.com/).
D'oh!

Clicked on the link quoted in my post!:o

Think I'll stop posting 'till I've had a couple of days off.

Still think you have a great looking bike. Can I still come round for a test ride? Never have tried a Rohloff.

D'oh!

Clicked on the link quoted in my post!:o

Think I'll stop posting 'till I've had a couple of days off.

Still think you have a great looking bike. Can I still come round for a test ride? Never have tried a Rohloff.

Yeah for sure....I live right downtown so as long as you don't mind meeting someplace central we can sort out a test ride for you...:)

Just PM me with some suggestions for a good time to get together.

Your bike kicks ass, Vik.


That bell is made by Sögreni (http://www.sogreni.dk/). They make some cool looking stuff. I'm especially fond of their chainguard.

Your link to Rarified in the post above points to a flicker page with this (below) image.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2261080129_348a063d38.jpg
Looks like a Freerider (http://www.cruzbike.com/freerider.html) with a first grade rocket pack.

http://www.trickstuff.de/cmsgallery/20070914114834bb6008_lg.jpg

Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but apparently with this BB adapter (http://www.trickstuff.de/index.php?p=d116en1) you can run shimano cranks/BB [external I assume] and skip the chain tensioner for a cleaner look.

I haven't used any of the fancy new external bearing BB/cranks and probably won't any time soon, but I thought I'd post this in case anyone was interested.

http://www.trickstuff.de/cmsgallery/20070914114834bb6008_lg.jpg

Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but apparently with this BB adapter (http://www.trickstuff.de/index.php?p=d116en1) you can run shimano cranks/BB [external I assume] and skip the chain tensioner for a cleaner look.

I haven't used any of the fancy new external bearing BB/cranks and probably won't any time soon, but I thought I'd post this in case anyone was interested.

Nice find Vik.

Given the reference to 24mm axles, yes, I believe it is designed for the new external BB cranks.

...because you can never have too much bike porn....:eek:;)

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Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but apparently with this BB adapter (http://www.trickstuff.de/index.php?p=d116en1) you can run shimano cranks/BB [external I assume] and skip the chain tensioner for a cleaner look.
.
I have read, that even if you get the chain length right, there is still too much chain slap caused by frame
flex to allow you to go without the tensioner. That was with standard xtracycles though. Don't know if
the Dummy is stiff enough to bypass that problem.

I have read, that even if you get the chain length right, there is still too much chain slap caused by frame
flex to allow you to go without the tensioner. That was with standard xtracycles though. Don't know if
the Dummy is stiff enough to bypass that problem.

I had that problem with my xtracycle. I have no idea if it is an issue with the BD, but the tensioner couldn't hurt.

I guess that there were no issues with the front rack and the disc brakes. I bud of mine ran into some interference issues with his Waterford tourer. I have little experience with disc brakes, so I don't know whether his bike was a special case.

...because you can never have too much bike porn....:eek:;)

http://bp0.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/SB-NJoJl2oI/AAAAAAAAFJw/bEL7CkNEAi0/s400/bd+chain+guide+2.JPG

http://bp1.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/SB-NJ4Jl2pI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/EVR1CGjj_68/s400/BD+chain+guide+1.JPG

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http://bp3.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/SB-YCYJl24I/AAAAAAAAFLw/FwJFlOBhNwY/s400/vik+BD.jpg

Gaaa gaaaa gurgle gaaa gaaaa. :D

What the bunglesnort is goin' on, Vik? Tell us more about the good lovin' stuff happening in these photos, man!

You can't post that porn and not give the lurid details! What's that mad chain stabilizer doohicky on your seat tube?

Your bike kicks ass, Vik.


That bell is made by Sögreni (http://www.sogreni.dk/). They make some cool looking stuff. I'm especially fond of their chainguard.

Thanks Allen....it turned out well and most important of all it rides really nice. A satisfying experience after what felt like the longest bike build known to man!...:eek:


I have read, that even if you get the chain length right, there is still too much chain slap caused by frame
flex to allow you to go without the tensioner. That was with standard xtracycles though. Don't know if
the Dummy is stiff enough to bypass that problem.

Yeah you may be right - although it would be hard to know without trying. I'm not a fan of the new external bearing BBs so this concept isn't particularly attractive to me in any case, but I thought other folks might be interested enough to try it - perhaps not in a Big Dummy/Xtracycle - maybe in a totally different bike???


I guess that there were no issues with the front rack and the disc brakes. I bud of mine ran into some interference issues with his Waterford tourer. I have little experience with disc brakes, so I don't know whether his bike was a special case.

Several models of Old Man Mountain racks [including this Cold Springs racks] are designed specifically to work with bikes that have disc brakes and suspension forks so they'll mount onto just about any bike you have. I've got 4 OMM racks - they work well and the guys who make them are super nice - great service.


Gaaa gaaaa gurgle gaaa gaaaa. :D

What the bunglesnort is goin' on, Vik? Tell us more about the good lovin' stuff happening in these photos, man!

You can't post that porn and not give the lurid details! What's that mad chain stabilizer doohicky on your seat tube?

Sorry....lol...there are some more details on my Big Dummy Blog (http://www.viks-bigdummy.com), but specifically that doohicky is a Rohloff XC Chain Guide (http://www.rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/chain_guide_cc/index.html).

Mugatu says..."...those Rohloff Chain Guides are sooooo hot right now!!!"...;)

http://www.rohloff.de/uploads/pics/chainguide_01.jpg

Dylster: "Hi, I'm Dylster and I love Vik's H-Bar."

Group: "Hiiiii, Dylster."

That second picture looks especially neat...the WW II Army Bicycle!

There was a post somewhere about how to carry a bike on a bike, and I think you answered that one.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/SCJbZtCGO8I/AAAAAAAAFMw/iZgjHsYxJ8Y/s400/bd+test+3.JPG

I met up with Forum member Coldfeet so he could try out the Dummy. He seemed to enjoy the Green Beast and it was really nice chatting with someone who appreciated the finer points of Big Dummy/Xtracycle rigs...:)

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Once Graham and I parted ways I gave my friend Sarah a ride to dinner. She had the good fortune to be the first passenger to try out my snap deck padding - she gave it a 2 thumbs up review..:D

Not only is the cushion comfy, but it takes the military/stealth edge off the Dummy for those kinder gentler cargo hauling moments...lol...;)