General Cycling Discussion - So has anyone here built a bike?

Howdy,

So I've always wanted to build my own bike. Does anyone here have experince with building bikes? I've always doodled bike designs here and there. I'd love to build a few to see if they would actually work. I've considered different materials too. I saw a link for a homemade carbon-fiber monoframe bike. I've seen links for bamboo bikes. Hey what about a bike made of lexan (a plastic that is much stronger and lighter than steel)? That would be cool if the lexan was clear too. :)

Well just wanted to ask the question.

Thanks
Wayneburg

Depends how crazy you want to get. If you just want a lugged steel bike, they can be home-built fairly easily (you need to pay a lot of attention to cutting the ends of the tubes, cold-setting the lugs to the right angles and jigging it up properly, and of course you have to know how to braze).

TIG welded steel or aluminum is slightly harder, as you don't have the lugs to hold the tubes in place, so the jigging has to be better.

Carbon is definately possible, but not as easy as metal. Basically start off by carving the basic shape in high density foam (glued onto an existing frame or some other framework to make life a little easier, or just cut it out from a large sheet and shape with files and sandpaper), then take a female mold from that. Then, fit an aftermarket BB shell, head tube and dropouts (www.framebuilder.com) (or you could make your own) to the mold, taking great care to make sure everything's aligned properly, and lay up the carbon fibre and resin into the mould, bonding the BB, headtube and drops in place.

Lexan would be a different kettle of fish altogether, I wouldn't know where to start with that, but it'd sure be interesting.

*Disclaimer: These are basic guidlines only, don't blame me if you try something and screw it up or if the frame snaps after 200 yards. I suggest you consult as many experts as possible if you decide to build a frame or any parts. I cannot be held responsible for you or anyone else's actions as a result of reading this post. Have a nice day :)

for a strat I suggest you use steel (CrMO or air hardened).

easier to work with. to date I had made 3 frames. 2 recumbents, 1 roadie.

Lexan. That would be an educational experience and why "stronger than steel" doesn't mean anything when speaking of tension, torsion, elongation and other parameters when it comes to structures.

There is a reason they don't make bridges out of Lexan.
Also, I think Lexan is not UV resistant..I could be wrong.

I met someone who built his own frame and it was beautiful. He claimed it wasn't very difficult. Bike frames aren't rocket science but it might as well be to me!