Cyclebum

Considering what is hauled about by bicycle in Asia and Africa, a piano is really not too far fetched.

tcs

Don't forget this.

tcs

Pianos, by the very nature of the instrument, are heavy. They need a strong frame to withstand the tension of all those strings, plus a large sound board. The touring cyclists are thinking about weight, as they are wont to do. Let's further look at this as musicians. Pianos have complicated actions that don't take well to being jostled around. You'll have this one constantly in the out of doors, so you'll need to protect it from moisture (including dew & condensate) and from road shock and vibration. There'll be no protecting your piano from extremes of temperature, so expect to spend lots of time retuning.

You won't be the first one to take to the field with a keyboard. During WWII, the US military deployed a lot of keyboards, including some very special military grade Steinways! But note the duece and a half (big truck) in that picture! Mostly the military sent out highly portable, rugged 'Chaplain's organs' (harmoniums) that could be backpacked.

I admire the way you have a vision and you're undeterred. That said, there are virginals and reed organs that would travel better and snug right down on a common bike trailer.

thenomad

Cool site, cool idea!

Other than a different instrument, the smallest piano seems like a good place to start. Not sure if there is an attachment to amplify the soundbox to create a larger sound. Lighter materials for the box seem important (carbon fiber etc). Make the piano and the weight in the piano as low as possible. Seeing the inner workings is pretty cool.
As for the design, if you're looking at the same layout as you have on your site I'd suggest larger wheels, like beefy 24" or 20" workman style wheels at the four corners. Tough frame integrated into the piano's frame. Large 180 or 200mm hydraulic discs at each corner. Maybe even camber in the rear wheels to help with stability.
Depending on weight it may need some lightweight alloy scooter wheels.
Large solar panels could charge a battery assist on long flats.

Sounds expensive.


Sounds expensive.

stevepusser

If you are trying to avoid hills, forget about the Southern Tier route across the Peninsular Ranges east of San Diego. You'll reach elevations of over 4000 feet, with long stretches of 6-7% grades, and some short stretches of up to 15% along the frontage roads of Interstate 8. I guess the ACA just starts in San Diego because it's closest to the southern border. I would bet the easiest crossing in San Diego County might be Hwy 76 east out of Oceanside--but even that has a big climb of up to 8-9% from 800 feet at Rincon to 3000 feet at the Palomar junction. Other than that section, the grades are pretty easy. There's several very hairy miles of shoulderless, busy highway west of I-15 on that hwy, though.

Perhaps starting in Orange County south of LA, taking the Whittier Narrows into the Inland Empire, then the Banning Pass over to Palm Springs and then south to the Salton Trough would be easiest for a massive load. I still imagine there's plenty of hills in Arizona, though.

tcs

And then there's the southern end of the Rockies in New Mexico. And you'd want to swing around south of the Texas Hill Country.

I see in the video on your (the OP) website one cyclist towing and one cyclist pushing the old piano to move it down city streets. Hmm.

unterhausen

don't think there are too many routes that are flat enough for a piano. Carbon fiber is hygroscopic, so you have to worry about that

pianobike

Correct, and it helps a lot, but it was never necessary. The two of us switch off playing piano together so we switch off biking as the other pushes. Also, that piano was really heavy. A full upright grand, the thing weighs like 600 pounds. Where the carbon fiber piano could weight less than 250, and without wheelbarrow wheels like the one used on this trailer the rolling efficiency would be greatly increased, not to mention the gearing ratios.

I know it's an outlandish idea, and realistically I don't know if it's possible, but if I can gain interest to a level of sponsorship from piano and bicycle manufacturers to help create something that might meet more desired specs than it is more possible.

Also, this wouldn't necessarily, and hopefully won't be, a solo adventure. Help pushing over any passes might be a must! Maybe from even two extra people.

pianobike

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I didn't even know what hygroscopic meant before looking it up. That's interesting that it has that quality about it because a few piano manufacturers are beginning to use carbon fiber soundboards (the really thin pieces of wood in a diagonal direction in the back of the piano) because it is highly resistant to changes in humidity. It seems odd that it carries that characteristic yet it is hygroscopic. What might the hygroscopic nature of carbon fiber mean in the application of a the piano that is primarily outdoors?

pianobike

Thanks for the details! Really appreciate it.

aaronmcd

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!

aaronmcd

Even at that weight it would be REALLY hard to climb. If you are really strong cyclist you could pull that thing up 8% grades at 4 mph for an hour or more. But you don't want to be cooked after an hour, and what if the grade goes up for even 100 yards? You can't really gain a bunch of speed to power up those hills with a piano. I'd say if there are any real hills you'd need extremely low gearing. Like 13 or 14 gear inches.

pianobike

Thanks Aaron for the feedback, it is really helpful! I am planning on using the Rohloff TwinTraveller hub or their speed hub. I can't see on their tech sheets the conversion to gear inches, so I'm not sure if the hub alone will provide enough gear inches to do the job, but I could possibly combine with a geared crankset if needed, though the current design is set up so that the front end is kind of like a penny farthing.

The rear two wheels of the pianobike will have places for other cyclists to take off their front wheel and attach their bikes to it.

tcs

OP -

Saw this video and thought of you. How are plans coming along?

fietsbob

Hohner Melodica .. its a wind free reed keyboard.. play like a recorder .. optional a tube you blow in . you could get 2 for 2 hand playing ..

Busking it could get you extra attention .. [Roland Kirk used to play 2 Saxes at once in his shows, recordings]

NormanF

Its occurred to me its just cheaper to rent a piano at various destinations en route. Don't even haul one around because it gets expensive!

Rent - which I suspect professional musicians do on a tour. You want to spend time composing, practicing and performing - not looking after an expensive, precision piece of musical equipment.

If you must tour the country, leave the grand baby piano at home and tour!

robow

Well played sir, well played indeed

fietsbob

A friend, has an 88 key stage piano & a small amp he hauls to $Wedding gigs & such, on a 6 foot bikes-at-work trailer. behind his Bike.
Sailing together to Olympia from Orcas, we did stop in at a couple places & ask to use their piano at a lunch stop.


My Mandolin is a lot more convenient.

Professionals, on tour, stipulate the Gig have a piano in the contract.... unless they use their truck & Bus . & roadie piano handlers..

Rob_E

OP: I want to take my pianobike across the country.

Bike Forums: It would be easier without a piano.

Helpful?

I hope this happens, pianobike, and I hope we get hear about it. To my mind the biggest issues will likely be weight and amount of miles you want to accomplish in a day. When I have looked into electric assist solutions, the biggest issue I see is range. Usually around 30 miles, and then you're stuck pedaling something that's twice as heavy with the weight of the motor and batteries. But then you're also carrying a piano, so maybe the weight of the electric system wouldn't be that significant when compared to your overall load, and maybe your mileage expectations are low enough to make an electric assist feasible.

Failing a motor solution, if it were me, I would anticipate pushing this thing up some hills. I like the idea of recruiting extra riders for the rough spots, but I'd also want to know that, in a pinch, you could push that thing up a steep hill on your own.

I know this thread is several months old, but I missed it the first time around, and I'm glad it was dredged up. Reading about your plan and picturing the trip gave me a lot of pleasure. I hope it works out for you.

nfmisso

Eric;

Check out this: https://www.nicojungel.net/space.html

It should give you additional ideas for your vehicle. I would suggest you consider a single vehicle instead of the trailer arrangement - there are reasons why passenger are not allowed in trailers......

rwpshaw

+1

lhendrick

Ah, the American spirit lives on! I applaud your audacity. The ever present genius that has made our country great. As to getting a piano over the mountains I suggest you convert your dream into a community based project, soliciting groups of pushers/pullers to make the grades, and putting on concerts to repay the workers who schlep the beast up and down the hills. What a party it will be. Look forward to seeing you on the CBS Sunday Morning Show one day.

fietsbob

this guy, down the page, sports a custom built, a 3 wheeler around the piano , but sticks to the flat lands and parades it seems ,
given it still only has a coaster brake .

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