Advice for swing bike build....??
02-28-20, 02:53 AM
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Advice for swing bike build....??
Planning on a swing bike build this summer. I've always wanted one. What have you learned to NOT do, what are your tricks? I want the seattube/head tube integrated into the seattube, not a separate part within the "front triangle". I'm also considering a retro-direct drivetrain. Y'know, cuz swing bikes aren't difficult enough to ride!😂
02-28-20, 10:58 AM
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Seems like you have a range of options and should maybe look at what's out there first - ie, on the one hand you have various somewhat conventional bicycles with frames designed to hold a chain drive in place while hinging, on the other you have something like the Hoppley Circus Bike that is essentially a pair of unicycles mated by a rectangular frame with a head tube on each end.
If you go direct drive, keep in mind you'll probably end up with a tiny gear ratio especially if you use smaller wheels. And unless you start with a drift trike (vs unicycle) hub you'll also be fixed gear - which can enable a lot but changes the approach to riding. In those configurations you'll probably want short cranks, too - say 125mm, even 150's are likely to feel like pedaling air to no effect.
If you go direct drive, keep in mind you'll probably end up with a tiny gear ratio especially if you use smaller wheels. And unless you start with a drift trike (vs unicycle) hub you'll also be fixed gear - which can enable a lot but changes the approach to riding. In those configurations you'll probably want short cranks, too - say 125mm, even 150's are likely to feel like pedaling air to no effect.
Last edited by UniChris; 02-28-20 at 11:04 AM.
03-08-20, 12:32 PM
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I thought swinging faded out by sometime around ‘78.
07-04-20, 08:58 PM
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I have always heard that they will go from stable to scraping the road in an instant. It wasn't until I saw Seth's bike hacks that I realized that the 20" wheeled swing bikes of the 70's were not stable, but a 26" wheel version with perhaps better design is ridable and looks like fun. Here is the link to his video:
