IbikezLA

Let us share photos and videos of local tall bikes. Who plans on ever making one? If you do will it be single speed, fixed gear, geared? Will you put together existing frames or build one out of store bought tubing?

I plan on building one in the future but I want to improve my welding skills before I go put together a frame.

I will share a video of the tallest tall bike in Los Angeles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnFUGYMw56A

randya

the only way to improve your welding skills is to practice...making tall bikes

who cares if the first few attempts fall apart? you'll learn something each and every time about what works and what doesn't

downtube42

Single speed coaster brake. The small back wheel was effectively fixed gear, and the flywheel effect didn't play well with the coaster brake. Looked cool, though.

IbikezLA

Well I can make a good bead but my trouble is getting the bead where the two surfaces meet. I always seem to miss it by just a little.

I do see that practicing on bikes will help me lose my anxiety of welding on the actual project. Is TIG more preferable than MIG for this sort of thing?

edit: I feel dumb, I should go to the guys in LA that build tallbikes and see if I can work with them on their next project.

Floyd

If you are just beginning the Mig will be easier, wire feed....................

randya

that's exactly how everyone in Portland has learned; there are a few guys on the scene who arrived with welding skills and they've taught a bunch of new folks. really, the only way to learn how to weld bike frames is to weld bike frames.



get to know them, design a bike, get the parts together, and bring it to them for assistance...helping with welding supplies for your project would be a big plus, too

IbikezLA

I already know the guys, but I never thought of going to them( I don't know why), and I have everything I need for welding. I'm just going to have to find some frames. I'll go through craigslist or go around some junk yards.

okcdirtbag

all our mutants are done with a stick welder, it's what we got so we learned to use it. my current tall bike is geared, chain from top to bottom bike, chain out to rear wheel, rear derailleur, so two chains and gears on the rear i'll try to find a decent pic somewhere, also in the process of making a penny fakething

randya

getting the frame aligned correctly, getting the steering tube right, and getting the geometry right so it's not a wheelie machine are the secrets to a good tall bike

IbikezLA

this is the tall bike in OP before it was rebuilt as a 4 frame tall bike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3XkMhzIi5c

I guess the front wheel took care of the wheelie machine problem

randya

once you're up on it, it's just like riding any other bike

IbikezLA

I've ridden a 2 frame fixed gear tall bike. It has a lady's frame on top and I happened to be tall enough to be able to stand over the bike leaning a bit to the side, get my foot on the leading pedal, and get riding.

Similar to the picture

taylorpolo

I have a tall bike. It is two old steel road frames that have been welded together. The problem I have with it tho is that the angles are off. You sit over the center of the back wheel. Because of this if your weight gets back the bike will tip.

If I were to do it again I would custom weld tubing from an older frame to try and keep similar angles.

gavtatu

here`s my first tall bike, had it a couple of years now, gets used a fair bit during the summer, nice on the seaside cycle track, nice for a bit of cleavage, whereas my recumbent is nice for a good ass view!
this ones calles `radiation mutation`

gavtatu

i might care if i fall from 5" high, and i`m picking up my teeth with broken fingers, lol!

The Big Wheel

what do you do when there's a red light?

darrylcycle87

yeah that's my question, how do you stop? I can picture riding a tallbike like normal, but what happens when you have to stop and you're 12' off the ground? lean agains a a pole, I guess?

gavtatu

this is my current fave, easiest build too, double up on the springs and just weld the two forks,
this one`s called `humm, err?` 1wheel drive!