Flippin Bikes
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Flippin Bikes
Riding a bike I had built, around the neighborhood, years ago, I was stopped by a new neighbor. He went nuts over the bike. We quickly became friends ( I was old enough to be his father), and he started building. A few years ago he suddenly passed in his sleep. I recently came across some pics of the builds he did. We worked on these together, just thought they were worth sharing. These are EXTREMELY comfortable to ride. Notice the "pedal forward" after the flip.
These can be built in a few hours with NO welding. So if some of you wanted to try building something radical, here's your chance. Posted here instead of "alt bike culture", because these really are great single speed cruisers. Moderators, please move if you feel they are inappropriate for this section.
An old mixte flipped upside down.
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Cheap MTB (woman's) flipped
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These can be built in a few hours with NO welding. So if some of you wanted to try building something radical, here's your chance. Posted here instead of "alt bike culture", because these really are great single speed cruisers. Moderators, please move if you feel they are inappropriate for this section.
An old mixte flipped upside down.
[/URL]
Cheap MTB (woman's) flipped
[/URL]
Last edited by KOTA; 03-02-17 at 07:07 PM.
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Brilliant! Who'd ever think of that? Slack frame angles. You can put your feet on the ground while stopped. Women's frames a available for free often times.
So, how did you get the bottom bracket mounted without welding? I can't tell from the pictures.
So, how did you get the bottom bracket mounted without welding? I can't tell from the pictures.
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Weld it if you can. This one did get welded. I just wanted to show people that they can make something radical and COMFORTABLE.
But there are a number of ways not to weld. It can be a challenge to fit the bottom bracket (BB) to fit in to the seat tube. This one used a BB from another junked bike that slid (about 4") right in to the upside down seat tube. Once you have one fitted you can drill right through both tubes about 2" above the BB and use a nut and bolt. Or, you could make a slice in the upside down seat tube, slide a seat clamp on, install the BB, lower the clamp back down and tighten. So if someone doesn't have the capability of welding there are ways to get this done.
If you do an aluminum frame, the nut/bolt, or seat clamp, and maybe epoxy would be the way to go. (the only way to go if using a steel BB assembly.)
These two had free wheeling hubs. If you used a coaster brake wheel, then you wouldn't have to worry about running cables. I have to tell you, I have two Electra Townies, and these bikes were every bit as comfortable, if not more, than them.
If you have experience "messing" with bikes, these can be done in about an hour, for next to nothing!
EDIT: You'll notice the extra holes on the BB. You can get rubber plugs to cap them, and later have an easy way to grease the bearings.
But there are a number of ways not to weld. It can be a challenge to fit the bottom bracket (BB) to fit in to the seat tube. This one used a BB from another junked bike that slid (about 4") right in to the upside down seat tube. Once you have one fitted you can drill right through both tubes about 2" above the BB and use a nut and bolt. Or, you could make a slice in the upside down seat tube, slide a seat clamp on, install the BB, lower the clamp back down and tighten. So if someone doesn't have the capability of welding there are ways to get this done.
If you do an aluminum frame, the nut/bolt, or seat clamp, and maybe epoxy would be the way to go. (the only way to go if using a steel BB assembly.)
These two had free wheeling hubs. If you used a coaster brake wheel, then you wouldn't have to worry about running cables. I have to tell you, I have two Electra Townies, and these bikes were every bit as comfortable, if not more, than them.
If you have experience "messing" with bikes, these can be done in about an hour, for next to nothing!
EDIT: You'll notice the extra holes on the BB. You can get rubber plugs to cap them, and later have an easy way to grease the bearings.
Last edited by KOTA; 04-11-17 at 04:36 PM.
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