DakotaInTheSky

Hello all,

I have a flipped Nishiki Olympic bike that I'm working on. I'd like to finish it as if I were asked to make a studio prop for a futuristic movie set. Think something that would fit in the background of Blade Runner.

I'm looking for a crank that can be considered futuristic or unusual. The bike will be white with powder coated chrome (looks like polished aluminum) lugs. Any other parts ideas like seats or bars would be appreciated as well.

Here is a photo:


Wheels but are white flip flop fixie:


Possible crank 1:


Possible crank 2:


Thanks for reading - Rob

Jeff Wills

Mavic 631: VeloBase.com - Component: Mavic 631

StephenH

Belt drive?

StephenH

I'm thinking they made some giant blank chainrings for exercise bikes that would look cool. Use a larger rear sprocket and it doesn't actually have to be geared super high.
Or make it fixed gear and put both cranks aligned instead of 180 degrees apart.
Didn't they make some super-small chains several years back that were a flop? Are they still available?

CliffordK

An unusual crank would be the PowerCranks, although they do have a bit chunky of a look. Mount something like an egg beater on them. There are a few different designs available.



Are you planning on riding the bike? How much riding? Do you spin? Need a wicked hill climbing setup?

One of the smallest chainrings that you can fit on a standard 74mm bcd crank is a 16T or 17T chainring.
Mountain Tamer Chainring Adapters, Gorilla Brake Beefers, Gorilla Headlocks and more

Although, perhaps you could get a smaller and cleaner looking chainring mounted to a BMX style crank.

Then put a 40T or so on the back.


Alternatively, you could mount a really huge chainring on your bike.



Note the fork rake on that bike.

You could mount a left chainring if that fit better with your bike than a right.

Not as much of a crank, but a most unique adaptation is the forward/backward pedal two speed.

Bike Pedals in Both Directions, Gets You to Your Destination AND Back | Hackaday

CliffordK

Is this a futuristic movie, or an apocalyptic movie?
Mad Max - Thunderdome?

How about take a 1/2" or 3/4" steel pipe nipple, about 6" long, and add on two 90° elbows, one turned in, one turned out (and weld in place). This makes the basis of your crank arms. Pedals can be simply another pipe nipple, say 4" long, and a pipe cap on the end. Perhaps drill a hole into a block of wood if you wish to make fancy pedals.

On the chainring side, weld this pipe to an old, very course circular saw blade (10"?) which you will use as a chainguard & spider, with the actual chainring on the inside.

Here's a mockup I threw together lastnight.

Elvo

Rotor Bike Components

chaadster

Wow! Great idea!

Retro Grouch 

What's your budget for this project? After it's finished, what do you plan to do with it?

KenshiBiker

Flip it so the blade is going in the right direction. Other than that, I like the idea and look.

JohnDThompson 

VeloBase.com - Component: Ofmega Mistral

JanMM

That Nishiki frame is unusual, but overall I can imagine someone in 1900 building a track bike that might look quite a bit like your 'before' picture.
Good luck on making it look futuristic.

Jeff Wills

It's actually a perfectly normal women's style frame, only with the fork inserted upside down. Take a look where the "bottom" bracket is.

CliffordK

Yeah... that was thrown together late last night (I didn't think a text description or computer drawing would do it justice), and I noticed it could be interpreted as being backwards. But, it is a backwards bike, right?
That is either a 7.25 or an 8" blade. I've now found a 10" one which should fit better.

If I can find the right bike to put a Thunderdome style crank on, I may well do it.

I would probably braze the tips of the teeth. Still, the reverse blade will be less likely to catch on one's pant legs. I suppose if one does a forward/back 2-speed as I suggested, then the direction would be less important.

I'm not a Spandex type of person, and I don't think that would make a Spandex type of bicycle. Thus... pant legs are important.

Flipped Frame.
Also dropouts were flipped (otherwise they would have been upward facing and quite dangerous). Perhaps a track dropout would be more reversable.
Old bottom bracket drilled for seat post. How is the retention? Clamp inside of the BB?
New bottom bracket added.
It looks like new chainstays were also added.

Overall, it is a nice bike, and I can't wait to see the finished product.... do we have to wait for the movie?

Canker

z crank

CliffordK

Now those look pretty wild.

With physics, there isn't much difference from a straight crank, except perhaps some flex.

I'm not sure you could buy them, but you could make them.

CliffordK

A unique crank system... I think a re-invention from the old is the
Stringbike


It appears to be a modernized version of a swinging lever drive.

Another old concept that has been updated is an elliptical crank/drive.

Luca Bike by Sascher - The Ultimate Luxury Comfort Bike

DakotaInTheSky

Thank you for the responses everyone! Great ideas!

I like it. Could work for a what they thought the future would like like in 2007 from 1972.

Thought about the large chain ring from an old Schwinn exercise bike, but it was made for a beach cruiser bottom bracket. May try to fab a large road one though

May have to modify the frame again to do that (chain stay)

These are cool, thanks. I plan to ride the bike as a fixie/cruiser (flip flop hub). Probably only weekend joyrides in my neighborhood, beaches, and group rides. No spinning or high hill climbing

Futuristic. A little rough like Blade Runner, but not Mad Maxx style. Great work on this! I may have to do another project based on your idea. I've always wanted to do a super rusty bike

I like the simplicity of this one

Probably $100 or less for the crank. $100 for the powder coat. $0 Painting at work. $35 for a seat. $? for that odd new Shimano chain. The rest of the parts I have already. I plan to use it on the weekends for group rides and beach cruising.

Can't really see it. All the bikes from 1900 that I've seen look similar to other safety bicycles. Here's a 1900 Triumph


Thank you! You are correct Sir. Chainstays, dropouts, and bb was from an old Nishiki mountain bike. Retention works well. Clip is outside on the seat tube which is from another lugged female Nishiki frame.

DakotaInTheSky

These are cool, thanks! Reminds me of a vintage version of curved crank arms. Might be doable


Again, thank you All for the ideas! I will post my progress. Cheers - Rob

CliffordK

uhhh... man... Just slightly over budget.

Campagnolo Bora Ultra or
Campagnolo Bullet Ultra

I'm not sure the CF disc would match the rest of your bike. however, you could fabricate a similar full aerodynamic disc out of aluminium. Probably a "standard" crank with a disc molded onto it.

I suppose I'm not quite sure of your goals.

My impression of a hyper-modern futuristic bike would be a some kind of non-double triangle aerodynamic carbon fiber bike.



Your frame, however, throws you into the Hot-Rod/Rat-Rod retro style.

So, I would think that would open you up to just about anything that would look good with your frame.

Even a simple old cotter-pin style crank would look good with your frame.

Retro Grouch 

Your budget is in line with about what I thought. $100.00 for a crank is going to eliminate most of the more creative suggestions. You might think about acquiring a more common crankset and have it powder coated a color to match or contrast with the frame.

fietsbob

There was an Asian Made version some what like the Mavic 631 Starfish..

Jeff Wills

SunTour Blaze/Edge. Probably as hard to find as a Mavic 631 crank:
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour CW-BE34, Blaze
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour CW-ED45, Edge