Dicycle Design
 

OK guys,
I know that a Dicycle is not usually discussed on these forums. But, a Dicycle is really considered a Bent.
I need someone out there to point me in the right direction for information on where to get the following items.
I want to build a pair of custom wheels.
Where can I get a Rim, diameter is approximately, 2133.6 mm = 84 inches = 7 foot.
I made the hub, diameter is approximately, 152.4 mm = 6 inches
Where can I fiand custom spokes with the following specifications?
8G x 1016mm = 40 inches long
I will need 128 pcs. with nipples to match.
Can anyone help??

Seeing as how there are no dicycle kits or plans, you're probably going to have to fabricate everything yourself. As for spokes, it would be easier to use small tubing with tapped ends. You'd have to re-do the hubs, but a short bolt on either end and you have just enough adjustment for truing.

:)ensen.

Dicycle Wheel
 

Thanks for the suggestion on the hollow tubes.
I am fabricating everything myself but was looking for an easy way to make the wheels.
Your idea may be just the ticket.
Any suggestions on making the Rim & Tire material?

I would agree that a dicycle would be (in most cases I've found) a recumbent. Here's a pic of one I saw in Tipton IA when I did RAGBRAI in 2008:

http://www.biketcba.org/TRICORR/ride...3homebuilt.jpg

Unfortunately, that doesn't help round up parts for it!

My first thought is, have you contacted any spoke manufacturers? I see pics of other dicycles on the Internet, so the spokes must be obtainable. It looks like the guy (above) used a compression wheel rather than tensioned spokes.

Sapim - http://www.sapim.be/index.php?st=contact
Wheelsmith - http://www.wheelsmith.com/contact.html
DT Swiss - http://www.dtswiss.com/Meta/Top/Contact.aspx

There are probably others, but that's all I can come up with off the top of my head. Same thing with rims: Contact all of the rim manufacturers you can think of and ask them about 7' diameter rims.

My second thought is, are there any dicycle interest groups out there? I couldn't find any.

Somehow I don't picture myself riding that thing down a long switchbacked mountain road.

Talk to Rideable Bicycle Replicas: http://www.hiwheel.com/
They have or can make what you want.

Another human-powered dicycle: the Kinetic Sculpture "Killer Tomato": http://www.simpleorganicsolutions.com/story1.html . I watched it "race" years ago.

Thanks for the replys.
I have contacted most of those web sites already, but will continue to search.
I really appreciate the photo of a Dicycle and would like any others you guys might run across.

A friend of mine built one in 2007. This website has a few details about fabricating the wheels: http://www.unwheeldy.com/2007/10/bui...unwheeldy.html

Thanks Yangmusa,
That was good info.
Bill

yangmusa
A friend of mine built one in 2007. This website has a few details about fabricating the wheels: http://www.unwheeldy.com/2007/10/bui...unwheeldy.html