Author Topic: N+1 oldskool (Read 12050 times)

andygates · « **Reply #25 on:** 05 May, 2008, 10:24:04 am »

I certainly can't see nipples at either end. It's like the Hays Code all over again. Worse in fact, I'll be covering its ankles soon...

Gus - ta. I'll pop down to the LBS and see what they have. They'll like a look

gordon taylor · « **Reply #26 on:** 05 May, 2008, 03:48:52 pm »

That's lovely.
I soooooooooooo want an ordinary bicycle too.

Can I ask a few numpty questions?

Is that a pneumatic tyre on the front?
Where on earth do you get spare tyres, or even rims?

I must find a local metalwork class and learn to braze tubes.

bobb · « **Reply #27 on:** 05 May, 2008, 04:02:51 pm »

Excellent news!! It would be nice to be able to comment on chain tension...... But those cranks are SHORT!! Is that normal on such machines?

andygates · « **Reply #28 on:** 05 May, 2008, 04:49:15 pm »

The tyre is solid. They both are. Most tyres these days are solid polyurethane, this looks like solid synthetic rubber. You buy it by the length but I'm not entirely sure how it is fitted. It's the same stuff used for wheelchairs.

You don't break the rim. It's not a braking surface so it shouldn't wear.

I think the short cranks are normal. The pedals are in adjustable slots at the ends so there's some tweaking for rider power and twiddle - I'll probably just max that right out.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #29 on:** 05 May, 2008, 06:29:48 pm »

With a 60" or less gear, you need short cranks to keep up rather than the leverage of long ones. At least, that's probably the reason.

Regulator · « **Reply #30 on:** 05 May, 2008, 07:29:24 pm »

You, sir, are a lunatic!

*Fails to hide his envy*

domesticated ape · « **Reply #31 on:** 05 May, 2008, 07:41:57 pm »

Wow, that looks awesome! How short are the cranks?

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #32 on:** 06 May, 2008, 11:54:45 am »

Finally!

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #33 on:** 06 May, 2008, 12:13:30 pm »

Quote from: andygates on 05 May, 2008, 04:49:15 pm

You buy it by the length but I'm not entirely sure how it is fitted.

There is a spiral wire up the centre. You cut the tyre to the right length, leaving some spiral wire protruding. Wind the tyre against the spiral direction, put the two ends together and let them unwind along the spiral until the ends are butting up against each other, held by the wire spirals. It is a bit of an art to get things just right.

Then pop the tyre onto the rim (swearing is allowed). Too loose allows the tyre to roll off the rim...

Ian H · « **Reply #34 on:** 06 May, 2008, 12:25:40 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 05 May, 2008, 06:29:48 pm

With a 60" or less gear, you need short cranks to keep up rather than the leverage of long ones. At least, that's probably the reason.

More to adjust for rider's inside leg measurement, methinks.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #35 on:** 06 May, 2008, 01:28:46 pm »

Pretty!

iw00t!

Wendy · « **Reply #36 on:** 06 May, 2008, 02:55:17 pm »

Awesome dude, I'm well chuffed for you and rather jealous!

scott · « **Reply #37 on:** 06 May, 2008, 05:19:29 pm »

OK, now we're waiting for video...

unipaul · « **Reply #38 on:** 06 May, 2008, 08:29:56 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 05 May, 2008, 06:29:48 pm

With a 60" or less gear, you need short cranks to keep up rather than the leverage of long ones. At least, that's probably the reason.

I'd have thought so. Unicyclists still do this sort of thing. 89mm are popular with some racers (50mm have been known!) while unicycle tourers tend to use 102 - 125mm with 36" wheels.

andygates · « **Reply #39 on:** 06 May, 2008, 09:07:32 pm »

That's worth knowing about the cranks - I would have guessed the opposite. These ones are adjustable, 115-145mm.

LittleWheels, I'm glad the tyre is reasonable for now! Maybe I can get our prosthetics-n-wheelchairs department at work to fit one for me..?

First attempt at fitting a B17 to the leaf spring using a sandwich clamp made from slices of angle iron is a success, but has a shonky angle. Moar fettlin'!

Jakob · « **Reply #40 on:** 07 May, 2008, 03:53:22 pm »

Awesome, Andy. Can't wait to see it in the steel

alexb · « **Reply #41 on:** 07 May, 2008, 05:03:56 pm »

Fantastic stuff Andy,

Two things occur straightaway. First, contact Brooks, tell them what you're doing, why you're doing it and see if they will make you a saddle.

Second, contact Hope or Lumicycle, same thing, get them to make you a fake carbide lamp with a halide lamp!

I'm sure any of these companies would/could be made interested. Then contact one of the London news networks, tell them what you're doing....

Tiger · « **Reply #42 on:** 08 May, 2008, 06:50:03 pm »

What a lovely machine. Lucky man. Look forward to seeing you on the Dun Run.

Phil · « **Reply #43 on:** 08 May, 2008, 07:04:03 pm »

What's the law on brakes on Ordinaries?

Greenbank · « **Reply #44 on:** 08 May, 2008, 07:06:36 pm »

Quote from: Phil on 08 May, 2008, 07:04:03 pm

What's the law on brakes on Ordinaries?

I thought bikes older than a certain age would be exempt. Just claim it is 100 years old.

If not it would take a cruel Police officer (or a lot of goading/abuse) to enforce the "two independent brakes" rule.

Charlotte · « **Reply #45 on:** 08 May, 2008, 11:20:30 pm »

It's got two independent brakes.

It's a fixie, innit?

andygates · « **Reply #46 on:** 08 May, 2008, 11:27:10 pm »

Nothing on the rear wheel alas.

Mind you under any braking the rear wheel will lift in a blink. No point having a brake unless there's a trailer right behind it (no, stoppit, NO).

Charlotte · « **Reply #47 on:** 08 May, 2008, 11:34:01 pm »

Yebbut the independent braking systems don't have to be on separate wheels.

Or trikes would be illegal, no?

andygates · « **Reply #48 on:** 09 May, 2008, 12:01:01 am »

I thought they did.

Oh no, that's the brakes in triathlon rules. Which are written specially to exclude fixies because of the, um, intensity of action among low-skill riders

Craig · « **Reply #49 on:** 09 May, 2008, 12:06:01 am »

A rather useful page about the law regarding brakes here from the CTC: http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4073

Basically the law says that (most) pedal cycles must have independent braking systems on the front and rear wheels. But there are exceptions for tricycles which says it can have two brakes on one wheel.
And another exception:

Quote

I've already noted that fixed wheel counts as a brake. Taking that a stage further: if one wheel is not only incapable of rotating independently of the pedals, but the pedals are fixed directly to it without any intervening chain or gears, the cycle does not have to be equipped with any other braking system at all. This is obviously designed to allow various antique machines such as penny-farthings to be exercised on the highway without adding incongruous modern accessories!

So the penny farthing would be legal. Though you would probably still need the legal requirement of reflectors and lights if riding it at night...

Author Topic: N+1 oldskool (Read 12050 times)

gordon taylor

Jakob

Tiger

Craig