I finally purchased the plans so I can slowly get started

[anewguy]

Well, I finally could afford it, so I bought a set of plans! I was going to go for one of the trikes, but this looked like the simplest build for a beginner to start out with. If I fall over (I'm handicapped), then I guess I either go for training wheels :stooge_larry: or build a trike.

So, now that I've finally purchased the plan, I should ask the same questions here I asked in one of the trike forums a few months ago, in case things are different for this build:

(1) I'm 350lbs, 6'2" - I gather I should use the thicker wall tubing, but do I need to use something like 2x2 also instead of the 11/2x11/2? Also, will gusseting the joints on the tubing help strengthen the frame?

(2) given my weight, I assume I will still need a double-walled rim (I think that's what you called it in my other post). Where can I find something like that (I'm completely new at this bike parts thing :) )? Do I also need that for the smaller front wheel as well?

(3) given my weight, will I need some sort of special tires?

I guess that's it for now. This will be a slow project for me - finances take a while to allow for even something little, and being handicapped means I won't be able to do much at 1 time of working on it.

Thanks for the great plans, and for the great support!

Dave :)

[rickairmed]

Well I can answer at least one of those questions :D as far as the tubing goes I think the 1 1/2 X1 1/2 will be fine although 1/8" wall might not hurt anything and gusseting joints never hurts. The more experianced bike guys should be along soon to answer your tire and wheel questions :D.


Rick

[SirJoey]

...and being handicapped means I won't be able to do much at 1 time of working on it.Same here, dude. That's the main reason it takes me so long,
cuz I usually can't physically stand to work on one more than a couple of hours a day! :(

Like me, you'll eventually get there, though. You just gotta keep
chippin' away at it on a regular basis. Hang in there, & good luck! :)



http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[macka]

anewguy,

You can look around, a lot of bike shops have them new, also check out the classifieds, kijiji.com, fleabay I mean ebay, facebook etc. I've had better luck posting on freecycle, and calling local shops for used parts. A lot of shops take trade ins on upgrades, so they have stuff in the used bin for sale. Always let your fingers do the walking whenever possible.

[GregLWB]

anewguy - I have posted on the 'anyone in Oregon' thread and the 'Tourmaster' thread and won't bore you repeating what I put there but, I also am tall (6'8") and wide (300+). I ride a bike similar in dimension to the Meridian and was also worried about the balance issue. I have only crashed once and that was on the maiden voyage but you don't fall very far (only scraped my knee) and that was due to problems with my steering (tiller steering) that were quickly corrected.

I ride most of the year from Dallas to Salem, Oregon (53 mile round trip) 2 or 3 days a week. I have motorized my bike and ride really fast (high 20's). I had a lot of problems with a double walled wheelset on the rear (I was breaking spokes weekly). This style of bike puts more weight on the rear of the bike than is normal on a diamond frame. I bought a new rear wheel from the same company I bought my motor from (GEBE) and it is a 36 spoke (105g) triple V wheel from Velocity. A week after I installed this wheel I hit a raccoon at over 20 mph and it didn't even faze the bike. The long wheel base and the low center of gravity makes them really stable when going fast. I also run a 20" triple wall BMX jumping wheel with a heavier axle on the front.

For tires I run Schwalbe Marathon Plus with the heaviest thorn proof tube I can find a put Slime in the tires (if you get a flat that the Slime doesn't fix the tube is garbage and will need to be replaced) and haven't had a flat in over a thousand miles. When I am commuting I really don't want to have to stop to fix a flat and be late to work. I do carry a spare tube for each tire and a pump just in case.

I hope this helps.

Greg

[anewguy]

Thanks for the replies! My main concern on losing my balance is due to a congenital defect in my spine which pinches the nerves and makes it very difficult to walk. I'm hoping that won't be an issue on the bike - but time will tell, and it will be a good learning experience before moving "up" to one of the trike plans.

I live in a really small town in the state of Illinois in the USA, so I really don't have access locally to bike stuff. Are there web sites that sell that types of rims and tires you mention? About how much extra does that cost?

Thanks for all the input - it's greatly appreciated! I'm anxious now for the snow to go away and temps warm up (maybe a couple of months - he says hopefully :) ) because I can't wait to try and see if I can do the welding, etc., to build the bike.

I think I asked before, but do the cheap 110V 15 to 18 amp welders like they sell at Wal-Mart and Menards work for doing the bike work? I may be able to order one through the local hardware store or I could go out on town to Wal-Mart or Menards.

Thanks again!

Dave :)

[rickairmed]

Dave the little 115v welders are just fine for bike work and reasonably priced as well.


Rick

[GregLWB]

anewguy - The tires you can usually get from a local bike shop but there are a lot of vendors on the web. One that is semi-local for me is www.biketiresdirect.com and they have decent prices on tires, but doing a web search you may find a better price.

The Velocity wheels I mentioned I purchased from Golden Eagle Bike Engines and I couldn't find anything close to the strengh for less than twice the price. The wheel cost $89 and they guarantee it to be true. Shipping was $25 to Oregon but you live much closer to them. Their site is www.bikeengines.com. If you're curious I have the 35cc Robin/Subaru 4 stroke on my bike.

With your worries about balance my advice would be to find a bike shop that carries the EZ series of Recumbents (they aren't fast but the learning curve is really easy) and invest the time and distance to go and test ride a LWB two wheeler and a trike. Once you do that you won't have any more questions about the balance issue or the style of bike you are most comfortable with.

Greg

[Greenhorn]

I get my tires at probikekit.com They are usually half as much as in stores. Its a brit operation, so you have to deal with the exchange rate. Free shipping though.