Newbie with questions....

[Cyclops]

Last year I decided to go "Green" and ride to work, so I bought a $500 bike and a comfortable helmet.
A week into saving the envirnoment, I was speeding down a hill (first stupid mistake, second was leaving the bike path) and hit a "something" and went over the handlebars. Not sure how I did it but I managed to find the ONE spot where I could fall 12 feet to the ground. First thing I remember was seeing the "something" as I was looking over the handlebars. Next I was flying well over the retaining wall that I was riding next to, and the last snapshot was the green grass where I landed. (thank goodness for the grass)
I woke with the wind knocked out of me. (scariest feeling ever!)
I broke four ribs, three transverse processes, partially collapsed a lung, and broke my neck. (c2, also known as the hang mans break. Instant death normally)
The doctors were amazed that I lived. I completely shattered my helmet.

I continued to get lucky and only had to wear a neck brace rather than a "Halo" brace. (the one they screw into your skull)
This happened 19 days before my wedding. I got married in a neck brace.

So the wife is VERY serious that I not even TOUCH the bike. Oh, and the bike didn't even get a scratch. (figures)

New rule, I am not alowed more than 6 inches off the ground.

We were walking down a walking/biking path one day and a recumbant went by. She was impressed that it was that low to the ground. She said that she wouldn't have a problem with one like it.

WOOO! Back in the game! Until I saw the prices.

I stubbled on the AtomicZombie site when I was doing some surfing for recumbant bikes.

I love the Streetfighter and have gotten the plans. My father has a welder and will help me with the welding.
I read alot of the posts here and the post for newbie welders was the biggest help. Took alot of stess off from the thought of welding.

So here are my questions;

1: Can you guys suggest where I can find discarded bikes?

2: What about wheels that don't have spokes, the wide plastic motorcycle like rims. I noticed a pic with them on a quad. Are the spoke version stonger?

Anyways, I am looking forward to making sparks.

:1eye:

[jimFPU]

The Marauder is only about 6 inches off the ground...

The Fighter is soooooo much higher, will that be OK?

LOL! Welcome. I put an ad on Freecycle: 'Offer to pick up your old/unwanted bikes.' Got about 15 or so from the one ad. Once people don't ride them any more, they just want them out of the way.

[Greenhorn]

1: Can you guys suggest where I can find discarded bikes?
:

Goodwill

Rummage Sales

Lying in people's garbage

Craigslist (although everyone has an extremely high asking price for their rusted, dented 30-yr old steel tank "classic" Schwinn)

Freecycle.


Welcome aboard.

[GregLWB]

Welcome aboard!

All the suggestions you've gotten so far are good. I have two more to add. Tell your friends and relatives what you are doing and ask for them to keep their ears open for people they know getting rid of bikes. The other is that often when driving or riding around I see bikes just sitting out beside someones garage and if you just ask many times you can get these bikes for free. Scary the first few times but it gets easier.:jester:

Greg

[fultondp]

So here are my questions;

1: Can you guys suggest where I can find discarded bikes?

2: What about wheels that don't have spokes, the wide plastic motorcycle like rims. I noticed a pic with them on a quad. Are the spoke version stonger?

Anyways, I am looking forward to making sparks.

:1eye:

1 - Garage sales and thrift stores are my main sources. At the end of a garage sale they will practically give you the bike. Nobody EVER buys bikes at garage sales, 'cause they don't know how to fix 'em. One time I bought 1 bike for $15, they made me take 3, and threw in a crate full of parts worth more than the 3 bikes put together!

2 - Search ebay for "mag wheels" under the Outdoor sports/cycling category. The plastic wheels themselves are not any stronger, but most are built for bmx bikes and have 3/8" or bigger axles and heavy duty hubs. If you hit a pothole hard enough to bend one, they can't be trued back up. You also generally can't mount disk brakes to these wheels.

Darren

PS: Is your wife really going to make you have 4 wheels? Wouldn't a nice trike get you safely down in the weeds?

[newrider3]

Search ebay for "mag wheels" under the Outdoor sports/cycling category. The plastic wheels themselves are not any stronger, but most are built for bmx bikes and have 3/8" or bigger axles and heavy duty hubs. If you hit a pothole hard enough to bend one, they can't be trued back up. You also generally can't mount disk brakes to these wheels.


There is an old legend among BMXers that you can throw a mag in the deep freezer overnight and it'll straighten. Never seen it done though.

[greenevegiebeast]

welcome to the fun, at least your wife told you that you could ride again.

check your local police auctions, many times they sell the bikes for pennies apeice if you buy them in lots.

[KoolKat]

Welcome, glad to hear that you've recovered and ready to get riding again. We are awaiting our annual police auction. Hundreds of bikes will be up for grabs. Can get dozens of 'em for well under $100. Tell everyone - family, friends, neighbors, staff where you shop. Word will quickly spread.

[Patrike]

Hi Cyclops

Sounds like you had this guy looking over your shoulder that day :wings: But you got a few more bones to go before you catch up to Evil - lets hope you don't.

You said this was for commuting to work - the more wheels the heavier the ride. You may want to look at GregLWB's new tourmaster -- I don't like the looks of it personally but it is the perfect commuting ride - and pending the distance of your commute you can add an assist.

And remember -- just becuase you riding something with more wheels, if that's the route you go - it will not make you imprevious to high speed stupidy - no offence - just don't want you getting hurt again.

Best wishes and luck on your "1st" build :)

[Cyclops]

The quad just looks impressive. I was struggling with the DeltlaWolf and the StreetFighter, they both have the same back end. Sorta. So I can start on it and decide when I get to the front end.
Six inches is not set in stone. I like the trike/quad because of the lower chance of falling off/over. I sure I can make if flip if I get stupid again. Its just a way of life, I am a bit accident prone.
I wasn't planning on taking it to work, just for going down the bike path. I am taking the hint that its just not safe for me to ride to work. To much traffic for one.

I found the Freecycle site and signed up for that. Thanks!
I found out that the Minneapolis Police has an bicycle auction every month or so. Next one is in two weeks.

[newrider3]

I think a quad would be best for you since you're so worried about tipping. You can easily "bicycle" on a trike if you try.