Switching in Mid Stream

[Dave]

Folks,
I started a High Roller and got as far as cutting up the donor bike and tacking the forks to the main frame. I now want to switch to a Meridian (my son has discovered the joy of recumbents and wants a long wheel base bike). The problem I have at the moment is that I cut the drops off of the seat stays as directed in the High Roller plans. I still have my original 6 foot length of stock for the main frame, as I didn't want to cut it to length until I had the forks welded on. So I can still cut it to the specs of the Meridian. Can I grind the tack welds off the forks and start on the Meridian, piecing the drops and all back together or am I better off looking for another donor bike?

Dave:

[Odd Man Out]

Folks,
Can I grind the tack welds off the forks and start on the Meridian, piecing the drops and all back together or am I better off looking for another donor bike?

Dave:

Dave,
Welcome to the madness -- glad to have you here.
Looks like you started out as we all do, becoming more and more addicted to this hobby, also learning by doing -- excellent!!!

I would advise getting another doner -- easier in the long run because you don't have to worry about getting all the alignments back perfectly again.

[mkane53]

Well that will probably depend on your welding ability. The alignment is going to be more difficult and that's a critical joint that you really want to use the factory join if you can. It makes the alignment and the over-all build much easier.

If you're a novice welder - or if this is your first build - I'd recommend getting another donor bike and using that. You might as well make it easy on yourself. Hold onto the one you have, pick up another stick of square tubing after you're done with your Meridian and build the HighRoller next. You're going to want to build it anyway if you have the plans.

If you're an excellent welder, then you can probably pull it off. We all make adjustments during the course of a build. This would be a pretty big one though, on one of the joints that controls the overall alignment of the bike.

I just finished a HighRoller after having built a Meridian last summer. They're both a lot of fun to ride. Very different bicycles but both a lot of fun to ride.

[Dave]

Thanks for the replies. I'll start looking for a donor. I really didn't want to undo my work on the High Roller anyway! As far as welding, I was a certified Navy welder back in the 70's, but that was for emergency at-sea repairs on a nuc sub, which we never needed (or I might not be here today). Doing the welding in a garage with mig rather than tig in a nice controlled environment is a lot different. But it is great to have to solve some problems and actually make stuff.

[mkane53]

You'll probably be glad you did. If you're anything like the rest of us - and it certainly sounds like it - you're going to end up making more than one bike anyway. As you correctly point out, the problem solving is a big part of the fun. Again. Welcome to the gang.

Thanks for the replies. I'll start looking for a donor. I really didn't want to undo my work on the High Roller anyway! As far as welding, I was a certified Navy welder back in the 70's, but that was for emergency at-sea repairs on a nuc sub, which we never needed (or I might not be here today). Doing the welding in a garage with mig rather than tig in a nice controlled environment is a lot different. But it is great to have to solve some problems and actually make stuff.

[Dave]

Just got my square stock in and located some donor parts. still need a front end, but I can start on the Meridian for number one son. I figure if I post progress on here, it will keep me moving. One slight problem is that next week I have to do the demolition work for our kitchen remodel. After that, I turn it (the kitchen) over to the professionals, so I can play.

[mkane53]

That's cool. Can't wait to follow the progress. Just post any questions if you run into a snag. Collectively, we've sorted out most of the issues that come up in these things and can probably smooth the path a bit when you get stuck with a real head-scratcher.

[GregLWB]

You're sounding like me! Too many projects stacking up (everybody wanting you to build them a bike) and not enough hours in a week.

Good luck and build them all!:jester:

Greg

[Dave]

Guys and Gals, What are the drawbacks to using a 27" for the rear of the Meridian vs a 26"?

[trikeman]

Guys and Gals, What are the drawbacks to using a 27" for the rear of the Meridian vs a 26"?

If it fits in your chainstays and rear triangle, the only downside I can think of is your gearing will be a touch higher (if you consider that a downside), and I don't think it is as easy to find wide tires for 27" wheels. I sometimes even have a bit more trouble finding the narrow (1.25") tires for my old schwinn 27" bikes. In a pinch, I can even buy 20" and 26" tires at Walmart.

[GregLWB]

Guys and Gals, What are the drawbacks to using a 27" for the rear of the Meridian vs a 26"?

I think Trikeman is right. Other than strength, the biggest problem is tire choices. If you won't be riding on really bad roads or gravel/dirt roads the strength shouldn't be an issue IMHO.

Greg

[mkane53]

Yep, 27" tires are getting a little hard to find ... other than online. If you use a 26" you can get one at any place that sells bikes of any kind. So if you blow out a sidewall a quarter mile from a ??-mart 50 miles from home, you'd rather be riding the 26". Other than that - and probably fewer width and tread choices, no real downside to using 27"

[comreich]

If you want decent 27" tire selection, moving to Canada might be a good option :) It seems Canadian Tire here carries 27" tires all the time. But if that's not an option and you still want a bigger wheel, find a 700c off a road bike. Granted, you still won't be picking the tires up at WallMart or KMart, but you'll have lots of choices.

[Dave]

I decided to go with the 26" rear. I found a guy running a used bike shop out of his apartment. He doesn't speak English, but has plenty of qualified donor bikes! Number 1 son and I welded up the main frame pieces last night. Now we need to get the donor bikes. I list photos if I figure out how.

[Dave]

Picked up a used Trek from a guy who was cleaning out a shed. I am now thinking of putting the 26" front end on the Meridian. Any comments on this? I am particularly concerned about geometry changes. Let me know.

[savarin]

Draw out the angles on paper first for both bikes and see what the difference would be.
Check the trail and if it falls in between the recommended numbers it should be ok.
(I havnt done the numbers yet so dont know for sure)

[mkane53]

Dave -

You're not the first to have done that. Rykoala (who used to be around here a lot) built a Meridian with a 26" front wheel in March of 2008. He posted a number of different threads in the Meridian Section with issues he had, progress, etc. so you might want to check those out.

Here's the one where he asked exactly the same question that you just asked: Meridian with a 26 Inch front wheel. (http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=217)

I know that if you look through the threads he posted at that time, you can follow his progress through to completion. He did post pictures of the completed bike in one of his posts.


Picked up a used Trek from a guy who was cleaning out a shed. I am now thinking of putting the 26" front end on the Meridian. Any comments on this? I am particularly concerned about geometry changes. Let me know.

[TheKid]

I know that if you look through the threads he posted at that time, you can follow his progress through to completion. He did post pictures of the completed bike in one of his posts.


It's a good idea to go through the posts for any new build you're not familiar with. Lot's of tips and potential problems and solutions can usually be found. I find methods of alignment particularly interesting.