Now I'm Intrigued - Brad, How About OSS?

[GregLWB]

Hey Brad and fellow Zombies!

I am intrigued with the TT design and am thinking I might build one. I haven't bought plans for it yet (I'm thinking it might be the only one I haven't purchased plans for at this point). There are a few questions I have about it though.

1st - How easy would it be to alter it to OSS. I just can't get myself comfortable with USS on a two wheeled bike and I know that if SWMBO is on the back she would want 'real' handlebars to hang on to. I know many folks like USS on a bike and don't want to get into that conversation (I like it on a trike but no amount of convincing will make me comfortable with it on a bike).:jester:

2nd - Can it be modified simply to carry 500 lbs (my ~300lbs in front w/SWMBO and groceries and/or gear on the back).

3rd - If I am the front person (6'8" w/49" x-seam, and plan for < 6' stoker) approx. how much longer is this bike going to be than my TM (8'4").

I know that most of those questions can be answered with 'that depends' but I am okay with 'ball park' answers.

Greg

[mkane53]

Greg -

I'm planning on making mine an OSS. I don't see that any mods will be required for that change. Maybe I'm missing something. Wouldn't be the first time.

I can't speak to the length, but with the lower trusses in place, this thing feels like you could haul cattle with it an not bend the frame. I very much doubt that the weight would be an issue.

[Radical Brad]

The main concern is hard crank interference with the front wheel, but at your height, you should be able to get away with over seat steering. The main issue is that you will need to sit further back from the head tube than in the plans, which means the front boom will shorten. I don't think at my height I could have used OSS without placing the seat a lot higher. Have a look at the Bandito, and you can see the slight difference in geometry there.

I think it can be done, but maybe not easy for thos under 5"-8" in height.

As for the 300 pounds, just use a good set of BMX front forks, and possibly a 14mm axle hub.... it will be unbreakable.

Brad

[GregLWB]

The main concern is hard crank interference with the front wheel, but at your height, you should be able to get away with over seat steering. The main issue is that you will need to sit further back from the head tube than in the plans, which means the front boom will shorten. I don't think at my height I could have used OSS without placing the seat a lot higher. Have a look at the Bandito, and you can see the slight difference in geometry there.

I think it can be done, but maybe not easy for thos under 5"-8" in height.

As for the 300 pounds, just use a good set of BMX front forks, and possibly a 14mm axle hub.... it will be unbreakable.

Brad

Thanks Brad - with overseat steer will I need the headtube angle to be the same as my 26/20 HR, or is the angle already close to the same?

Also any guess as to an aprox length of the bike with my sizing?

Greg

[Radical Brad]

Everything will be the same in the plan besides the distance between your seat and the head tube. If you are comfortable with the HR distance, that is a good start.

Brad

[GregLWB]

Everything will be the same in the plan besides the distance between your seat and the head tube. If you are comfortable with the HR distance, that is a good start.

Brad

Thanks - Just purchased the plans. Now to download them for a little light reading tonight.:jester:

Greg

[Radical Brad]

Thanks! Looking forward to your photos.

Brad

[GregLWB]

Brad - in the plans you cut the seat stays off at the dropouts and then weld them back on at the new angle. Does it need to be done that way, or can I just notch/bend/reweld them like on the TM?

On mkane53's (thanks Mike) TT thread he measured the length of his main boom for me. When I measured the length against my TM his entire tandem will be the same length as my TM.:rolleyes4:

I think that on my tandem even as tall as I am I will be able to keep the length no longer than 9'.

I have read the plans and will definately build it with OSS and I will figure out a way to make the seats adjustable fore and aft. But maybe I will just make the rear seat adjustable so that like Brad if someone else wants to drive I can tell them "Sorry, you must be this tall to drive this bike! Now quit whining, get on the back and start pedalling!" HaHaHa!!!:jester::jester:

Greg

[Radical Brad]

Using the pie slice, bend and weld method should work just fine, but it may be more difficult to get the length of the stays cut properly after, since you won't be able to just drop them in place to test.

Brad

[GregLWB]

Thanks Brad. I find it easier for me to keep the brake studs lined up with the pie notch method.

I might have to put a hold on this build for a little bit. When I was showing the ride video on the site last night my youngest daughter asked what was up with her trike build. So I guess I have to build a trike first.:jester:

Greg

[mkane53]

Yeah, I tried to use the pie-cut and bend method on mine and by the time I had bent them up and back a few times in fitting them to the back/side of the main tube they broke anyway, so I didn't really save anything. But at least it was a nice close fit for welding it back together and the brake bosses lined up for me.



Using the pie slice, bend and weld method should work just fine, but it may be more difficult to get the length of the stays cut properly after, since you won't be able to just drop them in place to test.

Brad

[mkane53]

So, what'll that take you to finish off ... a day and a half? You my friend are a bike-building :builder2: maniac.

Thanks Brad. I find it easier for me to keep the brake studs lined up with the pie notch method.

I might have to put a hold on this build for a little bit. When I was showing the ride video on the site last night my youngest daughter asked what was up with her trike build. So I guess I have to build a trike first.:jester:

Greg

[GregLWB]

Yeah, I tried to use the pie-cut and bend method on mine and by the time I had bent them up and back a few times in fitting them to the back/side of the main tube they broke anyway, so I didn't really save anything. But at least it was a nice close fit for welding it back together and the brake bosses lined up for me.

Mike - when I read through the plans I had the idea that I could do the bending at the same time I'm fitting the seat tube, then tack weld the tube and the stays at the same time, measure and then weld it all at once (fully welding the seat tube first). We'll see how it works.

I haven't done any trikes yet so I've been putting off the build for my daughter too long already (I've been worried about building the rear wheels and axle assemblies). So this one will have to wait till I get hers done.

Greg

[mkane53]

Yeah, that should work. I didn't think about using the pie-cut and bend method until after I had done the preliminary attachment of the rear triangle. See, that's why your stuff comes out right. You plan ahead. Hell, I don't even buy green bananas.

Mike - when I read through the plans I had the idea that I could do the bending at the same time I'm fitting the seat tube, then tack weld the tube and the stays at the same time, measure and then weld it all at once (fully welding the seat tube first). We'll see how it works.
Greg

[GregLWB]

Yeah, that should work. I didn't think about using the pie-cut and bend method until after I had done the preliminary attachment of the rear triangle. See, that's why your stuff comes out right. You plan ahead. Hell, I don't even buy green bananas.

No Mike - I think that it's just that I'm lazy. I try to look for a way that will save me from doing any more work than I have to. So I try to streamline things as much as possible.:jester:

Also, just a funny side note about bananas. I was born in the Philippines and my parents came back to the US when I was about 3. I wouldn't even eat bananas for several years after that because I had gotten used to eating them when they were for lack of a better term 'tree' ripened.:jester:

Greg