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Like many, I expect, I've not spent much during the pandemic (home boozing aside). I'd welcome any informed or uninformed comments on the following ideas:
A self build Bamboo bike (I've already asked about this, thanks to responders).
Belt drive - for MTB or a commuter. But bike space is limited so any bike needs to justify its place, my commuter is also an occasional touring bike and winter road bike so close ratios are desired, and I'm not sure I want a full time single speed (IHG could mitigate this obvs, don't think I would like the spongeiness, tho I'm less bothered about efficiency/performance in my middle age)
A disc brake "good" road bike/frame. They are pricey which goes against my "tightest man in Scotland" vibe (thanks @Sanny).
A recumbent.
Carbon Spoon business.
TIA
How about a bamboo tricycle ? With E conversion.
I’ve been given a 1950’s Dawes, so a nice little restoration project.
The other thing I’ve thought about is wheel building?
I've thought about an old steel bike, but I have one in the loft 😆 I also build wheels already - both are rewarding.
I've thought about learning to weld or braze in the past and trying to build something (probably a bonkers project) but don't have a place for that.
E bike...yes it would be handy for scooting me to the local hills, bit I just can't!
If space is a premium then how about one of these?!
I’ve got one in the bike store, doesn’t get ridden much but good fun messing about on.
Anything you do now will be expensive or have a lead time - new parts are difficult to get hold of or on really long lead times and the cost of 2nd hand parts is just silly.
Having said that, I've just funded a Ti project with old bits I've sold out of the garage - although I'm still waiting on the frame to turn up....
Get that one from the attic built up first.
I'm still wanting at some point to sort out my carbon no rack bikepacking bag support...basically take a mould off the top of the top tube, but project back behind the seatpost over the wheel. It would weigh bugger all, support a seat bag without the wagging and simply velcro on...
Save your money, consume less, think of the children
Plywood bike. Same goal as the learning to braze option but without the big need for specific tooling, jigs, hot work area, brazing kit etc. Any new tools will be useful for other household jobs. Minimal raw material cost (couple of sheets decent birch ply). Can be anything - tall bike, cargo bike, long bike, commuter, minivelo etc. More likely to make a long term UK durable bike than bamboo and probably a lot less mess than those "string" and epoxy wrapped and sanded joints.
HT / BB etc can be localised metal inserts, often salvaged from scrap frames. I've got head tube or seat tube material if you need any bolt in brazed sub assemblies making.
I've did a unicycle and basic plywood / Reynolds 531 folder in the mid 90s. Photos later.....
Mmmmm plywood cargo minivelo.... 🙂
Thanks all. Much as I hate the idea of an evoke it might get me riding more (which is part of the general idea). I get stuff is expensive - even broken carbon frames 😉
@mattoutandabout I had it as a single speed before I built up the left hand drive one. I now have both frames not being used and not sellable unfortunately.
@howsyourdad1 not sure if serious, I have cut down my consumption considerably tho, not bought anything bikey for years.
I’ve thought about an old steel bike, but I have one in the loft 😆 I also build wheels already – both are rewarding.
Are you more keen to spend time or money immediately? That bike in the loft either needs restoring, repurposing or selling!
Otherwise I’d recommend building or buying a decent town/utility/cargo bike and so leave the car on the drive when fetching groceries/running local errands
ie https://www.batavus.nl/elektrische-fietsen/quip-e-go-extra-cargo#BE101181
or
Cargo trike? Something that will test your welding skills for sure and can likely use a lot of existing parts. If you have lots of hills, it would likely be god for a hub e-conversion and should be useful for commuting too.
A disc brake “good” road bike/frame.
That's not left-field, it's mainstream 🙂 There's a PX London Road F&F for sale near me for £50. Scratched but sound. Disc and QR.
@mick_r that does sound interesting.
@p7eaven I don't have the space and my CAADX is pretty good at lugging. The 531frame is almost rusted through at the top tube/seat tube so it's not worth anything and I'd like to keep it in case I get one nicked.
Equally @molgrips I would like something light and fancy - the LR is going to be very similar to my Cracknfail.
self-build Pinion recumbent tricycle ?
From a time before digital, never before seen on the Internet:
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@mick_r that's great. Purely from your own ideas? I wonder if a "tubular" double diamond one could be made...what thickness ply did you use?
Pretty much my own ideas. Think Bike Friday might have used a 3 way interlocking thing at the seat cluster.
Welshfarmer's mate did a tubular one. Thread on it somewhere.
Loads of ways to do it. See:
Art and Industry cargo bikes
Swan
Galego carbonwood
Sandwich Bike
It was a torsion box so quite thin 6mm marine ply with 25mm edges / internal ribs. No head tube - just short stubs to press the cups into. Very stiff and no creaks.
Surely you should discuss you velocipede finances with your local rugby teams hooker whilst supping on a coca cola.
Tell me that you wouldnt want one if you had the chance . Go on.
https://www.instructables.com/SURF-FISHING-CART-TRAILER/
https://www.instructables.com/EXTREME-FAT-TIRE-BICYCLE/
Surely a side hack?
I like that unicycle...
And I have some 18mm ply spare....
Just need to work out how to bodge a crank onto a wheel 😉
It was a plastic bmx wheel with the bolt-in hub guts removed and an old FAG cartridge square taper bottom bracket axle. Can't remember what the ball races were that I used. They are both LH cranks so RH pedal is loctited.
It needs to be rehomed if anyone wants it....