Thanks Zerbe! I was waiting your answer.. since I know you worked with
cannondale..
Your idea was my third option (that I forgot to write) buy a production
bike..still hardtail for 1K$... and then use the mongoose for this
project... but with a longer term... may build a sort of light mtb for
cyclocross..where there's less fatigue and smaller loads on the frame
At this point I think it is the best idea....
I'm not too much worried about the building of the jig and the frame..
already done this back in Italy for a formula race car with a precision of
1mm over 2m of car...
I m most worried to understand the dimension of parts ( i.e. the diameter
of
the bearing of a good crank or the bearing of the fork), where I have
really
no idea...
It is evident.. that the fun it is either the construction of the frame
and
ride it!
---
Daniele Littera
-----Messaggio originale-----
Da: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
<[email protected]]> Per
conto di Jonathan Zerbe
Inviato: martedì 2 novembre 2010 0.38
A: [email protected]
Oggetto: Re: [WVU Cycling] Homemade Carbon Fiber MTB!
Sounds like a terrible idea. First off, its alot more expensive and a huge
pain in the ass to build a bike from frame up than it is to buy a whole
production bike (this goes for you downhill guys too). Trust me on this
100%. The other considerations are knowing what to do with the jig,
especially when it comes to alignment of the bottom bracket and rear
dropouts. It may be strong enough but the wheel could be crooked or the
shifting/chainline wont work. Even big companies screw this up from time
to
time. Anyway, by the time you get all this correct you could of bought a
sweet production bike and be riding it every hour you would have spent
building your own frame (which I assume is alot).
I bet Cannondale aluminum frames are lighter than 3.7 lbs too.
Sorry to kill your dream but if you really wanted to do this buy a whole
new
bike first then you at least have something to ride while you take on this
project. Also as a person who has been riding for many years, I often
dream
about getting a custom geometry bike, and despite having ridden alot of
bikes, I still dont know what exact geometry I would want.
This hits me at a sore spot that grew working at Cannondale and having to
deal with things like this. You learn more by riding bikes then you do by
reading forums.
On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 12:11 AM, Daniele Littera
<[email protected]>
wrote:
Hi guys,
I know that it can be something very funny to read or even think
about, the largest companies invest milions of dollar in R&D for
lighter and stiffer models. but it not as difficult as it appear!
and more important I have not the target to build the lighest and
stiffest frame ever!
I already worked with carbon fiber with epoxy resin, it just needs a
little bit of experience, but everybody really can do it!
having said that, this is my plan: build an homemade hardtali MTB!
I just took the inspiration from this amazing guy:
the step-by-step workhttp://www.bmeres.com/carbonframe1.htm
and the final result http://www.bmeres.com/carbonframe.htm
for a total weight of 3.7 lbs, using 9 and 11 layers of carbon fiber
fabric (more o less 7 mm of thickness)
I remember that i don't care to make it extremely light... I want it
to last! I will be ok even if it will weigth 5 lbs!
i'm driven to do this for a lot of reason.... i have a shitty bike (
very heavy and walmart style).. it is so interesting to build a bike
on my own!..it's cheap have an awesome light bike and possibly very
performing!
But obviously I lack of exeprience in MTB parts and technique! this is
where all of you guys could help me!
My first idea is basically to remove all the parts from my actual
bike. Disassemble from the frame the head tube , the rear drop-outs
and the BB Shell. These parts will be integrated in the new frame in
order to make easier the assembly and do not built these parts from
scratch!
I'll let you know with more details the characteristics of all the
parts that I have on my bike, like diameter of the crank.. type of
derailleurs.. and bla bla bla..
Instead the second idea is to get rid of the bike on craiglist and
get money for that(except the hayes hydraulic brakes and the fork,
restoring the original parts), and buy new and used parts, but with
better quality like the crank, the gears, derailleurs, shifter wheels
and bla bla bla
obviously if someone has extra parts and doesn't know what to do with
I could buy them...
now, what do you think? In your opinion is it better the first or
second idea???
I want to clarify that I dont want at this point to design a complete
new and revolutionary bike.. but I just want to built an easy frame,
with the geometric dimensions based on an actual hardtail frame, like
more or less the bike of Duncan or Todd.
Moreover, before even start to buy the carbon fiber structural
simulations will be done to verify that the structure can hold the
load ( i will use the european standard, cause i didnt find the
american ones). It will be an home made frame.. but under a rigid
engineering design process!!!
the cost of the frame will be around 400$ considering all the
materials.
I strongly ask for any kind of comments, critics, suggestions, help
thanks guys!
