29 inch chopper bike, bad idea?

[bjosta]

Ok, so hear me out... 8)

What if you would take a frame like this:


But replace the long front fork with a 100mm suspension fork for a 29" wheel?

Would the added wheel dimension compensate for the long original fork or would I hit the ground with the pedals?

 

[dogman dan]

I dunno, but at that rake angle, the suspension will not work at all. I'm not guessing, you get the same thing when you put a suspension fork on a bike with regular fork geometery. that choppers rake angle will be even worse. The springer forks work in a different way, which is why you see em on choppers.

 

[Drunkskunk]

a 29" wheel will stand the bike 1 to 1.5 inches taller than a 26" tire of the same size. the diameter is more, but only the diffrence in radius, from the axle down to the tread matters. That 29" fork isn't going to be long enough to keep the crank off the ground, and then it needs to compress 100mm.

Plus, as Dogman says, the angles would be all wrong, it wouldn't work. A springer fork would be the way to go. Check out Aussiejester's fork.

 

[bjosta]

Ok, thanks for the answers, shows how much I know about bikes
I'm getting better at the electric parts though but stuff like frame geometry, sizes, suspension, gearing is a big blank.
I have this dream steampunk/madmax build in my head, trying to get some concrete parts to start with

I'm not yet finished with my rear hub Electra Townie yet and I'm already thinking about the next build... This forum is dangerous!

 

[AussieJester]

I have seen a few of those frames used with motered bikes (ICE)
on a couple of other forums they would definitely suit an electric
conversion, but as DrunkSkunk has imo correctly stated the
forks you wish to put on the bike wouldn't be long enough to
keep the cranks from bottoming out and when compressed
i would bet a large sum the frame would hit too... The
fork DrunkSkunk suggested is available from choppersUS
They are extremely heavy and with stock springs useless as
far as suspension goes, the springs need to be changed...

All the best with your project, i would still encourage using this bike for a
e-bike build suspension or not, would make a neat bike to cruise
on ... but then i'm a lil biased

KiM

 

[dogman dan]

Yeah, don't balk on the bike, just ditch the idea of suspension forks.

Won't the front wheel tend to float over bumps a bit nicer with that much rake anyway? It seemed a bit that way when I was using the wrong fork on a regular bike frame. The forks wouldn't compress, but the extra length seemed to make the front wheel feel the bumps less anyway. That was with a heavy front hub motor up there too.

 

[bjosta]

What I really want is a cheap, large frame in a "cruiser/chopper" style, doesn't have to be a chopper like the above. Doesn't have to be a suspension fork either but I'm having problems finding it, living in Sweden doesn't help... Found some 26" cruiser frames that would work, was only ~$70 but shipping to Sweden was $300, and then I would have an empty frame, I would then need wheels, gears, chain, pedals, fork etc.

I'll keep looking for cruiser bikes or bare frames, unfortunately these styles are not common in Sweden, best option so far is find some cheap China bike/frame on sale from EU country like Germany. I've also been looking through the local craigslist equivalent but since it's about a meter snow and freezing temps out the bike market is not in full swing :lol:

 

[chroot]

You could go Yedal's chopper route. His e-chopper has the suspension fork. It looks beautiful and awesome!

http://www.ypedal.com/Redhornet.htm
http://www.ypedal.com/X5Chopper/index.htm
http://www.ypedal.com/PSIChopper/index.htm

 

[oldpiper]

What I really want is a cheap, large frame in a "cruiser/chopper" style, doesn't have to be a chopper like the above. Doesn't have to be a suspension fork either but I'm having problems finding it, living in Sweden doesn't help... Found some 26" cruiser frames that would work, was only ~$70 but shipping to Sweden was $300, and then I would have an empty frame, I would then need wheels, gears, chain, pedals, fork etc.

I'll keep looking for cruiser bikes or bare frames, unfortunately these styles are not common in Sweden, best option so far is find some cheap China bike/frame on sale from EU country like Germany. I've also been looking through the local craigslist equivalent but since it's about a meter snow and freezing temps out the bike market is not in full swing :lol:

Heck, if this one is affordable, I'd go with it as is. I think it looks pretty cool, you've got room between the seat and pedals to put enough batteries to take the "long way around" from Sweden to France (well maybe not quite that far). The only things I might do are get a rear disk brake and maybe change the seat up a little, but that's personal taste.

Cameron

 

[AussieJester]

unfortunately these styles are not common in Sweden,

ES member Valy is also from Sweden IIRC? Purhaps speak to him about having a frame made, he builds nice custom bikes from the ground up.

KiM

 

[Bluefang]

if you really want suspension on the bike you first posted the easiest route might be to buy a set of forks designed for a Pocket chopper bike. only thing is you may have to look at motorbike rims for the front wheel unless you want to lace a bike rim onto a laced hub from a motorcross bike or something

 

[liveforphysics]

If you're asking how it will perform, anything in the chopper-esque styling will under-perform virtually any other frame option in all aspects, handling, braking, turning, off-road, on-road etc.

You trade the proper function of bicycle handling dynamics in exchange for getting to look like someone who trades the proper function of handling dynamics when you ride around.

 

[bjosta]

ES member Valy is also from Sweden IIRC? Purhaps speak to him about having a frame made, he builds nice custom bikes from the ground up.

KiM

Yepp, he is, he has actually helped me with torque arms for my Electra Townie (pictures and build thread coming soon, it's almost finished). A custom frame would be awesome but it's not in the cards right now. And I'm aiming more towards a "bicycle"/cruiser bike frame, not a motorbike/chopper with pedals.

Here is another style i really like:

http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-...cle-converted-into-48v-electric-flat-tracker/

And when I mean a "large" frame it doesn't have to be long chopper forks, I just feel that some cruiser frames looks like kids bikes when an adult rides them, I'm used to "traditional" frames with 28" wheels.

 

[bjosta]

If you're asking how it will perform, anything in the chopper-esque styling will under-perform virtually any other frame option in all aspects, handling, braking, turning, off-road, on-road etc.

You trade the proper function of bicycle handling dynamics in exchange for getting to look like someone who trades the proper function of handling dynamics when you ride around.

Haha true true... :lol:
Yeah I'll trade performance for style anyday 8) I'm not building a racer or a commuter that will see rush hour traffic, but I will keep it in the realm of "decent" performance.

Big thanks for the response from everyone, this is such a friendly forum, thanks again!

 

[AussieJester]

If you're asking how it will perform, anything in the chopper-esque styling will under-perform virtually any other frame option in all aspects, handling, braking, turning, off-road, on-road etc.

You trade the proper function of bicycle handling dynamics in exchange for getting to look like someone who trades the proper function of handling dynamics when you ride around.

Haha true true... :lol:
Yeah I'll trade performance for style anyday 8) I'm not building a racer or a commuter that will see rush hour traffic, but I will keep it in the realm of "decent" performance.

Big thanks for the response from everyone, this is such a friendly forum, thanks again!

Please forgive our Luke :lol: here's not a big fan of any 'choppers' as you can prolly tell, please
don't mention 'Harley Davidson' to him either, it produces a rather violent but comical reaction,
where he outlines not only the bikes failings,... but those of their owners too hehe...he is
definitely one that is more 'comfortable' being scrunched up on 'crotch rocket' in a position
not unlike one would take for a prostate examination :wink: :lol:

KiM

 

[oldpiper]

As KiM said! If your definition of "decent" performance is riding along at a reasonable speed (not 45+ mph), but certainly keeping up with the Lycra crowd w/o all that sweating and being comfortable while doing it, then a chopper style may be for you. If, on the other hand, you want to be able to slalom between other bikes on a track or trees off-road, then go with a more traditional bicycle. (Luke, I don't know exactly how you ride, have only seen the one pic on ES where you're showing off a nicely skinned-up leg at what looks like a racetrack setting, but I think I can safely infer that your version of "proper function of bicycle handling dynamics" is a bit stricter than mine.)

Cameron

 

[valy]

hello björn
chek this out. maybe you will find some think interesting for your new bike project :wink:
http://www.knasig.se/cool/
http://www.chopperdome.com/
I just bought this tires from chopperdome for my new bike project
and cool imports they are in in STOKOLM you can give them a visit.maybe they can help you with parts
good luck with your project Valy

 

[valy]

this will be a big frame

 

[AussieJester]

That top bike and the white frame above are both BasMaN's expensive but very nice druuuuuel....

KiM

 

[bjosta]

Thanks valy, I hadn't found http://www.coolimports.se/ but they had some great bikes. Most of them were out of my price range but there were some reasonable priced ones. I'll see if they have some stock in their Stockholm store, or maybe they are just post-order? I'll ask them.

They did list the 29" Phat Cycles "Rumble 29er"...


And the Mamba look sweet...

 

[valy]

hello Björn
look hire http://classic-cycle.de/en/Ready-Spanned-Wheels-Rims-Parts/4/
they have put the price dawn for the parts
they have wide rims,fat tires, rostfry chain ,disc brakes etc .
custom parts what only in U.S.A. find them :wink:
give a look they have very nice stuff there and good prices

 

[valy]

hello B
what happend with your project

 

[bjosta]

Hi valy,

Updates, this is where I'm at now:


I'm waiting for a handle bar, cranks, chain, pedals. Everything is only temporary mounted. Will add a rear rack also.

Left to do is motor wiring, I managed to tip the bike over and crush all the cables leaving the hub axle so now I have to open it up and install new wiring and resolder everything....

Might have to respoke the front wheel also..
Then I have to fabricate some battery box, mount everything, paint it all etc...

 

[valy]

hello B
very nice chip posting Im iterested how it is gowing with this progect.
good luck :wink: