First steps to frame number 2

I'm planning on building a frame. My second frame. I'm also planning on moving out of Chicago come may. I'll be moving to bike touring for several months and of course this is the perfect time to build a new bike for it. I've got the dead of winter, and all the time one could ask for. I've decided the bike will pretty much replace the ill fitting bike I made in Doug Fattic's class. Though I intended on that bike to be more of a 650b commuter this one will be a super touring bike. Not quite expedition. I'll be using those 650b wheels as well as other parts and the lighting system from that first bike. Sorry goose (goose is its name) you'll be on the hook for some time.






One of the things I needed to get in order was a fork bending mandrel that gave me at least 65mm of rake. I've decided to go again with low trail front end geometry, which requires greater fork rake. The whole operation was easier than I had anticipated. All one needs is a fork with a pleasing radius to trace, a block of maple, some sort of band saw to cut the radius and a small variety of rat tail files. I filed this mandrel for imperial oval blades. I filed a variable radius into the block, if you were to file a "V" it would probably accept other variety of blade styles. In filing I attempted to match the radius of the blade as it conformed around the mandrel.

For the question of finding the right fork to trace I used a 1961 Schwinn Paramount fork to model after. You can either trace the inside or the outside of the bend. I choose the inside. After transferring the curve from paper to block and then cutting off the excess wood the next step is filing. Since I chose the inside radius of the fork after filing I ended up with an even tighter radius, which I anticipated and am pleased with. If you traced the outside edge of the fork you'd probably end up with a curve closer to the original.

After the first few tests and some modifications I ended up with a fork rake max of 110mm. After cutting off the flat section of the rake I get about 80-90mm of rake. This mandrel will be adequate for the fork I am building and will look pleasing to my eyes, perhaps to others as well.

Winter bikes

For the last 4 years I've built up a new bike for each winter. The first of the series of designated winter bikes was a KHS flite track bike, which doubled as a polo bike. A simple fixed gear with a seat mounted fender. I had it geared really low to battle the wind and warm up my body more rapidly. I ended up selling it for some reason or another. The next year I built up a white trek 750 with a 3 speed Shimano internal gear hub. I guess the combination of building up a used hub with winter street salt and my desire to ride hard and fast wherever I went that destroyed that hub in a matter of a few months. I then built it up with a derailleur again. Once again having to deal with the mechanism freezing up with the slush inside of it. That was a swell bike that I thoroughly enjoyed. It met its demise when we were deflected of the front side panel of a white Ford 250 pickup truck. Last year I rode a early 80's stump jumper most everywhere, including 28 miles round trip three times a week across Chicago. Derailleurs froze, Cantilevers seized up, but all in all a decent bike. Its currently set up with a large cargo rack on the front. Gaining weight its even more unappealing to ride 14 miles to work and then another 14 home, probably into the wind. So it was once again time for a new winter bike.





I'd found myself missing riding fixed. I'd given it up half out of my growing interest in geared bikes and half out of my distaste for the gaudy sub culture growing around fixed geared bikes. I wanted to have those muscles I had when I used to ride fixed. I wanted the simplicity of a bicycle that won't fail under salt and slush. I wanted an excuse to build another bike. After five winters in Chicago I've reached this years conclusion. Fixed gear, Internal brake, and Generator. So far the bike is working out great, though there is no snow on the ground yet.

Tim Knoll

Well I've just been wowed. Just watch this video. I used to ride with this guy way back when. Some move on, some stick with it and just get better. Part of me wishes I had stuck with bmx, wishes I could still hang. Oh well, what is is. I can at least enjoy this video and look back with fond memories of driving an hour to hang out in various parking lots in Wisconsin. I'm glad your still riding Tim, puts a smile on my face, as I'm sure it does yours.

Tim Knoll BMX from tim knoll on Vimeo.

Stagnation.

Oh yeah slow start. Got to get in the habit of figuring out helpful little things people want to read...

As far as things go rack making is on the back burner. Once I get laid off of my seasonal bike shop job I'll be in my work shop frantically making racks while I watch the summers earnings go towards rent and utilities. Hopefully I can find a good balance between working for my wages and working towards my goals. But hey, enjoy this picture of my first customer beaming to have his bike back with wonderful additions.

Simple steps towards theft prevention

Here is a little trick I picked up off the internet. Thought I'd pass it on. It seems so simple I kinda wonder why I never thought of it myself. A Ball bearing, a lighter and some crayon or bees wax, and presto! You've made your seat and seatpost (or any other bolt on part) that much harder to steal. I don't imagine too many bike thief's walking around with a narrow poker, or sharpened spoke capable of prying that ball out of there...

An Introduction

Hi, my name in Andrew McComb. I plan to use this blog to write about my own endeavors in rack and at some point frame building, as well as anything else cycling related. I don't particularly think I have anything worth saying that someone hasn't said better, I mainly see a blog as a way of self promotion. If I plan to sell any racks, the more marketing the better. Possible clients tend to like to be able to see what their builder is up to right?