Tall Bike Project

[lowracer]

I've recently been considering purchasing a MiniVelo road bike which is basically a 700c road bike built on 20" wheels, very popular in Europe & Asia. But then I already have a kids bike (yeah another GT) that my kid outgrew. It looks brand new and would only need a few modifications to be a minivelo, narrow street slicks, cranks w/52T chainring, taller stem or DIY mod and longer seatpost. I was doing some thinking today (not the same thinking I do most days) & am seriously thinking about installing my little 12.5" scooter wheels onto '2High' making '2High' into 'Not Too 2 High'...lol
Seriously.
Drop the bike down from 26" wheels to 12.5" wheels as long as the large chainring on the bottom bike doesn't hit the ground. Using the triple chainrings down below opposite of what I ue it for now reducing the engine gearing to amplify the pedaling gearing: 52T:26T to 46T:16T freewheel to get around 20 mph @ max pedaling speed). The engine drive would be a straight shot from 10T:18T for max around 29mph.
I bet handling would be nice, the bike wouldn't be much higher than a 'regular' bike, ability to pedal above the engine with no engine/pedal interference using a 'normal' BB axle length. Yeah the engine could be mounted over the rear wheel or the front wheel but this is a unique way to 'skin the cat' that is totally different looking.
I've got a new 26" rear wheel coming & when I receive it, I'll mock the bike up on the 12.5" scooter wheels for a photo opportunity.
-Low-

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

I'm sorry there's no cure for the disease you've got Low; - make sure you get out and and about often and give it to other people

 

[Otero]

Well,I guess it's not quite as bad as 'mad cow's disease, but
it is contageous & can turn your brain to sludge with WD40
dripping from your ears.

 

[lowracer]

OK,
I received my new back wheel from Niagara Cycles & it is sweet. Just a cheapy 26" all black MTB threaded for freewheel 36 spoke bolt on wheel with an Alex rim for $35. The 2 freewheels are now flip flopped to allow the engine to drive the inner one & my pedalling to drive the outer. I had it in reverse & it was a mess trying to get it all lined up with a large pedalling chainring. Now its perfect & everything went together very nicely.
I am now running a 53T pedal chainring down to an 18T freewheel tensioned by an old DuraAce derailleur. I tried to install the little 12.5" scooter wheels, but this road bike frame hit the ground so that idea is scrapped.
Here are the pics (had to do two threads)
I also experimented today with makin a DIY miniv elo out of an old kids bike. I took one pic before disassembling it & returning it back to a kids bike.
-Low-

 

[lowracer]

More pics
-Low-

 

[lowracer]

And here is that Mini Velo Project (quit going any further with this)
This bike may end up motorized for my daughter to ride around on for fun.
-Low-

 

[lowracer]

I ordered and installed a new fork to lower the front end a bit to put more weight on the front.
Last week, off the line with strong pedallng & full throttle caused the bike to wheelie on me. I got it corrected before it got too out of control, but it was alarming. The previous Bloodline fork has a similar axle to crown length as a suspension fork and lifted the front end, putting too much weight rearward. The new fork feels alot better, but no more full throttle under power pedalling takeoffs for me...lol
I got a new Tanaka 40cc engine coming in the mail tomorrow and will either put it on '2High' or onto the full suspension scooter I pilaged the Tanaka 47cc & gearbox to build '2High'.
Here are some pics w/the new fork.
-Cheers-
lowracer

 

[Wickedest1]

That is wicked...nice work low

 

[lowracer]

Wickedest1,
Thanks bro...
The Tall Bike Project, aka '2High' is a keeper,
I love putting around on this contraption and the looks it gets.
I think if I had to do it all over again, I'd use a full suspension DH MTB w/slicks for the bottom bike to eat up all the road bumps...
Aint nothing like 'Monkey Motion'.
-Low-

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

An amazing bike Low. It's been great watching how 2High has developed over time. Still not for me I'm afraid, but I'm happy to sit back and watch.

 

[lowracer]

IWW,
Thanks for watching the build.
My new Tanaka 40cc arrived today & but I havent mounted or started it yet. First I have to figure out if I want it on 'NoName' (bike to scooter conversion) or '2High'?
I added a nice stack of carbon headset spacers to replace the 'extra stem' I was using to take up 35mm's of space & also to allow fine tune adjustments to ride height. They were cheap so I had to get'em.
-Low-

 

[lowracer]

I was digging an electric bike made by Cannonball2 using an Xtracycle longtail cargo kit. http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=54239
It got my wheels turning & I started modifying '2High' into '2High2Long2Plush'.
The tall bike is a hoot to ride both motorized and pedal powered. The wheelbase would benefit from being longer especially since the center of gravity is so high that it makes it very easy to wheelie, and I dont even want to think what would happen in an emergency braking situation...
Pilaging parts from my free full suspension bike turned scooter, I will be using the rear swingarm/shock to extend & suspend '2High' and either its cheapy front triple tree suspension fork or my Marzocchi Bomber single crown fork gathering dust.
I got most of the rear end complete, just gotta drill a few holes, bolts things up & extend the chains.
I posted some pics on Cannonball's thread but will add the new stuff here as it progresses.
-Lowracer-

 

[lowracer]

The bike is morphing once again into a new creature.
Here it is with a Marzocchi front suspension fork, extended rear swingarm with rear shock.
I found some cheap chain tubes today at Home Depot for 98c/each. Its called Riser Flex Pipe 1/2" x 24". I bought 3 of them & will route both chains thru it to avoid frame interference.
I had a tadpole trike one time & loved the chain tubes for both chain routing & grease management. I still need to mount the rear derailleurs and chains/tubes then will take it out on its 2nd maiden voyage.
-Lowracer-

 

[cannonball2]

Nice work LR! Really like it, especially the bottom half, too old for both halves-lol. A simple and clean way to get an extended bike, with suspension too!

 

[lowracer]

I installed the 2 chains, rear derailleurs (its got 4 of them), and 2 chain tubes & got to take it on its 2nd maiden voyage today.
While in 'pedal only' mode, going really slowly talking on my cell phone, the rear end dropped down almost to the ground. The rear tire contacted the rear aluminum crossbrace, so no damage occurred. I was able to bail out off to the left landing on my feet with no issues. I didn't even drop the call...lol
I'm very glad I didnt motorize during its 2nd maiden voyage!
Both rear brake posts supporting the rear shock broke.
The strong part of the rear brake posts is the bottom section where it is welded to the frame. I didn't bolt deep enough thru & the top section of brake post is wimpy.
I re-drilled my mounting bracket to fit the larger threaed section of brake post still left & rebolted deeper. It seems fine now & I did run a few laps under engine power.
The chain tubes worked out great and run quiet. I think I'll be using them again for future builds.
-Lowracer-

 

[cannonball2]

Didn't drop the call! Love it!!
On the cargo bike I also used the rear brake mounts for the battery mount. I removed the brake posts and drilled and tapped for 5/16 bolts.The "barrels" welded to the frame are easily substantial enough to handle the bigger bolts.

Glad you weren't hurt!

 

[lowracer]

CB2,
5/16" is my preferred bolt size. I often find myself @ Tractor Supply stocking up on multiple random length Grade 8 bolts (& nylock nuts) for future projects. Going by weight it always ends up being so cheap for great quality compared to piece pricing @ Lowes, Home Depot & Ace.
-Low-

 

[maniac57]

Great idea running the chains through the pipes to control flapping!
It looks nuts! I love it!

 

[lowracer]

Maniac,
Thank you.
Today, I installed an Avid BB7 cable front disc brake and it works well. I also have the v-brake on the front wheel but no back brakes.
I was looking into buying a lock-out rear shock since under pedal power '2High' bounces doen the road with each pedal stroke. The pedal chain pulls the rear of the swingarm up & is what is causing the problem. The engine chain pulls from the front and doest affect the rear suspension in this way. The shock is like $75, so I may switch to plan 'B' and make a swingaway piece of angle iron to lock the shock for pedal only rides.
I may also replace the silver top frame with the green one I found. It would probably look more 'finished' being the same color and normal size diamond frame. It also looks like it would bolt right up having the same overall dimensions as the silver one.
We will see...
Here are the latest pics (1st pic has the disc brake installed, 2nd pic doesn't)
-Lowracer-

 

[lowracer]

Not wanting to leave well enough alone, I swapped top frames today.
It went on very quickly and easily.
Let me know which version looks better?
I'm now thinking of using the silver frame rear section as the rear swingarm extension and do away with the rear suspension altogether. I could just bolt in 2 pieces of metal to replace the shock & keep the swingarm I have now. I like pedaling too much so it may be a good sacrifice.
-Lowracer-