AA's winter project

[AA]

I've always wanted to build a real winter bike, something that could be ridden in a fair amount of snow. It's official I've started production. I have a K2 beast frame (thanks Couch) with no swingarm. I figure the original singarm would be usless anyway so who needs it. What I have done so far: Bought some used ATV wheels and tires ($25), made all the fork components & welded the dropouts on the fork legs (the fork is pretty much done). I may machine out the bottom of the crowns to lighten it up if I feel like it. I have made up the front hub so I can start on the rear hub assembly and the swing arm this week. I'm hoping to be done in the next few weeks. my goal is to have the bike less than 45 lbs ( so I can pedal the damn thing).

Here is a pic of what I have done.....

[AA]

another pic

[Jisch]

Cool. Keep posting pics as you go through the process. Looks like a good winter project.

When you're done with that one, here's a suggestion for a tandem:

John

[CouchingTiger]

Nice K2 ;)

-Couch

[C.P.]

Very nice - looks like a fun project!

Looks just like Dan Hanebrink's "Extreme Terrain" Mtn Bike.

http://www.hanebrink.net/etb/index.html

C.P.

[AA]

Looks just like Dan Hanebrink's "Extreme Terrain" Mtn Bike.


C.P.



That is where I stole the idea.

[C.P.]

Very nice - I started a similar project quite some time ago - all I have is an old ATC 3 wheeler fork.

I think I'll re-juvenate that project...routing the chain will prove to be a challenge - especially with the tire being so wide vs the width of the BB/crank...Older model Hanebrinks had a jackshaft and a second Bottom bracket to route the chain...heres a photo of one used by the military.

Back when I worked at Wheelworks, they sold a few - they are fun to ride. I think I have the marketing video stashed somewhere at home if you're interested in viewing it...

[AA]

I'm going to use a jack shaft as well, I'll post pictures as it takes shape.

I first saw the Hanebrink bike at wheelworks years ago. I remember asking a sales guy if I could take it for a ride. He promplty said no, I think his name was Chris.......... just kidding ;D

[Jisch]

Found another 'snowbike' over at emptybeer:

[radair]

Really cool project AA. Those wheels are monsters (fork, too)!! I would love to have the ability to weld up Frankenbikes like this one and those cool MKR choppers. For now I guess I need to be satisfied with turning a bunch of spare parts into a SS beater.

Keep those pics coming!

[C.P.]

Found another 'snowbike' over at emptybeer:



That bike is pretty cool Jisch - it looks like a great way to make a snobike - and keep regular bicycle drivetrain etc.
It looks like the builder welded two Snocat rims together to make 4 inch+ wide rims!! - funny thing is, that's originally how snocat rims came to life - the guy who started snocat rim company originall welded two regular bicycle rims together, then removed the innards - It took some time and convincing to find manufacturer to produce an extrusion - and walla - snocats rims were born!

That snow bike took some frame mods for sure for tire clearance & chainline (wider BB). Cool stuff.

[Jisch]

Yeah, that looks like a cool bike. I guess its a common occurence up in Alaska for the Iditabike (or whatever its called).

I'd love to have one of those in the garage for winter.

John

[Mt.A TODD]

;)

[MMcG]

Check out this Vicious Snow bike! Tasty!

[radair]

It looks like the builder welded two Snocat rims together to make 4 inch+ wide rims!! - funny thing is, that's originally how snocat rims came to life - the guy who started snocat rim company originall welded two regular bicycle rims together, then removed the innards - It took some time and convincing to find manufacturer to produce an extrusion - and walla - snocats rims were born!

That snow bike took some frame mods for sure for tire clearance & chainline (wider BB). Cool stuff.


I'm pretty sure these are not modified Snocat rims, but Remolino (made in New Mexico) sand wheels. Apparently they run two tubes and will push out a 3.0 Gazza to 3.7" Talk about float!

More info at http://www.wildfirecycles.com/fatbikes.html

Regardless, that's a load of rotating weight. There has to be a point of diminishing returns where greater width/float are counteracted by too much weight. I love this sort of stuff, though.

[C.P.]

Thanks Radair - good find.
-80mm wide rims & two tubes + DH gazza tires - Thats gotta be a lot of work to pedal :P
I wonder if it's still less work then trying to muscle a regular tired bike through the deep snow - or in some cases the difference between no ride in the snow and some kind of ride...that's something I'd love to test some day...just to see.

Any updates from the AA winter project?

[AA]

Any updates from the AA winter project?


Production has come to a screeching halt. The primary reason is that the machine shop at work hasn’t been available during off-hours and weekends due to some double shifting at work. Secondly I have started renovating my bathroom and now feel possessed to get that done. Hopefully I'll get back onto the project bike the week after Christmas.

[turch]

I'm pretty sure these are not modified Snocat rims, but Remolino (made in New Mexico) sand wheels.

They are Remolino sandies. Way overkill in my opinion. Snowcats rule the game. (though I'm not about to leave my RynoLites and homemades).

Want to learn more about the Snowcats? See the report by Charlie B at icebike.com, http://users.rcn.com/icebike/Equipment/rims.htm

[CouchingTiger]

What, you haven't completed one project and you've already moved on to another! Why do I get the feeling that this one is gonna wind up out behind the shed ;)

-Couch

[AA]

Why do I get the feeling that this one is gonna wind up out behind the shed ;)

-Couch


yea I'm going to put it next to my 1/2 done time machine and my partially restored 72 Microbus

[CouchingTiger]

Haha!

Hey, you missed a great XC ski torture fest last night. Lincoln was miserable. Two hours of hell! It was great ;)

-Couch



Why do I get the feeling that this one is gonna wind up out behind the shed ;)

-Couch


yea I'm going to put it next to my 1/2 done time machine and my partially restored 72 Microbus

[radair]

yea I'm going to put it next to my 1/2 done time machine and my partially restored 72 Microbus


Aren't these one and the same? ;D

[C.P.]

Or - you could bid on this one...(small 16In frame though...)
Angletechcycles.com owners bike

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3658459122&category=72 97