Jay_B Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Not sure where to post this but seeing as though it would be aimed and enduro type riding i will post it here... Anybody perhaps got experience with building there own bike frames? Been playing around with some design ideas when i have some free time at work to build a frame. Have come up with something like this... Material would all be 6061 Aluminium. I havent put in all the detail like bolts, bearings etc. Just the basic frame geometry I have qualified TIG welders at work that can do the welding for me and also have some nice CNC machines to get machined parts sorted out too Designed for 150mm travel up front and 26" wheels. Took inspiration from various bike frames that appealed to me and tried to put them all together. Could turn into quite a nice project if it takes off... So lets hear the thoughts and ideas? DubbelBuys 1
Brian Fantana Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Nice, did you use SolidWorks for the 3D design?
Brian Fantana Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) Aluminium needs heat treatment after welding, unless I don't remember that well from my varsity days. Would you have access to such heat treatment facilities? Have you considered a TIG welded steel frame? Caminade makes a full suspension steel frame, it took a few top 10 spots on the Enduro World Series: http://enduro-mtb.co...-one4all-bikes/ Edited March 17, 2014 by Brian Fantana ThePubSA, Busker, braailegend and 1 other 4
Jay_B Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Nice, did you use SolidWorks for the 3D design? No, using Inventor
BogusOne Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Looks like a lekker project. Definitely my kind of thread So soon as it takes off you HAVE to post pics as you go along. If I can give you a tip though.... Its not as simple as chucking a couple of tubes together and WOW there is a bike standing.... There is a lot of trial and error involved but its never the less a hell of a rewarding experience. I have built a singlespeed carbon HT and is currently busy with a similar bike as yours but again in carbon as its a easy medium to work with as I do not have access to all the machinery and tooling to do metal frames. Working on that though Good luck with the build though and post pics.... plenty of pics!!!!!!
Jay_B Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Aluminium needs heat treatment after welding, unless I don't remember that well from my varsity days. Would you have access to such heat treatment facilities? Have you considered a TIG welded steel frame? Caminade makes a full suspension steel frame, it took a few top 10 spots on the Enduro World Series: http://enduro-mtb.co...-one4all-bikes/ I can have the heat treatment done as well... We have a lot of work outsourced for heat treatment. Would how ever have to look at the cost involved though. Steel could definitely be an option... Ultimately will come down to costing but also if i go ahead with it i want to do it properly. Nice looking bike that Caminade Hairy 1
Flowta Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Not sure where to post this but seeing as though it would be aimed and enduro type riding i will post it here... Anybody perhaps got experience with building there own bike frames? Been playing around with some design ideas when i have some free time at work to build a frame. Have come up with something like this... Material would all be 6061 Aluminium. I havent put in all the detail like bolts, bearings etc. Just the basic frame geometry I have qualified TIG welders at work that can do the welding for me and also have some nice CNC machines to get machined parts sorted out too Designed for 150mm travel up front and 26" wheels. Took inspiration from various bike frames that appealed to me and tried to put them all together. Could turn into quite a nice project if it takes off... So lets hear the thoughts and ideas? Hey Jay_B Where are you based? I was thinking something along those lines fairly recently. Just time and other got in the way. Keen to pick up on it again. Need to practice my inventor skills. Any chance I could get a could of those files to use as a base for my design? Thanks
Jay_B Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Looks like a lekker project. Definitely my kind of thread So soon as it takes off you HAVE to post pics as you go along. If I can give you a tip though.... Its not as simple as chucking a couple of tubes together and WOW there is a bike standing.... There is a lot of trial and error involved but its never the less a hell of a rewarding experience. I have built a singlespeed carbon HT and is currently busy with a similar bike as yours but again in carbon as its a easy medium to work with as I do not have access to all the machinery and tooling to do metal frames. Working on that though Good luck with the build though and post pics.... plenty of pics!!!!!! I am fully aware that it wont be a straight road project and will require alot of trial and error. My idea would be to get everything in place before proceeding with final welds... I would also build a jig to fit the frame tubes in for mock up assembly and welding ( something like below) A good friend of mine that i studied with works for a company that does computer analysis simmulations of susspension so i have chatted to him about analysing the design before proceeding. Im interested in your work with Carbon? I thought about it for some components but then also though if i do it wrong and it doesnt cure properly i could end up with some nasty injuries BogusOne 1
BogusOne Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 I am fully aware that it wont be a straight road project and will require alot of trial and error. My idea would be to get everything in place before proceeding with final welds... I would also build a jig to fit the frame tubes in for mock up assembly and welding ( something like below) A good friend of mine that i studied with works for a company that does computer analysis simmulations of susspension so i have chatted to him about analysing the design before proceeding. Im interested in your work with Carbon? I thought about it for some components but then also though if i do it wrong and it doesnt cure properly i could end up with some nasty injuries Awesome stuff. I can see that you have put a lot of thought into this so far so. Always a good thing... Carbon is not that difficult to work with and if you follow the correct steps of lay up and resin mixtures and curing methods you should not have any problems. Been riding my SS for more than a year now without any issues what so ever.
Jay_B Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Quickly did some googling on steel bike frames and from what i can see its not just your ordinary carbon steel you would find at Macsteel for example. Problem there could be whether or not there is an equivalent of some sort in S.A or what the costs would be getting the steel imported. The main manufacturers seem to be Columbus Tubi & Tange Tubing. Could also throw Reynolds in there. A link to an interesting table regarding steels used.http://www.pipedreamcycles.com/2012/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Tubing%20Comparisons.pdf Research continues...
Jay_B Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Hey Jay_B Where are you based? I was thinking something along those lines fairly recently. Just time and other got in the way. Keen to pick up on it again. Need to practice my inventor skills. Any chance I could get a could of those files to use as a base for my design? Thanks Hey Flowta Yea no problem, I am based up in gauteng near the Vaal. Send me a PM and let me know what exactly you looking for.
quintonb Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Going to be following this thread very closely, I have toyed with building my own steel frame too..Personally I would say Steel would be easier than Aluminium. Lots of guys in the past have tried Aluminium and it eventually cracks.I remember many years ago EXOCET built a CANNONDALE style frame, they generally always cracked. I like the solid modelling, I work with SolidEdge, use it for plastic injection mould design.Good luck and keep us posted.
javadude Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Go have a look at http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/f10/ Some of the best frame builders in the world hang out there and hand out free tips.
Hairy Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Also recon steel should be investigated a little further if this has your interest. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/product/review-cotic-rocket-frame-46090/ https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/rocket You would also have to make 100% sure on your drive side chain stays that there is sufficient clearance for the chain/cassette wrap. Are the curved tube set merely for cosmetic reasons or are you aiming to gain strength from the structure? Check your main pivot location with your buddy .... this is a critical point and mm's make a big difference. The lower suspension link, consider also putting it on a gusset plate of sorts to distribute the load on the tubes. Best Wished on the Project .... following with interest. Now very importantly .... what colour
Jay_B Posted March 18, 2014 Author Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks for all the advice so far guys, keep it coming.... Did a bit of digging around and as far as i can gather the steel used for all European bike frames is not available in S.A... So am i now looking at Chromoly which is quite popular in frames and seems to be 1 or 2 possible suppliers. I have also made some enquires about Titanium tubing prices and availability. This could be a nice option as it is quite easy to work with and weld. I also know somebody who builds beautiful racing kyaks out of carbon fibre so will look at maybe chatting to him about doing the rear triangle in Carbon, could be a nice addition and someone to learn from who know how to work with it all. Hairy - The curved tube are more for cosmetics, i like the flowing lines it creates... As for the colour well, i cant reveal all my sectrets in one go
Hairy Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks for all the advice so far guys, keep it coming.... Did a bit of digging around and as far as i can gather the steel used for all European bike frames is not available in S.A... So am i now looking at Chromoly which is quite popular in frames and seems to be 1 or 2 possible suppliers. I have also made some enquires about Titanium tubing prices and availability. This could be a nice option as it is quite easy to work with and weld. I also know somebody who builds beautiful racing kyaks out of carbon fibre so will look at maybe chatting to him about doing the rear triangle in Carbon, could be a nice addition and someone to learn from who know how to work with it all. Hairy - The curved tube are more for cosmetics, i like the flowing lines it creates... As for the colour well, i cant reveal all my sectrets in one go Well will it at least have lighting bolts
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