Bikes have been a popular way of transportation and recreation for many years, but they’re also an increasingly interesting DIY project! Whether you’re new to bike building or a seasoned veteran, there’s no shortage of news, parts and projects that can inspire your imagination. In these blog posts, we’ll dive deep into trends in the world of biking; from custom designs to engine-powered inventions and much more — get ready for some truly awesome things! Plus, learn about tips for getting started with small bike-building projects around your home. So strap on those gear helmets and join us as we explore what makes biking great today!
Rick writes – “Patchwork Central in Evansville, Indiana, runs after-school art programs for inner-city kids. Over the three years that I ran the Bike Club there, the kids (10 years old & up) & I created a number of amazing and unusual custom bikes. Whatever the kids dreamed up, we built… staying within the laws […]
FrankG writes – “Here some more adventures with the “Electric Bike” project, this installment covers upgrades for extended range, road tires and a small rant on cheap electronics…” – Link. Previous: Electric bicycle (part 1) – Link. Electric bicycles – Link.
Frank writes – “Semi-custom stealth kit for Electric Bicycles in backward regions (Still not legal in Ontario…) Lower Center of gravity via Batteries in Saddle Bags, and active cooling on the controller…” – Link.
Awesome, we posted up an old photo from 1895 of a “Railway velocipede” and of course, turns out, there are makers out there building and using these. Here are a few that were sent in. Railbike along the scenic Willamette River between Lake Oswego and Portland – Link. Krazmo writes – “This guy has well […]
Pat sent in this week’s video from the National Association of Manufacturers – “…here’s a 6-minute video of the Westfield (Mass.) Manufacturing Company, makers of the Columbia bicycle (from the 1950’s) “bringing health and pleasure to millions of Americans.” Indeed..feel the vintage manufacturing vibe!” Link. Pictured here, a gorgeous 1950 Columbia Bicycle from the Nostalgic.net […]
Great bike hack on Instructables from Maxwell – “How to Build a Tall Bike, one that you can stop safely, and could be construed as street legal in most places. With this method, you’ll be able to stand over the bike, allowing you to hop down easily, have two brakes, a full complement of gears, And have a better riding position than two bikes stacked on top of eachother. You’ll only destroy one bike, The top portion is bolted to the bottom bike, so if it breaks, or you get tired of it, the bottom bike can be reverted to normal. All in all I think this makes for a suprisingly sane tall bike. Not that you’ll look any less the madman riding it through traffic.” Link.
Excellent tale from the “Make” – If the field wasn’t so remote, Waldo County residents would have been treated to an unusual sight in September: Blueberry rakers merrily pedaling old bicycles that powered even-older machines used to clean the fruit. Like many good ideas, Shana Hanson’s bicycle-powered blueberry winnowers had their roots in calamity… Hanson borrowed two bicycles that were already mounted on homemade wooden frames. She removed the tires from the back wheels, and covered the inside of the rims with duct tape. Then she attached drive belts that linked the wheels to pulleys on the winnowers. It was an instant success. Link.
