Anyone know anything about this sidecar bike?
- Thread starter spinman
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Spinman .... you do! Even Arnold would think twice about riding one!
To get the feel of what you're in for, bolt two bikes together, take away one of the cranks. ride it around and think "Now what would it be like with no steering or front wheel on the other bike. Then add whatever poundage your monkey (rider) may weigh.
Yeah it sucks! But it's fun til you lose your breath!
If you do build one, I recommend building off the sprocket side and you should also have a slight lean of the bike. I think it was outward from the car/hack, but I can't remember. Try checking out some motorcycle sidecar setups. There are webpages with info for it.
Good luck and keep us posted.
To get the feel of what you're in for, bolt two bikes together, take away one of the cranks. ride it around and think "Now what would it be like with no steering or front wheel on the other bike. Then add whatever poundage your monkey (rider) may weigh.
Yeah it sucks! But it's fun til you lose your breath!
If you do build one, I recommend building off the sprocket side and you should also have a slight lean of the bike. I think it was outward from the car/hack, but I can't remember. Try checking out some motorcycle sidecar setups. There are webpages with info for it.
Good luck and keep us posted.
looks like thatd be easy to make spinman(pedaling it around with a passenger would be a different story though)
hey icyuod2 any idea whos bike that is? thats a great build(and thanks for posting it)
hey icyuod2 any idea whos bike that is? thats a great build(and thanks for posting it)
That bike used to belong to a friend named John Stansbury. It was at one of my shows a few years back, He said it rode ok without a passenger but made you work with one. Heres a picture at the show.
I've got my Worksman front-loading tricycle, which is pretty heavy. What I notice is that the weight seems to disproportionately affect performance. Theoretically, you know that if you doubled the weight and the wind drag of a bike, and then put gearing on exactly half the ratio it was, it ought to be just as easy to pedal as before, except at half the speed. The problem is, you're just not geared up mentally to go half the speed, and so you'll go faster. In other words, you'll find yourself working harder with the extra weight, even if you don't need to. So seems to me the sidecar bike would be great for a parade or something like that, but not something I'd want to ride around very much.
By coincidence, I was at a parade this morning and here's one of the spectators:
By coincidence, I was at a parade this morning and here's one of the spectators:
Sensor, Thats a Hutch Windstyler. Heres some better pictures
I thought I warned you people not to mention sidecars?
First: No, you don't have to be the Governator to peddle one, it's a little heavier to get moving but as long as it rolls there is no problem. I never practice any kind of sport and I am of average built and weight.
A load of about 55 pounds is easy and keeps the sidecar on the pavement, 90 pounds is no problem, 175 pounds (a full grown man) is manageble, to the next pub. Girls don't seem to have any weight.
A trailer behind a bike takes more effort to keep moving than a sidecar and it is not as wobbly as any two-wheeled freight bike. Erm, it is not wobbly at all.
Second: The geometry.
A) Most rules for motorcycle sidecars don't apply: Less weight, less accelaration, less speed.
B) Keep the bike and sidecar wheel as vertical as possible; there are enough strange and destructive forces at work without adding a 'lean' to the wheels.
C) For the best cornering the rear wheel and sidecar wheel should be in line, for better weight distribution the sidecar wheel should be more to the front. A compromise is needed. Here is what I came up with:
And here is a picture of my sidecar bikes (again):
Changes I made to the bikes: front wheel axle from 5/16" to 3/8", I had to walk it home once with the front wheel flopping from side to side; handlebars that won't pierce your guts or thigh when at an almost 90 degree angle.
It is fun to build one and fun to ride, so have fun.
First: No, you don't have to be the Governator to peddle one, it's a little heavier to get moving but as long as it rolls there is no problem. I never practice any kind of sport and I am of average built and weight.
A load of about 55 pounds is easy and keeps the sidecar on the pavement, 90 pounds is no problem, 175 pounds (a full grown man) is manageble, to the next pub. Girls don't seem to have any weight.
A trailer behind a bike takes more effort to keep moving than a sidecar and it is not as wobbly as any two-wheeled freight bike. Erm, it is not wobbly at all.
Second: The geometry.
A) Most rules for motorcycle sidecars don't apply: Less weight, less accelaration, less speed.
B) Keep the bike and sidecar wheel as vertical as possible; there are enough strange and destructive forces at work without adding a 'lean' to the wheels.
C) For the best cornering the rear wheel and sidecar wheel should be in line, for better weight distribution the sidecar wheel should be more to the front. A compromise is needed. Here is what I came up with:
And here is a picture of my sidecar bikes (again):
Changes I made to the bikes: front wheel axle from 5/16" to 3/8", I had to walk it home once with the front wheel flopping from side to side; handlebars that won't pierce your guts or thigh when at an almost 90 degree angle.
It is fun to build one and fun to ride, so have fun.
ok,heres the plan: hide an electric motor & batteries in the sidecar. cover it with a dummy or manican so it looks like nothing else is in the sidecar. now pedalling is no problem. if you could ride a wheelie that would really mess with people!
X-RAY said:
As I tried to tell you all, there is no problem pedalling a sidecar bike, I ride with 28" wheels and 48/19 gearing.
Wheelie? Rear wheel or sidecar wheel? Front wheel is a little difficult, could be done with a bigger sprocket or a three speed hub.
Tricks to do with a sidecar: ride on the sidewalk with the third wheel hovering above the asphalt; stand in the sidecar while riding; make a right turn in a tight spot; make a left turn with the sidecar wheel off the pavement; make a left turn with the rear wheel off the pavement; make a left turn with both wheels in the back sliding sideways; and best of all, never put a foot down while waiting for a red light.
(Reverse left and right if you have the thing on the British side.)
