Looks like some big news coming in 2017!
There is an idea that has been floating in my head for a while, and started to really take shape during the latest MBBO, that is building a limited production LTJ frame...
There are some issues though, obviously my health will limit production, and postage costs, weight and box sizes are important considerations. Also I don't want to build a frame that is only good for one style of build...
So with those limits in mind, I have been slowly coming up with a plan!
The framesets will be built using new tubing but recycled bottom bracket shells, headtubes and forks, that way I can keep costs down, (approximately halving the costs) I will not be making any money on the frames either, so that saving gets passed straight on.
The frame will be 4 bar looptail design with one piece 16mm (5/8") chainstay/seat stay/dual top tubes, and a straight 32mm (1 1/8") downtube, it will accept a standard 1" seat pole and threaded stem. Each frame will incorporate the letters 'LTJ' on the brake bridge and will be individually numbered as production will be limited, probably a total of 10 for this design (depending on how many forks I can find, currently I have 8). I'm planning sliding dropouts similar to those on Back40, they will also incorporate a coaster brake slot, disc brake mounts and a derailleur mount, basically it can be set up to use whatever rear gearing/brakes you want, opening it up to being a viable commuter, cruiser, or muscle bike. (The extra mounts can be easily removed if desired.)
The frames are designed for 20" wheels, but will have plenty of wheelbase and cockpit room for adult riders too.
Been planning and designing for months, finding steel suppliers that stock the correct size tubing for seat tubes has been the hardest bit, but it looks like that is sorted now and I will order it tomorrow. After getting the 2nd prototype done I will have the designs and dimensions to order the laser cut parts that will make up the brakebridge and sliding dropouts, and will be able to finalise the design of the build jig.
Built up a rough design mule this evening...
Made some adjustments to the design as it went along, it was originally going to have less rake and longer chainstays, but it just didn't look the way I wanted...
This frame only shows the basic design, it is made from tubing from 3 different scrap bikes and none of the welds are cleaned up. The only thing that is the same as the production frame is the loop bars, and they will gain more curve towards the front. It also has standard dropouts harvested from a bent FreeAgent BMX instead of the sliding dropouts of the production frames.
There will be some slight style adjustments coming, but I will throw some parts at it in the coming days and ride it around to make sure I like the geometry before I do them.
Having the frame in front of me now meant I could get dimensions for shipping, and unfortunately it is longer than the 1 meter limit imposed by AustPost, so shipping is going to have to go through Pack&Send instead, which means slightly higher shipping in Australia (Still under $100 AUD for worst case locations) and much more expensive for overseas. ($270 AUD for USA.)
Not much I can do about it, if I shorten the frame to fit the dimensions it ruins the whole point and design of the frames...
Still, the hope is to have the frames available for under $150 AUD before shipping, (It is only a hobby for me, so only covering costs) so total outlay will still be much better than pretty much any other custom frame available.
It may be possible for me to supply the frames painted for a reasonable price too, as most will know, I am set up for solid and metalflake automotive paints, only thing that worries me is damage to the paint during shipping.
If the frames are in demand, I may come up with a similar design but to suit 20" BMX forks instead of the 27"/700C roadbike forks, that way people can just swap parts from a cheap BMX, maybe throw on a bigger chainwheel to suit an adult rider...
If my forks run out but people still want the frames, I may be able to build to suit forks people already own, I'm not promising this though, as I can't rely on my health being OK when building to order as opposed to offering frames for sale as I get them made.
I will update as things happen, let me know how much interest there is out there, I already have some solid buyers chasing me for a frameset, so I will be building at least a few, but if the interest is high, I will order more parts cut...
Luke.
There is an idea that has been floating in my head for a while, and started to really take shape during the latest MBBO, that is building a limited production LTJ frame...
There are some issues though, obviously my health will limit production, and postage costs, weight and box sizes are important considerations. Also I don't want to build a frame that is only good for one style of build...
So with those limits in mind, I have been slowly coming up with a plan!
The framesets will be built using new tubing but recycled bottom bracket shells, headtubes and forks, that way I can keep costs down, (approximately halving the costs) I will not be making any money on the frames either, so that saving gets passed straight on.
The frame will be 4 bar looptail design with one piece 16mm (5/8") chainstay/seat stay/dual top tubes, and a straight 32mm (1 1/8") downtube, it will accept a standard 1" seat pole and threaded stem. Each frame will incorporate the letters 'LTJ' on the brake bridge and will be individually numbered as production will be limited, probably a total of 10 for this design (depending on how many forks I can find, currently I have 8). I'm planning sliding dropouts similar to those on Back40, they will also incorporate a coaster brake slot, disc brake mounts and a derailleur mount, basically it can be set up to use whatever rear gearing/brakes you want, opening it up to being a viable commuter, cruiser, or muscle bike. (The extra mounts can be easily removed if desired.)
The frames are designed for 20" wheels, but will have plenty of wheelbase and cockpit room for adult riders too.
Been planning and designing for months, finding steel suppliers that stock the correct size tubing for seat tubes has been the hardest bit, but it looks like that is sorted now and I will order it tomorrow. After getting the 2nd prototype done I will have the designs and dimensions to order the laser cut parts that will make up the brakebridge and sliding dropouts, and will be able to finalise the design of the build jig.
Built up a rough design mule this evening...
Made some adjustments to the design as it went along, it was originally going to have less rake and longer chainstays, but it just didn't look the way I wanted...
This frame only shows the basic design, it is made from tubing from 3 different scrap bikes and none of the welds are cleaned up. The only thing that is the same as the production frame is the loop bars, and they will gain more curve towards the front. It also has standard dropouts harvested from a bent FreeAgent BMX instead of the sliding dropouts of the production frames.
There will be some slight style adjustments coming, but I will throw some parts at it in the coming days and ride it around to make sure I like the geometry before I do them.
Having the frame in front of me now meant I could get dimensions for shipping, and unfortunately it is longer than the 1 meter limit imposed by AustPost, so shipping is going to have to go through Pack&Send instead, which means slightly higher shipping in Australia (Still under $100 AUD for worst case locations) and much more expensive for overseas. ($270 AUD for USA.)
Not much I can do about it, if I shorten the frame to fit the dimensions it ruins the whole point and design of the frames...
Still, the hope is to have the frames available for under $150 AUD before shipping, (It is only a hobby for me, so only covering costs) so total outlay will still be much better than pretty much any other custom frame available.
It may be possible for me to supply the frames painted for a reasonable price too, as most will know, I am set up for solid and metalflake automotive paints, only thing that worries me is damage to the paint during shipping.
If the frames are in demand, I may come up with a similar design but to suit 20" BMX forks instead of the 27"/700C roadbike forks, that way people can just swap parts from a cheap BMX, maybe throw on a bigger chainwheel to suit an adult rider...
If my forks run out but people still want the frames, I may be able to build to suit forks people already own, I'm not promising this though, as I can't rely on my health being OK when building to order as opposed to offering frames for sale as I get them made.
I will update as things happen, let me know how much interest there is out there, I already have some solid buyers chasing me for a frameset, so I will be building at least a few, but if the interest is high, I will order more parts cut...
Luke.
