** The next build off 2024 **

[Endlesschain]

I think time is the big factor in build offs to be honest so you have to pick a reasonably popular one, a low rider one would be good but then geographically speaking the US is really the only country for supply at a cheap price and there is very limited places outside of the US that supply parts and at a relatively cheap price, at a guess if I were to order from around the world (Australia is closest to NZ that sell genuine underground lowrider parts but still not cheap and limited range too) your looking at around maybe $2,500/$3,000 to do a quality but basic fresh new build, maybe a pre 1960 British bike build off would be fun, plenty of those all around the world, and with a guide line that it must be original era frame and fork with original decals I.E not repainted and no repop decals but unlimited to what parts to put on, plenty of brands back then raleigh, rudge, hurcules, philips, BSA, rover, royce, royal enfield, southern cycles and so on, you get the drift there have been well over 200 bike companies in England over many years

 

[Pondo]

maybe a pre 1960 British bike build off would be fun, plenty of those all around the world, and with a guide line that it must be original era frame and fork

I'm in but I'd be more open on the age, maybe pre 1980

original decals I.E not repainted and no repop decals

And.... I'm out. I have a '51 Raleigh that I'm going to restore that's not nice enough for original paint. It's probably not nice enough to restore even but I do like to revive a very neglected bike. We could break it down into classes maybe?

 

[twojs.bike]

I like this idea and agree with pondo’s points. It would be good to announce something like this well in advance. While there are plenty of these frames out there, it can take time to find a good deal on one.

My opinions aren’t very strong in any of this. Whatever attracts the most participation is probably best.

This could be a cool side build off too.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Anyone else have input???

I’ll say I like the current format. I could like your proposed timeline, too. For me and participating it boils down to a.) what my life has going on. vs. b.) does the B.O. fit the project I’m interested in and ready to do.

Not all BO’s are my cup’o’tea, or fit my timeline. Porbably a common sentiment.

I’ll do what I do. Which changes and is not always in the RRB genre. But, as long as the RRB site keeps something going, I’ll try to stay engaged (if not the most common commentator) and document what I do when It works.

Keep something going, and I’ll keep following, keep being inspired to do cool things, and participating when it aligns.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

You can build English bikes all day in the SWBO I actually have a Robin Hood in my boneyard, so yes they are all over. (could have it's own category in SWBO)
And if your concern is cash then you can't expect a restoration build, pre '60 original paint and decals to get off the starting line.
Also a Lowrider really just needs the tools to chop it. Like most Muscle Bikes the paint is special as is the chrome (or gold plate) but that's not what makes it a Muscle Bike or a Lowrider. It's the form and function of the build.
In my mind most Lowriders are a subset of the Muscle Bike genre anyway. (possible 3rd category in the MBBO)

 

[GuitarlCarl]

I can't think of any "restoration" build offs done here at RAT ROD BIKES, maybe it would be nice as it's own category in the BIG BUILD OFF.

 

[Captain Awesome]

There’s probably a couple dozen categories we could throw out as possibilities but right now I’d like to figure out the scheduling and timeline since that’s what really brought this up

Previously we had complaints that 4 or 5 months was too long for a competition and it felt stagnant. More recently it has turned to some stating that 3 months might be insufficient to pull off high caliber builds. Where’s the middle ground and what’s the consensus?

Stick with 3 comps per year with the 1 month breaks?
Mix and match some sort with some longer and some shorter but still have downtime?

Here’s what I do know. It does take a considerable effort to build sub forums, create prefixes, set rules, compile completed bikes, make polls, etc….. so adding 3rd classes or subcategories is not all that desirable at this point in time. If we got to a point where we were bursting at the seams with entries it may be viable but right now that’s not the case. We’ve discussed specific type/brand builds and they all have their downsides. Availability being the largest. Having a Cranbrook only build is feasible in the US to a degree but then we exclude most of the members of other countries. Having a Collegiate build off is desirable but as Carl pointed out, those also already fit into the SWBO

Maybe we leave the schedule as is and start rotating the categories? Personal opinion, I think a “cargo” competition would be fun. Make something that is intended to haul stuff. The more the better. Not just a wicker basket on your Fair Lady handlebars. Trailers included but for judging they would need to be attached to maintain the B in RRB

 

[Endlesschain]

There’s probably a couple dozen categories we could throw out as possibilities but right now I’d like to figure out the scheduling and timeline since that’s what really brought this up

Previously we had complaints that 4 or 5 months was too long for a competition and it felt stagnant. More recently it has turned to some stating that 3 months might be insufficient to pull off high caliber builds. Where’s the middle ground and what’s the consensus?

Stick with 3 comps per year with the 1 month breaks?
Mix and match some sort with some longer and some shorter but still have downtime?

Here’s what I do know. It does take a considerable effort to build sub forums, create prefixes, set rules, compile completed bikes, make polls, etc….. so adding 3rd classes or subcategories is not all that desirable at this point in time. If we got to a point where we were bursting at the seams with entries it may be viable but right now that’s not the case. We’ve discussed specific type/brand builds and they all have their downsides. Availability being the largest. Having a Cranbrook only build is feasible in the US to a degree but then we exclude most of the members of other countries. Having a Collegiate build off is desirable but as Carl pointed out, those also already fit into the SWBO

Maybe we leave the schedule as is and start rotating the categories? Personal opinion, I think a “cargo” competition would be fun. Make something that is intended to haul stuff. The more the better. Not just a wicker basket on your Fair Lady handlebars. Trailers included but for judging they would need to be attached to maintain the B in RRB

totally agree 100% and apologies I got a little carried away, maybe at some stage I can do a classic British bike thread ( if one hasn't been done yet of cause)and leave it at that and see what interest is garnered from that and I like the idea of within the SWBO, members can say their personal best English or U.S was so and so's bike

 

[Pondo]

Cargo would be really fun. And I also love the idea of a classic British bike build. We could do that as a special build off challenge, like the Cranbrook challenge, whenever that happens.

I think some experimentation with build duration might be a good thing. Some builds would get too long at 4 months but some builds need longer than 3, depending how in depth they get. But the current schedule is probably a good compromise. I like the schedule @Captain Awesome came up with too. That might be interesting to try out.

 

[Wildcat]

I've got a skinny tire and a offroad bike in the works right now, like fraternal twins. Same frames but two different styles.
They won't wait until January, so I'll just make two more for the buildoff. I'll be hunting frames until then.

 

[twojs.bike]

My suggestion is to keep the schedule as is. It’s never going to perfect for everyone. Changing the schedule around sounds like a lot of work for the admins. Appreciate what you do. Keep it simple.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

It will always come down to "what's in my garage to build?" and "what are the build categories?"
Sometimes the categories dictate how many are in... Muscle bikes while popular to see were outnumbered 15 to 8 when paired with step thru's. Which granted, was a first time build off category but also one of the easiest bikes to find as they are literally everywhere for dirt cheap. So while a gravity build or a tandem build might be fun to see, nobody's gonna be in for that. Ya gotta make your build fit the category. That right there is the RAT ROD part of it...

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

My unorganized ramblings on the subject:
I need 4 months to create a “challenging” build.

I WORK A FULL TIME JOB!

Here are my build capabilities:
Assemble a bike from a box = less than a day
Mock up a rideable bike from parts 2+ days
Build a Rat (my mock up w/o finish work) 2+ days
Bike build with paint strip & repaint 2-3 weeks
Bike build with paint & custom tank 2+ months
Bike build with paint, tank, wheel build 2+ months

THIS DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR WEATHER CONSTRAINTS OR LIFE HAPPENINGS!

This is all done in available time after work and weekends. Does not include weather issues, part sourcing and external life affairs that interfere with the build process. 2+ months is not very accurate. Usually down to the wire. Most of my build off entires made it to the deadline due to changes in my work schedule. My first build off, I was remodeling my house during Covid, which I got a severance from my job during that time. It allowed me to go back to Kansas and remodel my house and build a bike in my spare time. I had no time clock to punch. My recent build for the 2024 build off, I got let go from a job and had about 6 weeks between the new job, which allowed quite a bit of build time. One of my build off builds, was during a time when I worked from 6:00-2:30 which gave me time to build before the wife got home. I have that same schedule now. I’ve also had weekend shifts which allowed for 4 days of building each week. That schedule made it a breeze.
Basically Life and Weather typically get in the way of builds. And everyone is dealing with those things at different times across the globe, in which our build off’s are international. I think 4 months gives everyone time to deal with life, weather and other mitigating factors while lending the time for “finer” builds. I feel that “Rat” builds could be done in a 2 month build off format. But they deserve time too. For what I like to accomplish, I need the 4 months. It may be too long for someone that can work fast, or who has more available time to commit to a build. But for people who have full time jobs and family, short run build off’s are tough to commit to. In the US, the main build off gets interrupted by Independence Day and rough weather. The current build off gets interrupted by weather and Thanksgiving. Better have your ish together if you want to finish!

How about 4 month builds and open finish threads at 3 months? Sorry people get bored and go stagnant. Maybe they have time for two builds? I would like to see more interaction in the finish threads. Those early finishers can post their recent rides and the like in the finish build, and possibly keep interest in the builds.

After entering several build off’s, I have learned to manage my builds better. Newbies may have a harder time, possibly biting off more than they can chew, with their ambitions. More time can help deal with that.

 

[Ulu]

I’m not going to make suggestions on the schedule, but I was going to suggest that maybe we have a build off with two classes.

Class one is any kind of bike you like with a beautiful shiny paint job. Class two is any kind of bike you like with a ratty paint job.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

^Natty vs Ratty is an interesting concept. It could also be fun, once the two winners are chosen, to pit the two champions against each other, one bike to rule them all.

 

[Ulu]

Exactly. Not just the paint needs to count.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

So in January we're probably lookin' to start a...
ORBO and a what?
(this is the 3 month build that kills me, it's friggin' chilly...)
GC.

 

[Captain Awesome]

So in January we're probably lookin' to start a...
ORBO and a what?
(this is the 3 month build that kills me, it's friggin' chilly...)
GC.

SWBO

 

[metalchewy]

So in January we're probably lookin' to start a...
ORBO and a what?
(this is the 3 month build that kills me, it's friggin' chilly...)
GC.

ORBO is chilly, but one of my favorite buildoffs. I hope things at work and life, work out to give enough time to finish this year. Monthly code releases on multiple projects have been challenging lately..

 

[Captain Awesome]

So in January we're probably lookin' to start a...
ORBO and a what?
(this is the 3 month build that kills me, it's friggin' chilly...)
GC.

ORBO - OFF ROAD BUILD OFF

• -Klunker/Bomber/Gravel/MTB... (anywhere from period correct early single speed coaster brake Bomber/Klunker to current carbon frame, hydraulic disc, full suspension Mountain bike)
• -BMX suitable for an adult to ride, can be set up for park/race/dirt/freestyle. Dealers choice
• This is not a build-off for your everyday cruiser or your ride to the shops bikes... This is for bikes that are meant to be ridden hard and fast, jumped, skidded and abused in an OFF ROAD setting! Stock Cranbrook with knobbies? Probably not. Go nuts

SWBO - SKINNY WHEEL BUILD OFF

• Tire (front and rear) width not to exceed 1.5" or 40mm
• Anything else goes

* It is up to you to decide whether your plans meet parameters and definitions. The rules are intentionally thin to leave plenty of space for creativity

Competition will run from 12am (midnight) on 1/1/2025 (the start of the new year) until 12pm (noon) on 3/31/2025 (all times are North American Central Time)

Standard rules:

* You are expected to start a build thread in the “Build Journal” section showing your starting point and post progress pics as you go. You will be prompted to select which category (prefix) you are entering. All build journals will be in one sub forum to see if it helps with exposure and activity

• Please don't just build away and expect to jump in at the last second with a finished bike. You can enter at any time before the deadline, but the build must not be finished when you enter!
• This is a BUILD OFF not a BIKE SHOW. Start from scratch and show us your transformation skills

* Keep a running journal in your thread about your build showing the steps you are taking

* You must post a thread in the “Finished Bikes” sub forum once your work is complete. Use the same title as your build thread but please, no special characters or fonts. Please make the first photo in your finished thread your top choice as it will be the photo used in the voting process. This is on you to put your best foot forward and select the correct photo and place it first
If your builds rideability is questionable you may be asked to provide a riding video, just to quell that concern

* Multiple entries per class from one builder are allowed, but they must have their own build threads as well as their own finished threads and will be entered for voting separately
* The same bike cannot be entered in both categories even if it conforms to parameters. Pick one and build on

• * Bike must be built within the dates specified. It must not be started before the start date
  • You can gather parts but no physical work should be occurring prior to the start time
• * Bike must be pedal powered and ridable
• * Any concerns of eligibility will be at the discretion of management

These rules are not finalized and are subject to change between now and 1/1

Finalized rules will be posted before the start