CR#7
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CR#7 was inspired by a bike that I saw in the first issue of
the Encycleopedia. It was a picture of a Harig Aeroproject. CR#7 was built using 1
1/2" square tube which was brazed to the rear triangle of an old ten speed. The fork
was made from a 20" fork that was cut down to work with a 17" front wheel. The
rear wheel was a 26 x 1.15 narrow MTB wheel. The rear brakes were brazed to the underside
of the chainstays, making this the first bike to have cantilever brakes. This was also the
first bike on which I started to use hole saws. This was the first bike that had good all-round
performance. The bike had 14 speeds using a set of old Suntour X-press shifters on a MTB
handle bar with old touring style brake levers attached to bar-ends. The biggest problem
was a slight mis-calculation limited the turning radius as the handlebar would hit the
seat support. The chain idler was a hard plastic climbing pulley 'skinned' with innertube
sections.
CR#7 was so satisfying to ride, I decided to build another bike like it for
touring. This was decided since CR#7 was not upgradeable and because of the handling
problems. One thing I did learn from this bike was that because the long chain droops,
when you back- pedal at a light to start off, it slides outwards along the chainstay which
in turns shifts the chain down, into 3 gears higher. This, of course, is a nasty surprise
when you start off. I solved the problem with a arm-mounted spring which increased the
rear derailleur's ability to keep tension on the chain. This item is available for MTB
used for downhill events.
Specs:
Wheels 20"/26"
Wheelbase 35.5"
Head angle 72 degrees
BB height 26.75"
Seat height 23.5"
Seat angle 45 degrees
Weight 35lb.s
Completed: June 1994
Fate: Sold off May 1995
