Click on any of the images, to see a
larger version.
Since each project I commit to takes a lot of time and
resources, I like to try and have it accomplish more than one requirement. Outlander 16
covered my attempt at building a folding bent, and experimenting with fixed BB (or
twisting chain) front wheel drive. One of my criteria was that the bike when folded/taken
down it would fit into a hockey bag. I had to work out several different solutions for
folding the handlebar, the seat, the main frame, and providing the ability to carry
panniers.
The seat is attached in two places, the bottom is bolted to a
plate with a series of holes for fore and aft adjustment. The seat back is supported by a
telescoping strut which also allows for seat back angle adjustment. The handle bar
assembly folds forward and has a steering limiter because of the twist chain drive. The
handle bar is adjustable in height, and is removed for complete takedown. The main frame
folds horizontally via a home made hinge and is held by two 6mm bolts when unfolded.
The wheels are 16 x 1.5" (305) which measure 15" in
diameter, the width of the hockey bag. For a complete take down, both wheels are removed
and the rear 'forks' slide out of the main frame to reduce the length of the main frame to
fit into the length of the hockey bag, 30". The seat folds flat, it is hinged at the
base of the seat back, this fills the bottom of the bag which provides a structure for the
bottom of the bag. The chain is also removed along with the crank arms with Shimano one
key release mechanisms.
There is a tube in the rear of the main frame into which a
rear boom with lowrider racks bolted to each side. This solves the problem of carrying
stuff.
The mainframe is 1.5" square mild steel, the fork legs
are 1" square mild steel, the rear forks are a set of MTB chromoly forks with canti
bosses for a 16" wheel. The bike is rather portly at 35lb.s. Because of teething
problems with the drive train I haven't ridden the bike much, but I hope to solve them
someday.
There are only 7 gears with a single 60 tooth chainring. With
a 11 to 28 cogset the bike has a gear range of 32 to 82, a good utility gear range.
