Hi, My name is Brett Gill, and this is my: "Striped Speedster". There's a Bicycle-Recycling Shop, in town (Ithaca, NY), that I've been going to for 12 years. For all my work there, they told me I could have free frames from the pile out back, that have been stripped for parts. So, I took a bunch, and started cuttin' them up, got out the oxy-acetylene/brazing-rods, and in about two weeks, I had my "Striped Speedster". The only really mentionable thing on this bike, is the Behavioral-Aspects of the bent fork. This is, in effect, due to having the front wheel axis(imaginary line from the axle to the ground), meet the ground, ahead of where the steering axis(imaginary line straight down the steer-tube, to the ground). Basically, the finish effect, is that your weight causes the fork to automatically center itself, as opposed to a straight fork, which is caused by your weight to turn sideways. This causes for an "over-stable" ride, almost stable enough to ride no-handed. After discovering this effect, this will always be my favorite type of fork. This effect can also be accomplished with a linkage fork, with the link at the bottom being extra long. This is also great for long rides, and doesn't give you the arm-tiring effect some choppers do. Another thing I loved was by having my weight over the rear wheel (un-weighted front wheel), and only having a front brake, if I was on a smooth patch of(new) pavement, the front wheel would skid, and let-out a nice loud screech, that sound just like a car, and would turn many heads. Nice webzine, Keep up the good work. |
Brett Gill: Striped Speedster |
Hi, My name is Brett Gill, and this is my: "Striped Speedster". There's a Bicycle-Recycling Shop, in town (Ithaca, NY), that I've been going to for 12 years. For all my work there, they told me I could have free frames from the pile out back, that have been stripped for parts. So, I took a bunch, and started cuttin' them up, got out the oxy-acetylene/brazing-rods, and in about two weeks, I had my "Striped Speedster". The only really mentionable thing on this bike, is the Behavioral-Aspects of the bent fork. This is, in effect, due to having the front wheel axis(imaginary line from the axle to the ground), meet the ground, ahead of where the steering axis(imaginary line straight down the steer-tube, to the ground). Basically, the finish effect, is that your weight causes the fork to automatically center itself, as opposed to a straight fork, which is caused by your weight to turn sideways. This causes for an "over-stable" ride, almost stable enough to ride no-handed. After discovering this effect, this will always be my favorite type of fork. This effect can also be accomplished with a linkage fork, with the link at the bottom being extra long. This is also great for long rides, and doesn't give you the arm-tiring effect some choppers do. Another thing I loved was by having my weight over the rear wheel (un-weighted front wheel), and only having a front brake, if I was on a smooth patch of(new) pavement, the front wheel would skid, and let-out a nice loud screech, that sound just like a car, and would turn many heads. Nice webzine, Keep up the good work. |
