Cheap frame material

by **herku1004** on Mon May 21, 2012 10:45 am

OK. I'm new to this site. I've however decided to give a shot on creating my own bike from scratch (seriously. I've got ABSOLUTELY nothing).

Now, I've go a design in the back of my head, but I need advice on how to start. What I'm looking for is some sort of tutorial or detailed instructions. My biggest problem right now is the fact that I've no idea how to create my own frame. I could use some advice as far as the way a frame is formed and welded at first. Then, what material is used for framemaking; where do I get it and how much does it cost?

I have an vintage looking bike, it was my sister's so it's hardly used at all. I am about to sell it. Is it a better idea to try and convert that to what I'm looking for, or would it be cheaper to sell it (probably about 70 EU) and use the money for my project?

I know I may sound like a complete noob. That is because I actually am one as far as bikes are concerned. So... help please?

EDIT: So... 20 views and no replies. Maybe I should post some photos of the bike I'm refering to. Is it because I'm in the wrong section that I don't get any replies? If yes, where should it be?

by **wimpy** on Mon May 21, 2012 2:55 pm

Well,to start with: welcome dude. I know how you feel, not knowing how to kick off. But it actually starts by reading on forums like this and looking at pictures,of course.
It all depends on the idea that's in your head, how much money you can (and want to) spend, what your own skills are,etc.

You can build a frame from scratch or you can bake a frame from two scrapbikes. Possibilities are numerous.
So I'ld suggest, take your time to figure out what kind of bike you actually want to build, make an inventory an start collecting parts.

That's how I did it.
My bike had to be a budget-bike, so I didn't use the proper tubing (it's way too heavy), but it's sooooooo much fun to ride that I don't care. :mrgreen:

Try to make a drawing with it's rough dimensions (length and height), or you'll end up with a 10' long bike, like mine (unless you want to).

It all starts by reading and writing down.
Down below,I've put a few links from my own building project in 2010. Nothing hi-tech,nothing fancy, just to give you a rough idea.
Good luck and have fun.

http://www.forum.freakbikenation.com/ph ... =17&t=2876
http://www.forum.freakbikenation.com/ph ... =17&t=2937
http://www.forum.freakbikenation.com/ph ... =17&t=2946

by **herku1004** on Tue May 22, 2012 1:24 am

Thanks for writing to me. Your bike seems quite similar to what I had in mind, long and with straight lines (cause I know nothing about curved ones...yet). As far as the budget is concerned, I don't intend to spend more than I would to buy a new one. The problem however remains. What material should I use? Keep in mind that I really don't care AT ALL about the weight. I'm only concerned about the price

by **herku1004** on Tue May 22, 2012 2:01 am

I was thinking about creating my own bike from scratch (check the "Bike from scratch?" topic on this forum). As a noob, I was wondering: what material should I use for the frame?
Note that I don't care about how heavy is it gonna be. I want something that is cheap and that would be easy for a total newbie to handle. Also, I'm not planning to have any pipes bended so the tube can really be as hard as it can get, as long as I can still cut it.

So... any suggestions?

by **inshane64** on Tue May 22, 2012 2:40 am

Electrical conduit, cheep. easy. available.

by **herku1004** on Tue May 22, 2012 4:28 am

@inshane

OK. You sound very sure so I'm gonna check it out. When you say cheap, how cheap do you mean? Give me a price reference.

by **Uncle Stretch** on Tue May 22, 2012 8:59 am

Its a little hard to tell someone how to build a bike. A lot of it depends on your skill levels. If you can weld and bend pipe/tubing then its pretty easy. Not sure where you live , but all the big box stores carry a black 1/2'' gas pipe. If you buy it from a steel place they call it something different. I have built several and I use 1 1/2 16ga tubing. It looks a little cooler to have the larger tubing.
If you go to the built from scratch section in builds , there are a bunch that have been built and they show the process they use too. Good luck.

by **herku1004** on Tue May 22, 2012 9:44 am

Thanks Uncle! Didn't even know that topic actually existed. Really helpful.

Another question for you bike gurus: What is the optimal distance between seat, steering and pedals? Does it even matter??? I'm working on my bike's design and that's my biggest problem so far. Here's a rough idea of what I'm on about:

by **Wilcycle** on Tue May 22, 2012 2:08 pm

herku1004 wrote: What is the optimal distance between seat, steering and pedals? Does it even matter???

Well I'd guess the optimum distance from seat to h/bars depends on how long your arms are.
And optimum distance from seat to pedals depends on how long your legs are.
It does matter because you need to steer and pedal. Not much fun otherwise.

Seriously though.
Measure up a bike (like that old one you have) that is set to fit you.
That will give you the distances. you just need to work out the angles from there to get the riding position that you want.
That is the difficult bit.
If you want to make it comfortable and efficient, go with centuries of development and stick with a diamond frame.
But where's the fun in that :lol:

You probably got lots of reads and few replies because you are going straight in the deep end with this.
Most guys start with hacking an old bike to get the feel of working with bikes and figuring what works for them.

Good luck, Kevin

by **Uncle Stretch** on Tue May 22, 2012 2:52 pm

This is about $40 worth of pipe and metal in either one of these frames.
You have to have at least 10'' from the rear of your tire to the BB or your feet will hit when you pedal. I found 21'' from the BB to where your seatpost comes out of the frame works for me and I'm 5'9. A bunch of it you have to learn though trial and error. Nobody here can tell you exactly what will work on a frame. Different people like a frame to feel different.

You seem to be a little light on the metal pricing. Can you weld?

by **inshane64** on Tue May 22, 2012 6:11 pm

It's a little more than a dollar a foot.

Link to lowes, your experience may vary. Also conduit benders are cheep and easy to use.

by **Walker** on Tue May 22, 2012 6:52 pm

I know it's been brought up here before on many occasions, but conduit is galvanized which gives off toxic and potentially deadly fumes when welded. Even if you THINK you ground off all the galvie how can you be totally sure....

I usually chop up other bikes for donor tubing, or keep an eye out at the dumps for usable material.

Happy hunting

by **inshane64** on Tue May 22, 2012 7:37 pm

Walker wrote:I know it's been brought up here before on many occasions, but conduit is galvanized which gives off toxic and potentially deadly fumes when welded. Even if you THINK you ground off all the galvie how can you be totally sure....

Always weld with proper ventilation, use common sense, and be cautious.

A hazard? yes. Just be careful.

I would submit that ANY fume off of a weld is toxic and potentially deadly when welding. I have even been in a situation where shielding gas caused alarm and hazard due to an unforeseen issue with a project.

by **herku1004** on Wed May 23, 2012 3:40 am

OK. Since I posted questions about the frame material, I got asked many times if I can weld.
The truth is that I have never welded before. Is it really that important to have welded before?
What is it that makes it so important anyways? Please inform me about it so I can get someone older to do it for me.

by **herku1004** on Wed May 23, 2012 3:59 am

Thanks Kevin! I like the idea you proposed! I am actually going to note down the distances on my other bike. The thing is, that this is a girls model and ,honestly ,nothing like what I have in mind. Still, I will make sure the distance between pedals and seat is the same and I will then make a right "steering wheel"

PS Seriously, what is the thing called for steering in bikes??? :?: