I need to make up a bike for the wife who is 4' 10", and I just realized the makings of a mini-velo;
example of a mini-velo:
are already in my parts pile. I have a 24" Ventura 10 speed frame from the late 70's that I bought in Australia in 1983. Or maybe in Alameda in 1982, I'm not sure. It was in new condition, covered in dust but not used at all. After many years of use by my wife's family here in the Philippines, I have the frame again.
I had picked up some heavy duty 20" wheels and tires recently, to use on a recumbent frame. They've just been sitting in the pile. I think they have 11 gauge spokes, they are industrial, and used here for working carts and pedicabs.
I'm using a 26" BMX style fork for a few reasons. It gives the cranks enough ground clearance as a normal bike and is heavy duty. It's also the only one I had that would work so it's gets the nod.
Since it is small, tough, and probably fast I decided to name it Veloraptor, after the dinosaur. The velociraptors in Jurassic Park were larger than the real ones were. They actually were feathered and only the size of a turkey but were dangerous with their teeth and big claws.
My plan is to change out things shown in the mockup; cranks, derailleur handlebars and stem will get replaced. Band brakes will be used front and rear. It will have seven speeds and I may put a 39 tooth chain wheel on the new cranks instead of 48.
example of a mini-velo:
are already in my parts pile. I have a 24" Ventura 10 speed frame from the late 70's that I bought in Australia in 1983. Or maybe in Alameda in 1982, I'm not sure. It was in new condition, covered in dust but not used at all. After many years of use by my wife's family here in the Philippines, I have the frame again.
I had picked up some heavy duty 20" wheels and tires recently, to use on a recumbent frame. They've just been sitting in the pile. I think they have 11 gauge spokes, they are industrial, and used here for working carts and pedicabs.
I'm using a 26" BMX style fork for a few reasons. It gives the cranks enough ground clearance as a normal bike and is heavy duty. It's also the only one I had that would work so it's gets the nod.
Since it is small, tough, and probably fast I decided to name it Veloraptor, after the dinosaur. The velociraptors in Jurassic Park were larger than the real ones were. They actually were feathered and only the size of a turkey but were dangerous with their teeth and big claws.
My plan is to change out things shown in the mockup; cranks, derailleur handlebars and stem will get replaced. Band brakes will be used front and rear. It will have seven speeds and I may put a 39 tooth chain wheel on the new cranks instead of 48.