Homemade bicycles are necessary. Homemade bicycles

How to make a bicycle?

Creating a bicycle exclusively with your own hands is a difficult task, but doable and extremely interesting. Of course, you will need a large number of tools and certain knowledge that will have to be acquired during the assembly process, but all this is quite within the capabilities of an enthusiastic person. So, let's try to figure out how to make a bicycle with your own hands.

During the work we will need the following tools:

welding machine;
Bulgarian;
drill;
vice;
set of clamps;
screwdriver;
pliers;
adjustable wrench;
set of open-end wrenches;
set of hexagons;
set of files.

Making a bike

Determining the type of bike

The first thing to start making a bicycle is to decide what it should be like, what the rider’s position should be and, accordingly, the geometry of the frame. It is worth clarifying that in this article we will talk about creating a city bicycle, “cruiser” or “city bike”. It is these models of two-wheeled transport that will allow you to fully realize all your creative ideas. At the same time, they are not so demanding on the material, from
which will make the bicycle frame. In the case of sports equipment, it would be better to either purchase a ready-made one or assemble your own sports bike from ready-made components.

But, at the same time, in a home workshop it is quite possible to create a stylish city bike of your own, unique model.

Depending on the type of bicycle chosen, we determine the rider’s seating position. It happens

high;
low.

Low seating position is typical for sports bikes. A high, relaxed seating position is precisely what is typical for “city” bicycles, the so-called “cruisers”. This type of bicycle is incredibly popular in the West, primarily because of its appearance. It is this geometry that is typical for chopper motorcycles, in particular for the most famous such brand: Harley-Davidson. Since we chose a city bike, the seating position in our case will be high.

Developing frame geometry

We find out what the complete geometry of the frame should be, that is, the exact location of the main components of the future bicycle. There are only 4 of them:

steering column;
saddle;
pedals;
wheels.

Create a sketch of a bicycle

In order to correctly arrange the frame, you need to draw a sketch of the future bicycle. You can take this one as an example.

The next step is to build a 3D scale model of the bike. For
This requires skills in working with special engineering programs, for example, AutoCAD.

It should be noted that you can assemble the frame solely according to the sketch, but this will greatly complicate the work process.

Choosing the material for the frame

Now we choose the material for the frame. Today, industry uses various types of materials, from iron (the worst option) to carbon. But in the case of self-assembly of the frame, the best option would be steel, or more precisely, steel pipes.

Such material can be given almost any shape and the frame can be welded with high quality. Industrial steel frames usually come with a “lifetime” warranty and are strong and reliable.

Assembling the bicycle frame

Create a template

The best choice would be to print the model created on a computer at a scale of 1:1. If the work is planned to be carried out exclusively according to sketches, the template will have to be drawn manually, but strictly observing all dimensions.

Frame assembly

When the template is ready, we bend the steel pipes along it, cut them and adjust them to size.

Manufacturing of frame structural parts

There are three main details:

glass for the steering column;
glass for pedals;
dropouts (rear wheel mounts).

Final frame assembly

After all parts of the frame are ready, they should be installed on the slipway. In this case, it is a special table on which all the components of the frame can be firmly fixed in compliance with the geometry.

The bicycle frame is welded in the slipway.

Cleaning and painting the frame

After welding, it is necessary to clean the weld seams using a grinder and a special nozzle. The entire frame should also be cleaned.

Automotive enamels are used to paint a bicycle frame. You can paint the frame yourself, using a spray can, or in a workshop. The second option is more durable.

In principle, this is the most difficult part of building a bicycle with your own hands.

Final assembly of the bike

Now we need to attach the remaining components and parts of the bicycle to the manufactured frame. Since we initially considered creating a “city bike,” all further advice applies specifically to this type of bicycle.

After the frame is completely ready and assembled, let's start assembling the bike with our own hands:

The rhythm of life in a big city today is increasingly accelerating. Therefore, it becomes quite difficult to get by with two of your own. Cars or public transport are usually used as a means of transportation. But both of these options have their drawbacks. Of course, there are also advantages, but they often cannot outweigh the disadvantages or are simply unattainable. That's why bicycles are taking up more and more space in everyone's life.

What is the reason for such popularity?

Explaining what a bicycle is is stupid, to say the least. After all, every person, even if he did not have a two-wheeled friend in childhood, at least saw one of these.
The advantages of a bicycle as a means of transportation are quite sufficient - you can start with the fact that you will only have to spend money on its purchase. All subsequent operations, such as routine repairs, can either be done using scrap materials, or they do not deserve attention at all due to small expenses. For example, replacing tubes or tires is a small thing compared to the same car repair.

Plus, no fuel is required - everything runs on your muscle power. And it’s easier to ride a bicycle; in extreme cases, you can even turn onto the sidewalk - which, for obvious reasons, is unacceptable for a car. Also, as a bonus, you get an increase in health, since constant exercise has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body. Moreover, there is also a plus in the form of respect from family and colleagues, even if at first it is not visible due to misunderstanding.

Which bikes are better?

We will now talk about such a thing as a bicycle frame. This is indirectly connected with the appearance of himself. This is logical, since road, mountain, and sports bikes are different from each other. But there are also more specific types - like BMX, etc.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which model is better. The bicycle frame (its design), wheels, number of gears and speeds - all this differs greatly from model to model. Accordingly, you need to select according to certain characteristics. The latter includes the location of the action, the frequency of travel, as well as the required speed and maneuverability. There is no need to talk about the need for jumps and even more tricks, since this is already a rather specific area.

Why is a suitable frame important?

The point here is that this is the load-bearing part of the structure, on the basis of which everything else is assembled. A bicycle frame is a necessary thing to determine the size of the wheels, and the type of vehicle in general.

In addition, the material from which it is made also plays a role. There is a direct relationship between weight, price, and scope of application. However, there are other, less noticeable, but also significant factors - such as selection by height, weight, etc.

Bicycle frame manufacturing

Today you can buy an iron horse almost everywhere. They are produced industrially, and therefore there will be no difficulties. The other question is, will the standard model suit you? The whole point here is in standardization, that is, reducing differences to a minimum. But can you be sure that you are an average person without any deviations such as too long arms or legs? Most likely no.

This necessitates hand assembly - the best bicycle frames are made this way. Naturally, the price of such units is quite high, but the quality is also good. However, there is another option - try to make the frame yourself. This is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance, and it has enough advantages.

Subtleties of manufacturing: geometry

A bicycle frame can be made in a variety of ways. This will primarily affect the way you get on the bike. Naturally, this is how the type of future transport is determined - it will be highway, mountain or sports.

For all three, this characteristic can be quite low, since air resistance is an important aspect of the ride. Nevertheless, urban options are often made with a high seating position, because this is enough for trips to the park or even to work.

A common option today is a cruiser. Here it is worth paying special attention to the dimensions of bicycle frames, since the entire design is based on ensuring that there is no load on the back and arms at all. Achieving such a result, as you understand, is unrealistic - and therefore everything is simply reduced to a minimum. The design of such iron horses was borrowed from American choppers.

What does frame geometry affect?

As mentioned earlier, this part of the structure is key, since it is the load-bearing support for everything in general. That is, the spatial location of the wheels, pedals, steering wheel and saddle is determined precisely by the design of the frame.
Naturally, adjustment can be made, but only the slightest - if you make everything too mobile, then the reliability will greatly decrease, and therefore such options are rarely resorted to.

Bicycle frame sizes are very important because of comfort. All people are different, and therefore it is quite difficult to make a bicycle for someone specific - separate workshops do this. In this case, the geometry is adjusted in such a way as not to create awkwardness or inconvenience during control.

Preparation method

It would be wise to explain how to make a bicycle frame. It is easiest to use metal pipes due to the high reliability and availability of the material.

Pipes of the same diameter will be used - you need to make supports for everything that was described earlier. That is, wheel mounts are one of the most important parts. How the parts of the front and rear wheels will be connected will show the future type of two-wheeled transport.

After this, choose a support tube for the saddle - provide for height adjustment, this can be quite important. You also need to make room for the steering column. However, this must be done while assembling the frame structure for the front wheel - this is what you have to control. But the frame design usually just provides a hole for threading the steering column through. And in general, wheel holders are not always included in the design - this is usually for bicycles that are not dismountable.

More specific parts, such as the “gearbox” mount and pedal cups, are placed at the end. The last stage is painting and installation of all additional equipment.

Is it possible to make everything from carbon? It will be even better this way. The material is lighter and sometimes stronger than some metals. But it’s not that easy to get it, and it’s worth working only with certain skills.

Bicycle frame according to height

It was already said above that dimensions greatly influence the comfort of use. So, the size is the parameters of the length and height of the structure according to which it is assembled. That is, if you increase or decrease the size of the frame, the length (and sometimes the diameter) of the seat tube, top and down tube will change.

It is worth noting that the correct determination of such a parameter as size is mandatory for everyday use of a bicycle. In this case, a comfortable ride is mandatory - this will help avoid back pain, as well as unnecessary stress on the limbs.

In cases of sports competitions or professional training, a perfectly suitable bicycle is generally required. It's all about distances and time in the saddle - any discomfort will eventually turn into real pain, or even serious injury.

Factory bicycles differ in size markings - everything is exactly the same as in clothing - from XS to XL. However, this is not always an exact science, which is why DIY assembly remains a common alternative.

Comparative sizes

The dimensions of bicycle frames by height are determined as follows.
For mountain or city models, the smallest bikes will be suitable for a height of 155 cm, S - this is already up to 165 cm. Medium sizes start from 156 cm to 178 cm. Large - from 172 cm to 185 cm, and extra large - already to the limit, then there are up to 195 cm. Of course, there are also special models for larger heights - they are not mass-produced, but there are usually several batches. So if your height is above 190 cm, you can look for the XXL marking.

Road and, equally, road bikes are produced with less difference. Accordingly, from small to large - 157-163, 163-170, 170-178, 178-183 (intermediate size M/L), 183-190 and 190-198 cm. Thus, it is easy to determine the size.

Folding bicycles are a little more complicated because they are suitable for all heights at once - you will have to choose a manufacturer.

Technical details

An important aspect of riding a two-wheeled friend is taking care of it. That is, repairing bicycle frames generally takes quite a long time if problems do occur.

Various problems can arise - this is due to the rather complex design and many attached parts. However, you can figure out almost everything on your own. In general, below are listed what problems may arise, as well as the procedures that need to be carried out.

Lack of trimming of the disc brake clipper. This causes serious problems - for example, uneven and rapid wear of the pads.

Correcting mechanical damage - any collision can cause one of the pipes to bend, leaving you unable to drive.

Facing the steering tube - if this is not done, then some difficulties may arise with precise control.

In addition, you may want to somehow improve your transport. This is usually done in two ways. In the first case, people attach various useful things to the frame. These include a bottle cage, pump mount, fenders, trunk, and so on. The second option is tuning and painting. This is airbrushing, illumination and so on. But this is a topic for a separate article.

So, we found out how to make a bicycle frame with your own hands at home.

From this instruction you will learn how to make a chopper bicycle with your own hands and at a very inexpensive price.

When assembling the homemade chopper, I tried to use as many components from old bicycles and unnecessary materials as possible.

I used an old 25-year-old Wisp Raleigh women's racing bike as the basis for my homemade chopper. I ended up turning it into a pretty nice cruiser.

What you will need to assemble a homemade chopper:

Donor bike.
Welding machine.
I used a Clarke 105EN welder.
Steel pipes for the fork.
Must be strong enough not to bend under heavy loads.
Steel pipes to extend the frame after it has been cut.
It is easier to weld two pipes of different diameters than two pipes of the same diameter, and in addition, a structure made from pipes of the same diameter is less durable. Therefore, the diameter of the pipes should be either slightly smaller than the frame pipes (so that they can be inserted inside the cut pipes), or larger (so that the frame pipes can be inserted into them). Choose pipes of the same diameter only if you are a professional welder.
Several sheets of steel.
I used 1.4mm thick steel sheets which worked perfectly for the cruiser plates.
New chains.
Once the frame size is increased, a much larger chain will be required. Buy two inexpensive chains and connect them together.
Pipe bending machine.
This is useful if you want to significantly change the angles of the frame without cutting the extension tubes at an angle.

So, let's get to work. Let's start assembling the chopper by making the fork.

Step 2: Making the chopper fork.

First we need to get a suitable fork.

First you need:

Dismantle the front part of the bicycle - remove the handlebars, stem, steering column and unscrew the fork.
Position the bike so that the steering column is at the optimal height when riding. Don't worry about the angles at this stage. Measure the required fork length.
As you can see from the photo, I mounted the bike on a bench at approximately the desired height and measured the distance from the top of the steering column to the front wheel axle. It turned out to be about 1.22 meters. Decent size - we should have a long bike.
I was lucky - I found where I could buy good pipes - I bought a steel pipe 2.44 meters long for only 4 dollars.
Then use an angle grinder to cut the pipe in half. Next, place two pipes vertically and grind their ends with a grinder so that they are the same size (see photo above).

Step 3: Making the fork dropouts.

At this stage, the fork for our homemade chopper consists of only two tubes. In this state there is no way to install a wheel on it, so we have to make a couple of dropouts.

The photo above shows what we should get.

The fork dropouts must be durable. To make them, I used several steel plates about 3 mm thick, which fit perfectly.

Place the dropouts from the bike fork onto the steel plate as shown in the photo above. Mark the contours along which you can then cut out the dropouts for the chopper fork.

Using an angle grinder, cut two dropout blanks from steel.

Since an angle grinder (shown in the photo above) does not allow you to cut parts with the required accuracy, the fork dropouts will vary slightly in size. I clamped the fork dropouts in a vise and used a sander to smooth out the edges.

The photo shows the dropouts after sanding. The smoother the surface, the better the contact with the wheel.

Clamp the two pieces together as shown in the photo above and cut out the sockets for the axles. Using this method, you will be confident that you will be able to cut two identical sockets using an angle grinder. Take your time - don't cut the socket too big so that your chopper wheel won't pop out of the dropouts. It is necessary to machine a socket of such a size that the wheel axle fits snugly enough in it. Gradually adjust the wheel axle to the socket until it fits perfectly. You need to achieve an exact match without play, as I did (look at the photos below).

Next, you should weld the dropouts to the fork. To hold the dropout in the fork, I used a magnetic holder. When I welded the dropouts I made a mistake - I placed them right in the center of the pipe when they should have been welded closer to one of the edges. I only noticed my mistake during a test ride when the wheel spokes started scraping against the inside of the fork tube. Luckily I had another wheel that fit better, but in any case, take into account my mistake.

Lightly weld the dropouts to the fork as shown in the photo above. Check that they are installed correctly. Once you are sure everything is good, weld the dropouts securely. The time previously spent on making smooth edges should now pay off handsomely.

Step 4: Making the top for the fork.

So, we already have a fork in the form of two pipes with dropouts welded to them.

To equip the upper part of the fork with threads, we need several nuts, bolts and washers. I bought a pack of M10 bolts, nuts and some cheap M10 size washers (10mm diameter). This kit is very inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store.

Assemble the bolt, washer and nut. Weld each face of the nut to the washer.

Unscrew the bolt until only the nut with the welded washer remains.

Finally, weld the washer to the nut in the manner shown in the photo above. Now you have a strong enough mount on the top of the fork that we can screw the bolt into.

Step 5: DIY chopper fork (first stage of production).

Let's summarize - we have two pipes with welded dropouts on one side and a welded nut on the other side.

We continue making a fork for a homemade cruiser.

Cut the fork legs off an old bicycle. Try to make the base as flat as possible.

Using a piece of cardboard as a template, draw a semicircle around the new fork tubes as shown in the photo above. Trace the crown shape for the new fork with a marker. Using an angle grinder, cut the crown along the outlined outline. Take your time - it is very important to achieve the most correct form.

Attach the wheel to the dropouts. This will allow you to set the required fork width. Next, place the stem with crown between the fork tubes. If you did everything carefully in the previous stages, then the rod with the crown will fall exactly into place. Using another piece of cardboard, mark and cut three holes through which the three pipes will pass. This will give us a cardboard template that we will use to make the base plate and top plate. Trim the cardboard to a nice, neat shape.

We make the base plate. Using a cardboard template, cut out a plate from sheet steel. For this purpose, I used a sheet of steel 1.4 mm thick, on which I marked the two outer holes (through which the fork legs go). Using an angle grinder, cut the steel sheet as shown in the photo above to create a base plate. Weld the base plate to the fork crown. Work carefully, try not to get any particles of molten metal on the bearing race!

Next we have to do the takeaway. You can simply cut off the top of the existing stem. I decided to make the stem from scratch, since I already had a steel pipe that perfectly matched the inner diameter of the fork stem.

Using an angle grinder, cut one end of the pipe at a 45 degree angle as shown in the photo above.

Shorten the pipe as shown in the photo above to fit the rod bolt and wedge. That's it, making a homemade takeaway is finished. You can skip these steps if you simply cut the top off the existing stem.

Install the new stem onto the fork stem as shown in the photo above. Once again, place the stem and crown between the fork legs. Get someone to help you keep everything together. I simply secured all the components with a belt. The top steering column nuts should be approximately one inch below the top of the fork.

If you did everything correctly and centered the base plate well, then weld it to the fork.

Step 6: DIY chopper fork (second stage of production).

So, we have two fork tubes welded to the stem and crown. Next we need to make a top plate with which we will connect everything together.

To cut the required shape from a sheet of steel, we will need a previously made cardboard template. Mark the centers of the two fork legs and the stem bolt on a piece of steel. Since I was using 10mm bolts, I drilled a 15mm hole in the center of the fork and a hole about 10mm in diameter for the stem bolt. It doesn't matter that the diameter of the hole is larger than the diameter of the bolts, since we will still use washers during assembly.

Drilled top plate.

A plate bolted to the top of the fork. Ignore the clamp that holds the bolt in place. We'll talk about him later.

So - the fork is ready. The tubes are welded to the base plate, which in turn is welded to the fork crown. We fabricated the top plate and secured it securely with bolts.

Homemade chopper with a fork installed. The fork looks good, but in order for the bike to be rideable, we will have to seriously modify the frame, which we will do in the next step.

Step 7: DIY chopper frame (first stage of assembly).

First, think carefully about what you are going to do with the frame. For a long time I couldn’t decide what I could turn my frame into, but in the end I got a good frame for a chopper.

Frame before cutting (upside down).

After trimming, the bottom bracket is closer to the front of the bike. Next we need to lengthen the frame.

The photo above shows it after trimming. There's no turning back now. I want to keep the dual top tube which will look great on a custom chopper. So I cut it as close to the rear hub as possible.

The next step is to make a mock-up of the new frame design. It is very important to install the wheels to measure the required frame height. To create this mockup, I propped up the carriage and extended the frame using some thin pipes. I noticed that the double top tube was too low, so to get the saddle to the correct height I had to bend the top tube a bit. If you accidentally break the top tube, for example by splitting it at a weld, you will have to use welding to repair it. I actually accidentally broke the frame and solved the problem by welding.

I was completely happy with the shape and design of the new frame, so the next step was to extend the frame by installing two steel tubes between the bottom bracket and the two tubes running down from the seat tube.

To cut the two pipes correctly, I had to use the measurements from the layout. Since the angle of the down tube was changed, a small bend had to be created near the bottom bracket. To do this I had to use a pipe bending machine. The photo above clearly shows why the bend was needed.

At this stage the seat tube is not attached to anything - it is just dangling. That’s what we’ll do next—we’ll secure its lower part.

Using a piece of cardboard as a template, I made a plate from a sheet of steel that I placed under the seat tube and welded the plate to the top of the horizontal tubes. In this way I increased the strength of the connection between the two new pipes and the rear pipes. I then welded the seat tube to the plate.

Now let's turn our attention to the top tube. Again, the top tube is just dangling - it's not attached to anything yet.

I made another plate from a sheet of steel. It's not shown in the photo, but I used an angle grinder to make a socket in the seat tube, which I inserted a steel plate into and then I welded it to the seat tube. In this way I increased the strength of the connection and reduced the load on the weld. I then welded the top two pipes to the steel plate.

Step 8: DIY chopper frame (second stage of assembly).

The next step is to attach another steel pipe between the bottom bracket and the top tube. This will change the placement of the seat tube, which is currently towards the rear of the frame.

The photo above shows how I used a cardboard template to make a plate from a sheet of steel and welded it to a new steel pipe. It only took a few attempts to get the angle right, so try to weld only lightly, so that in the future, if something happens, it will be easier to break, grind and re-weld.

Determine the correct length of the pipe as accurately as possible so that it does not touch the carriage axle if it is too long. Also make sure that the tube fits into the carriage, but not too deep.

Fully welded frame for a homemade chopper.

Step 9: Making the chopper saddle.

I'm going to take full advantage of having a double top tube and install a saddle on it.

The saddle will be a simple structure made of boards, foam and leather.

I bolted the two boards together and drilled holes in the wood to the plate below. I secured the saddle well with bolts and nuts.

Using a heavy-duty staple gun, I attached the foam to the wood.

Using a stapler I attached the leather to the saddle.

Step 10: DIY chopper steering wheel.

The next step is to install the steering wheel.

You can install the steering wheel in three different ways:

Use existing steering wheel.
In my case it was, which was not suitable for installation on a chopper.
Make your own steering wheel.
If you have steel pipes, you can make the handlebars using a pipe bending machine or by cutting and welding the pipes to the desired shape.
Use a different steering wheel.
I found some old steering wheels that I decided to use.

First we need to make a clamp.

I used a removable lock from a donor saddle.

The photo above shows the saddle mount mounted on the handlebars. It turned out pretty good, so we'll use this design.

We weld the seat mounting clamps to the top plate.

Weld the clamp from the saddle to the top plate and install the handlebar into the mount.

Now we have a fully adjustable handlebar mount.

Step 11: Brakes for your homemade chopper.

If you're going to use the same wheels that came with the bike, you shouldn't have any problems at this point.

I wasn't happy with the 27-inch wheels that came with the bike, so I decided to change them to more stable 26-inch wheels for the . In doing so, I had to change the brake suspension a little.

Always cover with a wet cloth while welding to prevent damage from the welding machine.

I calculated where to install the caliper brake and welded a plate onto the rear triangle seatstays. Please note that the mounting hole is not centered due to errors in the sizing of my frame.

Before final welding, check that the clamp brake is installed correctly and is operating properly.

Welded plate and installed clamp brake.

I used a spare brake lever that I took from another bike.

Step 12: Chopper assembly and testing.

Assemble the bike and take it for a test ride.

I decided to abandon the existing system and turn the bike into a .

I bought a single speed adapter online for $24 to simply replace the existing shift system.

Since the bike was now much longer, I had to buy two inexpensive chains (two dollars each) and connect them together.

Photo of a homemade chopper.

Step 13: Completing the chopper assembly.

Disassemble the bike. Use a grinder and a sanding disc to clean the bike of weld spatter and drips.

Paint the frame and fork. Be careful when doing this - protect the bearing rings and all threaded areas from paint. To avoid paint runs, apply paint in several thin layers.

Step 14: Additional changes to the chopper design.

I was getting a little bored with the bike so I decided to make some changes.

I took the bike apart and cut off the rear end.

Step 15: Align the back.

I cut off the back end of a small mountain bike.

It was from a dual suspension bike, so I used an angle grinder to sand down the excess frame parts.

Step 16: Install the Lower Extension Pipes.

I cut two pipes and welded them to extend the frame.

Step 17: The homemade chopper is ready.

I welded two more long pipes on top. Then I painted and assembled the bike.

The rear wheel now has a coaster brake so I no longer need the old rear brake, cables and levers.

I hope you found this DIY chopper assembly tutorial helpful!

Usually, after riding a popular mountain bike a little, a person realizes that he prefers fast riding on smooth asphalt. What to do?

How to make a bike faster?
Firstly, I don’t want to change my bike, and secondly, a road bike is quite expensive.

There is a solution: improve the technical characteristics of your mountain bike.

Aerodynamic drag is important for driving fast

About bicycles

The most popular are mountain bikes, which appeared in the 70s.
Their appearance is associated with improvements in the quality of materials and inventions in braking and mechanical devices.

Among mountain bikes there are several subtypes. All models have much in common:
hard steering;
brakes on both wheels;
often two transmission switches.

Most often, aluminum hardtail models with suspension front forks are purchased.
They are designed for mid-seat seating, equipped with disc brakes and additional equipment: trunk, fenders, etc.

The following factors influence the speed of a bicycle:
aerodynamic drag;
condition of the road surface;
wind strength and direction;
technical characteristics of the bike.

Experienced cyclists advise ways to improve the technical characteristics of a bike.

Tires have a big impact on driving speed.
Regular mountain bikes have tires with spikes. It has a small area of adhesion to the asphalt, so it dampens the bike’s roll.

For asphalt roads, slick tires with a smooth surface and drainage grooves are effective, which provide the bike with high inertia and do not slip on a wet road.

Tire with studs, semi-slick and slick

There is a rubber option - semi-slick, which has a smooth surface in the middle and spikes only at the edges. Wheels with such rubber stabilize the bike well when cornering.

With slick tires, the cyclist spends less energy on accelerating and maintaining speed, the bike travels a longer distance without pedaling, and the speed increase can reach up to 10 km/h.

While riding, the suspension fork sways, so the cyclist's efforts are dampened and the speed does not increase.
If you install a rigid (rigid) fork or a shock-absorbing fork with locking, the speed will increase.

The carbon rigid fork is lightweight and lightly cushioned due to the elasticity of the material.

An aluminum fork is stiffer, costs less, but weighs more.

When replacing, the size of the rigid fork is selected to match the geometry of the frame, and the existing angle of the steering column is maintained.

Bicycle forks

The speed of the bicycle depends on the condition of the large sprocket. As a rule, it is replaceable.

For maximum speed, a large sprocket is installed at the front.
On a traditional bike it has 42 teeth.
After installing a 48-tooth sprocket, the driving speed increases.

Replacing sprockets

When riding, the cyclist presses the pedal with one foot, while the other leg does not work.
Pedals have been developed to improve foot performance.

Contact models, which use a special cleat on the shoe and a groove on the pedal, use both feet.
When one foot moves its pedal down, the other foot pulls the second pedal up.

There are pedals that fix the legs in the stirrups (toe clips).
This fastening can be easily made with your own hands from a thin strap.

The speed of the bicycle increases if the “trampling” pedals are replaced with pedals that fix the legs.

Pedals and toe clips

The resistance to the headwind, and therefore the speed, depends on the cyclist’s position.
A horizontal landing is considered ideal, which can be achieved in various ways.

Firstly, they raise or move the saddle, secondly, they change the stem of the steering wheel or lower it, and thirdly, they shorten the handlebars to shoulder width.
In addition, there are sun loungers for the steering wheel. They have armrests for ease of control.

Correct riding position

The riding speed depends on the technical condition of the bike. If you decide to buy a bicycle in Ukraine, provide quality service.
To make it move faster, you need to:
once a season, go through all the nodes;
replace worn bearings;
adjust the brakes so that they do not touch the rim;
clean the stars and derailleur rollers;
wash the chain with gasoline and lubricate it with liquid lubricant;
tighten the chain.

Bike maintenance

In conclusion, it should be noted that speed depends not only on the condition of the bicycle. First of all, the cyclist must have good physical fitness.
High speed is possible if you ride a lot and watch your weight. So you've learned how to make a bike faster.

When starting to create bicycles with their own hands, craftsmen should evaluate how often and for what purposes they plan to use homemade bicycles. A homemade two-wheeled design is rather an experiment, an opportunity to prove to myself: I can do more than others, because assembling a vehicle from scratch is a troublesome task. Many parts cannot be made on your own, so you have to run to special stores for such components.

Another important point is to understand very clearly what each component of the bicycle is needed for, which components cannot be abandoned, otherwise it will suffer or it will not travel more than 2 m.

Components of a homemade bicycle

Frame

If you have a frame left over from an old, leaky bicycle, great, the main thing is that it is in good condition and free of rust. If there is no frame, it doesn’t matter either; purchase steel, aluminum or titanium narrow pipes.

The basis is a drawing on which all the components of the bicycle are displayed. It is better if the sketch is made in 3D mode on a computer, you can immediately assess the real dimensions of the necessary parts and get an impression of the proportionality of each. Welding remains the preferred method of connecting functional components, if you additionally plan to attach a trunk to the frame or provide recesses for bolts. Holes are also left for bolts for hanging components.

Front fork

It's hard to imagine homemade functioning bicycles without a front fork. If you plan to drive the bike, sliding down the mountain and climbing up, it is better to install a soft shock absorber. You should not mount BMX forks in mountain models - they are too heavy. When making a fork with your own hands, calculate the following parameters:

fork stroke;
method of fixing the brakes;
preferred wheel diameter.

Transmission and brake

Transmission components are selected based on the amount allocated for this part of the bicycle. Experts do not advise assembling a chain with your own hands or creating a speed switch; you’ll just waste your time and you won’t achieve good quality anyway. When you come to the store, choose a classic transmission; the placental format has a number of significant disadvantages.

They are divided into rim and disc. If cycling is done in dry weather, rim brake pads are suitable; they are inexpensive and significantly lighten the design. Rim brakes won't withstand extreme travel - use disc brakes. With the latter, riding safety and comfort for the cyclist are ensured.

The wheels, of course, should be bought ready-made, as well as the saddle. If you prefer a sporty riding style, pay attention to hard and elastic saddles that take into account the anatomical features of the cyclist.

It would seem that it would be easier to choose pedals. Beginners in cycling believe that, apart from the classics, designers have not come up with anything else, but they are mistaken. The modernized devices secure the legs tightly, which allows the feet not to slip, which means there is no need to make unplanned stops. At the same time, the risk of injury on the road increases.

Experts tell us how to make a bicycle with a comfortable handlebar. It must meet the basic requirements:

ergonomics;
reliability;
strength.

The steering wheel is bent according to a pre-made sketch, but do not forget that it contains important control components that control the activation of the brakes, handles that change speeds, a sound signal, and a headlight. Modern bikes can be equipped with an on-board computer.

The steering wheel is fixed to the stem; it is preferable that the last component be adjustable. To assemble the steering wheel, use durable materials that will not let you down: steel, titanium or carbon.

Step-by-step instructions for making your own bicycle

Creating a Frame

Craftsmen tell us how to make a bicycle with your own hands, starting with the frame. It's unlikely that you can do the job yourself, so enlist the help of a friend. For the frame, prepare 7 pipes, 2 of them should be short, 4 medium ones - they are placed for the rear stays, the long ones remain for the underseat component.

Follow this frame assembly sequence:

Attach the lower main pipe to the carriage shell using a welding machine.
It should be fixed to the lower edge of the head tube located at the front of the bike. The position of the steering wheel is relative to the perpendicular of the carriage shell.
Following the parallel of the head tube to the glass, weld the seat tube with the down tube, taking into account the desired angle of inclination.
Then weld the seat tube and head tube to the main top tube. The front frame is ready.
Proceed to welding the chainstays to the carriage cup. The angle to the seat profile should match the angle of the main bottom.
Connect the top end of the seat profile to the edge of the chainstays to form the chainstays.

Pressing in the fork and making dropouts

The fork is pressed in in a horizontal position. How to make a bicycle yourself at the stage of pressing the fork, step-by-step instructions are provided by the masters:

Mount the bearings.
Attach cones to the balls
Place the washer on the shock absorber rod.
Tighten the locknuts snugly, but do not overtighten the joint as this may cause the connection to break.

Take a metal plate and cut out some pieces.
Armed with a jigsaw, make indentations in the parts, the size of which should be suitable for the diameter of the wheel axle and fixing nuts.
The part is welded to the frame, applying it with the side without holes.

The landing recesses are placed at the same level, otherwise the wheel will not fit on the dropouts. The step between the mounting holes is equal to tightening the nuts to the maximum.

Installation of remaining components

A fully functioning great bicycle requires installation of working units on the frame. The most difficult thing is to install and debug the cranks and pedals on your carriage. And again, you can’t do without a guide on how to make a bicycle with your own hands:

Secure the steering wheel mounted into the shock absorber body with a bolt. The fork must be well lubricated before starting work.
Insert the seatpost vertically into the tube and secure it with a metal clamp and nut.
Place the carriage in the glass using a squeezer.
After installing the chain, install the wheels.

Conclusion

Now you have the knowledge of how to make a bicycle with your own hands almost from scratch. The work begins with the creation of a drawing, and after that the master’s idea is gradually brought to life. Some components can be made yourself, others are better purchased, so be prepared for the expense. The completed bicycle will become a real landmark of the area; everyone will probably want to ride such a device.