maandag 26 januari 2015

"Meten is weten" or "Why there is so much flex"

Today I spent some time on the test bike again. I just couldn't believe that I was so wrong in my planning. Again the big movement in the steering tube caught my eye and I started measuring steering tubes of other bikes. As expected the inside diameter is 30mm. The tube that I had ordered was 35mm x 2,6mm witch would make an inside diameter of 29,8mm There shouldn't be ant room for movement at all. So I started measuring the ordered tube again. 35mm x 2,0mm !!! Here we go, there is the fault. My calculations haven't been so wrong after all, it was just the measurement of the tube. Therefore my fault was to believe what was written on the order sheet without remeasuring the tube. Lesson learned, I guess. Now I have to wait for a reaction of the steel supplier...

Next thing to do is to refit a new tube and to test the test frame again. I guess that it will have a lot less flexibility then.

zondag 25 januari 2015

test frame first ride

 As planned I made the first short test ride with the test frame and it gave me a lot of new idea's.
Let's start with the front part. You might wonder why it is red. It was laying around in the workshop after I built it for an earlier bike but wasn't able to fit the bottom bracket in it. Fortunately I now have the right tools to make everything fit so I could use it for the test frame. It saved a lot of work.
About the ride: When in hand the frame might feel a bit light on the back fork.The ride though is smooth and controllable. However I will make a few change sin the back arrangement to make the frame a bit sturdier.
The front is where I made a little mistake. unknowingly I've used the wrong size of tubing for the steering tube. This resulted in a tiny movement in the steering tube which again gives the impression that the whole frame might be a bit wobbly. So if you ask me where I will put the most effort in, it's going to be the front...and the back. Did I mention the middle part already? I am very pleased with the seat connectors. And the new height of the seat is not at all a problem, I can't really feel a difference to the lower position. That is why I've decided to lower the seat by about 5 cm again first of all to give achieve  better aerodynamics and second to make the bike accessible for people with shorter legs as well.
Of course it isn't nice to see that you have made a  mistake, but nevertheless I am pleased with the development so far. It's back to the drawing board, but only to make a bike which will be so much better then the prototype. And this frame helps me in doing so.
By the way, I've decided to make a pre-production run of 5 bikes as soon as everything is ready for it. If you are interested in one of the first 5 bikes, let me know, I'll put your name on the list.


woensdag 21 januari 2015

The chair is ON!

I've finished the chair connection. Of course I sat on it and I have to admit that the new frame flexes just a little bit too much for my taste. Tomorrow I will stiffen that up and then I will start with the front.



dinsdag 20 januari 2015

A new bike is (almost) born

The test frame of the Vrijwiel MBB comes together nicely. In the pictures below you can see the progress. With a bit of luck I will be able to field-test the geometry this week. As soon as all the gremlins are taken care of, there will be a "first run series" of 5 bicycles for the introduction price of € 1500,00.
The sooner you order a bike, the more likely it is that you will get one in your color.
I will post more information as soon as the process allows it, until then you can enjoy today's pictures:






maandag 19 januari 2015

Whohoo! A new prototype...!

Finally I've received my order of steel tubes today. So I went right down to business and produced what shall be a test version of the new recumbent frame. The Vrijwiel MBB. Can you see it in the picture?


The tubes are weighing in at 1225 gr. up to this moment. So I am rather positive that the Vrijwiel MBB will become an affordable but light weight recumbent bike. Let's see what I can do tomorrow...

donderdag 15 januari 2015

New website is online

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am proud to tell you that the new Vrijwiel website is online.


From now on you can enjoy the new site and if everything goes well I will update it according to the new bikes that will be built.
One of the funny things about this post and the website is that you now have a news link which will bring you directly to this humble blog. High tech! I hope that you are as happy as I am and I will be even more happy to read your opinion in the comments.