Continued from page 1
All that's really left is
galvanized conduit and seat. The whole 10' stick of conduit runs about $8. The seat, which is heart of recumbent, will run around $140. Of course, you can always look for used equipment or make your own if you're handy with tools and save that money.
The handlebar is another item of interest. You will need what's called a Quill to fit in head tube. On to this "Quill," you will fit a curved tube, which will attach to your handlebars. You can buy a steerer tube for $60 made by Rans Recumbent, but you will still need an extender to make it long enough for a LWB.
You can make your own by buying a piece of Cromalloy and bending it. You'll need to buy or borrow a tube bender to do that. I found a 7/8" tube of Aluminum from Loews, that I was able to bend for mine. Creativity and ingenuity are King when building your own.
You'll find that once frame is together and you start adding brake and gear cables, a good supply of plastic Zipties will be a huge help. As most plans do not include "braze on" cable stops and cable guides, Zipties will be necessary to hold cables in place.
Now, once you have made you frame, if you can't weld it, then get a professional to do it for you. Set frame up on what's called a "jig." A "jig" is explained in plans. That way welder will know how it's supposed to look.
Don't just take a bunch of tubes that need to be welded together, and tell him to "go get it!" He won't get it, but you will! He might charge $60 or so. Be sure to ask first so there won't be any surprises.
Now, it's possible these components can be found for less money. I tried mixing old chain from several different bikes and found that doesn't work to well. Usually components from "donor" bike can be used in making new one. I used all components from my 5 month old, $425 Giant Hybrid, 24-speed bike.
Here's a list of what you might buy and approximate cost.
Frame$25.00 Front Wheel$58.00 Tandem Brake Cables $ 7.50 Grip Shift Gears$26.00 3 chain sets$30.00 8' conduit$ 8.00 Zipties$15.00 M Tire$10.00 Tube$ 3.50 Seat $140.00 (optional)Welding $ 60.00 Total $383.00
Making your own seat keeps price well under $299, even if you have someone weld frame for you. If you buy seat but do your own welding, or find a friend like I did to do it for free, you're still under $299.00. You may find some of these other items for less. New prices were used to give you an idea of actual cost.
Finding your frame for free saves you money. Being able to weld frame will reduce cost even more. I'm glad I didn't try this on first one. Watching process taught me a great deal, and after practicing on a second frame, I discovered how NOT to do it!
A very comfortable seat can be made from plywood and foam, or a used one may be for sale. One was given to me that had basically been trashed as my riding buddy upgraded his homebuilt and had extra seat.
The point is, whether all new components are purchased or you put something together like many others using whatever is at hand, just build it! The first try may be a tremendous success. After 13,000 miles I feel confident in saying mine is.
If changes are needed (if you ask any bent rider changes are ALWAYS needed) to improve ride, no big deal. This is still a ride you put together, and it didn't cost "big bucks" of a new one, or even a used one.
More important, you know how this thing is made, so you'll also know effect of any minor or major changes and immediate result. You may also decide to buy a factory made bent in future, and this is huge advantage you have. Now you know what you want, and if it's worth money.
I found first frame I made completely to be easy enough, that I was encouraged to make another of my own design. Not everyone is going to do this. I still haven't finished my experimental frame, so it's difficult to tell how it will work out.
To do this I had to invest $225 in a portable Oxy-Acetylene welding kit, because it was too much of a demand on my friend's time to ask him to do it. It also cost too much to use little kits available at Home Depot.
In welding my first frame, I discovered little Oxygen tanks only last about 8 minutes. That's not nearly long enough to do serious welding, and you can't control flame. Before I had finished, I used 12 tanks at a cost of $8 each. It would have cost me less to take it to a welding shop...I think!
The one point that shines through in building your own recumbent is this. You did it! If you can get on it and enjoy a relaxing, comfortable ride, does anything else matter? It may not shine as much, welds may not be as pretty, and it may not be as fancy as those from factory. But you can enjoy every single mile, every hour on your bent knowing it was fashioned by your hands.
Accept with humble thanks when others are amazed that you made it! Let your chest swell with pride when you hear kids shout, "Cool bike!" Feel rush of riding along with those "expensive factory built bents" that don't go any faster than yours. Soak in admiration of fellow bent riders who had to buy one because they can't turn a wrench.
Mention that you only have $299 invested in your bike, and watch faces of those who paid six, seven, and in some instances 10 times as much for theirs. Are you starting to get picture?
When you pay $2000 for a bent, you are reluctant to do any customizing, especially if you aren't mechanically inclined. When you made it to begin with, no such resistance exists, because you have confidence of your building experience.
Making changes, finding a way to improve it, modifying part of design are almost guaranteed, because you know you can. So it might be a good question as to who gets more pleasure out of a bent.
You CAN have a "Dirt-Cheap" bent all your own. Maybe you can even improve on what others have done, and do it for less. That would be worth writing about, and you might be surprised how many would be interested. Comfort you never dreamed of, at a price you never imagined! Just do it!
After building his first recumbent bike in 1998, Alan was smitten by the "homebuilder" bug. Having ridden over 13,000 miles since then and adding another homebuilt frame to his experience, he eagerly shares his experience with those who think they can't, when they really can!
Recumbent-bikes-truth-for-you.com is a website developed with the idea in mind to provide as much information as possible about these incredible machines.
