This is one of my favourite creations so far, at least my favourite one which actually worked.
Unlike my previous attempt at a SmallTall or "mini" Tallbike that used equal-sized kids' frames, this was an actual SmallTall by definition. The term was coined by Mack Carter, a US-based freakbike builder. This is where I got the idea for mine :). I began by trying to work out how the balance might work out - a big frame on a small frame, with tiny 15" wheels? A few inches too far forward or backward and the bike will be unrideable. Then theres the issue of steering. Being different lengths you can't just directly link the forks or steertubes - you instead need to use recumbent rod steering with ball joints, a bit like how car steering works. I had never done anything like this before, so it was quite a bit to get my head around. Once the chain was lined up, and the mounts for the rod connections welded in, all I had to do was screw in the threaded rod and then perform a test ride. The first ride went quite badly, as I didn't take into account the fact that the rod is only on one side of the forks, and therefore can't turn past a certain degree angle, before bending and snapping the rod, sending the rider off the bike with quite a jolt. Once this happened, I welded in small steer-stoppers made of scraps behind both forks, stopping them from steering too far in either direction. Finally I linked up the front brake and tried again. It was surprisingly easy! The balance was adequate, but the steering felt so cool! it was like an inverted cargo-bike steering linkage. And best of all, unlike a regular tallbike, I could just put my foot down if anything went wrong. Granted, it couldn't reach high speeds, being limited to the single sprocket on the little girl's bike, but it looked and felt hilarious to ride, and certainly put plenty of smiles on people's faces. I ended up welding in loads of spare sprockets and cogs into the frame, purely for the looks (as shown below). |
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