My Surly Big Dummy is finished!

penexpers · 23-01-2009 3:02pm #1

Well, nearly

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3220480106/

Only taken it for a quick spin around the block so far, it was a bit strange though, especially going over bumps where the rear wheel doesn't hit the bump until 2-3 seconds after the front wheel does.

Still to come
- Getting brakes working properly
- Tighten chainring bolts
- Mudguards!
- Dynamo lights (front and rear)
- Fit xtracycle bags

peterk19 · 23-01-2009 3:11pm

that class looking, i seen a bike similar to this on merrion square a few months back and was pretty impressed by the storage on it

Vélo · 23-01-2009 3:14pm

Did you enjoy the zoo?

Chips Lovell · 23-01-2009 3:14pm

That's one looooong chain.

That reminds me, I never got back to you about picking the headset tool up. I'll PM you next week about it.

penexpers · 23-01-2009 3:16pm

el tonto wrote: »

That's one looooong chain.

Tis! It's about 210 links long (at a guess).

That reminds me, I never got back to you about picking the headset tool up. I'll PM you next week about it.

Yep, please do. Still have it here.

scottreynolds · 23-01-2009 3:24pm

penexpers wrote: »

Well, nearly

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3220480106/

Only taken it for a quick spin around the block so far, it was a bit strange though, especially going over bumps where the rear wheel doesn't hit the bump until 2-3 seconds after the front wheel does.

Still to come
- Getting brakes working properly
- Tighten chainring bolts
- Mudguards!
- Dynamo lights (front and rear)
- Fit xtracycle bags

Could you \ttach an image please..... my firewall blocks flickr.

penexpers · 23-01-2009 3:28pm

scottreynolds wrote: »

Could you \ttach an image please..... my firewall blocks flickr.

Sure

blorg · 23-01-2009 3:34pm

Looks good Penexpers. Any particular reason for the knobbly tyres as I presume you will be using it on road? You also seem a master of the jaunty saddle angle

penexpers · 23-01-2009 3:37pm

blorg wrote: »

Looks good Penexpers. Any particular reason for the knobbly tyres as I presume you will be using it on road? You also seem a master of the jaunty saddle angle

The knobbly tires are until I get some Schwalbe Fat Franks, which should be soon, I hope.

The saddle was in no way set up correctly

Chips Lovell · 23-01-2009 3:40pm

penexpers wrote: »

Tis! It's about 210 links long (at a guess)

Did you have to join two together or can you get a super long chain?

penexpers · 23-01-2009 3:46pm

el tonto wrote: »

Did you have to join two together or can you get a super long chain?

Joined two together and took a few links off. I never looked into getting a super long one, but I assume with tandems around that some people make them (getting the super long gear and brake cables wasn't a problem).

Itsfixed · 23-01-2009 3:57pm

Lovely, really interesting. I bet you'll get lots of enquiries from passers-by, like someone who has a classic car. A real conversation starter.

Once my little girl outgrows the child seat, an Xtracycle conversion to my MTB is on the cards, so let us know how the Surly fits into your day-to-day life.

I quite like this cargo bike.

Gavin · 23-01-2009 4:17pm

penexpers wrote: »

Yep, please do. Still have it here.

This also reminds me ! I never got back to you about the jersey and I was in and out this week..

rottenhat · 23-01-2009 4:35pm

Man, I am deeply envious...more details please. Where did you get the frame? What did you build it up with? How much did it all cost?

blorg · 23-01-2009 4:47pm

Fat Franks would suit the bike very well I reckon. I seem to recall reading about them (or the Big Apple) that while they smooth out bumps very well rolling resistance is actually very low.

penexpers · 23-01-2009 4:50pm

rottenhat wrote: »

Man, I am deeply envious...more details please. Where did you get the frame? What did you build it up with? How much did it all cost?

Got the frame from Cycleways. Took a while to get it in though (think I was waiting 6 months). Rough cost is here

Frame : 850 (think they are 1050 now)
Xtracycle longtail kit : 250
Headset (FSA Fat Pig) : 70
Crankset (Shimano Hone) : 120
Front hub (Shimano generator) : 90
Rear hub (Nuvinci CVP) : 320
Rims (Mavic EN321 disc) : 50
Brakes (Avid BB7) : 80
Levers (Avid FR5) : 15
Thorn Accessory bar : 25
DMR STS tensioner : 25
Chain (KMC Singlespeed) : 10
Pedals (DMR V8): 30
Mudguards (SKS Chromoplastic) : 30
Generic seatpost, stem, handlebars : 50
Grips (specialized body geometry) : 20
Cabling : 20

I transferred the saddle off an old bike.

Also I probably spent another 150 or so getting the wheels built, including spokes. I also went through a few tensioners that didn't work and some chains that didn't work.

penexpers · 23-01-2009 4:52pm

blorg wrote: »

Fat Franks would suit the bike very well I reckon. I seem to recall reading about them (or the Big Apple) that while they smooth out bumps very well rolling resistance is actually very low.

Yep the Big Apples and Fat Franks are very similar. From what I have read they are the closest thing to suspension tires these days.

It helps that the Big Dummy can take the 2.35 width

Lumen · 23-01-2009 5:45pm

blorg wrote: »

Fat Franks would suit the bike very well I reckon. I seem to recall reading about them (or the Big Apple) that while they smooth out bumps very well rolling resistance is actually very low.

Ah now, stop doing that! My shed is full of tyres already. I wonder whether they'd fit the Tricross...

Anyway, great bike. Googled earlier for kiddie possibilities, and there are several ways to mount two rear seats on it, so this is on my shortlist for a SUB.

penexpers · 23-01-2009 5:52pm

Lumen wrote: »

Ah now, stop doing that! My shed is full of tyres already. I wonder whether they'd fit the Tricross...

I don't think they would

They only come in 26 x 2 or 26 x 2.35.

Lumen · 23-01-2009 6:03pm

penexpers wrote: »

I don't think they would

They only come in 26 x 2 or 26 x 2.35.

Ah, but apparently the Big Apples come in 29x2.0 and 29x2.35. Sorry for the hijack!

eta: for the record, the only place in the UK I can find which sells Big Apples in 29/622/700c size and ships to Ireland is www.twowheelsgood.co.uk, and they charge £30 shipping. Not that I have any practical interest in this, mind.

blorg · 23-01-2009 6:11pm

Slap on a new pair of wheels and brakes and away you go, no problem! You do realise penexpers that you are talking to the man who bought AN ENTIRE NEW BIKE to suit some (ice) tyres he picked up?

scottreynolds · 23-01-2009 9:43pm

Mind if I ask what your purpose was for getting the big dummy?

BostonB · 24-01-2009 12:00am

scottreynolds wrote: »

Mind if I ask what your purpose was for getting the big dummy?

I was wondering that too. Why the stretch in the frame?

penexpers · 24-01-2009 1:46pm

BostonB wrote: »

I was wondering that too. Why the stretch in the frame?

scottreynolds wrote: »

Mind if I ask what your purpose was for getting the big dummy?

Both good questions

i got it to be able to do the weekly shopping on the bike, comfortably. Sick of sitting in traffic and sick of paying for parking. I have some vague plans to go bike touring one day and I think this would be a good bike to do it on.

Anyway, took it out for a longer spin today. It really does just handle like any other bike. Turning is a bit weird and the bike is naturally back-heavy (due to the hub). I was forced into a pothole by a car and that caused the chain to jump off and getting it back on was a three minute job.

Here is a picture of the bike fully clothed

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3222673052/

Thomas_S_Hunterson · 24-01-2009 2:17pm

What's the CVT like?

BostonB · 24-01-2009 2:59pm

it provides a bigger load area then? Why not a trailer?

penexpers · 24-01-2009 3:19pm

Sean_K wrote: »

What's the CVT like?

Not formed an opinion on it yet. I will say that it is very tricky to set up

penexpers · 24-01-2009 3:20pm

BostonB wrote: »

it provides a bigger load area then? Why not a trailer?

A trailer would be more unstable especially at higher speemds and I'm not convinced a trailer would have the same passenger carrying abilities.

penexpers · 26-01-2009 4:28pm

Added on the mudguards yesterday (SKS Chromoplastic P65)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3228242551/

Had to hacksaw off the ends of the supports in order to get them to fit, not the neatest job.

Apparently, I have lost the pedal washers off the crankset so will need to order replacements.

blorg · 26-01-2009 4:58pm

penexpers wrote: »

Apparently, I have lost the pedal washers off the crankset so will need to order replacements.

I am pretty sure these aren't essential, at least that is what someone from a bike shop once told me when I lost mine.

penexpers · 28-01-2009 3:24pm

I took this bike out for longer today and here's what I discovered.

- Things get a bit wobbly at the back at about 30km/h (probably due to rear up)
- I can't really stand at the pedals, the bike gets too unstable (probably due to rear hub)

I think I will change the handlebars, the risers are nice but I can't fit the shifting pod on them and having it on the accessory bar is just a pain.

I will be doing some load testing of the bike on Saturday, I hope.

penexpers · 11-02-2009 4:52pm

Some minor upgrades

- Changed to flat bars
- Added bar ends
- Added lights
- Added big lock
- Added bell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3271573455/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3271573557/

And a good reason for using mudguards

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3271573619/

I should be getting the Fat Franks tomorrow or Friday.

emty · 11-02-2009 8:05pm

superb!!!

Maybe we could have a boards spin out Kildare way soon? I would love to see this bike.

penexpers · 12-02-2009 4:02pm

So I got the Fat Franks today

3274645834_2fa175750e.jpg?v=0

Haven't got them on yet because they really are a tight fit. Not looking forward to taking the back wheel off either.

penexpers · 16-02-2009 6:25pm

Fat franks are now on the bike. Great tires, it's really like having a suspension system on the bike without any of the energy loss of having a real suspension. I would now rate these (or the Big Apples) as the best city bike tire - very comfortable and extremely low rolling resistance which make for a very pleasent and fast ride.

Trojan · 16-02-2009 6:57pm

penexpers wrote: »

Added on the mudguards yesterday (SKS Chromoplastic P65)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penexpers/3228242551/

Had to hacksaw off the ends of the supports in order to get them to fit, not the neatest job.

You might be able to get a tighter fit on the mudguards if you put a kink in the supports like here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alrocket/3283790351/sizes/l/

Note both front and back supports are bent.

blorg · 16-02-2009 9:19pm

@penexpers- what sort of hacksaw did you use to saw through the Chromoplastics stays? I want to do the same with mine but I can't get through them with a junior hacksaw (same hacksaw cut through my rear rack no problem, but that is softer aluminum while the SKS stays are stainless steel I think.)

@Trojan- I noticed that on your Bowery on the other thread, neat job you did on it too. I don't quite trust myself though

penexpers · 16-02-2009 10:08pm

blorg wrote: »

@penexpers- what sort of hacksaw did you use to saw through the Chromoplastics stays? I want to do the same with mine but I can't get through them with a junior hacksaw (same hacksaw cut through my rear rack no problem, but that is softer aluminum while the SKS stays are stainless steel I think.)

I used a junior hacksaw and a vice. The vice made all the difference I think. It was tricky to make the initial incision but once I had some to cut at it was easy enough.

My Surly Big Dummy is finished!

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