---Matt---
Likes Bikes and Dirt
UPDATE: Just finished another frame - See post #107
Hey everyone,
It seems that every time we (Benj and myself) post up a new frame we get the same questions regarding the design/construction process so, now that I'm about to build another frame I thought I'd post this up.
Firstly I'd like to say that this is by no means the only way you can build frames, however it is the way that has worked for us.
Now this will be a step by step list as I go through building this frame. Hopefully this way I won't miss anything.
For this part of the process you'll need a PC and a lot of time/patience to think about the frame and nut everything out.
To start off I figure out exactly what kind of bike I want. The bike I'm working on currently is going to be a 4x hard tail, so I figured I want, being 6'2", the following geometry:
- 70 deg head angle
- 71 deg seat angle
- 390mm CP length (Cockpit Length = horizontal distance between the BB shell and the top of the head tube)
- 12.7mm BB drop
- 419.1mm chain stays
- 370mm seat tube
You also need to determine other things such as:
- Dropouts: 10x135mm vertical, 10x135mm horizontal, 12x135mm bolt through or 12x150mm bolt through (I like 10x135mm vertical because I'm different)
- Head tube length - 115mm for this bike
- Disc mounts or not
Also needed is some basic MTB standards such as tyre width, chain ring spacing, chain ring diameters, ISCG standards, disc mount standards, crown width and drop and axle to crown height of the forks you're going to be using.
Also take note of the size of the headset you're going to use and take this into account when you draw it up as this will affect the head angle. You should also take care with making sure that the smallest gear on the rear cassette has clearance for the chain past the seat stays
Now that's done, draw a 2D base sketch up in whatever CAD software you prefer to use. I use Solidworks because it is fairly easy to learn and use however it is licensed software and therefore it costs money to buy.
Once you get all the parts down onto the screen it should look something like this. (Click on the pics for bigger versions)
Then you get to work making it into a 3D model. This takes time to get right so be patient. I'm not going to go into how to use Solidworks so if you're not sure then hop onto Google and look it up
Now that all the parts are in the design, including chain ring spacing and tyre size, etc. you should get something like this: (Click on the pics for bigger versions)
Just a tip, make sure you label every sketch and extrusion as it will make it much easier to go back and modify the design if needed.
Once you get all this done and are happy with how it looks you're ready to get outside and get your hands dirty. I'll get more into that next time.
---Matt---
Hey everyone,
It seems that every time we (Benj and myself) post up a new frame we get the same questions regarding the design/construction process so, now that I'm about to build another frame I thought I'd post this up.
Firstly I'd like to say that this is by no means the only way you can build frames, however it is the way that has worked for us.
Now this will be a step by step list as I go through building this frame. Hopefully this way I won't miss anything.
For this part of the process you'll need a PC and a lot of time/patience to think about the frame and nut everything out.
To start off I figure out exactly what kind of bike I want. The bike I'm working on currently is going to be a 4x hard tail, so I figured I want, being 6'2", the following geometry:
- 70 deg head angle
- 71 deg seat angle
- 390mm CP length (Cockpit Length = horizontal distance between the BB shell and the top of the head tube)
- 12.7mm BB drop
- 419.1mm chain stays
- 370mm seat tube
You also need to determine other things such as:
- Dropouts: 10x135mm vertical, 10x135mm horizontal, 12x135mm bolt through or 12x150mm bolt through (I like 10x135mm vertical because I'm different)
- Head tube length - 115mm for this bike
- Disc mounts or not
Also needed is some basic MTB standards such as tyre width, chain ring spacing, chain ring diameters, ISCG standards, disc mount standards, crown width and drop and axle to crown height of the forks you're going to be using.
Also take note of the size of the headset you're going to use and take this into account when you draw it up as this will affect the head angle. You should also take care with making sure that the smallest gear on the rear cassette has clearance for the chain past the seat stays
Now that's done, draw a 2D base sketch up in whatever CAD software you prefer to use. I use Solidworks because it is fairly easy to learn and use however it is licensed software and therefore it costs money to buy.
Once you get all the parts down onto the screen it should look something like this. (Click on the pics for bigger versions)
Then you get to work making it into a 3D model. This takes time to get right so be patient. I'm not going to go into how to use Solidworks so if you're not sure then hop onto Google and look it up
Now that all the parts are in the design, including chain ring spacing and tyre size, etc. you should get something like this: (Click on the pics for bigger versions)
Just a tip, make sure you label every sketch and extrusion as it will make it much easier to go back and modify the design if needed.
Once you get all this done and are happy with how it looks you're ready to get outside and get your hands dirty. I'll get more into that next time.
---Matt---
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