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VALLIECOMPONENTS.COM
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
We're moving...
I'm going to be setting up the REAL valliecomponents.com site pretty soon.
Its done in Joomla, so I'll be porting this blog over there, as its a much more powerful content management system.
In other news I've got all the stainless hardware I'll need, as well as spokes and a rim for the new wheels. I'm currently waiting for the UPS guy to bring my bearings.. and to hear from Super Rat on when my prototypes ship.
I've also been inspired to figure out how to look at 3D modeling from a frame builder's perspective. An email from a local builder here got me thinking..
This is going to be a very exciting year (..not to say that 2008 wasn't).
Its done in Joomla, so I'll be porting this blog over there, as its a much more powerful content management system.
In other news I've got all the stainless hardware I'll need, as well as spokes and a rim for the new wheels. I'm currently waiting for the UPS guy to bring my bearings.. and to hear from Super Rat on when my prototypes ship.
I've also been inspired to figure out how to look at 3D modeling from a frame builder's perspective. An email from a local builder here got me thinking..
This is going to be a very exciting year (..not to say that 2008 wasn't).
Thursday, December 18, 2008
How stoked am I?
Yesterday I had the final design meeting (phonecall) with Phil at Super Rat Machine Works, and we hammered out the last of the design details on all four pieces of my hub. Everything looks good.
He's taking this on as his winter project, and I cannot be happier. I put 50% down, and will be paying the remainder upon delivery.
Delivery of my hubs.
Delivery of a product that has been in my head for over a year.
I absolutely cannot wait to build the first one up and start thrashing.
He's taking this on as his winter project, and I cannot be happier. I put 50% down, and will be paying the remainder upon delivery.
Delivery of my hubs.
Delivery of a product that has been in my head for over a year.
I absolutely cannot wait to build the first one up and start thrashing.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Precious Cargo
I've been thinking more and more about cargo carrying solutions lately.
Perhaps its the lonely BOB trailer hanging directly above my computer monitor, or maybe its just that I'm noticing a trend.
While my parents were here in NYC, I spotted a Kona Ute at the local farmer's market. Everything I read online shows gas prices continuing to rise. I'm seeing bakfiets and freakfiets all over. I just have this desire to carry more stuff.
Oddly enough, I haven't really used my BOB trailer since august, when I was retrieving things from Greyhound. I used it quite often in Vancouver, and thought I would here too.. Though, when I moved, I didn't know that I'd be on the 8th floor, with a very small elevator. That makes things more difficult.
This has led me to starting carrying more stuff on my back. I picked up a used Chrome Ivan bag, as my 3 year old Metropolis was starting to cause me grief. The capacity is slightly smaller and the load distribution is quite a bit better, making for a much more comfortable ride.
I'm pretty tempted to further uglify my Spicer by making a front rack for it.
I've seen a lot of the CETMA cargo racks on courier bikes around town, but its design isn't ideal for me.
The design criteria are as follows:
-must clear a front brake
-must work with a low rake 75° head angle
-must NOT use any bar real estate
-Eyelet mounted stays, with additional eyelets for fenders
-should hold two U-locks
-Could potentially take panniers if required.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
This picture does not show the pannier/tiedown hooks that would be on the fronts of the stays. The lock would be secured from rattling about with a toe clip strap, to this invisible hook.
Sadly, I dont have a shop to build this at right now. I think I left enough spare tubing from the BCClette's trailer back in Vancouver to make it too!
Diving even further into the murky realm of the cargo cult... I've revisited an idea I had some years ago. Before I purchased the BOB trailer, I had envisioned making my own, developing a single wheeled, U joint hitch equipped, storage box. At the time I determined it would be too expensive and I found the BOB used on Craigslist.. anyways:
Features:
-48 Gallon Rubbermaid lockable storage tote
-16" rear wheel
-Adam's Trail a Bike style hitch
-Aluminum construction
-lockable/waterproof
I think I could be onto something with this product if I can keep it under the price of a BOB, make it robust enough for courier use, and stylish enough for grocery getting.
Perhaps its the lonely BOB trailer hanging directly above my computer monitor, or maybe its just that I'm noticing a trend.
While my parents were here in NYC, I spotted a Kona Ute at the local farmer's market. Everything I read online shows gas prices continuing to rise. I'm seeing bakfiets and freakfiets all over. I just have this desire to carry more stuff.
Oddly enough, I haven't really used my BOB trailer since august, when I was retrieving things from Greyhound. I used it quite often in Vancouver, and thought I would here too.. Though, when I moved, I didn't know that I'd be on the 8th floor, with a very small elevator. That makes things more difficult.
This has led me to starting carrying more stuff on my back. I picked up a used Chrome Ivan bag, as my 3 year old Metropolis was starting to cause me grief. The capacity is slightly smaller and the load distribution is quite a bit better, making for a much more comfortable ride.
I'm pretty tempted to further uglify my Spicer by making a front rack for it.
I've seen a lot of the CETMA cargo racks on courier bikes around town, but its design isn't ideal for me.
The design criteria are as follows:
-must clear a front brake
-must work with a low rake 75° head angle
-must NOT use any bar real estate
-Eyelet mounted stays, with additional eyelets for fenders
-should hold two U-locks
-Could potentially take panniers if required.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
This picture does not show the pannier/tiedown hooks that would be on the fronts of the stays. The lock would be secured from rattling about with a toe clip strap, to this invisible hook.
Sadly, I dont have a shop to build this at right now. I think I left enough spare tubing from the BCClette's trailer back in Vancouver to make it too!
Diving even further into the murky realm of the cargo cult... I've revisited an idea I had some years ago. Before I purchased the BOB trailer, I had envisioned making my own, developing a single wheeled, U joint hitch equipped, storage box. At the time I determined it would be too expensive and I found the BOB used on Craigslist.. anyways:
Features:
-48 Gallon Rubbermaid lockable storage tote
-16" rear wheel
-Adam's Trail a Bike style hitch
-Aluminum construction
-lockable/waterproof
I think I could be onto something with this product if I can keep it under the price of a BOB, make it robust enough for courier use, and stylish enough for grocery getting.
Monday, September 29, 2008
More Bashing
I've been in contact with Sam @ Tree Bike Co about their 9 keyed spider, designed by Phil Wasson of Super Rat Machine works. Sam is still undecided about whether or not to make that part 'open source'. Still, I've gone ahead and continued optimizing the design for use on a fixed gear.
Its hard to cut down a 10mm thick pie plate and have it both strong and light.
I've changed the look around from the previous Tree inspired design, to a more conventional 5 sided look. Material has been removed where it makes the most sense.
Its funny that I've been so inspired to work on a project that wouldn't really be for me. I don't ride my track bike in this manner, so this part may never go to production. My BMX is for stunts, and my track bike is for training. Just who would I be making this for?
The community.
The people that are pushing bicycles beyond their intended capabilities.
I like those people.
Its hard to cut down a 10mm thick pie plate and have it both strong and light.
I've changed the look around from the previous Tree inspired design, to a more conventional 5 sided look. Material has been removed where it makes the most sense.
Its funny that I've been so inspired to work on a project that wouldn't really be for me. I don't ride my track bike in this manner, so this part may never go to production. My BMX is for stunts, and my track bike is for training. Just who would I be making this for?
The community.
The people that are pushing bicycles beyond their intended capabilities.
I like those people.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Future
Here it is, The Vallie Components Blog. Not much content yet, but I'll be updating it as I come up with more ideas.
I've been busy working on a spline drive Bash guard chainring spider recently.
I hope Tree is receptive to this idea. (I had to reverse engineer their 9 keyed spline insert from high resolution pictures on the web)
It adresses the problems encountered when running Profile style 48spline 19mm spindle cranks on a fixed gear bicycle. The traditional single bolt does not hold up to the torques generated in both directions due to cranking and backpedalling.
This also has a giant bash guard on it, for the grinding crowd.
...more to come later =]
I've been busy working on a spline drive Bash guard chainring spider recently.
I hope Tree is receptive to this idea. (I had to reverse engineer their 9 keyed spline insert from high resolution pictures on the web)
It adresses the problems encountered when running Profile style 48spline 19mm spindle cranks on a fixed gear bicycle. The traditional single bolt does not hold up to the torques generated in both directions due to cranking and backpedalling.
This also has a giant bash guard on it, for the grinding crowd.
...more to come later =]
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