Build a hypothetical post-apocalypse bicycle

Why put brakes on there? And why disc?

If it's fixed you could just go brakeless. It is post-apocalyptic, roads will be largely empty or there would be debris and you're going slow anyway.

Disk brakes require too much precision, and you really wouldn't want hydraulic as we've already disposed of the need for a pump.

Toolless would be ideal, but the fewest tools that you could reasonably find in any abandoned house should be the next goal. It shouldn't be assumed that you would have access to your multi-tool.

the apocolypse won't rid the world of hills ? will it ?

We're in England, what hills exist that couldn't be ridden over or around?

^

A nice fat tyre to cope with post apocolypse terrain, and as few parts as possible.

I think unicycles and penny farthings are cheating.

A bicycle... the bi being the important bit.

I'd take the pugsly idea of interchangable front and rear wheels, and expand on that.

As far as possible I'd want bearing size to be constant. Maybe have an interchangeable headset and BB, all spokes the same length, all the bolts thesame dimensions etc.

It would be a mistake to assume you can build something that wont break. So build something that requires just a handful of spare parts.

I reckon you'd have to be belt drive, to enable you to scavenge stuff from cars. No faff with oil, and allows silent running to avoid the, er, zombies.

(optimistically hopes that fan belts are suitable for bikes, without any knowledge whatsoever...)

Well how long are we talking, you wanna be on the run for ever?
I'd just kill myself if I had to be on the run forever, it's just not worth it.

I reckon you'd have to be belt drive, to enable you to scavenge stuff from cars. No faff with oil, and allows silent running to avoid the, er, zombies.

(optimistically hopes that fan belts are suitable for bikes, without any knowledge whatsoever...)

I'd doubt they're the same pitch, width or length, could probably bodge it though but again if you run so long you wear out a belt...

So - could you design something that has easily scavenged parts? Cars would be abandoned all over the place.

Cant fan belts be replaced by using the tights of a stunning yet independent lady?

80s, you lied to me.

My guess is that BBs are going to be completely shot after a few short years, as are chains and hubs.

The question to answer is what can be used to simulate a bottom bracket, but that isn't going to be knackered.

I reckon that Obree has seen the future, and the future is washing machine parts.

Apocolypcycles™ aren't going to be delicately balanced bike porn - they're going to be gaffer tape, glue and thermite welded 30kg lumps of metal and round things.

Sticking point seems to be bearings as they're likely to be viewed as a consumable component (innertubes, brake pads etc.). However, there are bearings that are subjected to loads, speeds and abuse far in excess of what bikes are subjected to (think oil drilling rigs, monster earth moving machines etc.). It doesn't seem unreasonable to expect that these bearings could last for more than a hundred years in a bike application, so I'd argue that using massively over-engineered bearings could create a HPAB that'd would probably outlast its owner.

The decision to use a belt drive depends on your overall tactic.

Belts dont need oil, dont rust, and are pretty indestructable. But once broken you're fecked.

Chains require some TLC, but can undergo length adjustments, and be repaired.

do you want near indestructability, or the possibility for constant repair, and maintainance?

Do you want near indestructability, or the possibility for constant repair, and maintainance?

Interesting question... on one hand do you opt for a tank, and get the industructability? Or do you opt for a Citroen 2CV and have the car that famously any farmer could fix?

I think we're basically shooting for a bicycle equivalent of a 2CV. It won't be pretty, but it would do the job and anyone would be able to fix it using scavenged parts and basic tools.

Washing machine bearings are a great idea, especially if that's a fairly standard part. They'd keep well in the unused machines too.

Wheels are tricky. As Smallfurry says, all spokes the same length would be good, but in the absence of specialist tools, what would we true them with? It should be possible to replace spoke nipples with small nuts. 8mm would probably be the smallest size for which one could reliably find a spanner.

Interesting question... on one hand do you opt for a tank, and get the industructability? Or do you opt for a Citroen 2CV and have the car that famously any farmer could fix?

I think we're basically shooting for a bicycle equivalent of a 2CV. It won't be pretty, but it would do the job and anyone would be able to fix it using scavenged parts and basic tools.

Washing machine bearings are a great idea, especially if that's a fairly standard part. They'd keep well in the unused machines too.
Actually since there's an Evans on every corner I'm sure we could get Zombie Scoble to let us raid them for parts.

On wheels, a very high spoke count would also help. Gives you spare spokes, whilst also distributing load across many spokes and allowing for a greater range of tensions (due to sloppy wheel building).

Nobody mentioned the use of wood anywhere yet?

Sod it, I'll just use a skateboard instead ;-)

Can we clarify the starting rules? Do we know that Doom Is Coming, and can therefore spend some time getting the perfect steed together?

If so, I'm shifting to a custom trike with massive penny-farthing sized wheels. Plenty of carrying space for supplies, transmission will be set up to utilise car fan belts (which google informs me are pretty long), and my big wheels will reduce the risk of damage from the dodgy road surfaces.

I admit that the rims are vulnerable, but I reckon they'd last longer than me going at a pretty slow pace. As said above, slow and steady is the key.

And just for once, can we please have an apocalypse that doesn't involve zombies!

We know the apocalypse is coming... this thread is our prep.

post apocalypse there will be tons of bikes and few people, so scavenging for spares and tools would be the name of the game. Mad Max did that with cars and trucks, we would do the same with bikes.
Some apocalypses involving lots of heat might trash all the tyres, and a lot of alloy and but if it was a disease caused apocalypse then there would be a ton of stuff for the taking. The survivors with the skills to use the tools would have an advantage, and would be able to set themselves up to help others.
It would be a scavengers and fixers world for a while assuming the sort of apocalypse I can envisage

No spokes needed with disk wheels.

fucked when those post apocalyptic winds stat to blow tho.

Right. I have it. I'm on a similar thing to the three-wheeler at the front of this pack.

Probably with bigger wheels all round. Massive spoke count, solid rubber tyres, elephant gun strapped to the tube supporting the front wheel. Jobs a good 'un.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Bicycling-ca1887-bigwheelers.jpg