Take your time with the builds. I'll still be here, insh'allah. Loved this vid. Remove the front wheel to raise the rear? Really genius level thinking out of the box there. Zero cost solution to roadside flat fixes, etc.
Serfas Drifter! Look like nothing else, come in 20" - 700c, 1.5" - 4.25", and are easy to find online for $25-40. Dual compound like a moto tire so the middle does good mileage and the sides are grippy, very puncture resistant, very high-mileage, and if you're riding on a wet road they make cute tiny plonking sounds. The tread is inverted and works well on gravel and hardpack while being fast rolling on the street. They're heavy, but on the kinds of bikes I'm putting them on durability and performance matter more than grams. My favorite hard-use city and ATB tires, no idea why I've never seen anyone else mention them, even online. I've ridden them without any issues even at 60psi when I weighed over 400lbs. I had a set on a clunker I made out of a Trek 820 fifteen years ago, rode it probably four or five thousand miles, and passed it on to a friend when I got a modern 650b. They're still riding the bike and the tires still have plenty of tread left. I remembered them recently after a few unpleasant slides on gravel tracks, put one on the front of my 650b, kept the more slick OEM on the rear, and it's been perfect since. So they haven't de-contented them in the last few years, either.
I use my elephant bike as my bike tow vehicle. I used rubber lined P clips / hose clamps to secure the QR mount to the rack. Definitely more secure than zip ties!
One thing about the Billy bonkers they seem to have a good price. They must be a popular tire because I see them going for less then a lot of tires I've been looking at
Loving the new setup :) I tow bikes in the same way using a rear rack. Pro tip: use a bungee cord wrapped tautly around the downtube of the bike you're towing, with both hooks attached to your rack on the cargo. This stops the rear of the towed bike from wandering left to right when you're making turns.
When Dutch (or Danish) bikes are discussed the upright position, sturdy construction, heavy racks 😉, chain guards, hub brakes and gears are focused on, but something that doesn't often get mentioned is the geometry. The classic Omafiets has the seatpost and forks at a large angle from the vertical (ie they're NOT vertical), which makes them very stable and comfortable to ride. The forks are also very curved which reduces the high frequency vibration to your hands and also increases the wheelbase of the bike, further increasing stability. Also the handle bars are far more ergonomic than any other design that i can think of (apart from possibly the Moustache bars). These don't cause joint or nerve problems, particularly if angled slightly downwards. They're probably even better than old swept Raleigh bars. Old bikes from 100 years ago were all like this and it only changed when bicycle racing was televised in the 70s I guess. Racing has a lot to answer for. 😠 I love the Omafiets, apart from the boring black paint. Why no Royal Blue, Racing Green or sublime Maroon. Sometimes the Dutch can be a bit too practical. 🇳🇱❤️ All the best. 🇬🇧
When I collect bikes I have an animal trailer. Dog trailer. Two wheels. It hauls great acward but does the Job. I actually used it as well to help build trails bring tools. Chain saws to shovels even loaded the thing up with wood. I know there is a limit to it but I got it free so it was even better. I’m still using it. Now planning to add metal sides to it because the cloth is old plan to box it. And add things to bungy up.
You have a beautiful wheel and a beautiful family. I love that comment about knowing when to stop. I write legal briefs all day, most days. It’s the same issue. At some point, you must stop agonizing over tone and specific words and simply move on. As a professor once told me, writing projects are never done; but at some point, they are abandoned.
These trendy bike racks that just attach on 2 points look nice but if you attached another tube or angled aluminium from the front of the rack to the seat stem, seat clamp or seat post, you'll substantially increase its regidity and support strength.
Going to root around in the garage later for a spare quick release skewer to do this on a normal bike for when it's not worth driving the van a few minutes away
On testing this I can't see it holding up well. I secured a similar clamp with p clips to test it before sourcing u bolts and the racks can't handle the strain for very long if they're not rated for much.
You do make that Impulse look so small! The saddle height seems low so you're not getting the best power from your legs. I do love your Impulse build...been looking for one for ages to do a restomod to. I'll keep looking! Well done for riding the 100 and looking forward to seeing how you get on in your next event 👍👌😎
