carbon bike

[garryb59]

nice job

Yeah, nice job.
I'm on the verge of making a CF bent [have been for the past 3 yrs!], but of a different style to yours - more of a standard SWB. If you have the time, I'd be interested some answers to the following:

1.What plans did you work from?
2. Did you use a foam [carved yourself from foam?]
3. And what kind of cloth [weave, weight etc] and epoxy did you use?
4 How many layers did you use [more in the stress areas]?
5. Did you vacuum bag it?

cheers
Garry

 

[NickM]

Hi Garry... My experience of carbon bike building is zero, but I do collect info from the web in case I ever get round to doing it. You might find these sites useful, if you haven't come across them already:

http://www.jjscozzi.com/custom_bike.htm/

Very detailed description of building a carbon Baron clone

http://www.bmeres.com/carbonframe1.htm

"...On the top and down tubes and seat tube, there are 9 layers; on the chain stay and seat stay there are 11 layers. The high stress areas were covered with additional 6-8 layers" (180gsm cloth)

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/howibuil.htm

"...The number of laminates varies from seven at the thinnest to 24 at the thickest. High stress areas such as the root of the top tube/beam, the head tube, bb area and tube junctions received the most laminates." (170gsm cloth)

http://users.skynet.be/benoit.dery/

Detailed description of building a carbon Taifun clone

From my reading (not experience!), suitable carbon frame wall thicknesses are:
head tube area: 0.120 to 0.130 inches (3.0 to 3.3mm)
bottom bracket boom area and rear fork/main frame join: 0.100 to 0.110 inches (2.5 to 2.8mm)
less critical areas: 0.060 inches (1.5mm)

 

[plazi bill]

Gary
sorry i havent been on the comp for a while
1, I worked from plans from the following web site
http://www.rqriley.com/xr2.htm
2, Yes urethane foam 2to 3 pound density I shaped it my self , try to keep it as flat as possible were it needs to be flat and level ,dont depend on the layer ups of carbon fibre to level it out at a later date
3, plain weave or satin weave 5.7 ounce 4 to 5 metres square? and westsystem 105 resin and catylist, it would be better to visit the web sight http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/contactcfs.html
as you can get all the info from them
4 How many layers did you use [more in the stress areas] Ive sent a image of the amount of layer ups on that specific frame ,around stress areas up to ten ? I hope the image has reached you ,as im not very good with I.T
5. Did you vacuum bag it? no ,the cloth is covered in the resin and and put on rather like a bandage being careful get any air out !

 

[geepeetee]

hi fellow home - builder

Bill

Found my way here looking for info on headsets, willl post some images when i get on the other pc.

Keep the faith!

Gary

 

[garryb59]

links

NickM: I was aware of those [very good] links, but thanks all the same. There's a lot in there, and some really fine work too.

plazi bill: The image of the layup of the GH2 came through loud and clear. Quite interesting. Thanks very much.

 

[itself]

Great job! Wow its quite brillant, and as you may know, only one manufacturer out there presently that does a carbon fiber lowracer. Put a U bar steerer on her and you will have an even steadier ride.

Lisa