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Designing a custom Trials frame. I need your help and ideas.

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rec.sport.unicycling
Published
18 August 2006
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18 August 2006
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Sponge
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  1. Hello there, I've recently been sitting down and talking to Mr. Aran
    Cook @ Iolobikes, about making a custom trials frame. His company
    Iolobikes, already makes bespoke, totally customised biketrials frames
    and the results are extremely successful, strong, and longlasting.

    So, I decided it was time for a new frame... So what was there to
    get?:

    *KH 2005?* nah, seen 2 break at the hands of a friend. Plus I'd like to
    be different. :p

    *Koxx XTP?* Koxx-One is going in the bad direction of Koxx bikes, too
    expensive and really a scam for such a small thing. Plus it's
    aluminium= early death compared to tough steel frames.

    *Nimbus/Devil/Dan Heaton Koxx/Orange Bud?: *yeah had 2 of them already,
    all the same stuff basically...

    Any other frames, I don't really acknowledge as real buying options.
    So, I decided, instead of all those, why not have a customised trials
    frame that's both strong and unique?

    It'll be made of T45 Steel tubing which is Fillet brazed together (no
    welding). Choice of end powdercoating colour can be chosen, and Mr.
    Cook can add gussets or any other extras to stiffen the frame or
    reinforce it. What's further more reassuring is, that if I crack it
    (ever?) then Aran Cook can repair it and add further reinforcement or
    modify it to eliminate weakness.

    Where I need your help is that, I'll needing an already successful
    trials frame like the KH 2005 or KH 2004 to use as a base to help Aran
    get a good idea of how to get things sorted. It's going to be a tough
    T45 steel frame and will have the bearing holders of a KH frame, as I
    find the normal generic bearing holders of Nimbuses and Devils to be
    extremely tiresome to take apart and put together (as I learned from
    travelling abroad so much). I need you guys to tell me what you'd like
    to see in a custom trials frame and what frame I should send Aran to
    base it off. The frames I can send are: KH 2004, KH 2005, or a Devil.

    The end resulting frame may look quite similar to its base frame, but
    it will be totally different in construction and strength, which is
    what matters.

    anyway, check out www.iolobikes.com and see the 'Construction and
    geometry' page to see how the T45 steel and Fillet brazing come into
    effect. 😉

    Thanks for reading.

    --
    Sponge

    Currently learning: how to drop -smoother- SIF 🙄

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  2. i can't help but it sounds cool. How much are you having to pay to get
    it made

    --
    Ricky W

    Unicycle For Christ
    my unicyclist.com names: lucky_8 and Ricky W
    my custom unicycle fund:$192
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  3. I'm not too sure yet, their bike frames cost 260 Pounds as a starting
    price. So I think my uni frame might cost around 100 if it's going to a
    fair price.

    --
    Sponge

    Currently learning: how to drop -smoother- SIF 🙄

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  4. What has been the break point of other frames? Or the problem point of
    other frames? That is probably the best place to start. The other thing
    you want to take into consideration is how much clearance you want and
    in what form. Do you want a form fitting frame similar to a rounded
    frame, or do you want a flat top. You seem to know what you want in
    terms of a bearing clamp so really the things to look at are: basic
    frame design (single piece, hunter style, or reinforced hunter style
    which I think ryan used to have and Jeff Groves is still riding), and
    crown style.

    Going by flat top crown style on a basic single piece frame, there are
    three major styles I can think of, "flat" top (Torker DX style),
    "round" top (Koxx signiture style), and "post" top (Yuni style
    frames).

    Are you having a problem with breaking frames? Bending them? Are they
    too heavy? The best way to design a frame is to find out what the
    things are that make you not want to use a production frame. Not just o
    I heard this is bad, or this one is ugly, but what is it that makes the
    frame a bad one.

    --
    ntappin
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  5. I would think that a good frame would be a lot like the 2005 KH frame,
    only perhaps more reinforcements around the crown, and knurling on the
    crown. seeing as your having it made, you might as well get a long seat
    tube also. minimal tire clearence would be good also.

    that's about all I can think of.

    --
    mornish

    tobbogonist said:

    that was neat, now i only have to put it to use.
    parents banned my uni due to low school marks so if there are any nerds
    out there with a kind heart, i have a psychology assignment that is a
    few weeks over due, it is on intelligence.


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  6. mornish said:

    I would think that a good frame would be a lot like the 2005 KH frame,
    only perhaps more reinforcements around the crown, and knurling on the
    crown. seeing as your having it made, you might as well get a long seat
    tube also. minimal tire clearence would be good also.

    that's about all I can think of.

    Minimal tire clearance is something I would actualy stear away from for
    a trials frame as you are very likely to knock your wheel out of true
    if you are killing frames, also knurling is something that would weaken
    a crown and is something that is definatly not needed for a trials uni.
    But yeah your suggestion of a long seat tube seems like a good one, I
    would imagine that that is probably a large thing that most trials
    frames havn't even touched.

    --
    ntappin
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  7. ok, I thinkt he reason why there aren't long neck trials frames is
    because they would most likely have to have different size choices and
    short people still might not fit on them.

    maybe extra reinforcers around the seat crown then. If it's for pure
    trials a round crown frame will save you alot of bruised knees also.

    --
    mornish

    tobbogonist said:

    that was neat, now i only have to put it to use.
    parents banned my uni due to low school marks so if there are any nerds
    out there with a kind heart, i have a psychology assignment that is a
    few weeks over due, it is on intelligence.


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  8. ntappin, I'm having this custom frame made because I have seen faults on
    previous frames. Joe Hodges is having a chip in on this frame design,
    as he wants a frame that won't break on him, even though he's getting
    an XTP.

    However, its just something I wanted to make, so possibly, with more
    interest, Iolobikes can custom make some more uni frames for other
    people, at an affordable price.

    However, i am still stuck on what sort of frame style I want. I don't
    think I want the Devil type, I'm kinda thinking between the KH 2005 or
    KH2004 frame styles (whatever the proper names are). More suggestions
    are welcome.

    --
    Sponge

    Currently learning: how to drop -smoother- SIF 🙄

    MSN: [email hidden] feel free to add, I'm always up for a
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  9. Also, I have taken into consideration, the break points and the
    weakspots on some trials frames. The Nimbus II frame's weakspot just
    below the top of its legs, and the KH 2005's weakspot at the weld
    joining the seattube to the rest of the frame.

    I'm mainly a trials rider, but really wouldn't mind being able to do a
    few flatland moves like 1 footing etc. So I think a flat top is best,
    but now comes the hard choice, what kind of flat top do I want? :o

    EDIT: could someone maybe show me pictures and describe what a "single
    piece", "hunter style", "reinforced hunter", or "crown style". I
    probably know what they are but just haven't really used these terms
    often.

    --
    Sponge

    Currently learning: how to drop -smoother- SIF 🙄

    MSN: [email hidden] feel free to add, I'm always up for a
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  10. Itake it you want a squareish crown then?

    also, does iolobikes make titanium frames? I'm not sure how strong a
    titanium frame would be, but it would be aweosme to have a titanium
    trials frame🙂

    --
    mornish

    tobbogonist said:

    that was neat, now i only have to put it to use.
    parents banned my uni due to low school marks so if there are any nerds
    out there with a kind heart, i have a psychology assignment that is a
    few weeks over due, it is on intelligence.


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  11. Yeah I want a square/flat top frame, but there are SO MANY different
    types out there. I just had a look at the Koxx Signature alu frame,
    then at the KH'05, KH'04, and Devil/Nimbus. This is where I needed
    other peoples' help, to choose a design.

    No, Iolobikes don't make titanium sorry, only T45 steel fillet brazed.
    (which is incredibly strong itself). However, I do know several Russian
    brands that'll be willing to make titanium frames, but they cost a
    bomb.

    --
    Sponge

    Currently learning: how to drop -smoother- SIF 🙄

    MSN: [email hidden] feel free to add, I'm always up for a
    good chat and get to know other unicyclists 🙂
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  12. yea, personally, I think a steel/trials version of the koxx sig frame
    would be awesome for street and trials.

    --
    mornish

    tobbogonist said:

    that was neat, now i only have to put it to use.
    parents banned my uni due to low school marks so if there are any nerds
    out there with a kind heart, i have a psychology assignment that is a
    few weeks over due, it is on intelligence.


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  13. Hi there,
    If you want to learn a few flatland moves, it usually means that you
    will end up learning quite a few- so right there and then i would knock
    out the options of hunter style ( multiple tubes from bearing holder to
    seat post on each leg of the frame) or round crown. I think the long
    seatpost idea is a good one- a seatpost (unless its a thompson) will
    die before a frame does. So cut out the weak spot and make your frame
    have less seatpost to potentially bend.
    This also makes it easier to do stand up wheel walking and frame based
    skills (no pesky seat post clamp to get in the road)
    Also take into consideration seat post size- 22.2mm is too flimsy to
    withstand learning crankflips or some bad bails.
    It seems that you are not a rider who is only going to ride in one
    discipline (trials/street), so making a dedicated frame for one of them
    may leave you dissapointed when you want to expand your riding style.
    Might i suggest not making the frame overkill with large gauged tubing
    and gussets- less can be more, and if it doesn't last your riding it
    seems as though you can just get it fixed.

    Have fun! and post us pics if the project goes ahead
    mark

    --
    napalm

    you wont do it...your SCARED!
    "We are all racing towards death. No matter how many great,
    intellectual conclusionswe draw during our lives, we know they are only
    man made, like God"
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  14. Thanks for the comments and ideas so far, I am definitely having it a
    big seattube size, like the 27.2 or so on the KH 2005, so i can use my
    Tryall post and Koxx1 clamp.

    Still, I don't have a clue what hunter style or reinforced hunter etc..
    all look like, do you think it's worth getting the frame done in the
    way that the Koxx Signature is done?

    EDIT: I am really a pretty full on trials rider, who's almost totally
    talentless when it comes to freestyle stuff. I just think having a flat
    top would be good as a mess about kinda thing, like 1 footing along
    skinnies perhaps.

    --
    Sponge

    Currently learning: how to drop -smoother- SIF 🙄

    MSN: [email hidden] feel free to add, I'm always up for a
    good chat and get to know other unicyclists 🙂
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  15. ntappin said:

    But yeah your suggestion of a long seat tube seems like a good one, I
    would imagine that that is probably a large thing that most trials
    frames havn't even touched.

    I agree here. I've got an uncut 300mm seatpost maxed out on my Yuni
    trials frame and it's still a bit short for my taste. I'm a tallish
    (6'😉 guy who rides SIF a lot and I'm finding that I have to hunch over
    a bit to hang onto my seat.

    napalm said:

    Also take into consideration seat post size- 22.2mm is too flimsy to
    withstand learning crankflips or some bad bails.

    Do you have any evidence to back that up? My Yuni trials frame takes a
    22.2mm seatpost and I've beat the living hell out of that thing with no
    problems. I've broken several seats and am now riding on a CF seat
    base, but the frame has yet to bend or break anywhere. Is an extra 3mm
    of diameter going to make that huge of a difference?

    --
    maestro8

    Those are my principles. If you don't like those, I have others. --
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  16. when you figure it out post some pics and say how much it cost

    --
    primus

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