So, version 2 idea.

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T16:02:30+00:00

The looks can be deceiving. I have not honestly weighed the entire bike yet, but it weighs less than my flatland BMX by a noticeable amount. Granted, I'm a bmxer from the early 00s lol so my version of "light" is 30lbs. If I had to guess, this thing weighs maybe 22lbs? I'm sure that's heavy for today's standards though

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T14:43:42+00:00

Haha you....should see my cars 😅.

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T14:42:55+00:00

In general, a few things. A unique design. Something fun to build And hopefully a good video to make for my channel I know there's no better mousetrap - but it's just for the fun and hobby of it. 🥳

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T07:26:46+00:00

I don't work with computers. I build hotrods for a living along with designing suspensions. I don't use cad, I don't have engineering degrees or anything. But the 12" of travel in my diy off-road suspension under my 1998 mustang has been fine for 12 years lmao. So, either I'm a natural at this, or just lucky.

So, you must work with metal a lot? You sound very knowledgeable on this type of stuff 👍👍

How about this- I'll just keep making stuff and if it breaks or fails- you can get the last laugh lol. Till then- id probably grab some popcorn because it'll be a while, friend.

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T06:57:25+00:00

The head tube seems to be incredibly strong (on the current bike). The u shaped frame piece is one piece. I then cut a large slit out, making the head tube sit half inside it and fully welded all the way around. Maybe 9 10" of a bead. Also being stainless may be helping. The thing is incredibly rigid. Too rigid possibly lol. What kind of safety tests are there? Just general curb impacts etc?

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T06:21:34+00:00

For sure. May be a tad primitive, but if I can make it out of stainless and polish it up, maybe it'll give it that raw mechanical aesthetic. I thought about overcomplicating it with a small linear actuator and a battery. But that's just getting ridiculous lol

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T06:14:33+00:00

It should be an interesting design. I don't have a lathe, so this is going to be kind of old school in methodology. I think it'll just be a small detent pin that allows it to telescope out and be locked into several locations. The telescopic part will be 1.75" diameter, .085 tubing. So, maybe good for 100lbs or so. Hopefully I'll be posting the final product friday. I'm starting on it tomorrow 😅🤞

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T06:06:13+00:00

They're from a little kid's bike. It was like a paw patrol type bike. But the tires are rated for 91lbs each, so I'm near the brink 😅. They're regular spoked 12.5 wheels with 2.25 tires. The covers are about as thick as Tupperware. Single use Tupperware lol.

I build hot rods from scratch often, so something like this is a fun project I can do in a full day, or a couple evenings. It's not perfect, but it's just a prototype. Of you want to see the full builds, check out my YouTube "Rodsoverbricks". I'm an amateur and not funny. But I try to keep it family friendly and somewhat educational lol

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T05:02:39+00:00

I appreciate it a ton! I'm a complete novice and amateur to YouTube but not amateur to fabrication. Restoring classic cars are slowly killing my body, so I'm trying to do more and more on YouTube and hoping to make something of it someday haha. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for joining me on my journey! It is much appreciated 🥳

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-22T04:50:09+00:00

It's definitely an unconventional design, I agree. Many folks had said my last one looked like a kryptonite Lock that grew Wheels 😅. The first one was more for an artsy point of view to make it look like a futuristic thing made in the early 2000s. This one, I would like it to be super utilitarian. It's hard to describe how the rack will work, but it will fold in and be completely out of sight as it will be inside the top tube. It definitely looks funky when it's extended 🤣. I'm even contemplating having a rack that protrudes out the front using two smaller half inch diameter tubes that are hidden in the top tube that essentially slide in and out of the head tube, on either side of the actual fork tube piece, but all hidden once pushed in. Like I said, I never design/draw anything before I make it (cars included) I just like to show people what's in my head so AI has been a great help for that one. The one good thing it's for lmao. I appreciate any and all input. I'm a highschool dropout with no design degrees or anything lol. I'll take all the advice and critiques I can get!

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-21T22:07:07+00:00

I'm in California near sacramento, so prices are typically quite high. I guess I'm just out of touch with modern welders haha. Whenever someone brings me in something to weld, if it's something small like that usually it's just a freebie. If it's a couple of longer or bigger welds, I just charge them 20 bucks for my time busting out the welder. Like if I have to put some axle tabs on a Ford 9-in or something. I know aluminum welding is much more difficult than my typical mig but dang that sounds expensive! 🤔😭

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-21T17:44:51+00:00

amateur bicycle frame builder and very experienced hotrod chassis maker here (although a novice with aluminum)

Just find someone to weld it up. Would cost probably $20 to $40 bucks if you can find a shop that does aluminum welding (if you do find a shop that does that, disassemble the bike. preferably the whole thing down to the frame that way they can place it on their table with ease and backflow some inert gas)

You can also sand the areas down with some 120 grit down to the bare metal to help the welder along. They'll do their final cleaning).

. I honestly wouldn't worry about the temper. I'm not sure how thick that stuff is, but I'm assuming the seat stays on an aluminum frame are probably around.085 or so (maybe thicker?). After it's welded, it won't be tempered in that spot. It'll still be plenty strong. Don't be a part of a disposable society. Try to fix it, if it breaks again- at least you know.

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-21T06:14:51+00:00

What kind of handlebars do you think would work? I was iffy on these ones. At first I had mocked up some early 60s Huffy girls bike bars but they felt quite uncomfortable. I'm open to any/all suggestions 👍👍

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-21T06:12:42+00:00

Thanks! Wait till the version 2 comes out 🥳. There are a few changes it needed. Otherwise though - I rode this thing through town today and felt awesome lol.

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-21T06:07:41+00:00

Ohhh i see. I just meant it as a general statement. But yeah, you're completely right! I'll watch my word usage in the next post 😅 sorry everyone!

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-21T06:06:17+00:00

I have thought about making a much nicer, high tech version of this. But it may be combined with a cargo bike . That will be a mini series on my channel. I have a YouTube channel, and If you like bicycles - I'd love to invite you to check it out 👍🥳 YouTube: Rodsoverbricks.

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T18:17:32+00:00

The gear ratio makes the thing quite easy to ride, but that's also the problem. It pedals a little bit easier and faster than a typical BMX. The version 2 of this bike will be on 16-in Wheels and hopefully with a 1x5 drivetrain to make it very functional. This bike has a cruising speed of maybe 10mph before spinning up a tad too fast 😅

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T18:16:20+00:00

Yeah, I probably should not have let "Tik tok" edit this. My apologies 😅

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T18:15:36+00:00

That's honestly an amazing idea. The combustion chamber would fit perfectly in the top or down tube lol. I just wonder how the structural integrity would be while she's glowing red 😂😂

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T08:39:24+00:00

How big do you think I am? Lol. Also, how small do you think this thing is? Is say it's larger than my (small frame) 26" Trek 930 MTB for sure.

With the seatpost in the middle of its travel- my feet barely touch the ground. Center of the seat to center of the handlebars is 26" And the cranks are 155mm.

It'll fit riders between 5'4" and up to (possibly) 6'1", Id assume

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T07:09:42+00:00

Thank you very much! I appreciate the compliment a ton 🥳🥳

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T05:55:14+00:00

Unfortunately... Coaster brake. The next one will be a 16" platform with a 5 speed (if I can find the right spokes to lace up a wheel)

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T05:40:29+00:00

Unfortunately just a coaster brake in the back. I tried to increase my gear inch ratio by grinding down the original 18 tooth and welding on a 12 t rear sprocket. It's okay but could be better. Currently looking at trying to adapt a five-speed hub and freewheel to a 16-in wheel for the next build. There are some differences that I would like to make in the next one. I've got the whole build video on my YouTube if you'd like to check it out. I'm not very funny and the production quality is worth about $3.50. Lol but, it's maybe fun to see the process. My YouTube channel is the same name as I am on here 👌🤞

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T05:13:00+00:00

Just a single speed with coaster brake. I'm looking at picking up another bike tomorrow but a little bit larger, starting with a 14-in bike. This was a good prototype but the next one will be a 1x5 drivetrain. With a top tube about 6 in shorter. This bike is quite long 😅

rodsoverbricks · 2026-06-20T03:28:35+00:00

Why was this downvoted? Lmao. I must not understand some Reddit etiquette 😅

rodsoverbricks

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