MrInitialMan

I double-checked the weight of my velo frame, discovered that the scale I was using looped COMPLETELY around, and that the frame thus far probably weighed over 300 lbs. No wonder I could barely lift it.

So I'm abandoning that frame and restarting from scratch.

One thing I want to do before I build anything is get the stuff I can't build organized first, so I can work with what I do build. So, first off--does anyone know where I can get a good recumbent seat?

Also, is it okay to post a link to the page that has the design (which is right now a work in progress)?

unterhausen

A link is fine

Google search returns many hits for "recumbent seats" Not sure about Canada though.

Andrew R Stewart 

The simple solution is to buy a used recumbent off Craig's List/ebay for it's seat. Then resell the rest to recoup as much as possible, or keep for your projects. There's a few recumbent specific shops out there too. If you were in southern Ontario The Bicycle Man in Alford Station NY would b e only a few hours away.

Years ago Captain Dan Henry used up turned drop bars with a fabric sling across the "drops" as a seat. The commercial version was called "the Bummer" IIRC. Another drop bar located against the back served on his home made recumbent Andy

MrInitialMan

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep trying until I either get something that can ship to Canada, or find someone willing to sell just a seat.

unterhausen

I saw seats for very little money.

Steamer

Contact AD Carson at RecyledRecumbent. He will make you a mesh seat to order, pretty affordably too.

MrInitialMan

Thank you. I just emailed him.

Or maybe I'll just use a seat from an ATV.

Steamer

Probably a lot of added weight and not designed for sitting on it while pedaling. You need to be at least a little sensitive to the weight issue as you go. Even a 100 lb. machine won't be any damn fun to ride.

squirtdad

weight...... too much, IIRC from the past this thing has been a beast in terms of weight with lots of complexity with supsention etc. Build it light and use big tires....avoid complexity

the design principle here should be KISS Keep It Simple Silly

these maybe be of interest

MrInitialMan

Those were indeed interesting. I'm seriously simplifying the rear suspension (a simple leaf spring setup). The issue I see with a LOT of velomobiles is they're too small--I need something I can toss my toolbox or saxophone, or groceries (or groceries AND saxophone) in the back. I do busking, so I do want to be able to carry my instruments around without them getting damaged (including rained on or bumped around.)

Though I didn't realize there are axles strong enough to be supported from only one side.

squirtdad

how do you envision building leaf springs and their weight? again weight

consider for your needs a bike/or trike and a trailer..... you can handle more weight pulling a trailer than loaded on a single velo and at lighter fixed weight

https://www.aosom.com/item/aosom-wan...hoCHrcQAvD_BwE

https://www.rei.com/c/bike-trailers-for-cargo

Notso_fastLane

I would start with a trike and just build a shell first. That's what most velo home builders do, for good reason.

Also, there is a whole specific forum for homebuilders on bentrider.com that has a lot of people with experience specifically with trikes and velos if you want a lot of good advice.

MrInitialMan

... A pedal-powered Reliant Robin is not what I had in mind. More seriously, trikes make me feel a little nervous, which is why I'm building a quad.

Also, I am quite portly, to put it mildlly, and a lot of these velos look pretty flimsy to me.

One last thing--this video shows why I'm adding suspension:
Note where he mentions a broken frame!

wsteve464

Make the frame out of .035 4130 tubing and weld/braze it properly you won't have a problem. The guy in the video needs to learn how to weld.

MrInitialMan

Looks like you'd still get bounced around on the roads...

wsteve464

Yes if you make the frame to wheel/axle connection solid. The cheapest way to reduce vibration is run bigger tires with lower pressure ie 2 inch mtb tires, another put some kind of elastomer betwen the frame and axles to absorb the bumps. If you want springs consider using low end mtb springs and shocks with an independent suspension, Google 4 wheel off road bicycles.

MrInitialMan

I've been doing up a page that's somewhat of a blueprint for what I have in mind.

This is what I've got thus far. CarCycle Design

I will fully admit it's not the most well-designed, or lightest frame, but I don't have access to plastic moulding or a wind tunnel, and like I've said before, I'm definately on the hefty side, so I need something sturdy and stable

UPDATE: Or is my issue here simply underestimating how strong steel is?