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PVC Bike - Anyone tried it?

Old 03-22-07, 10:11 PM
  #51  
erader
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use the gray schedule 80....it's thicker than sched 40, which is the normal stuff.

ed rader
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Old 03-24-07, 04:19 AM
  #52  
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wernt GT bikeslobo and similar made out of thermo plastic with aluminum lugs?
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Old 05-18-07, 03:24 PM
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My son and I are currently building PVC BikeCars... if you use 1-1/4" Schedule 40 PVC you can reinforce with 1" black cast or galvanized pipe for the basic frame. There is a americanspeedster.com offers plans for several models, but we are building ours to our own specs.

DaveP in Ohio

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Old 10-30-19, 04:11 PM
  #54  
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PVC Bike frame

I was reading the comments on Bike Forums and I would like to make a suggestion to the PVC bike frame builders. construct the frame using PVC and cover it in carbon fiber then finisn the outtermost of the frame using a fine fiberglass cloth. if someone tries this before I am finished please post the results to this site.
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Old 10-30-19, 04:44 PM
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Sounds like it would be very heavy. You may not be able to get fittings that are needed to fit the different angles needed for a bike. I've done a little PVC plumbing. I don't think they exist. Hope I'm wrong.
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Old 10-30-19, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by zombie-jive
I was reading the comments on Bike Forums and I would like to make a suggestion to the PVC bike frame builders. construct the frame using PVC and cover it in carbon fiber then finisn the outtermost of the frame using a fine fiberglass cloth. if someone tries this before I am finished please post the results to this site.
There's a reply! There's a reply in a thread that humanity was crying out to be resurrected! We NEED this thread! Life is so much better now!!!

Next up: Ape Hangers
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Old 10-30-19, 06:41 PM
  #57  
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Oct. 31 would have been a more appropriate date for a zombie thread resurrection.

Trick or treat a day early! PVC-flavored jellybeans? CF coated.
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Old 10-31-19, 12:50 PM
  #58  
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Well, today is October 31 and this Zombie thread has been resurrected twice since it was born as an obvious troll over 14 years ago. I can't believe it went on for three pages.
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Old 10-31-19, 02:52 PM
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Pvc bi

Originally Posted by 2manybikes
Sounds like it would be very heavy. You may not be able to get fittings that are needed to fit the different angles needed for a bike. I've done a little PVC plumbing. I don't think they exist. Hope I'm wrong.
I was thinking about using schedule 1" 40 CPVC. all I would need is straight pieces no angles. put the pcs. together in the shape of a bike then wrap with carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is a very very strong material, they current way a carbon fiber bike is made; they use Styrofoam or blow up plastic in the saps needed for a bike then wrap those blow up bags or Styrofoam in Carbon fiber. Surprisingly, I watched structural tests being done on carbon fiber bike frames and the carbon fiber is 10x srronger than an aluminum frame bike. that is where I got the idea to use PVC for a frame, I have never seen it done before but someone has be the first to do it.
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Old 11-01-19, 06:38 AM
  #60  
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So the P in P trap is for Pinarello? Who knew. I'm changing all my plumbing in the house to Columbus SL...
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Old 11-01-19, 01:55 PM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by some jive blackscorpion
I was thinking about using schedule 1" 40 CPVC. all I would need is straight pieces no angles. put the pcs. together in the shape of a bike then wrap with carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is a very very strong material, they current way a carbon fiber bike is made; they use Styrofoam or blow up plastic in the saps needed for a bike then wrap those blow up bags or Styrofoam in Carbon fiber. Surprisingly, I watched structural tests being done on carbon fiber bike frames and the carbon fiber is 10x srronger than an aluminum frame bike. that is where I got the idea to use PVC for a frame, I have never seen it done before but someone has be the first to do it.
That just seems like such a great idea: build a frame of brittle vinyl, then build another of hand laid carbon. So that takes more than the time and effort to build two frames, you get more than the weight of two frames, less than the strength of one frame, at more than the expense of one good frame, but at least cosmetically it'll look great.
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Old 11-01-19, 02:06 PM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by wheelreason
So the P in P trap is for Pinarello? Who knew. I'm changing all my plumbing in the house to Columbus SL...
Except for on dentists' sinks, which of course require Ćêŕvēľŏ pipes.
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Old 11-01-19, 05:53 PM
  #63  
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No need for bottles or hydration packs. Just fill the frame.
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Old 02-15-20, 08:15 PM
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Well, I did it. Just completed a PVC bike build. Used 1 1/2" for the top tube and down tube, 1" for the seat tube, and 3/4" filled with marine epoxy for the chain and seat stays. The hardware for the head tube, bottom bracket, seat post sleeve , and drop outs are aluminum I purchased from Calfee Designs. They use this hardware for their bamboo bike builds. The joints are wrapped in 3m fiberglass casting tape. I tried to post pics but was not allowed because I am a new member and do not have 10 post. Maybe after i answer a few questions I can qualify as legit.
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Old 02-16-20, 06:34 AM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by wltr w8
Well, I did it. Just completed a PVC bike build. Used 1 1/2" for the top tube and down tube, 1" for the seat tube, and 3/4" filled with marine epoxy for the chain and seat stays. The hardware for the head tube, bottom bracket, seat post sleeve , and drop outs are aluminum I purchased from Calfee Designs. They use this hardware for their bamboo bike builds. The joints are wrapped in 3m fiberglass casting tape. I tried to post pics but was not allowed because I am a new member and do not have 10 post. Maybe after i answer a few questions I can qualify as legit.
Did you weigh it?
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Old 02-16-20, 01:51 PM
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I did. Do not remember the exact weight but is was 8 lbs plus a couple of ounces. i will weigh the finished bike and reply back.
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Old 02-16-20, 03:22 PM
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Total bike weight: 26.2 lbs. Honestly, a little heavier than I expected. I guess all that stuff adds up.
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Old 02-16-20, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by wltr w8
Total bike weight: 26.2 lbs. Honestly, a little heavier than I expected. I guess all that stuff adds up.
Have a photo?

Edit ~ have you ridden it?

Last edited by 2manybikes; 02-16-20 at 06:36 PM. Reason: add something
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Old 02-16-20, 06:40 PM
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it says I cannot post upload pics until i make 10 post. working on that now. this makes number 8.
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Old 02-16-20, 06:48 PM
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To answer your question re riding , yes I have. As you might expect, it is incredibly compliant. The tire size is 28 but it has the feel of a fat tire bike. I am still getting used to it and confident of it as it very flexible, which is probably not a good quality of a bike. Cruiser pedaling is no problem but I am reluctant to crank down on it. All in all it's a soft it ride, different, and fun. Pics to follow.
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Old 02-16-20, 06:56 PM
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Old 02-16-20, 07:03 PM
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You have done a nice job. But I highly suspect it is not as strong as regular bicycles. It will probably break.
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Old 02-16-20, 07:06 PM
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Anyone else wanting to build their own bike, you could make it similar, but using aluminum tubing.
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Old 02-16-20, 08:21 PM
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If you fill it with concrete, it would be a little stronger.
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Old 02-16-20, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by wltr w8


I've done some PVC pluming. I think you did a nice job. That top tube is a great place to
hide some ..uh... tools! Yeah that's it! Tools.

Last edited by 2manybikes; 02-16-20 at 08:51 PM. Reason: typo
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