Longtail Bicycle Build 01 - Designing The Cargo Frame With BikeCAD and Concept in Photoshop

[@insertgoodname4809]

Every time I watch your vids I feel like I am watching a real tv show. Your production values are soo high. Sound, music, voice-over recording, editing, camera angles, just first rate stuff. EVERYONE DON"T FORGET TO THUMB UP THE VID!

[@PithyBikes]

+insert cool name hahaha TY!

[@kasterchoi7952]

insert cool name what r u talking about??? He has a crew!

[@insertgoodname4809]

That explains it.

[@Gustl-gl5us]

Ohhhh! Can't believe it! Actually that was on my mind too! But unfortunately I don't have the time and the opportunity to realize that kind of project. I promise that I will be tuned it till the end! THUMBS UP! *excited*

[@Gustl-gl5us]

uhm, before stripping the coat down by hand you could give it to your local industrial cleaner. At mine i paid 20 bucks ;)

[@PithyBikes]

+August Heckmann nice tip, I didn't consider that. Cheers!

[@ynslife]

Your son is lucky to have such a great dad!!

[@PithyBikes]

hahaha think he'd rather me build him the ultimate gaming rig. :'O

[@Alistair_Spence]

Cool project Steve. Your son is going to love this bike.

[@PithyBikes]

+Alistair Spence he's pretty stoked for it. I don't think he believes it will look like the concept. I.must prove him wrong ;)

[@khandam7709]

wow I love this channel. Going to watch all your videos, thanks in advance for the wealth of knowledge. I want to make my own cargo bikes and sell them!

[@eddietowers5595]

That is a cool ass concept. I could actually see this being the standard in delivery bikes, specially in places where there inordinate amount of bikes to cars...around the world. Welcome to Pithy Bikes Corp.

[@PithyBikes]

+eddie Towers I see a lot of these on the east bay. Just not as small 👍

[@eddietowers5595]

still cool, good luck.

[@monkeyjocks]

Are we related? living parallel lives...I'm doing a cargo/front loader to haul my kids around. awesome!! glad your back on the tube!!! super stoked.

[@PithyBikes]

+Chris Sherwood hahaha nice!

[@ss22076]

Excited to observe this new project...am sure lots of cool stuffs ahead!!

[@PithyBikes]

Thanks! I'm itching to start welding!!

[@ss22076]

Pithy Bikes :-D

[@pikexking]

It's awesome that you showed all of the the Photoshop rendering!

[@PithyBikes]

+pikexking glad you liked it!

[@DrLeFree]

Great! can't wait to see this built!

[@PithyBikes]

+Geoffroy Weibel 👍

[@kevinhornbuckle]

This is most excellent. My son is a trombonist in his second year of jazz studies (full scholarship in Chicago). When he was ten or so I built for him a trombone trailer that he could pull with his bike. Learning trombone can be very behavioral as learning TIG can be. Methodical practice. Have him look for Jason Sulliman videos on youtube. That guy has some very innovative motivation techniiques. Please have your son play a scale or a riff and put it in one of your videos. He has a bright future. Good trombonists are hard to find.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

The only trombone specific advice I would have is regarding the mount for the trombone. Assume that he will upgrade his case to a bigger one. You can use aluminum flat stock and simply heat bend into U configuration and then bolt two of those to the frame. Silicone some rubber hose over the ends to protect the case from chaffing or getting cut.

[@PithyBikes]

+Kevin Hornbuckle hi Kevin, thanks for the tip. I didn't consider the whole upgrade thing. I like the solution. My son practices every day. He's in concert band and jazz club at his school. He seems to be enjoying it. But with younger folks, you can never tell what they'll be doing year to year. :)

[@davegillett4036]

Awesome!! I'm really looking forward to seeing you build this bike. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to start my own build soon.

[@PithyBikes]

+David Gillett sweet! Will. You make a cargo bike?

[@davegillett4036]

Pithy Bikes yeah! I have 2 kids that I have to take to school and to nursery so I was wanting a cargo bike for that. I can't decide on a long tail or a front loading like a bullit. I think the long tail would work better for putting the child seat on the back but I like the front loading for more flexibility in the stuff I can carry when not moving children.

[@trevorpryor1005]

Yo! I have a 20 in. mini velo single speed and ever since i got that ive been obsessed with mini bikes. This bike youre making is something RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!! love your content!

[@andreivalentinghita7382]

Nice the bike 👍👍👍👍👍

[@PithyBikes]

TY!

[@kmuralikrishna1582]

Really great. Do you have any video on how to do headTube How to convert raw tube in to headTube Kindly help me

[@fevergeonm]

Your PS Skills are seriously impressive! Can't wait to follow the next build!!!

[@PithyBikes]

+fevergeonm TY! I'm looking forward to too!

[@prophettarget]

Awesome!! Looking forward to the rest of the series for this build. I want one now.

[@PithyBikes]

+GabrielBricci 🐅👍

[@Koofumhead]

This needs to happen, I see kickstarter success here. Just awesome!

[@PithyBikes]

+MrKoofumhead 🐅

[@JaredMorris1]

Yes! Another sweet project!

[@PithyBikes]

+Jared Morris 🐯

[@kang_clkk]

My heart is fluttering for new series!! :)

[@PithyBikes]

+강강어진 🍻👍

[@just.some.dud3]

Dude that think is funky! Stoked to see the build. :)

[@PithyBikes]

Me too! Its for my son but I can't wait to ride it myself!!

[@allantheguywhousedtoridebmx]

Watching the Photoshop part was amazing! Really nice work as always!

[@PithyBikes]

+Allan The Average Cyclist thanks! 🐅

[@DesertAlchemy]

Your photoshop rendering skills are on point!

[@PithyBikes]

TY! :)

[@jorjito5587]

Maybe use a flapper disc on a grinder? Might save ya some time on stripping paint

[@ridethroughlifertl]

You should post the link to your website in your descriptions. I watched your entire build as you did it. Very awesome bike. I wish I could buy something like it.

[@PithyBikes]

Thanks man! Great suggestion, I'll do it. :D

[@jesscneal]

Achievement Unlocked: Photoshop Master

[@PithyBikes]

+Jess Neal it's kind of crazy, been using photoshop for 18 years and Im still learning new things about it.

[@lorenworthington8739]

Why not inncl instrument to assure rack size?

[@marcelosadaba1966]

Muy buenos tus videos, una pregunta donde puedo conseguir un programa para diseñar bicicletas, desde ya gracias un saludo desde Argentina

[@DorkyThorpy]

You are a very skilled crafts man. Well done. This bike is far beyond my skill set to build and I suspect many others. For anyone with less time and lower expectations you can build something similar in 12 hours by modification of an existing bike. Buy a 2nd hand bike for £10 / $20 buy some 12 to 16mm steel tube to lengthen stays and build a rack. Tin of paint. Done. You need a welder.

[@cycletrucks7132]

Hi there... It's a cool bike but just a suggestion from a guy who has built a few longtails... long chains tend to whip and I would consider adding a tensioner. Also not really sure why you are going with 100mm spacing when 135 offers so many options such as IGH but you seem to know your business... And I agree with Jess.. you are the master of photoshop.

[@PithyBikes]

Hello! Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate another look and thoughts into what I'm doing. The tensioner, while I'd like to go without may as you say be a necessary add on. The bike is smaller than most longtails so I'm hoping to get lucky. But this being my first LT build, I just don't know! I totally agree with you on 135 spacing. I went down the 100 spacing path because I'm re-using some bmx cranks. But now I wonder if bmx cranks would be fine with 135 axle..? I do know that the bmx hub I have poses a possible problem as you said with options. It's got a micro drive and its really difficult getting a cog on there with more than 10 teeth! This is what I get for trying to re-use (inappropriate) parts.. The one saving grace is this bike doesn't need to shift or go fast. It just needs to putt around town. But having more cog options in back would be very welcome, especially if the chain rubs on the CS.

[@cycletrucks7132]

Maybe check out my Beavertail bike... it's similar to what you are building... I also tried to use BMX hubs but gave up on it pretty quick... much easier to lace a 135 into a 20" rim that fight all the other problems... a tensioner or derailleur solves the chain exiting problem... ;)

[@timkosters125]

Have you considered a disc brake for either the front or rear? Might be nice to have extra stopping power when your son is carrying a load.

[@PithyBikes]

+TheSocialAnxietyClub I did consider that, but to keep the build easier I'm going with cantilever. I've changed my rear axle to a 135, so it can be an option in the future.

[@thorstenphilippsen2074]

I follow you now for a long time. Very nice what you do. Greatings from germany!

[@PithyBikes]

Thanks for watching from Germany!

[@bucho284]

good job, chain is freak in rear wheel, and is a good job of design

[@PithyBikes]

+bucho284 TY!

[@channel0123]

great video, but why don't you build a 3d model while designing it? you prefer the other programs, ? like fusion 360 would work great for this. lots of work, but more freedom in designing

[@PithyBikes]

+channel it all depends on what medium let's you be most creative and comfortable. Whatever medium lets you think creatively and break out of the box. For. Me it's photos hop in this case. But if for example I were designing a fixture of tool, I usually do a bunch of roughs on paper. Then I'll bring it into 3d one the basic design is figured out. Iterating in 3d is really fast. Thanks for watching!

[@zorglubjm]

Good job. You may want to consider passing the chain from the right side of the rear tire:-)

[@PithyBikes]

+João Moura haha yes! 😅

[@Rebar77_real]

Neat concept intro. Might I suggest mounting the front rack to the frame Dutch style? If you're building from scratch anyway, heh. That way any weight in the basket doesn't affect steering, know what I mean? Oh, and an angle grinder with wire brush makes short work of paint, then just goop where you couldn't get at. Will save money/time on stripper. gg, best luck.

[@PithyBikes]

+Rebar77 I love Dutch cargo bikes. I thought about that and it was hard to resist. But in the end practicality won over. My kid does part of his commute on the sidewalk. I needed something maneuverable and that could take a long payload. Someday I do want to build myself a Dutch style. Great wire brush tip! I may still do that to get the paint I. Missed.

[@cefiersBlock]

i think it would be a good idea to use somethink to tension the chain with this smal chainring the chain will always hit the chainstays

[@PithyBikes]

+cefiersBlock very good point. I'll likely use a larger chain ring. The one in the concept is tiny!

[@MZaphodB]

Very beautiful. I love it

[@PithyBikes]

Thanks! I'm nearly finished with this build. Just haven't had time to compile the footage yet. Be on the lookout for new videos in the coming month.

[@MZaphodB]

I enjoy the desing. I think it has a good harmony in the dimensions. And the strenght must be good. I was a bike dealer in germany for a lot of years. And i love the triple triangel Design of GT Bikes. Now i'm older i am dreaming to make a great tour with such a Cargo Bike like Surly Big Dummy . I changed a lot oft things in my life. Speed is not important any more. I search for right things, beyond matter of time.

[@Isaac-workshop]

this made me happy

[@PithyBikes]

+izee 🍻

[@cup_and_cone]

So excited to see this series!

[@PithyBikes]

+thechosendude great! This one needs to go a lot faster than the last build!

[@Txxiz]

Nice. Great Photoshop Skills. And seems like you are going to be the first one, to build a RHD to LHD cargo bike ever, or just one tiny photoshop mistake. I love your channel!

[@PithyBikes]

+Txxiz lol! 😅

[@elliottmlev]

You left the rear wheel layer in front of the chain layer in your final image! :P

[@PithyBikes]

+elliottmlev you got me!

[@garyjames2703]

lmao!! Leave him be, lol

[@BlockCylinder]

M.C. Escher inspired this design.

[@Everythingforsalepro]

elliottmlev you left your profile picture out! Bahahahaha good eye Elliott phone home

[@jorgefiggy710]

in my honest opinion you should have gone with 24" wheels for stability since the instrument is a little bit heavy, and the it might tip over at low speed's. love your work and can't wait to see it get built

[@PithyBikes]

+jorge Figgy I'll give this some more thought. I've been on the fence about what wheel size to use. My thinking is 20"will help keep the payload lower to reduce that tipping feeling. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@benkalow]

Did you take a screenshot of your rulers at 6:22? Clever, I'm going to borrow that trick!

[@PithyBikes]

Yes I did :) It's great for concepting scale. Cheers!

[@davidleal7133]

When you find a very specific video on KZbin 🎉🎉🎉

[@Steelcrafted]

Dig it man! I noticed you ended up raising the seat to fit the trombone case....is he still gonna be able to reach the pedals?

[@PithyBikes]

Yes he will :) Although I still need to run a simulation on this to make sure. The bike is deceivingly low to the ground.. even though it looks like a normal bike.

[@sophornphath3043]

8

[@michelevitarelli]

Bravo! thanks for sharing. Gr8 photoshop skills.

[@PithyBikes]

(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑

[@lindseyran]

I curious the why you are basing the geometry off a BMX bike rather than something like a touring bike. Is it mostly aesthetics or is there another reason?

[@PithyBikes]

It all started from the parts I'm recycling. Since I'm reusing a mid bmx BB, and BMX drops.. And I have a set of bmx cranks left over that I'm using. Another factor is I want 20" wheels because this is for my son. Once you throw 20" wheels on a bike, it kind of throws the more relaxed geo of a touring bike out the window. Touring bikes also generally have a longer reach which I cannot do since my son's reach is shorter. In short, kids bikes are weird! :)

[@Mekhanic1]

I am so happy! Great project!

[@PithyBikes]

+Mekhanic1 😅😀

[@hectordeguzman7060]

Good morning sir I'm from Philippines what size of the frame

[@abberosales9120]

Good ob man! What software are you using? That is so cool before proceeding to actual work!

[@jasonwyatt1449]

Whoooo! Lets do it!

[@PithyBikes]

+Jason Wyatt 🐅

[@michellewenger8538]

Permatex gasket remover will remove powdercoat pretty quick too.

[@PithyBikes]

Nice, I'll give that a try next time. I'm assuming it just as toxic? Is there an advantage to using it.. faster or cheaper? I've got quite a bit of aircraft remover left over..

[@charlesissleepy]

a steeper steerer tube angle would probably make the bike more nimble considering the extended wheelbase

[@PithyBikes]

I did not consider this! Very good point. I hope what I got ends up being ok because the fork is already a BMX fork and those have steep rake. That combined with smaller wheels which also makes it more twitchy. I hope that is enough to even things out. But who knows! :)

[@charlesissleepy]

Pithy Bikes actually, if you're planning on putting weight over the front wheel having a bit more rake and trail is supposed to make it more manageable. Either way, unless you're using some really extreme geometry it should handle fine. Thanks for responding and thanks for the awesome videos. Someday I'd love to get a setup like yours and start cranking out custom frames so the nuts and bolts explanations are really helpful

[@brodypayne2671]

good job mate, looks amazing

[@PithyBikes]

+Brody Payne TY!

[@GGorman177]

This is gonna be awesome! Are you going single speed? I feel like an internal geared hub would suit this bike really well.

[@PithyBikes]

+RockShandy you're probably right! If I do that I Suppose I can't use a mid BB and bmx cranks? Chain line will be off because of wider bmx spacing.. I'll have to see what's sizes internal geared hubs are available.

[@GGorman177]

I'm not sure, I'd say it'll depend on the hub you use. You'll also have a bit more wiggle room since the chain will be longer than normal.

[@junioroliva4826]

awesome

[@PithyBikes]

+Junior Oliva 🍻

[@samdekok72]

I love it.

[@AlaskaMatt]

I have done this a few times. If you bake the frame for a few hours and then apply the solvent it comes right off.

[@PithyBikes]

Thanks for the tip! I have many good options now thanks to you guys :) How do you bake it? With a heat gun? Or something like a mapp gas torch?

[@AlaskaMatt]

+Pithy Bikes I built a wooden box and put the bike frames inside. I use a propane heater to bake them for a few hours. I run the temps around 400f to 500f. I also have used a sand blaster to remove the paint which doesnt take any of the metal away like a grinder or sander. but baking them has worked the best

[@AlaskaMatt]

+Pithy Bikes This is similar to the one I use. I attach it to ducting and than on to the box that way the direct heat isnt on the wood. I guess I could make a metal box out of some steel plate but havent yet

[@AlaskaMatt]

+Pithy Bikes www.sylvane.com/dyna-glo-delux-portable-60000-btu-propane-forced-air-heater.html?s_cid=cse_gpl&gclid=CjwKEAjw-uDABRDPz4-0tp6T6lMSJADNoyPbB0sq1oR-oKdrQRu40rnLiwM0ghAmtq1QKvkF84G3nRoCHtLw_wcB

[@PithyBikes]

Cool man, thanks for the link! If have to remove a lot of paint I'll definitely look into this option. Looks pretty affordable. Cheers!

[@bikefzx2132]

You got your kid on a cargo bike for his music habit? And his Dad built it for him? Nice work.

[@foreverridingsolo]

Is your bikecad pro version?

[@mrMacGoover]

To me it's just worth taking the bike frame to a shop that can blast it with walnut shell media and save yourself hours of scraping down the whole frame. But if your not looking at your time in the sense of dollars and the bike is just for a family member... then this method of stripping the paint is fine.

[@nejapsay976]

hi, i just wanna ask. what do you call that tool that aligns the frame.. thankz!

[@jakmove]

What kind/size tubing you use?

[@PithyBikes]

I'm mostly using 1-1/4" and 3/4" x .035" wall. The tubes are 4130 chromoly

[@supersonicCoach]

i want exactly the same, for my 2 childs. I will try to catch up your pace. except that's for me and i want it with 24" tires

[@PithyBikes]

+Michaël hahaha I plan on riding my kids bike when he's not using it ;)

[@mik3natty]

Any photoshop tutorials coming up? haha! goodstuff man looking forward to see the real thing!!

[@PithyBikes]

Hahaha theres so many of those out there already! I'll stick to bikes ;)

[@azimpetra]

BTW, for future viewers, with the paint stripper, after applying globs of them, wrap the whole thing in clingfilm, this way it is less messy, as it'll stick to the film mostly and when you unwrap it'll be much easier.

[@lkazanov]

Sir, you are ridiculously talented. Engineering background?

[@PithyBikes]

+lkazanov nope. Just been working in video game art for a long time. :)

[@garyjames2703]

Layers4life!!!

[@PithyBikes]

I remember the days when photoshop didn't have layers. Thats how old I am!

[@frannelk]

I advise to sandblast the frame instead of using pain remover..... I guess that if you bring it to some garage it won't cost a fortune and will save you a lot of time.

[@aldomaresca9994]

i just have to ask this, did you check on your kid's size? it seems like a tall seat tube...

[@PithyBikes]

+Aldo Maresca indeed I did. Although I haven't run a simulation yet. I'll need to get back in there for another design pass when some parts start arriving so I can enter exact measurements. Thanks for watching!

[@aldomaresca9994]

Pithy Bikes hey btw, if you need some 3d cad collaboration, i'd be willing to help you out

[@fmc6338]

cool bike

[@PithyBikes]

+frank doster :)

[@gentjanhasani5955]

Sand blasting for striping paint.

[@PithyBikes]

Sand blasting.. I know this skill very well haha. I did it for years growing up. :)

[@olechristianmellerud1010]

why not use a pressure washer to get the paint of?

[@PithyBikes]

+Ole Christian Mellerud I don't have one :( and I don't want to buy one because I wouldn't use it much. Suppose I could have rented.

[@jaumet7972]

Great! :D

[@PithyBikes]

+Jaume Fabregó 🍻👍

[@aVonHolmium6520]

sorry but the chain on the inside of the wheel ?

[@PithyBikes]

+Axel HOLM haha yes good catch! Concepting game art has made me sloppy. 😉

[@aVonHolmium6520]

haha ok you are forgiven

[@landene8230]

Why is it based off a BMX ?

[@paidraigoh]

If he's going to be going to school and back on it gears and mudguards would make his life a lot easier wouldn't they? The mudguard would keep the case on the back clean at least

[@PithyBikes]

+patrick harvey I thought about gears but how my kid rides to school won over. He has gears on his current bike but doesn't need them, because there's no hills. But I'd we move someday I may come to regret this. In which case I would be stuck, because I'm using a mid bottom bracket! I might put fenders on, but lately it hasn't rained here. ☔

[@Abhisphukan]

you are awesome

[@VINRAVY-z7o]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@BessedDrest]

OH HELL YES

[@PithyBikes]

+Bessed Drest 🍻

[@chronoZ750]

I have the feeling that back cargo bicycle is better than the front cargo bicycle

[@nitewolf3369]

have you ever thought of putting a gas motor on one of these bikes??

[@PithyBikes]

+Erick L I think about motors from time to time. Maybe some day when my knees start to fail. ;)

[@oishisakana]

angle grinder + wire wheel would have make quick work of that paint.

[@PithyBikes]

+oishisakana I'll give that a go next time. Thanks for the tip!

[@jerryleexavier5209]

How mush bike u make

[@PithyBikes]

+jerrylee xavier never made a mush bike before but it sounds awesome.

[@jeffery19677]

Hang your frame from something just as you were going to paint it.. Its easier to strip it all and then use the clean parts later on another project.

[@PithyBikes]

Great tip! thanks.

[@boblenndotart]

woah! new series? :)

[@PithyBikes]

+babolnart yep!

[@zacherygore4970]

You need one

[@garyjames2703]

Aircraft remover is not very consistent, I've noticed. Heavy or light applications. Also, I've noticed if you use it on the same spot to "get what it missed" it does little to nothing. Hopefully that helps anyone. 10+ years of trying experience

[@PithyBikes]

After having used it now, I'm not a fan of the stuff. Its so messy.

[@kentquindt7898]

I need something like this. I play trombone too

[@tomsharpe8181]

If you don't mind me asking. How old is your son?

[@PithyBikes]

+Tom Sharpe he's 12 and he will likely keep growing haha. So I made the bike similar I geo to a folding bike. As he keeps growing, he can still get several years out of it. I plan to ride it too so.. :)

[@bryanbrunk1186]

a power washer will help with the cleaning

[@PithyBikes]

Ahhh! more tools NOOOOO! ;)

[@bryanbrunk1186]

$60 for electric if you plan to use that build method very often

[@tk38]

do a wheelie on that

[@PithyBikes]

+tk38 I'll give it a try on its first voyage. I promise.

[@johnlindsay3647]

Love it with could get one $200 mon not much buy anything

[@johnpossum556]

Couple hours and a mess? You need to learn to use wire brushes! Drill and angle grinder are portable but one on a bench grinder works the fastest.

[@PithyBikes]

Yes! I've since bought abrasive disc. They're the best. Live and learn.. :)

[@chuckwiesner8730]

Well, you got the correct stripper, it's too bad you don't know how to use it,. .

[@harrykuheim6107]

Instead of reinventing "The Wheel" just look at work bikes still in use all over the World....

[@LermontovRodion]

Как интересно цепь натянута, аж за колесо ушла

[@mikelavigne5085]

Just bring the frame to a body shop and have them sandblast it...

[@tulussambudi7014]

Andai dijual di indonesia

[@edersonsimples6782]

O quadro da bicicleta curto da afeta o tendão das pernas . E guidão baixo afeta o pescoço e a coluna e desgaste físico e mau estar . Banco fino desconfortável também causa lesões aos usuários