Rail Bike with folding outriggers - riding abandoned railroads on the central coast

[@thebigbandshow4420]

As a Keen Cyclist, Lover of Railways and an ex railway worker myself this is the coolest thing I have seen in ages. Love it

[@LK-pc4sq]

yes I agree no competing with road traffic!

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Best way to get home drunk I’ve seen!

[@Jul-66]

You said it, brother!

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Yes this CAN’T go wrong right? Just kidding. I’m impressed. Just hoping that people who have some issues and are fixated on railroads and trains don’t get themselves into horrible situations riding this amazing new toy! I really love it.

[@stuarthirsch]

@@LK-pc4sq Don't be so sure about that.

[@uhlijohn]

The wires you show are not grounding wires....they are called "bond wires". RR signals and crossing gates are actuated by low voltage electricity that flows through the rails. When the rail segment ends you need a bond wire to complete the circuit. In continuous welded rail that is not needed so often as the lengths of CWR are usually very long. When an engine or other rolling stock travels over the rails it "shunts" the electricity traveling through the steel wheels and steel axles from one rail to the other completing the shunt. This is what actuates crossing gates and signals.

[@dollyhadbraces9361]

so you are saying if i take a wire ....

[@jasonw833]

@@dollyhadbraces9361 well that depends. There's different types of crossing arm actuation. Sensor, circuit, and rolling circuit. Obviously a sensory relay will not activate with a wire. A regular outside circuit on either side of the crossing will, but a rolling circuit uses a specific number of circuits up to the crossing and calculates if the train is moving or not so that if it stops short it won't foul the crossing gates. There's also overlay circuits and sensory combined with circuits too but you get the idea.

[@PaulFisher]

@@jasonw833 the way I recently learned about that as I understand is about the most common measures the time delay of low-frequency AC signals transmitted down the tracks. This lets the systems determine distance-with continuously welded rail, a train anywhere along a huge stretch of the line completes a simple circuit.

[@jasonw833]

@@PaulFisher that would be deemed an overlay circuit using frequencies within a circuit like a zepic. Then you have what is a solid state circuit, genracode or elektracode that basically can incorporate multiple circuits into one for a grade crossing approach.

[@PaulFisher]

@@jasonw833 thank you! I was not aware of the terminology.

[@Pipermillen]

Very clever, here in England they remove the rails of abandoned railways and leave them as cycle ways and footpaths, some of the Victorian viaducts you can cross are pretty spectacular Thank you for the video

[@TheKitMurkit]

Greedy

[@ricochetey]

@@TheKitMurkit indeed

[@gregonline6506]

They do the same in Germany and it´s actually pretty awesome to walk or bike along these phaths.

[@yuntoojenkins470]

It's the same across the whole of the Britain.

[@The.Word.1Way.2386]

Aye, and dont the folk regret it, we could have a nice national tram system cutting down road traffic

[@cd0u50c9]

This is simply absolute perfection. As a railway enthusiast who likes to disappear away from people on a bike this could not be a better vehicle for me.

[@JoseDiaz-ug1xo]

Go electric or gas motored engine would be a blast, just wondering how he came about with the contraption on front wheel, and his side bar to stabilize bike, if could sell some? Or show how he made his!

[@hatman4818]

As a kid, I was an avid reader, and would pick up obscure library books to read. One of them was a (very outdated) book on HPVs, or "human powered vehicles". It was really in depth, going from the history of the bicycle, to more modern developments for car replacements in highly aerodynamic recumbent bikes. It also went over just about every type of vehicle you could imagine being pedal powered, including boats, blimps, airplanes, etc, and what has been made in those areas. Apparently, it was relatively common to make rail mods for bikes back in the early 20th century. Rail companies across the country would shut down on sundays, so the rails were completely safe to ride for sunday picnics. The photos in the book of people doing this were very similar to your design. I think perhaps the practice died when it became rarer for companies to close on sundays, as the country became less religious. I hope it makes a comeback though. It should. The US's railways have been so mismanaged that trucking has taken over much of the freight industry (despite being an objectively worse way to transport cargo than rail). This has resulted in a lot of abandoned railways across the country. The reason you find it easier to ride across town on rails is that the single biggest advantage of rails is a low coefficient of friction between your tire and the rails. This reduces rolling friction a ton, meaning youre putting a lot less work into pedalling.

[@Awpshark0]

@@avidreader100 it does not he’s using Mountin bike tires he has less rubber on actuly

[@DevinDTV]

he probably finds it easier because he's not constantly stopping for stop signs and traffic signals

[@humblewisdom8976]

Railroads as you know are always made with a minimum grade in mind. Where as roads are made by removing the least amout of material as possible. Hence up , down and around and repeat. Really cool project!

[@Titantitan001]

I literally remember this book

[@austingode]

No traffic surely ?

[@takuumangki]

I have wanted to make something like this for years. Looks like you have perfected it. I always assumed that I would need flanges on the rear wheel too. Great engineering!

[@markf3229]

Yes rear wheel flanges would be easy to attach and work to keep it on the staight and narrow. What you have done is very ingeneous. Hats off to you. What type of work are you in. Machinery? This probably has given ideas to other budding cyclist to come up with a quad version of what you have put together. Would be super cool. Could even be used as another mode of transport for all that could pedal a bike. Can see an opprtunity there

[@facial210]

I just feel like I have to lean to keep it on the tracks or maybe stay turned like a bad alignment... Then again I haven't been in one so...

[@bigredc222]

@@facial210 I've been thinking about that myself. When you are riding a bike normally you don't need an outrigger, so I think it only comes into play occasionally. But without riding it who knows.

[@facial210]

@@bigredc222 maybe fix the bars straight when attached to the rail so it would feel more stable and could even ride freehand. Back to original thought I'd I feel if I leaned right it's gonna tip over or lift the other side wheels up constantly

[@bigredc222]

@@facial210 You definitely don't want to lean right or you're going over.

[@jamesrestemayer1396]

Honestly I would keep things like this secret. Peace and quiet with no traffic…what a treasure

[@crowlsyong]

With 7, going on 8 billion people in the world.... unfortunately I agree.

[@horse69outside]

And such a slick way to get around on a bike, coasting up and down gentle grades.

[@horse69outside]

In the future people will cross the continent on these.

[@GewelReal]

a bicycle is light enough that if someone else came you can just get off the track for few seconds to let them pass

[@2Tall2Step2]

And imagine how fast and far you could travel with an electric pedal assisted motor attached to it

[@Thomas-pq4ys]

I've been doing this since the 1980's. Back East, the rail is pretty beat, worked like an old cold chisel. The rails get wide and ragged on the outside rail, and the inner rail gets super narrow, on sharp curves. There's also ballast stone piled to the level of the rail on the outside, occassionaly some hardware. This, and the ragged rail, will launch you. I'm done with the double flanged guide. Too many injurous crashes due to these hazzards. I used 4130 tubing, logged thousands of miles. Beautiful build. Very tidy.

[@Rideslow6977]

Can you send me a pic or some info?

[@robertdavidlang52]

Show us you're stuff! We want to see how you improved this type of device?

[@mike-rettig]

I agree, more info please!

[@jvharbin8337]

U r ahead of the curve ain't you Bud

[@coryc9040]

I don't know why but it would be hilarious to me if while making this video the guy ran into someone else doing the same thing. Either in the opposite direction or going too slow in the same direction.

[@audiodead7302]

A really well executed conversion. Here in the UK, we have literally thousands of miles of disused rail lines so I'm thinking of doing something similar. But you have raised the bar in terms of quality of execution.

[@EllieFox42]

Sorry for being a "pillock" or whatever but, You'd need to seek permission from the rail operator to use it, Even if its disused, Doubt BTP would do anything if it was reported but I wouldnt wanna chance it

[@MondeSerenaWilliams]

@@EllieFox42 no, definitely don't seek permission. By asking for permission, you'll just needlessly risk getting rejected. If you know the rail lines are disused and you do not see any immediate danger, just use it. If it turns out that you can't use it after the fact, you can just plead ignorance then.

[@EllieFox42]

@@MondeSerenaWilliams Fair enough, But there would still be the risk of a trespass fine...

[@NotQuiteFirst]

@@EllieFox42 they'd need to catch him first 🚴⚡🏃

[@EllieFox42]

@@NotQuiteFirst Lol, True

[@GearHeadBoris]

I have miles of disused track around my area and been thinking of doing exactly this! Now I know it works rather well. Brilliant work old son👍

[@austingode]

As a mechanic I’m really impressed, as a lover of the outdoors , I’m inspired…… however for the life of me I can’t understand how you are so stable …. The outrigger is just sitting on the top of the rail , and the only thing guiding the bike is the front wheel/ guide !! It’s extraordinary, really….. because coming off on those rails and sleepers could be painful…. You have my entire respect ✊

[@crispysocksss]

I know right? like in a turn, wont the back end just slide off?

[@play3rthr339]

@@crispysocksss railway turns are so wide that there would be no risk of this, as otherwise actual trains would run into similar issues as you describe.

[@rokasbitinaitis669]

Since fromt wheel is locked and can't be turned the back wheel always follows the front one. Side wheel keeps the bike upright and because of that it doesn't slide of because of lean.

[@austingode]

@@rokasbitinaitis669 thanks 🙏

[@austingode]

@@crispysocksss haha had me …. But I think the explanation posted in the other reply’s is correct , just I think it would be a trust thing in the end … experience creating that trust that is …..

[@Jacksirrom]

This is sublime. I don't know of anything cooler on a bike. To have that view all to yourself, quiet and alone... Jealous of your building skills. Subscribed.

[@kentallard8852]

"I've actually found that it is easier to ride across town on the rails than it is the road" - if only there were rail vehicles regularly operating on them providing this very service

[@fedorindoukaev3361]

spot on :-D

[@viron6734]

But then you would have to travel with other people.

[@omegaPhix]

@@viron6734 oh no...

[@shoop91lee]

The city I live in has an abandoned rail going from downtown to the mail about three miles away, I always thought it'd be cool to have a tiny train to run passengers

[@KyleNortonfx]

It's only convenient because he's the only one. It would get bad quickly as you add more people.

[@Jacob_graber]

Hot damn, this is so cool. Train tracks are graded super gently, I bet it feels great to ride on such a smooth rail too. Added bonus, you can look at the scenery without worrying about balancing or running into stuff!

[@paultruesdale7680]

Nicely designed and engineered, a fantastic use of old train tracks. I hope you sell the blue prints What a wonderful video, thank you for the upload.

[@howellerOU812]

Wow, your roll rate/distance after that push was impressive! Great engineering 👍

[@shaunlastname391]

I wish my roll rate was that big

[@dominicdeluca6378]

He's riding a bike on the smoothest surface probably with freshly pumped tires, the engineering is great but it would be hard not to have low roll resistance on a smooth steel bar.

[@craigjomaia]

@@dominicdeluca6378 There may also be a grade that we can't see, a slight downhill would make a world of difference.

[@gdaymateowyagoin]

Great design and execution. Decades ago a mate and I pondered this type of design over a few beers. It only stayed a pondering but yours is great to see working so elegantly and efficiently.

[@No-Pro]

This is brilliant, great job. The beauty of this is you could take it overseas and easily adjust it to different rail gauges.

[@shaunlastname391]

It would instantly sink if taken overseas

[@zants_]

This is the humor I needed, thank you 😂

[@No-Pro]

@@shaunlastname391 Dad, is that you?

[@shaunlastname391]

@@No-Pro probably not, I would remember if I had an offspring named Nopro

[@No-Pro]

@@shaunlastname391 Yeah that’s definitely you. Come on, my mum told you to keep your jokes out the comment section.

[@Mortthemoose]

As an ex-cyclist (been disabled with chronic illnesses/pain for the past 29 years), and someone who grew up living on the platform of a country railway station, I think this is a wonderful idea! You'll have to hope that it doesn't catch on though!! Lol An amazing way to get around.

[@onemanmayhem]

This is the best buildup i've seen, simple and light.

[@catmanflorida2839]

Very nice job you did. I made one of these too to see how it works. I did the same as you and had rail guides on both sides of the front wheel and some rake. My out rigger was not extendable, like yours. I tried it on the RR tracks on my street and was amazed how the rear wheel tracks behind and does not come off the track, so no wheel guide was needed for the rear wheel. I got some pretty funny looks from the neighbors, as these tracks were still being used.

[@DanielNorton]

What keeps the rear wheel in place? Is the front steering locked in place?

[@catmanflorida2839]

@@DanielNorton My outrigger had a RR type wheel and that helps track it. But a bicycle and motorcycle, if straight, will naturally track the wheels in a straight line. The out rigger just helps as an extra.

[@BenjaminSjavik]

Yah, being used by you!

[@MaxPowersHedgehog]

Wow! That is super sweet, not only the invention, but the tracks you get to ride.

[@crush3095]

this is an AMAZING idea can you imagine bike touring on an abandoned railway? no focus on avoiding anything, just hop on, start pedaling and enjoy the journey

[@skysfallin1]

I watched your rail video and was blown away with your bike, production quality of your video and the scenery. Bravo, very well done and the bike rail attachment was truly genius.

[@anesthetized7053]

this is such a great and simple design, you made a really cheap rig that totally accomplishes your goal, riding the bike on the railway. i clicked on this video expecting a much more complicated build but this totally gets the job done and its pretty much perfect. great way to make use of those abandoned railways aswell!

[@nigeypants5500]

Depending on your idea of "really cheap." Definitely a great simple design.

[@craigsudman4556]

I remember seeing plans for making one's bicycle able to ride the rails in a Popular Mechanics magazine back in the early to mid '60's. I always dreamed about doing that. Great video thumbs up.

[@downtownPatna]

Super cool. In Oregon, we've converted a few of these unused railroads to paved tracks. Inclines are smooth and views are great.

[@drewnasty00]

Where in Oregon?

[@williamscoggin1509]

Never would have conceived the rear wheel and trailing so well without it having some type of guide like the front wheel. And very eye-opening as far as how things can be simplified. 🤔 👀 👍🏻🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@chrisbright6069]

Was a bit uneasy watching you traverse the bridge crossings, but otherwise it was a magnificent insight to a marvelous and well executed idea. Kudos!

[@xMrjamjam]

This is probably the best shtf vehicle adaptations I've ever seen, you put a front hub electric motor on that and you could pull a trailer loaded with gear in a fairly stealthy and fast way

[@Nphen]

I build DIY hub motor ebikes and I was thinking about that, but I didn't think about being able to pull a rail-cart behind it! You can tell how much more efficient the power delivery is due to the smooth rail. It'd be nice if our country would build more rails!

[@WhiteSandsMbuna]

Till you get run over by a train

[@ruslbicycle6006]

Legs are already the motor. You can pull huge weight because the incline is always gradual.

[@sirtimatbob]

I was already thinking about how my pedal assist bike would straight fly down those trails.

[@Wog68]

There are human powered rail carts, which were used by every railroads for track maintenance and these were fast enough and capable to carry fro 1 -4 people, track maintenance gears and some personal supplies. These were also light enough to be taken off the track by two people. Surprisingly built like a rail car (but open) where you can add portable canopy if required. These are easily visible by trains on the same tracks.

[@Malyss]

I applaud your ingenuity. The scenery that you've made accessible to yourself is so beautiful!

[@Heckinwhatonearth]

He just had to build it. This exists and have existed for at least 120 years.

[@joeabad5908]

@@Heckinwhatonearth thats the amazing thing because he was able to BUILD it.

[@clumsytriangle2436]

I did not even know this was a thing. It really looks like a great way to cycle and it certainly gives a unique cycling perspective. Enjoy!

[@softdorothy]

Yep, search for railbiking here on KZbin.

[@colins9616]

This is insanely cool, I love the practical and functional design of that telescoping side wheel.

[@TobiasRieperGER]

Impressive that your rear wheel and the extended stay on the rail in corners. At first i thought, the rear will go down... Really impressive.

[@Reaperman4711]

Incredible views on that old line. And it's neat to see how little locating that setup seems to need.

[@jonty172]

Amazing work, if you were able to mass produce these I would buy 100 of them off you right now, its just what I need. Trying to get from Quebec to British Columbia and I figured this will save me so much time and energy. Great work seriously love it

[@lawnmowerdude]

If he were to mass produce these things it would get so many people killed.

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Why would you need 100? And why not just hop the rails? Montreal is a great place to cash out or outside Toronto

[@tommaguzzi1723]

This only works if one person has it. Lots of users means people coming from the opposite direction or someone riding faster causes one of them to dismount the bike from the rails everytime.

[@mikeebrady]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI So they can link them all together and make a bicycle train obviously!

[@TheKitMurkit]

@@tommaguzzi1723 like they do in India or Nepal or somewhere over there

[@jublywubly]

That's awesome! I spent ages trying to work out how to make a pedal-powered platform to use on an old railway, but I couldn't quite get the idea right. Your design is brilliant!

[@BluetheRaccoon]

Would you ever consider offering instructions to build such a thing for ourselves, or selling kits for people to attach to their bikes? I am in love with this idea, and amazed that you thought up such a clever idea!

[@Seerinx]

sounds like a good way to get sued when some idiot rides on an active line lmao

[@brucenedza4616]

@@Seerinx dead people don't sue, their families can though

[@jtc1947]

@@Seerinx Have to be sure that the RR lines are totally abandoned!

[@TheStockwell]

@@jtc1947 . . . and that they are available for use. That is: abandoned or not, someone still *owns* those lines. The whole "private property thing" has to be looked into.

[@jtc1947]

@@TheStockwell GOOD POINT!

[@Vested_Investor]

Interesting how well the bike tracked and that locating devices were not need on the rear wheel or outrigger. Thanks for sharing!

[@VeritasPraevalebit]

On a bicycle the rear wheel automatically tracks the front wheel. The reason for this is that the movement direction of the rear wheel is always towards the point where the front wheel contacts the ground. The same is true for the bicycle front wheel relative to the rail guide wheel. No second guide wheel needed, automatic tandem alignment does the job. Suggested improvement: Build a foldable luggage holder on the outrigger and put your backpack on it. This improves the balance and allows you to get a nice sun tan on your back!

[@0li_vi_er]

Awesome idea! When I used to do cycle touring, I was planning my route along the train lines, as they never have a gradient of more than 2%. The only drawback I see is the suspension, which is completely useless here and makes you lose a bit of power every time you press the pedal.

[@Vicenev]

Great idea! Some mountain bikes have suspension lockouts that solve this problem, making the front fork rigid for flat/stable terrain. Here in Queensland, Australia, a lot of the old railway routes in the countryside have been pulled up and the routes converted to gravel trails for walking/cycling. I’d love to go for a cycling holiday along some of them.

[@pepawg2281]

Nice work!! Well thought out, and extremely functional. I wish I was 20 years younger and I'd try this myself!!

[@theylivewesleep4570]

Looks like a good way to get out of town in a shtf scenario

[@gwem1979]

Now and then youtube blesses us with something special. Its rare but it happens. This is one such case. Wonderful

[@craigriglin]

Way to go man for thinking out of the box. 👍Living in Marin California, I thought about the same idea, but never acted on it. Some other advantages are railroad tracks always have a 2% grade or less keeping your Cruise speed at peak efficiency. Train tunnels really shorten the distance. I wonder if there could be a device that would detect vibrations of an oncoming trains. Recently I moved to Colorado, a more bike friendly state than California.

[@spacelemur7955]

You want bike friendly? Move to western Europe. Stockholm has >1150 km of bike paths, which increases every year. The Dutch have a magnificent bike network.

[@nathanielreichley4640]

Having lived in Amsterdam for several years, I can attest that the Dutch do indeed have a magnificent bike network.

[@joseville]

I was also left wondering if there's a way to reliably detect or track trains on a railway, but wouldn't risk going on an actively used railway - trains can be very quiet these days. Besides there seem to be a lot of inactive rail paths - there are even some websites that map them, but how to be 100% sure that they are truly inactive? Less gradient, fewer crossings, and less winding paths all have to make it so much more efficient to bike on rails though, but

[@themanformerlyknownascomme777]

@@joseville the awnser is no. Even back in the day, the railways themselves used to have these (one of many "critters" as they called them) and it was just scheduling/track crew skill* that stood between them and an accident. *and a complete disregard for their safety as is typical of early railroads

[@ocsapy]

"Why on Earth would you want to make something like this" Simply because I can 😎 ... Amazing engineering just so simple but so effective ... Well Done 👏

[@jimthesoundman8641]

I used to have a reprint of a 1906 Sears catalog, and they were selling a device just like this. Quite amazing how everything old is new again. As for the locating flanges, why couldn't you change them to a pair of rollerblade wheels angled down at 45 degrees? That would enable you to still track the rail, but avoid the bond wires. If you wanted to get really fancy you could mount them on a U-shaped bracket which is independent of the main roller and is forced downwards by a shock absorber, so if you did encounter some sort of obstacle, they would ride up and over it, then immediately be forced to return to the fully down position. Great video, I really enjoyed it.

[@aarongranger]

That front wheel guide works so much better than I had anticipated. Very nice work!

[@ProMachinist]

That Cam Engineering is one cool rig. Nicely done! Thank you for sharing. Andy ~

[@peppercat262]

I narrowed the guide wheel to 70mm and spring loaded it's sides. This has eliminated every single problem area except thick weeds past the 2 Aptos trestles. It sounds crazy but I'm getting serious about affixing my small battery operated 6" brush trimmer to the front "cow catcher". If you see mowed down weeds...

[@pappysproductions]

That sounds awesome. Do you have videos?

[@peppercat262]

@@pappysproductions kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDMcnZvptN9gcU

[@tautegu]

Great engineering! It's also fairly easy to setup and pretty quiet. It'll come in handy in the post apocalyptic future where there are beings with super sensitive hearing.

[@theeastman9136]

Great design; I was amazed to see how smoothly it operates; add steam power and you have the ultimate seampunk personal vehicle.

[@raymondlugo9960]

Shoot, today he can use an electric bike.

[@ThePackDad]

You're well prepared for the zombie apocalypse. That's one of the best uses of creativity and resourcefulness I've seen. Well done.

[@Tomdogful]

Great vid of a like minded bike rider. I’ve built something similar here in Australia and came across the same issues of flush road crossings interfering with the front guid. Worked around that by making the outside guide disc 1/2 in (1inch diameter) smaller. This setup allows the outside disc to ride up and onto the outside material but the inside disc was still in contact with the inside of rail to guide. Did allow some bias in the steering to ensure inside disc stayed in contact with rail edge.

[@RonLWilson]

That is really cool! In addition to rail biking maybe a system like this could be used to cross streams where one just has to build a light weight bridge made say with PVC pipes that act as rails, they can even be a bit submerged.

[@stuarthirsch]

PVC rails have been around for backyard "trains". KZbin has videos.

[@MelHayler]

Excellent idea and engineering! It's just a pity the track rides weren't longer. Here in the UK, they take up old unused tracks and turn many into cycleways, while others become heritage train lines.

[@StillYHWHs]

They do that in US too.

[@charleswaters455]

That's neat! Do you every have any problems with the left outrigger rising? Do you have to focus your weight left? Also, have you found any deviations in the rail gauge such that one of your guide wheels wanted to fall off? That's really cool man. Keep it up!

[@Fenlandia]

This is so cool, what a great way to get around, I think I recognized a few of those corridors around New Brighton Beach.

[@hotchihuahua1546]

You put a lot of work and improvements in your design . It’s cold as hell ! What an adventure and also entertaining to watch !

[@steveaugustine01]

Nice work! Great design. I bet the rolling resistance is way low and you can get it up to a good speed on the rails.

[@twoeightythreez]

Imagine if he would use road bike tires!

[@raymondlugo9960]

@@twoeightythreez and lock the shock.

[@timescriva7274]

Wow! Amazing that the bike trails so well with just a front wheel guide. I’ve seen older rigs for riding the rails but they always had rear guides too. Ideal for bike camping off grid. I wonder how it would do with a trailer, hmm?

[@LegoDadDrew]

I am thoroughly impressed! I'd love to see more specs on how you made this to attempt one of my own!

[@kev7777777777]

I could probably put up a cad model on my website

[@bravobeekeeper]

@@kev7777777777 I’m interested in this design. I’d like to purchase it if that’s possible?

[@kev7777777777]

Purchase the design or the actual device?

[@bravobeekeeper]

Devise

[@kev7777777777]

It probably wouldn't work on your bike because the mounts are made to fit my swing-arm and front forks. I would require quite a bit of fabrication to get it to fit another bike. Plus, I want to ride it a bit more.

[@JustinMarkMorrison]

I've wanted to make one if these ever since watching the movie The Quest (aka Frog Dreaming in Australia). So cool to see people actually doing this. Amazing build and great video!

[@jamessones4044]

Living my life through KZbin

[@stephenberry8658]

Great video, well engineered simple solution.. any risk of outrigger lifting off rail as you balance and rear wheel slipping off the rail?

[@PaulFisher]

I was wondering how your back wheel stayed aligned but I guess that, once you start out on the tracks and your front wheel is locked on leading the way, that problem pretty much solves itself.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

But traction on a steel rail though…

[@WizelBalan]

@@Frankie5Angels150 Well alot of these rails are rusty, lower the pressure a bit in the rear tire and it should grip well.

[@PaulFisher]

and more importantly, it’s not like the hills and turns are going to be too drastic, given that this is a rail line

[@musicauthority5635]

I'm guessing the rolling resistance is probably pretty minimal. I'm curious if you have to any circumstances where the rails are separated? You might want to patent that invention pretty quickly.

[@MrEQ2009]

Every railroad track has a service road next to it. Your video show this. It might be tight to going over that bridge. You mod does make it a very smooth ride & illuminates the stress of the occasional inconsiderate drivers cutting a bicycler off. Also it greatly reduces flat tires from Trash on the road. Nice work!

[@middleclassic]

I am in awe! Even seeing it work I somehow cannot make your solution work in my brain. It doesn’t sound or look feasible even though it obviously is. Great job and keep on doing what you’re doing. Hats off to you!

[@ryanforeman7339]

This is excellent engineering. Would it be possible for you to put the CAD model on your website?

[@Blox117]

but what do you do when a train comes up

[@wizardofloneliness2019]

@@Blox117 as he stated in the video he is riding abandoned railways. No trains assumably.

[@MicraHakkinen]

@@Blox117 Play chicken with it of course ;)

[@Blox117]

@@wizardofloneliness2019 no shit BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE IS NOT ON AN ABANDONED RAIL?

[@ogrooster69]

@@Blox117 then that’s just nature taking its course

[@larryc2806]

Interesting. When you were working on this project, did you ever think you'd see the light at the end of the tunnel? ... Uh oh...

[@Blox117]

just let the train push you from behind lmao

[@aquilux-vids]

Two small suggestions for you: - you could use just a single inside flange for your front roller if you had a way to selectively spring load your steering avoiding all the outer rail edge issues - you can add a plow-like scraper to the front roller assembly to sweep any major obstacles off the rail and clear the channel on crossings to prevent any major upsets As a bonus humerus thought (though I'm sure this would get complaints if you did it) you could add come sort of wiper or similar to electrically connect both rails and trigger the rail crossing gates

[@zanelindsay1267]

Regarding your single flange idea for the lead roller, I tried that on my own improvised rail-bike and it is problematic for a tri-wheel rail-bike arrangement. Long story. The guy who made this video has obviously done his homework on what works best.

[@koreycowan1976]

I don't know why... but this video is oddly satisfying to watch... i think because it looks like it would be lots of fun and a beautiful ride.

[@assai74]

The idea alone is crazy, but even more that you get it work and enjoy it regularly. Inspireing!

[@charlesblithfield6182]

So cool. Love it. Has rear wheel ever slipped off? Can it tilt off to the right side or does the front wheel prevent this? I bet you could sell some of these ( plans at least)

[@m26a1pershing7]

wondering this too, maybe adding a inner flange to the left wheel might prevent this

[@Execuor]

That will never be a problem unless you force it yourself. The rear wheel always follows the path auf the front wheel. There is no way to steer of the tracks due to the front roller and the curviture is so mellow that you never have Situation where the rear wheel can't follow the front wheels path.

[@marqy007]

@@Execuor ...unless you do a wheelie...ha Kewl bike!

[@The.Word.1Way.2386]

i decided to copyright n patent this, it will be licensed out for a fee

[@ajscaffandthebandoles]

@@The.Word.1Way.2386 Knowing you're being sarcastic but as it's been explained to me by others who have copyrights and patents, this video is 1. Evidence of him having done this first 2. a Copyright/Patent only give you front place in line until someone proves you stole the idea and in that case, you'll lose in court and he'd be able to go forth with selling on the market, also being able to take any and all parts, monies, advertising...anything associated with your endeavor, away from you, though you get to keep any debt associated with it and cover court costs for both sides when you lose. It's not all too tempting to steal such things as a result. Copyright and Patent offices are only a big file of inventions and designs, not a legal team, they could care less about your success.

[@pauldrinan]

Excellent desing and build! I've designed numerous variations of these contraptions with the same principals although I have a few questions about yours: 1. Do you think a counterweight on the outrigger would be helpful? 2. Without a flange on the outrigger wheel, what keeps the rear tire from sliding right to left? 3. Do you think that adding flanges (like the front wheel) to the outrigger would add too much friction? It looks like yours is working fine without them. The adjustable front wheel pressure and folding element is brilliant!

[@tbdcreations5370]

Just my own $.02 as far as the rear tire sliding: the rear tire has to follow the front, and since the corners on railroads are so gentle, the rear tire should never ride off. It should never slide off either (like in a slide out), again because the corners are so slight. Lateral forces are very low.

[@Leto_0]

The only way for the back tire to come off is if the outrigger slipped off. A counterweight would make that more likely btw

[@barakgooroo5082]

Conor sorry but you have no idea of what your talking about.

[@vipahman]

When I was a little kid, I would ride my bike on the rail tracks too, just without these outriggers. Oh, and the tracks weren't abandoned either. So it was a little tricky every now and then.

[@W.A.J.J.]

As a avid fan of the song “I’ve been working on the rail road!” As well as riding my bmx all the liv long day, this is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while!

[@risenfromyoutubesashesagai6302]

This is really cool!! Biut 45 minutes from me is an old abandoned railroad, but all the rail and ties have been removed, leaving the trails that were blazed and the rock bed the ties rested in. Now they're a well known bicycle trail, called Rails N Trails. There's old tunnels and everything.

[@stwright1977]

That's awesome! But as a freight train conductor, I have one question. How does it handle going over switches on the rail line? Or can't it? But amazing either way!

[@MidwestTractionModeler]

I was thinking the same thing. I think that utilizing inner flanges on the two folding wheels instead of an inner and outer on the front would work better.

[@chewar7537]

I was wondering that, and how is is NOT getting hit by a train! lol

[@KidErkwon]

@@chewar7537 he mentionned twice in the vid that those are abandonned

[@blueline308]

@@KidErkwon abandoned or not, it is still trespassing.

[@dennhoATWORK]

@@blueline308 The Party Pooper Karen has arrived.

[@JamesBeaucoup]

This is awesome! I'm curious what it's like to ride, do you have to lean into the outrigger the whole time or is the riding position fairly straight up and down? Is it smoother than roads? This video is great, I especially liked the shot of you giving it a push and letting it coast

[@brrrrrr]

If a rail wasn't smoother than a road that would be rather disastrous

[@JamesBeaucoup]

@@brrrrrr well yeah, but I mean like the riding experience

[@anthonyloconte7835]

Absolutely fascinating. Great job engineering that. How do you know if the track is abandoned though?

[@pyrosinugami]

Visually he can tell it's abandoned because it's super rusty on the top but I'm sure there's like a database for people that like to do railriding

[@waitaminutewhoarrrrru]

I cant find a database. Any ideas?

[@herbderbler1585]

Lot of work making that, but 100% worth it. The scenery is amazing and it must feel kinda like you have your own private road since there's not much traffic aside from you. Very peaceful.

[@normwhiff]

Wow ! Ad an electric bike and you could cruise for hours. A whole new way to go cross country bike tours. See a whole new tour views that only trains see. Awesome !

[@gregors1422]

Absolutely genius! Great job! Where did you find the square metal tubing and hardware? My local DIY shops seem to have VERY limited metal selection and no hand-tighten-able hardware like you have here.

[@mikenill254]

80-20 is cheap, customizable and would work great for this purpose

[@kev7777777777]

Ya, square-rectangle tubing is hard to find. This tubing was was some stuff I had left over from building Zero's motorcycle frames. What I almost used was legs from a heavy duty camera tripod. The legs are lightweight aluminum and and telescope and have the locking mechanisms already built in. Try checking out some camera tripods with telescoping legs.

[@mentallyilldarkjeroid5378]

Only downside is you have to portage it over switches since the flange is on both sides. What if you have such OCD that you come to a switch set in the wrong direction and instead of just lifting the bike a tad, you're like, "Oh, no, I cannot go any further and I can't change the switch."

[@chasemartin4450]

I would imagine one could 3D print the connecting clamps, and use some heat-set inserts and knob screws to add the locking capability.

[@zanelindsay1267]

It's a nice piece of engineering, lots better than a rail-bike I improvised years ago to explore a disused logging railroad before it was dismantled. What I didn't see mentioned is if you have a device to lock the steering in straight-ahead position while on the rails, which I found necessary.

[@CORYJOHNM]

I been brainstorming on just this! Cool to find someone else that actually done it. Only difference.. I will have a 50mph motorized bike.

[@jjjjjjjjj323]

Man, that is fantastic. Just watching you bike was peace inducing.

[@nunyanunya4147]

look how easily it disassembles.... so quick incase you see an oncoming train you can hop right off and take 5 min to undo your bike! quick. easy. safe. in expensive. safe hobby.

[@Riddlestar01]

This is awesome what you built. I'd always be a little afraid of falling off the rails.

[@quitstalin]

I'm amazed at how good of shape the abandoned rails are

[@oledahammer8393]

Super well designed and built. You should market that build..."if you build it, they will come"...

[@TheJohnRowley]

It's such a shame that the oil industry caused so much damage and lack of investment in the railways of North America - these tracks could be helping thousands of people a day get around but instead it's just one ingenious man - kudos to you sir.

[@norwegianblue2017]

Seems crazy that this is all abandoned track with such incredible views.

[@greensheen8759]

Jesus Christ it's satisfying to see how smooth it coasts. Trains are the most efficient transit you can make!

[@aarsamu]

I’d love to have one of these for my bike there’s plenty abandoned railroad tracks throughout Tennessee

[@IjazPir]

Love everything about the video. You wanted to do something you enjoy, you worked out a solution yourself. Loved seeing you enjoying your scenic rides after all the work. 🙌

[@Pretermit_Sound]

Awesome 😎 I always wanted to build one of these when I was a kid. I had seen a movie called “The Quest” (which is called ‘Frog Dreaming’ in other countries I guess), where Henry Thomas’ character rides a railbike, and thought they were so cool. Couldn’t find anyone in my family who was willing to spend the money or time to build one though. This video kind of inspires me to maybe give it a try now that I’m approaching middle age 🤔

[@Pretermit_Sound]

@@OKuusava sounds amazing 🥲

[@CJT3X]

Watched The Quest many times as a kid! The title of this video brought the movie to mind immediately!!

[@Pretermit_Sound]

@@CJT3X yeah, it wasn’t very well known here in the states, but my family bought lots of obscure, lesser known stuff. Lol 😂 great film 🎥

[@deankrause]

You are correct about the cable and crossing gates. My wife used to own a company that made insulated rail joints. The insulated rail joints prevented electrical current from traveling further than needed. The rails are used as electrical conductors for signal lights (for the engineers) and to isolate the switches and road traffic signals from one another. You will likely see some of her joints in most rail systems in North America. You can identify insulated joints because a polymer (usually green or orange) material is butted between the two pieces of rail, which are joined by some fairly massive steel bars on each side connected through the rail with Huck bolts. Each bar has a thin fiberglass or kevlar material between the bars and rail, and the assembly area is coated with epoxy and painted to RR specs as far as color. Eventually, the 10mm or so of polymer material wears before the steel, or the rail car wheels begin to hammer down one or both ends of the rails.

[@maneeshs2005]

Respect and love from India for your wonderful invention and spectacular views on the rail track.