Tree House Bicycle Elevator (How It Works) + Upgrades

How does the tree house elevator work? And how was the contraption build? In this video we explore these exact questions! Ethan Schlussler build the tree house elevator 5 years ago with steel cables, a bike and some old scraps. Today we swapped out the old steel cable with Dyneema rope and messed around on the home made zipline.
Thumbnail IG @whateverlane
Contact [e-mail]
Music by Stillblu
Tree House Bicycle Elevator (How It Works) + Upgrades

[@joshuambean]

I remember seeing this video back when it first came out. And I was just watching all your new content with the Power Wheels Cars and whatnot, and I just realized that you guys are the same people that built all this cool stuff! So much fun to watch all the insane (in a good way) stuff you build! Thanks for letting us follow along.

[@leef8063]

Amazing, was sitting outside thinking I would love to climb that tree. I thought, tree elevator! And with all my previous ideals after a search, it wasn't original. What I liked was his own critique to help others. THANK YOU and your friends for sharing.

[@kollak01]

"Just like riding a bike....except up into the sky." LOL

[@hondaguy5226]

On that next level ET shit

[@msen5030]

Imagine a random guy trying to ride it not knowing what it was

[@apocalypse92ia]

You guys have the coolest freaking house ever

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thank you!! We love it, for sure!

[@sadlercfgg4950]

Grind Hard Plumbing Co you guys from the discovery show

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

It's still processing guys 4K will be up in a few minutes. Party on!

[@jonjohnson102]

Grind Hard Plumbing Co to bad ill watch this in 360 any day

[@mikeyvidz3880]

Grind Hard Plumbing Co that's super cool!

[@stepheng887]

Good job to whoever does the editing on these videos! 👍

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

are higher gears usable?

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

No, it’s only a one speed now, but you would really not want a higher gear. It’s hard enough to pedal already!

[@coolbirdy1]

two years in a tree!?!? Damn guy. Thats dope.

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thank you! It was a good time!

[@johnjuiceshipper4963]

All I can think while watching this is “I should’ve learned a trade.” But i’m sure it’s never too late learn. Can’t wait to have more free time after graduating so I can pick up some skills like woodworking and metalworking.

[@evanbarnes9984]

How old are you? I started learning woodworking and metal work after college, and just a few years later I feel like I can make just about anything. It's never too late!

[@johnjuiceshipper4963]

Evan Barnes 21! Taking my first woodworking class next month!

[@evanbarnes9984]

@@johnjuiceshipper4963 hell yeah! Dude you have so much time, it's absolutely not too late. To put it in perspective, the brain isn't fully matured until about age 25, so while I'm 28 now, I feel like I'm really just at the beginning of adult life with a vast range of things available to me to learn and explore. You've got all the time! I teach woodworking and fabrication to kids, and in some way new adults have an advantage over kids despite the later start because they have more highly developed problem solving faculties than children do.

[@chefsweaty6744]

John ‘Juice’ Shipper I feel the same way. I see a lot of people commenting about how cool it is but I dont see a lot of comments asking about how they learned this stuff. I would love to be able to create the things they do

[@modelnutty6503]

Juice it can get really fun, it does cost for the toys to make toys with. highly recommend picking up a little welder and learn to use it decently, so darn handy!

[@raulvz]

Love people´s creativity.

[@JustIn-sr1xe]

That's the coolest tree house I've ever seen. Looks amazeballs to be in. Probably a pretty sweet spot to blaze one either at sunrise/set or while the stars are out...

[@kalebperkins7084]

Just In Real shit though I have the same take

[@TheTreehouseShop]

That's what I love about the Treehouse Building Scene - loads of creative people and free spirit🥰 THANKS FOR STAYING KIDS!!!!!!

[@CarswithNash]

That is so awesome! That whole setup is like something out of a movie set! You guys certainly know how to have fun!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thank you! That’s what we live for: Having as much fun as possible!!

[@MrDino-hp7fy]

Childhood dream

[@force311999]

ewalks the battle of endear ewalk village

[@edwardthayer9386]

you guys are enjoying life! so happy you are sharing! Thank you!!!!!!!🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

[@benb.1273]

I'd be absolutely terrified to go down that zipline. Awesome video!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

It’s definitely scary the first time, but totally worth it!

[@subscriberswithnovideosc-mk3up]

Why? Looks like a lot of fun

[@MrDino-hp7fy]

But your holding on with only one hand and no harness I'd fall

[@TimpBizkit]

But then the bike's stuck at the top!

[@ajcnini5124]

A paddle boat would have been a cool variation, Awesome job guys! 👌🏼

[@tategeddis5201]

Uhm this was 5 years ago and I just got a notification for it today 🤷🏻‍♂️ don’t know why but i love it and that elevator bike is premium

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Music by Stillblu m.soundcloud.com/stillblu

[@Pscribbled]

Hey man, hopefully you didn’t figure this out the hard way but dyneema doesn’t do well with knots it’s a very slippery cord so generally either the knots will come undone or they will sinch down on themselves eventually cutting themselves. There are a few knots that are safe to use with dyneema but the figure 8 knot isn’t one of them. The safest option is to look into splicing the dyneema. Otherwise, looks wicked dude! Stay safe

[@summittaedae2323]

I’m not sure how I found this clip but wow. So glad I did. 👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

We are glad you did too!

[@gabron21]

Are you guys gonna do a "About Us" video? Would love to know more about y'all. You'd be awesome neighbors.

[@NoAnchorTV]

aaron125productions they are doing a Q&A this week!

[@stepheng887]

NoAnchorTV Where’d you hear that? I just asked the same question on another video :)

[@BarnStangz]

As they say, necessity is the mother of invention! Man that is a slick setup!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Haha! Precisely! Thanks man!

[@BarnStangz]

NP! You guys are going to have a sick huge channel! Glad I got here before 100K subs! Keep up the hard work! Oh and man, it looks beautiful out there! It would be cool if you took us viewers on a dirt bike woods adventure!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

We both ride so that would be no problem!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

And thanks!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thanks man! Thanks the dream! It is really beautiful here. We have something kind of similar to that planned soon!

[@garriteinig3445]

We need more tree house content! I just watched the No Anchor TV video, the tree house spins! You two are definitely inspirations for anyone looking to make stuff and have fun!

[@marclopez9809]

Dude your property is out of this world.

[@Cartoonking3]

The bike elevator attached to the treehouse, is the worlds greatest invention ever!

[@prophez23]

Ethan truly is a genius! I’m so happy I found this channel way back in the beginning. It’s been cool watching the progression.

[@aduckwithayoutubechannel]

“My bike has a basket and water bottle holder!” “Well, my bike has 20 gears and a case for my phone!” “Oh yeah!? My bike has a built in flashlight and radio!” *”My bike goes straight up.”*

[@msen5030]

He on X games mode

[@empress.l.e.tra5904]

This beyond my thoughts how cool and fun safety nobody can't brake in on u and it looks clean nice new all the features are awesome excellent job who ever dis like this is a hater

[@Al-of3zp]

This is beyond cool! You guys are awesome. I come here to see all my dreams played out.

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thanks man!! That’s what we are trying to do here: live the dream!

[@kadenluster2908]

You guys are on the history channel woodsmen

[@svetlanaz7872]

youre going to have the happiest kids in the world!

[@TysyTube]

Wat is happening if your chains brakes when you are up?

[@yogeebear2599]

he can most likely manually pull it but idk how much force that would take, or he can just ride it down and repair it on ground

[@robertletsche9492]

Or you can take the zip line

[@modelnutty6503]

look at it again, it self descends, you use the brake to slow and stop. Yogee saw. I would worry about the main cable (now rope) much more, and I'd feel better about it if it were larger size. a really FAT little 20" rim could make pedaling easier, has to be wide and deep enough it doesn't get over spooled.

[@lawnmowerdude]

Counter weight. No free fall.

[@cornemouton2740]

Or the counter weight cable breaks while you're up high, yikes.

[@britneyspearsbiggestfan1026]

this house has a LOT of use to it so if a killer is chasing you in the woods and you have your bike here you can just get on it and start pedeling and then you get up there and if the killer finds a way up go to the zip line :)

[@bisket2003]

To think, in 5 years these cats would have a massive shop and some EPIC motorized radical PREMIUM vehicles!

[@phillycheezcake907]

Tree houses wicked sweet go karts mad max jag 1 million% swag Grind Hard Plumbing Co has it in the bag👍🤯👍😎

[@MrDylanskate]

great addition of the basket to bring up your beers

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

You know it!

[@Chong1975]

Genius! Simple yet really effective.

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thank you!!

[@live-with-breath]

Really beautiful, amazing

[@cheesegromit9423]

yall living the dream

[@pkaspar78]

That bicycle will take you up in heaven

[@insurancedice]

You should be real careful with the the knots you tie in Dyneema. It's extremely strong stuff, but knots will weaken Dyneema (and other 'high modulus fibers') even more than knots weaken regular poly/nylon rope. Splice is best.

[@Dikkepriem]

Geez. You’re sooo creative

[@borisp9163]

This is just awesome, I am obsessed with Treehouses since childhood, my dream is build treehouses, this bike elevator is fckng engineering masterpiece :D

[@jeff7049]

I think you should install a 80cc engine on the bike

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Haha! That would certainly make things easier...

[@kevincampos3797]

Just an idea. Why not make it an elevator at once and install everything separately on a plank like an actual elevator motor and then add walls and ceiling to it. You could leave the bike as is and just conceal it behind a plank and leave the necessary engine part accessible inside the elevator.

[@naterally2176]

No er visit straight to the box

[@memd777]

Stop giving idiotic suggestions like elevator or motor engine, the reason he used an old bicycle is because its free, making elevator or adding motor will cost money and make it look like a modern fucking building and less creative, more complicated, its a piece of art , a simple machine, not some fancy ride where you go up and down... morons...

[@antonios4926]

@belinda hawkins U tell him/At least he is trying. From Cyprus

[@lukehuffman8655]

sick vids man been here since 5K keep up the great work

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thanks man!

[@sydney59]

Sydney Stoyko Oh that’s seriously the coolest combinations: tree house, bicycle, tree house elevator (for every kids imagination who was told to go play outside)

[@suzukiest]

this goes up this goes down

[@dumpsterstu4474]

Like no 100! This elevator fing Rocks!

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thanks man!!

[@lefteris.adamou.1]

Wow 😍😍 you said you slept there for two years and now do you showing it to us?

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

cool 👍🏼

[@davidcrandall3643]

The wicked winch of the west!

[@oskarthepyrenees5277]

I AM AN ELEVATOR CONSULTANT AND THIS IMPRESSIVE. A TRACTION ELEVATOR WITH 2 :1 ROPING POWERED BY A BIKE, NICELY DONE! TRY A LARGER REAR RIM. ALSO I WOULD HAVE YOU USED THE OLD CABLE TO FISH THE NEW LINE THROUGH. WE USE THAT SYNTHETIC WINCH LINE ON ALL OUR ATV/UTV'S SINCE IT DOESN'T FREY AND STAB YOUR FINGERS.

[@yourselfdotcomlol]

That thing is wicked

[@joenels4356]

nice peice of property

[@therocky1157]

Guys you are for sure the real life version of my dreams

[@Mil0Fedaikin]

Hello. In case you don`t think about it - when you descend in this elevator whith Dyneema cord or another synthetic ropes , friction rope frome bicycle frame generate enough heat to damage the cord. And steel of frame not helping to spread this heat avay frome rope. That`s why most climbing descenders made frome aluminium alloy.

[@TimpBizkit]

This beats my caravan winch tree climber. The counterweight saves pedaling effort.

[@shawnoelrich4228]

Well sir I really admire and appreciate your creativity. As do both of my teenage sons. I love to see the inspiration your channel gives them their own ideas and sparks their own creative fire. Any advice you may have for a dad trying to support that fire will be taken to heart. Thank you from your new subscriber.

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thank you! I’m very glad to hear that we have inspired you and your sons! I don’t know what advice can give, except to support them in whatever projects they want to create, but also let them make some mistakes, because sometimes that’s the best way to learn. Thanks for watching! -Ethan

[@harleco1]

Got a suggestion on the way you anchor the Bike at the bottom. If you were to set a post in the ground with a hook like a cane you could set it right under and as it set down it would slide off the side and hook itself . To unhook push down and over keeping both hands free. Thanks new subscriber. Enjoyed the video

[@andrewknutson2175]

Bathroom on a separate tree maybe a 4x4 little shack with the toilet like a portapotty with a very large pipe running down facing away from the house/treehouse(out of sight) into an rv sewage tank that’s on a small trailer. That way whenever it’s full you can just dump it, only problem is water to “flush”. Maybe a rain barrel with a tarp funnel?

[@vibeandride2984]

Are you a plumbing company

[@dharmaraj7057]

vibe and ride ko

[@bengeorge4180]

no lmao they just thought it was funny or somethinf

[@travj4450]

He can do anything, he decides to.

[@patrickbaitman8336]

They lay pipe.

[@tranthiduyen615]

Ôi anh làm nhà trên cây tuyệt đẹp anh ơi.anh giỏi quá

[@chromasux2]

::has arguement with the wife:: "That's it, you're sleeping on the--, where are you going?" "To the treehouse! Niiiiight!"

[@lebeaunicolas921]

Magnifique la vidéo

[@bikedoc4145]

I want to see Ethan build a Mouse Trap, bet it would be crazy 🤣

[@internettoughguy]

Looks safe af.

[@wobbleplayz9358]

Hi creator what a cool design!

[@chatb999]

wow wow wow wonderful

[@commodoreNZ]

Super sketch! love it

[@zzzz-ko9kn]

Heeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy. You were on treehouse masters

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Indeed, I was! -Ethan

[@MrDizzyDavis]

Ethan is the real life "Reodor Felgen"😁

[@fluffiebearr]

This is so awesome

[@Zark-Muckerberg]

This is cool. Nice zipline as well.

[@DaRockUr]

I'm loving the videos. Good work

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

Thanks!

[@theluckyone831]

You guys live the life i wamt so badly .. keep it up

[@joshuastrong2398]

Staying in whatever shape you put it is memory

[@stevethewsimpson25]

Neat-O! When I was a kid I did the same. Had a Zip line, but we called it a cable car. For an elevator all we did was tie a rope to tires for a counter balance. That was so when you got to the ground you just let go of the rope and let the tires fall back down. So yeah, had to climb up. You solved that. But I think I would put a barricade around the counter weight water tank. That's a bad spot to wonder into in case the cable holding it broke and the tank should fall.

[@bradbutcher3984]

Your grandpa I believe was a badass with anything he touched.

[@neithancrack7649]

u arw

[@CroBarBrothers]

You deserve more views

[@gogotravelreview]

Oh very good idea

[@John-pm5qi]

Silly mad scientist and his bicycle elevator haha

[@streamzkid6783]

Omg that look so fun especially treeehouse it’s so cozy comfy and warm

[@mubaaraksaney4812]

من اغلى الابداع والاختراع. ممتاز جدا. Good.

[@dailylife3975]

I would weld a guide on the lower part of the frame that goes against the rim and then a guide on top of the frame that goes against the rim so when the wire comes in and spools around that top and bottom guide will direct it hopefully keep it from popping off

[@amalfi460]

Just found this channel love it, I remember seeing Pete Nelson try out your bike elevator and he was a little nervous haha.

[@HeyMykee]

Damn the whole yard is like the ultimate playground!! Also, ET confirmed!!!

[@joepah51]

What a remarkable contraption.. Kudos to you sir!

[@jasonlyle3818]

that tree house is eeeeppppiiiiiiiiiiiiccc

[@B30pt87]

Grind Hard Plumbing - Subscribed!

[@wevefriends]

Love the idea of a bike elevator...but what if your too tired to pedal to the top?

[@BUTTERFLY75ful]

Wow that's genius!!

[@1meesh]

Soft landing bro 😂😂

[@tfconstruction5969]

Your content is gold mate I love your channel wish I could enjoy your lifestyle for a hr

[@caveve3809]

THAT IS SOO COOL!!

[@xicala2]

So. The remaining steel cables are both attached to the water tank?! And the dyneema goes up and back down to the rear wheel? Coool

[@cheesegromit9423]

stoked!!!!!

[@matthewortega2096]

This is great 👍🏼 awesome work

[@ryanchase9746]

Awesome tree house Super cool bike elevator Where is She from?

[@จรีชํานิกลัป์]

Very Good

[@трущобыВовика]

This is my dream.

[@chingpongionglong]

A facebook gif sent me here 💖🤘🏻

[@patelpresident2972]

Nice ideas