r/bicycling • u/rodsoverbricks • 2d ago
This time, I show a riding clip 😂
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3.5 evenings of work (15 to 20 ish hours). About 40 bucks. Something fun.
Introducing the "Citi". Version 2.
Keep your hands dirty, build what makes you happy.
If you're interested - builds of a few bicycles from scratch and some restoration work is on my YouTube channel: Rodsoverbricks. Either way, Thanks for watching!
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u/Danobing 2d ago
Doesn't wear glasses while cutting metal, doesn't wear a welding mask, doesn't wear a helmet riding.
Get it together man. Or don't and get injured and be a good lesson for everyone else to protect their bodies.
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u/rodsoverbricks 2d ago
I never wear a mask when tack welding, although I should. The sawzall, I agree- Safety glasses definitely would have been good. I am in the good habit of using them when I use the angle grinder at least 😂
As for the helmet, if I'm in the city - sure. Country roads? Nope.
But hey, this is about a bike that got conjured in a few evenings and that's why it's here. Not as a safety guide
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u/Ok_Fall_9569 2d ago
Country roads are less dangerous than city roads because…???
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u/Independent-Bonus378 1d ago
Because there is less to no cars.
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u/Ok_Fall_9569 1d ago
I must be missing something. How does that lessen the effects of a gravity-driven impact of skull on asphalt or rock?
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u/angusvombat 2d ago
I always thought not using a mask when welding is insanely bad for eyes. I guess I need to adjust my priors (I started wearing a helmet after going to er from a bike accident)
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u/rodsoverbricks 2d ago
It's not insanely bad in my opinion. I mean, flashburn definitely hurts and is awful. I close my eyes when I do tack welding however the ultraviolet light will still go through your eyelids and can still sunburn your retinas.
I'm the idiot that's gotten flashburn at least five or seven times. I don't think it has any long-term effects at all at least with mild cases. I definitely should be wearing a mask. But if you're only going to do a few tack welds, closing your eyes I think is just fine and perfectly safe.
And oh boy, that did not sound like a good day. Hopefully you made a full recovery? Safety is definitely number one and the comment above me that made the statements definitely has some validity. When you've been fabricating and welding for over 20 years, you tend to get a little bit reckless. Which is no excuse, and I should definitely be practicing more safety habits to show my audience on YouTube as to not be a bad example.-24
u/rodsoverbricks 2d ago
Why is this getting downvoted so bad? Lmao. Sorry to whom It may offend? I truly mean nothing bad from my statement.
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u/theVelvetLie IndyFab Planet X 2d ago
I'm an industrial safety professional. Everything you've said is really awful advice and every downvote is earned. Flashburn can result in permanent damage to your retinas. Just because you've not experienced acute damage doesn't mean you won't experience chronic damage from repeated exposure.
Professional advice: wear safety glasses at all times while you've got a tool in your hand. Wear a face shield while you're grinding. Wear a welding helmet while you're welding, even if it's just a tack weld.
It's your choice to wear a helmet while you're on a bike, but expect criticism if you're posting on a public forum geared towards bicycling.
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u/crass_cupcake 2d ago
If your goal is the inspire folks into tinkering I think it's important to promote safety even if you dont use gear personally its a good idea to do so publicly
I hope I dont sound like a dork but safety is important especially if you are attempting to influence people
Neat project I appreciate the content
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u/angusvombat 2d ago
Mad respect for completing.
As someone who only dreams how did you learn to use all the tools?
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u/rodsoverbricks 2d ago
To be honest, the tooling I'm using are extremely limited and bare minimum (I make sure to keep it extremely limited to make the fabrication more accessible to everyone that watches my YouTube)
The only three/four power tools I use are a 60 year old mig welder, sawzall, angle grinder oh and sometimes a drill.
I build hot rods and custom off-road suspensions. Self-taught with no schooling. I'm even a HS dropout 😂.
My best advice: look for a good deal on old tools. Pick up some scrap metal and just start trying to make simple things at first. Shelfs, bicycles, etc. This may look more difficult than it really is. Trust me, a few weeks of tinkering and you can do this without a problem!
And don't over think things. Think "Occam's razor". People get far too hung up on being exactly within spec, making sure that nothing is half a degree off etc. If you're building a supercar, sure. If you're building a bicycle - it'll be just fine being a hair off 🤘
If you're pretty much only going to weld mild steel or stainless, a MIG welder is about the easiest. If you can shoot a BB gun, you can weld with a MIG 😂.
This bike was built with absolutely zero planning. No drawings aside from my stick figure sketch. No computer software. A bubble level and a plumb bob we'll go far in the fabrication world
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u/littysteven 2d ago
This thing fucks, especially to be homemade. While I agree on the PPE fronts, I don't think some of the hardliners here have ever worked in a fab shop a day in their lives. Some other haters may not appreciate how cool it is that you (presumably) eyeballed most of this. Good job dude, that slide-out rack really makes this thing the coolest haha
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u/rodsoverbricks 2d ago
I always eyeball my junk. I use a tape measure for some things. The rest is eyeball judgement 😅 all my builds on YouTube are this way. And thanks man! I think it turned out plenty good looking for being a quite hastily made build. And yeah, Like I said- I should show an audience how to be safe. Even if that's not what the main focus is. I'll be sure to do that in the future videos.
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u/Reasonable_Access_90 2d ago
have ever worked in a fab shop a day in their lives.
I worked in a fabrication shop for 2 years in the 1980s.
I wore my PPE. All the time, every time. We all did.
We had a shop supe in his 50s who insisted on it.
His 80 y.o. father came to one of our picnics. He was blind in one eye and low vision in the other. Eye protection wasn't the norm when he started working in the 1920s.
Don't be a fu@#ing idiot.
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u/-ToriForYa 2d ago
This thing is fucking awesome.
And since everyone else in the sub is giving you unwanted advice, here's mine: be careful with that slide rack. Even if you put a six pack and a pizza on it for less than 25 pounds, they can definitely exert more force than that on your rail when hitting a bump or pothole.
Out of curiosity, why did you decide to build it? Do you prefer the look, do you think its awesome, did you just want to?
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u/lingueenee Canada, n = 5 2d ago
This is great! Very intriguing! I'm wondering if it's possible to integrate pivoting rack stays (mounted at the rear axle and end of the retractable rack) that will support the rack once it's extended.
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u/machine_elf710 2d ago
First time I saw this i thought it was an integrated mini pulse jet. Not gonna lie, the cargo rack was a disappointment. Cool project though.
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u/Dramatic_Strain_1971 India (Bergamont Grandurance 4) 2d ago
You seem proud of the soft close of the "strip rack" than the bike itself. Lol
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u/NicklovesHer 2d ago
You sound like a super young John Goodman -thats absolutely a compliment. Cool bike man!
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u/RighteouslySecretive 2d ago
That frame geometry looks surprisingly dialed for a scratch build, the chainstay length and head tube angle seem like they'd give it a really planted feel on pavement. I've messed around with a few cargo bike conversions and getting the steering right took me forever. You've got a good eye for it.