I didn’t even know what a Racerunner was when Hannah approached me to build this – it was an interesting learning experience, though, and worked out half the weight of her previous one. It also splits in half for transport.
Herbert’s Big Apple Brompton
Herbert wanted a Brompton with the Big Apple tyres – these are 2″ wide but use the smaller 305 wheel size so only work with disc brakes:
It’s now back in Germany, and looking fantastic with matching mudguards and a front motor system:
![big-bumblebee-1 [618716]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kinetics-online.co.uk/test/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/big-bumblebee-1-618716.jpg?quality=89)
Tadpole or Delta Trike?
It’s a common question – which is the better kind of trike? The answer isn’t so easy – both configurations have their advantages and disadvantages:
Tadpole:
- Simple drive system – a normal chainset at the front with a chain leading through to normal rear wheel gearing.
- Very stable, you sit right in the middle of all three wheels.
- Can carry normal panniers alongside the rear wheel.
- You can see how wide it is when riding, for narrow gaps.
Delta:
- Very manoeuvrable – the front wheel can turn through about 80 degrees to either side, so it can almost turn in its own length.
- Very easy to get onto and off – you can sit down first, then swing your leg over. Access from a wheelchair is simple.
- More complex drive system, with single-sided drive to one rear wheel or a differential to drive both, sometimes with mid-mounted gearbox gearing.
- Less stable when cornering fast.
Four-Person Bicycle
This was a rush job – a four-person bike built in two weeks for a marketing roadshow.
It had S&S couplings fitted to make it a little easier to transport, and a beefy stand to hold it upright with four people sitting on it.
Yellow Rohloff Disc Brompton
There’s something about bright yellow for a bike 😉
I built this last year, so it’s got the older head badge and a few slight design differences compared to the latest bikes.
Bernard’s Recumbent Tandem Trike
Bernard wanted a recumbent tandem trike for riding in Cumbria.
The frame was made from mostly 4130 chromoly steel tubing.
S&S couplings allow it to separate for transport.
Full build album:
Colin’s Tandem Trike
Colin wanted a tandem tricycle, but using a standard Rohloff hub gear, in a tadpole instead of a delta configuration for stability.
The frame was made out of Columbus steel tubing, triangulated and braced for stability.
Gavin’s Racerunner
Gavin’s Racerunner was built from thin-wall Columbus Gara tubing, for a frame weight of around 4kg, and a total built-up weight of under 10kg.
The frame was built on a custom jig to be perfectly straight, and has adjustable fore and aft positioning of the saddle, and adjustable chest plate using a seatpost.
A series of axle inserts allow different wheels to be used, and the camber can also be adjusted.
Cost was £1500 for the frame, inserts, painting and assembly.
Scottish Independence
As I’m sure most people have noticed, there’s a wee referendum going on in Scotland on September. BikeBiz magazine, the trade paper for the UK bike trade, published an article about the issue with quotes from some Scottish bike businesses which I thought was a bit one-sided so I wrote this piece, and BikeBiz have kindly amended the article.
Bike Parts By Drone
Proving yet again that Kinetics is at the cutting edge of bicycle technology, we are proud to announce that we are the first bike shop in the World to offer parts delivery by drone!*
Using our German-designed, Scottish-built drone we can deliver bike parts to cyclists in need anywhere!**
*Up to a limit of 1kg
**Within a range of 100yds