Party Bike
Start Date: May 2021
End Date: Ongoing
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Background:
This project was on my mind from 2018 and in early 2021 the opportunity came about to develop it as one of my main projects at Amity bike co. The idea was to capitalise on a gap in the market for a mountain bike that bridges the gap between Slopestyle bikes and Enduro bikes.
Slopestyle bikes are short travel (about 100mm) dual suspension bikes with 26inch wheels and 1 gear.
Enduro bikes are mid travel (about 160mm) usually with 27.5 inch wheels and at least 10 gears.
Mountain bikers have already started experimenting with single speed freeride bikes and short travel mixed wheel size bikes however no bike is currently available to buy off the shelf with this specification.
Project Scope:
1 Model, 2 sizes, 2 colourways.
In-house design: Frame only including Dropouts, Chainstay, Upper link, Lower Link, All major Pivot bolts, Hanger, Linkage mounts
I am extremely proud to say that this project was conceived and managed by myself alone. Major tasks on this project were as follows...
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Initial research and concept ideation
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Budget, supplier buy-in and project planning
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Assess all open tool parts for compatibility
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Modelling and concept selection
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BOM creation
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Supplier quotes and leadtimes for all components
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Order all long leadtime items (suspension only in this case)
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Finalise all frame drawings (31 drawings for this frame)
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To reduce time to market it was decided to only do a single round of prototypes.
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In order to make the most of these prototypes and learn as much as possible a large amount of time was spent designing a "mule bike". This bike allows us to change the geometry and suspension characteristics of the bike simply by changing some small hole offset spacers.
Suspension kinematics shown below for those that are interested.
Key Features
Rear wheel: 26" (and 27.5"compatible). Front Wheel: 27.5". Single speed (and gearing compatible). Rear travel: 135mm. Front travel: 140mm
VPP Suspension. 12x142 rear axle. Sram UDH compatible. 73mm threaded BB. Internal cable routing.
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Early linkage testing with a 3D model to assess cable routing and to act as communication aid.
Frame development evolution
I have a background in mechanism design and already had a unique linkage layout in mind for this type of bike. This particular VPP layout vas validated and selected for development very early on.
Some of the earliest concept art for this linkage layout that was used to gain support and backing for the project.
Initial concept visulisation