I'm searchig for a cheap water bike adaptation plan

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by boatdesingloverer, May 5, 2020.

  1. boatdesingloverer
    Joined: May 2020
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    boatdesingloverer Junior Member

  2. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    What is a step tru bike?
     
  3. boatdesingloverer
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    boatdesingloverer Junior Member

  4. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    I can't see anything from the above text.
    A 'step thru" bike is a ladies bike, where the top tube drops down so someone with skirts can get on the bike without flashing people.
     
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  5. Dejay
    Joined: Mar 2018
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    Dejay Senior Newbie

    You can find some threads on this forum and lots of examples online but I haven't seen any plans. Maybe because a project like this will involve some kind of gears or some machining.

    I'd also think sitting low like in a recumbent bike would be more enjoyable. So I'd look for how to "convert kayak to pedal" power. So maybe you can buy parts for that and buy or build and then convert a boat. There seem to be some kits but they are ludicrously expensive. Maybe you could use some cheap replacement gears for angle grinders.

    There is a instructable that uses the flexible shaft of a weed eater. But using a bike on top seems unnecessary unless you can just take off the bike and go on biking on land. Or if you want to sit really high to see above the reeds.

    If you just want some exercise don't mind looking silly while doing it you could look into foil pumping haha. BTW has anyone ever tried building something like a hydrofoiling unicycle? With a banana seat of course.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2020
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  6. Squidly-Diddly
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    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    going from bike to propeller sounds easy, but many have asked your same question and so far there are no good, cheap solutions. As others have stated, there are fairly cheap PARTS like Angle Grinders, but making the connections on either end isn't obvious and requires much custom fabrication.

    Simple Paddlewheels driven by bike's tire seems easy, but the gearing is all wrong, since the tire will be driving a small wheel attached to much bigger Paddlewheel, unless reduction gear is added between.

    I'm thinking a Hybrid system might be best. Have a small motorcycle type battery to drive a small electric trolling motor, and have the bike wheel drive a small generator that charges the battery. You could get the generator from a small car, and a fairly simple frame could hold the bike's frame, the battery, generator and trolling motor in one unit to place on floats. Bonus: you would also have an emergency 12 V generator. You should also still have a Trolling Motor and battery that can be used on other small boats, so you wont be ruining a lot of stuff.
     
  7. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    What is the need for the bicycle? Is a pedal boat not convenient?
     
  8. boatdesingloverer
    Joined: May 2020
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    boatdesingloverer Junior Member

    HI
    i really look for a up normal bike position because recumbent are not good for the knees.
    up strait allows me a ergonomic position (good for the knees) and allow me to do cardio exercice.

    i dont feel the need to have motor (also my bike will be electric)

    the foil machine is not something im interested in.

    the tubes i can buy from china but the other parts i dont know where to find them...
    ho and it has to be none permanent cause ill go streets river streets so i need to be able to put it in a trailer or backpack
     

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  9. Dejay
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    Dejay Senior Newbie

    Haha that is creative but doesn't look like it's going to work very well. Or very long. Or at all.
    I'm pretty sure you won't find any plans to build that other than that jpg.

    You could build a better version of this out of plywood but it's gonna require some tinkering.
    Do you seriously want to build this?
    Could you transport a non inflatable version of this or leave it at shore?
    How long do you want it to last?

    I'd build longer amas (banana tubes) out of plywood and fiberglass them (here is a video showing the basics). And then make a sturdy frame out of wood that the bike frame slots into.
    The front wheel could slot into a hinge that holds the propeller assembly, but it has to be aligned to hinge at a right angle to the steering axis of the front wheel.
    You could have the body roller below the back tire. Then you could just put the bike on it and paddle on. And the flexible shaft would be is out of the way. Or have a sprocket that connects to the chain. There are also flexible shafts for those dremel tools.
    The flexible shaft could then connect directly to the propeller under water. You could extend that hinge for the front wheel.

    Here is a quick sketch:
    CatamaBike v3.png
     
  10. boatdesingloverer
    Joined: May 2020
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    boatdesingloverer Junior Member

    im not so good at building with wood. why do you think it would not last long?
    I imagine that the parts shuttle bike sells can be purchased for cheaper but where i ask myself...
    if i could find alternative pieces that do the same job i would be ok to assemble but i have no clue what i could use.
    building a fiberglass thind is a long project and it is combersome to travel with.
    do you have ideas?
     
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  11. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
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    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    Boatdesingloverer,

    Welcome to the forum.

    Where in the world is qc ?

    You want to ride your bike on the water for exercise?
     
  12. Dejay
    Joined: Mar 2018
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    Dejay Senior Newbie

    You're not going to be able to just buy those parts for cheap and assemble it yourself with no problem. You could try building it with PVC pipe and connectors, but I guess you don't really want to build so your only option is to buy it.

    What are they selling it for? Maybe buy it used?

    The concept is interesting. If you'd build a frame or bicycle stand that fits your bike "like a glove" and you can just slot it in and go. You could even add two large wheels to the amas so you could pull it behind your bicycle like a trailer. That would make it actually usable and fun instead of having to assemble all the pieces and inflate the hulls every time. You could probably build this out of two sheets of plywood.
     
  13. boatdesingloverer
    Joined: May 2020
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    boatdesingloverer Junior Member

    hi yes i want to exercise with it too. they sell it 1500 us dollar you can look at
    https://www.shuttlebike.com/en/negozio/kit-shuttlebike/evo-2-0-kit-city-bike-28/
    it seems to word well on videos.
    a trailer , its pretty large, not sure it would be safe with cars.
    with these bananas it could be the base but how to hold the bike , friction drive to find settup ..?

    Custom NO MOQ Durable PVC Inflatable Banana Pontoons Tubes Buoy for Sea Water Pedal Bike Boat, Gray(or customized) - alibaba.com https://imall.com/product/Custom-NO-MOQ-Durable-PVC-Inflatable-Banana-Pontoons-Tubes-Buoy-for-Sea-Water-Pedal-Bike-Boat-Gray-or-customized/Sports-Entertainment/alibaba.com/62029493480/569-143357/en
     

  14. boatdesingloverer
    Joined: May 2020
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    boatdesingloverer Junior Member

    there is this idea also that could be ok . but the guy drilled a hole in his frame!! not a good idea. i would not use electric power neither .
    but how to make it stand quick and simple...?
     
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