[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

177.0. "Advice Sought" by KIRK::JOHNSON (Endorphins are Habit-Forming) Wed Nov 19 1986 09:50

    I'm thinking of installing a snow plow on my mountain bike
    to make a little extra cash this winter.  Before I do, 
    though, I have a couple of technical questions:
    
    o What gearing should I use?  (I live on a hill, if that
      helps.)
    
    o What do I do with all those hydraulic lines?

    o Would a tandem really get me that much more power
      or traction?
    
    None of the bike shops I talked to could help me; now
    I'm turning to you expert cyclists for help.  
    
    Please hurry.  I don't want to lose those lucrative
    commercial contracts!
    
    MATT
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
177.1a tandem would be usefulBANZAI::FISHERWed Nov 19 1986 10:466
A tandem would let you carry an additional person who could operate the
controls for the "wing blade" on your right side so that you could do some
real street plowing, skipping or lopping off mailboxes as you see fit.
Your stoker could also be responsible for blowing a whistle or ringing a 
bell while you are backing up to get another run at any troublesome piles
of snow.
177.2KIRK::JOHNSONEndorphins are Habit-FormingWed Nov 19 1986 11:086
    That reminds me - I should probably lock out the freewheel,
    so I can pedal backwards.  Thanks for the tip.
    
    Anyone out there want to make some spare change as a "stoker"?
    
    MATT
177.3Roller time, indeed!LSMVAX::MILLERMarketing, the oldest professionWed Nov 19 1986 16:4821
>    o What gearing should I use?  (I live on a hill, if that
      helps.)
>   o What do I do with all those hydraulic lines?

Please specify where on the hill you live. A downhill run requires different
gearing than an uphill run.


The hydraulic lines could easily be "duct taped" to your current cables.
That way, you wouldn't have to add braze-ons that would get in the way next
summer.


Let us know how the business goes. Perhaps we could get you interested in
doing some productive work during the other seasons? I think now about using
the wind trainer to blow the leaves in the Fall. And the lawn needs
mowing...have you plans for a mower attachment?

I think we have a real entrepreneur on the way to the top, here!!! Thirty
years from now, we'll be reading about him in Fortune magazine!!!!!!!

177.4why stop with a tandem?NOVA::FISHERThu Nov 20 1986 06:2612
And for a really heavy duty model:  I read in cyclist about a machine built for four
that was used in Lon Haldeman's Rapitours 15 days across country tour.  The 
riders were called The Quad Squad.

Think about it, the second guy (okay, okay, "rider") could control the right
wing blade for lopping off mail boxes, the third rider could drop a left wing blade
for more cleaning per pedal stroke.  The rider in the rear could pour hot chocolate 
and such for the others.

As for gearing, doesn't fixed gear get more traction?

ed
177.5APOLLO::DEHAHNThu Nov 20 1986 07:325
    
    fixed gear gets more traction.....and goes in reverse, too.
    
    CdH
    
177.6KIRK::JOHNSONEndorphins are Habit-FormingThu Nov 20 1986 10:3113
    Mathauser just came out with a hydraulic brake set for racing.
    I could tap the plow's lines into it so I can raise and lower
    the thing from a handlebar switch.
    
    The inner chainring on the triple crank comes in handy
    as the power take-off on the winch, too.  That Comanchee 
    owner was pretty surprised when I pulled him out of the 
    snow bank yesterday! (He was even more surprised when I 
    charged him $30!)
    
    Free Enterprise makes America great,
    
    MATT
177.7In Over My HeadKIRK::PIERSONWed Nov 26 1986 20:2419
    How radical do you want to get?
    How about all wheel drive, either for a quad or a standard framor
    tandem.  The mechanics would be easier on a tandem.
    
    Lights?
    Ya gotta have lights, big, high plow lights, backup lights,
    strobe on top.(On top of what? good question.)
    Somehow I dont think the usual strap on cyclist light will
    be enough.   Lights mean power, carry a battery for traction,
    or maybe some of the old Raleigh(?) dynohub units.  Doubt whether
    a rim drive would work in the snow.
    
    Would there be enough power left from the chainwheel pto for the
    sander?
    Maybe two sanders, one on each side.  Use both for driveways,
    one for walks.
    
    hmmm
    dave pierson