Fat Retro (very) build

[epicyclo]

i've had this offroad a couple of times 26" x 3" tyres so kinda fat

Nothing wrong with cruisers offroad



This is built up as a a 69er running Big Apples.

I've got an 8' long beach cruiser that's just the job on gravel roads.

 

[velomaniac]

The 78mm BB axle can be got around. Check out the bodges used to modify Raleigh Twenty's.
http://www.raleightwenty.webs.com/
For brakes there are screw on Tandem style drum brakes which you could fit to a flip flop hub if your not dead set on hub gears although you could go gearbox style and mount hub gear somewhere else on the frame connected to rear hub by chain. SJS cycles stock SA hubs with 22T sprockets bolted to the hub flange for similar applications.

 

[epicyclo]

The 78mm BB axle can be got around. Check out the bodges used to modify Raleigh Twenty's.
http://www.raleightwenty.webs.com/
For brakes there are screw on Tandem style drum brakes which you could fit to a flip flop hub if your not dead set on hub gears although you could go gearbox style and mount hub gear somewhere else on the frame connected to rear hub by chain. SJS cycles stock SA hubs with 22T sprockets bolted to the hub flange for similar applications.

I'm set on using cottered cranks to fit the period so I'm on the hunt for a long spindle with appropriate spacing. Thanks for the info on the Raleigh Twenty. If necessary, I'll get one of those to filch its BB. I think SJS has a suitable spindle, but I'm asking around some of the old local bike shops first.

I'm ok for brakes. I've got a set of 1930s tandem brakes plus a NOS Sturmey front - although that has just been built on to a wheel for my Grundleigh-Oldtwatt Cheetah, but I can repurpose it.

The rear presents a number of choices. I don't want gears because I'm not bright enough to know the right time to change them, so although I have a 3 speed S-A with drum brake, I prefer to use something singlespeed. One choice is a coaster hub because that gives a nice clean backend.

The wider rims will preclude use of period brakes unless I use Resilions (which I have), but I am on the lookout for a decent prewar singlespeed rear drum. Getting one with decent chrome is the problem and I'll make the decision on the rear brake once I'm ready to build the wheel (first I've got to bodge up the rims). I do have a screw on tandem brake, but I think it's a bit scabby, so that's a last resort.

 

[velomaniac]

Those chinese band brakes may be modern manufacture but the band brakes Edwardian in origin so I would think you could get away with it.

Dont use a coaster hub off road, I say this out of my and Jimihendrix's experience. If your too uncoordinated to use gears your doomed with a coaster. You need to have the pedals level and remember which foot is at the rear in order to apply the brakes. Forgetting when you need to apply them in a hurry is bowel looseningly scary. Also rough ground can cause you to release the brakes when you dont want to and positioning your pedals for a corner/obstacle can have you applying the brake when you dont want to. They are great for wheel locking skids though if thats your bag

You have been warned

 

[epicyclo]

Ah yes, I have some very uncoordinated moments with a coaster, but at least you can quickly adjust unlike fixed which I considered for a nanosecond.