Tall bike
Encyclopedia
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
often constructed by hobbyists from spare parts. Typically, two conventional bicycle frames are connected, by welding
Welding
Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes...
, brazing
Brazing
Brazing is a metal-joining process whereby a filler metal is heated above and distributed between two or more close-fitting parts by capillary action. The filler metal is brought slightly above its melting temperature while protected by a suitable atmosphere, usually a flux...
, or other means, one atop the other. The drive train is reconfigured to connect to the upper set of pedals, and the controls are moved to the upper handlebar area.
Alternatively, a bicycle can be built by inverting the frame, and inserting the forks from the 'wrong side', flipping the rear wheel, and adding a long gooseneck and tall handlebars, then welding a long seatpost tube to the 'bottom' (now the top) of the frame. This type of tall bike is made with only one bike frame, and is often called an upside-down bike rather than a tall bike, though the seat can be quite high, depending on the frame shape used. This type can be somewhat safer, as there is less tubing between the rider's legs and dismounting in a hurry can be easily accomplished.
Finally, a tall bike frame can be made from scratch.
Practical uses
Tall bikes are usually used for recreation and entertainment, but can be used for general transportation also. Regular tall-bike commuters note that both their increased visibility and the simple 'wow factor' give them a safety advantage in automobile traffic over 'short bikes.' However, there are issues with mounting and dismounting similar to those presented by penny-farthingPenny-farthing
Penny-farthing, high wheel, high wheeler, and ordinary are all terms used to describe a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel that was popular after the boneshaker, until the development of the safety bicycle, in the 1880s...
s.
History
Historically, one of the first practical uses of the tall bike was as a late 19th century lamp lighting system, by which a worker would mount a specialized tall bicycle while equipped with a torch for lighting gas lamps. As the worker rode to each lamp, they would lean against the lamp post, light the lamp, and then ride to the next. Upon completing the circuit of lamps, an assistant would help the rider dismount.Sporting
Tall bike joustingJousting
Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two knights mounted on horses and using lances, often as part of a tournament.Jousting emerged in the High Middle Ages based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry. The first camels tournament was staged in 1066, but jousting itself did not...
is a popular sport among tall bike owners, and is commonly considered to have been introduced by Jake Houle and Lil' Bob of the Hard Times/Black Label Bike Club
Black Label Bike Club
The Black Label Bike Club is an international freak/mutant bicycle organization specializing in tall bikes and choppers.Started in 1992 by Jacob Houle and Per Hanson as the "Hard Times Bike Club" in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the club has grown to include a chapter in New York City, Reno, Nevada,...
. Combatants arm themselves with lances and attempt to score points by dislodging the other rider. Rules vary by area and with the mood of the combatants. Like all jousting games, participants consider it a sport in which honor plays a role and dishonorable wins are frowned upon.
Jousters create lances that vary from simple PVC pipe and foam devices that are flexible, soft, and relatively safe, up to wooden or metal lances that may be quite dangerous. Regional rules vary, some specifying flaming lances for effect, or glass containers attached to the end, the goal being to break the glass container in order to score points.
Design considerations
Tall bikes present some interesting design considerations, and different localities tend to have different methods of dealing with them.One consistent issue is that the seat tends to end up in line with, or behind, the rear axle, which creates a powerful tendency to lift the front wheel of the bicycle on acceleration. Some bicycle builders simply accept this tendency, but others solve the problem by moving the seat post forward, lowering the handlebars, or by using a smaller wheel in front, typically a 24" instead of a 26".
Stability can also be negatively affected, and enhancements such as extended wheelbase by welding extensions on the front and rear dropouts can benefit stability. Contest holders often place restrictions on such modification to prevent unfair advantages.
See the bicycle and motorcycle geometry
Bicycle and motorcycle geometry
Bicycle and motorcycle geometry is the collection of key measurements that define a particular bike configuration. Primary among these are wheelbase, steering axis angle, fork offset, and trail...
and bicycle and motorcycle dynamics
Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics
Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics is the science of the motion of bicycles and motorcycles and their components, due to the forces acting on them. Dynamics is a branch of classical mechanics, which in turn is a branch of physics. Bike motions of interest include balancing, steering, braking,...
articles for more on these issues.
Clubs
Tall bikes are a popular mode of transportation for modern 'bicycle clubs' (SCULSCUL
SCUL is a Boston area bicycle nerd gang that builds and rides mutant bicycles, chopper bicycles, and tall bikes...
, Zoobomb
Zoobomb
Zoobomb is a weekly bicycling activity in Portland, Oregon, United States during which participants ride bicycles rapidly downhill in the city's West Hills. Zoobomb began in 2002....
, Dropout Bike Club, Black Label Bike Club
Black Label Bike Club
The Black Label Bike Club is an international freak/mutant bicycle organization specializing in tall bikes and choppers.Started in 1992 by Jacob Houle and Per Hanson as the "Hard Times Bike Club" in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the club has grown to include a chapter in New York City, Reno, Nevada,...
, The Winking Circle
The Winking Circle
The Winking Circle is a creative organisation originating in Uxbridge, Ontario. They create tall bikes, art cars and other community art programs.Their work is documented in the short movie The Winking Circle Video Zine...
, C.h.u.n.k. 666
C.h.u.n.k. 666
CHUNK 666 is a tall bike and chopper bicycle club based in Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn, New York...
, Cyclecide
Cyclecide
Cyclecide is an American bicycle club based in San Francisco, California that is composed of clowns, altered bikes, and a traveling show called "The Bike Rodeo".-In the beginning:...
) and activist groups.
They are also a mainstay among builders of clown bikes, art bike
Art bike
An art bike is any bicycle modified for creative purposes while still being ridable. It is a type of kinetic sculpture. The degree of artistic creativity and originality or new functionality of art bikes varies greatly, depending on the artist or designer's intentions .-Examples:* The annual...
s, clown alley
Clown alley
The clown alley in a circus is a backstage area, usually very near the animal pens, where clowns change into their costumes and apply makeup. Generally, the clowns' personal props, costumes, and other items are stored in this area as well...
s and parade groups.