Hi 25hz,
Traill: 28 Seat height: 16 Ground Clearance: 7 Wheelbase: 132 Weight: 14.5
thanks for translating the units into metric system.
I was also thinking of adding handle bars to the sides of the front half of the bent to help me get the hang of steering it.
Learning to ride the python is the hardest part. A lot of patience is necessary, but this will be rewarded greatly. I know that mostly all of you prefer handle bars, but I still think that they do not really accelerate the learning process and you will have another part that might be bent when falling.
I studied your design variations. The bike looks awesome, especially the front part and the seat. The weakness, that I spotted in the CrMo tube of the rear part, already gave in. I wonder if you can notice a similar flexing as Dirk http://dirkb.dnsalias.net/python.html because with 32 x 1.6 mm (1 1/4" x .064") square tube for the backbone you are quite close to his 30 x 1.5 mm square tube.
I appreciate that you want to make a motorbike-like stand. It weighs about one pound, but it is really valuable. The included steering stop eases the handling of the bike a lot.
The front wheel dropouts on top of the frame have the two benefits of allowing lower seat height and improving the chainline. I have the problem that in some gears the chain touches the chain stay - you don´t. Disadvantage of your solution is, that with a mounted front fender or wheel well you cannot simply dismount the wheel for maintenance. Maybe your half fender/leg guard is a solution.
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