Suggestions for creating a cart out of salvage bikes
The world is full of landfills full of bikes. Here are some thoughts about alternative ways to utilize a salvage bicycle.
If we use the seat tubes, frame elements, head tubes and drop outs for the connecting points — and seat posts, stems, handle bars, crank arms, pedals, hubs, and bar ends for the connectors — we won't have to machine these elements and it will make a bolt-together assembly a lot easier and cheaper to create.
Using salvaged expanded metal, wire shelving, shopping carts, and other metal storage bins for the cargo areas will add to the strength of the cargo area and in some cases be the whole cargo area ready-made and already designed around standards in boxes, baskets, etc. for a variety of uses.
Designing a standard main frame on wheels that can be expanded to allow for various cargo platforms makes production more efficient and less costly.
Partial list of possible uses for salvaged bicycle elements
- Wheels: Wheels, mounting brackets, and cargo platforms
- Frames: Frames and connecting brackets
- Handle bars: Connecting pieces, cargo support, handles for wheelbarrow-like use
- Seat Posts and Stems: Mounting posts to connect frame elements together
- Crank Arms: Mounting brackets to support cargo areas; drive mechanisms
- Forks: Handles, steering mechanisms, connectors to other vehicles
- Hubs: Mounting points, power take-off points utilizing belts, gears and chains; rotating mounting points for folding cargo area and frame elements
- Bottom Brackets: Mounting points for cargo area; rotating joints for folding frame elements