Ekib

What?: The Ekib (pronounced "backwards bike") is a trick bike that can be built by anyone who can take a bike to bits and put one back together again, and er...use a hacksaw. This page is a 'how to' page. If you want to build one find yourself an unloved bike. If possible get the owners permission to alter it. It should preferably have a 1" steerer and seat post. You will also need a second handlebar stem either a 'aheadset' type, a 1 1/8" quill type or a 1" quill type. This project is still in the protoype stages as you can see from the photo. We do not intend to put gears on at this stage, but will probably get round to adding brakes.

Where to start: Begin by stripping as much of the frame as needed and also any bits that need maintenance such as bearings. The seat post and handlebar stem need to come off as does the chainset and gear mechs

Hacksaw time A handlebar stem will need changing into a seatpost. Hacksaw off the handlebar clamp and file or grind the rest down to a constant diameter tube so that the saddle clamps on to it. I used a spare aluminium one and turned it on a lathe - but then I'm lucky with workshop facilities.

Driller killers: If you have access to a decent pillar drill, then a better method is to use some 1" tube, or a set of old handlebars cut down, to make a saddle clamp that fits in the stem where the bars would be. I drilled 1/4" holes 44mm apart and then hacksawed along the length of the tube to just break into the top of the holes.

Handlebars: The handlebars need to fit where the seatpost normally is. There are a number of ways of achieving this; You can use the seatpost - cut down or turned upside down and clamp an 'aheadset' type stem to it. You can use the original stem inside a length of steerer tube cut from some old forks. Or even a perhaps a 1 1/8" quill stem, although when we tried this it was a bit low.

Drive: It is probably best to forget about gears for this project. You need to fit the chainset on the opposite side. This is easily done with the normal cotterless type or the 'one piece' type although with the latter you will have to remove a pedal and the bearings to turn the lot round. You may find your plans fail here as the chainrings may foul the frame. If so; find another chainset or try turning the bottom bracket spindle round.

Putting it together: The Ekib can now be put together. First fix your new 'handlebar stem-seat post' into the steerer tube and fit the saddle.

Steerin....er..something to hold on to: The handle bars can be fitted into the seat tube by whatever means you have chosen.

Finishing: Put the wheels in (remember to turn what was the back wheel round) The chain will need to be shortened to fit an appropriate sprocket. There should be no problem cabling up brakes. But I suspect (as we did) you be eager to try it out.

"How do you ride it?": You sit on the bit that looks like a saddle, hold the handlebar thingys and see those pedal shaped wotsits...... well thats where your feet go.

"Got it sussed yet?": Well..........sort of ! Yep, we went and built a full suspension version seen here being riden on the North lawn. P.S. In this picture I am going that-a-way <=

If you think it's impossible to ride - You have not finished trying.

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