Q.  Building Cost?

A.  Always the first question that is asked.  If keeping cost down is your priority, it helps to be resourceful at finding a bargain in obtaining your components and building materials.  Using used bicycle components can save you a great deal, also shopping online for metal tubing vs. local suppliers can often save you a lot.

For the RB-SWB a complete bike can be accomplished for around $300, less if you are a serious bargain hunter.  This does not include outside labor cost such as welding.  For those builders on a very tight budget, the RB-SWB can be built using muffler pipe (main tube),  along with ¾” EMT/Conduit for the chainstays and ½” for the seat frame.  The RB-SWB built in the video is built using chromoly and aluminum tubing.

For the RB-LWB a complete bike can be accomplished for around $200, again if you are careful with your spending and the type of materials you use .  The reason it is slightly less is there are many un-loved old road bikes that can be converted to this long wheel base design.  Thrift stores and yard sales are excellent places to fined and save on good used bikes (two bikes are required for building this design).  Also using EMT/Conduit for the seat frame and extending the chainstays will help keep the building cost down. 

Q.  What tools and skills do I need?

A.  If you can operate small shop tools like a hacksaw, file and a hand drill, you are well on your way. 

For the RB-SWB, You will need 3 bi-metal hole saws for drilling a 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" hole.  These are available at any hardware store.  They will be used for drilling the holes for the headtube, chainstays and for the bottom bracket shell.  A drill press will be needed to drill these holes, it's a simple process and takes very little time to do.   Other tools required would be common tools found in many garages, like a bench vice, wrenches, ruler, small clamps etc.

For the RB-LWB, the tools required are slightly less.  No drill press or bi-metal hole saws are needed.  Again just basic shop tools found in many small shops and garages are needed.  Bench vice, wrenches, ruler, hacksaw, file, clamps etc.

The frame jig for both the RB-SWB and the RB-LWB require only that you cut the ends of a 2x4 off square.  Followed by drilling a few holes with a hand drill, and using some bolts and screws.

Note: Each video shows and describes each tool required for each step of the frames construction.
 

Q.  Tube bending required and how?

A.  For the RB-SWB, the main tube (1 3/4 or 2") is bent at a muffler shop.  The seat frame tubing can be bent with a EMT/Conduit bender.  The chainstay tubing can also be bent with a EMT/Conduit bender, but it is advised that it be bent with a machine type bender if you use chromoly.

A.  For the RB-LWB, all tubing can be bent using EMT/Conduit benders.  Many tool rental agencies carry EMT/Conduit benders and they can be rented for a fraction of the cost of new.
 

Q.  What type of welder can be used?

A.  The question that has to be asked here is "how good is the person doing the welding ?"  Long story short, in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing, any type of welder can be used (how's that for a politically correct welding answer).  The advise here is, use what you have available and practice on some scrap pieces.   In the video's, the bikes are built using  Oxygen/Acetylene.  Sorry no instruction on welding is provided in the video's. 
 

Q.  Do the video's provide final assembly information, such as how to adjust the front and rear derailleur etc?

A.  Sorry no, the focus in the video's is to get you through the frame building process easily and quickly.  Fortunately  there is currently a wealth of information on bicycle maintenance available on the internet to guide you.
 

Q.  What format are the DVD's?

A.  They are in NTSC format.  They will play in common DVD players found in North America and in many other locations.  Sorry the video's are not offered in PAL format.