Nobl

Test Mule 13

10412 of 16938
(5 people)
unissamog
3/24/2016 2:35pm
Out for a ride on the STAB trails
Out for a ride on the STAB trails
Base foam core for the front triangle.
Base foam core for the front triangle.
1st layup curing with compression wraps.
1st layup curing with compression wraps.
1st tube layups
1st tube layups
Rear end mockup
Rear end mockup
Rear end curing
Rear end curing
Out for a ride on the STAB trails
Out for a ride on the STAB trails
Out for a ride on the STAB trails Base foam core for the front triangle. 1st layup curing with compression wraps. 1st tube layups Rear end mockup Rear end curing
Parts
Brand
Model
Additional info

Parts

Frame
Other
Test Mule
Homemade
Frame: Other Test Mule. Misc: Homemade
Fork
RockShox
Sektor
Fork: RockShox Sektor
Headset
FSA
Big Fat Pig
Headset: FSA Big Fat Pig
Stem
Kore
Stem: Kore
Brakes
Magura
Louise FR
Brakes: Magura Louise FR
Shifters
Shimano
Deore
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur
Shimano
Sora
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Cranks
Truvativ
Stylo 1.1 GXP Crankset W/BB
Cranks: Truvativ Stylo 1.1 GXP Crankset W/BB
Pedals
Other
ZuZu
Ringle
Pedals: Other ZuZu. Misc: Ringle
Front Rim
Roval
Front Rim: Roval
Rear Rim
Roval
Rear Rim: Roval
Hubs
Roval
Hubs: Roval
Front Tire
Continental
Baron
Front Tire: Continental Baron
Rear Tire
Continental
Baron
Rear Tire: Continental Baron
Saddle
WTB
Speed V Comp Saddle
Saddle: WTB Speed V Comp Saddle
Seatpost
Specialized
Command Post BlackLite
Seatpost: Specialized Command Post BlackLite
General Info

General Info

Model Year
2013
Model Year:
2013
Riding Type
Trail / All-Mountain
Riding Type:
Trail / All-Mountain
Weight
NaN lb NaN oz (0 g)
Weight: NaN lb NaN oz (0 g)
Additional Info

Hand built the frame in my basement.

Additional Info:

Hand built the frame in my basement.
unissamog
3/24/2016 2:35pm
10412 of 16938
13 comments

View replies to: Test Mule

c50 Dark Matter 1481849836
MrPlow
10 years ago
Nice work. Be stronger and potentially lighter if you laid all the carbon layers in on hit though. What you loose in excess resin you will gain in a better bond.
Profile picture for user unissamog
unissamog
10 years ago
Yup, but without a vacuum setup I couldn't get enough compression. In test parts that I made, I found I could only compress 2 layers with the tape method that I used before there were bunching issues during the wrapping. The next frame will make use of a Vacuum system to allow for more layers at once and less epoxy.
c50 fb picture 1391611003
biatchswitch
10 years ago
Hey, nice work. I´m now doing my own carbon DH frame with 200mm travel. What type of carbon fiber you use? How strong? And do you use vacuum? Or just glue and go?
Profile picture for user unissamog
unissamog
10 years ago
I used fabrics from Soller Composites ( http://www.sollercomposites.com/ )
The top and bottom layers were 3K 2x2 Twill 220GSM 640Ksi
The mid layers were 4in and 8 in wide Uniderictional 305gsm 711Ksi,
I alternated the direction of the uni fabric. No Vacuum, one or two layers at a time with tape compression. The 4" travel enduro frame I am building this winter will have a combination of tape and vacuum compression.
c50 fb picture 12127826 1377085880
Ben_Kotrba
10 years ago
How long have you been riding the completed bike? Have you seen any durability issues? Any delamination or cracking? I've thought about building my own carbon bikes, but I've been concerned about durability. I've made carbon boat hulls before, but those don't come across the same stresses that a bike frame does.
Profile picture for user unissamog
unissamog
10 years ago
I have been riding it since around April '13. No durability issues, delam, or cracks. I have done XC rides and a bit of Dual Slalom racing on it. I am guessing that I have 1.5 to 2 times the amount of carbon I actually need in the frame. When I was building it, after I put the chainstays on, but before the seat stays were on, I was riding it around the basement without any issues.
Profile picture for user unissamog
unissamog
10 years ago
Yup, handmade in my basement. The only metal parts are the headtube, BB and cores for the dropouts. Other than that, it is all hand laid carbon fiber over a foam core. Took about a month to lay up; add a layer, set the compression wrap, wait overnight for cure, repeat.
3
Profile picture for user unissamog
unissamog
10 years ago
For this one I did just tape wrap, but will start to work with vac-bagging the new frame I will build this winter.

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