Lowracer build from scooter

[Storm]

I have started building a lowracer as it seems to be a common bent evolution, I need it to be simple, cheap and light.

I found some childrens scooters are good candidates for a main frame, already partly welded, one could bolt on a boom and end up with a bike with minimal tools.

The frame started as a cyclops (#mart?) 10" wheeled scooter, I extended the rear forks to accept 16" wheels, used a couple of aly tubes vice-flattened both ends for the seat stays, I shortened the steerer tube to accept a standard 16" front fork from huffy bmx, the seat is fron harry(uba tracker, thanks) when he changed to mesh but it could have been plywood or aly if I wanted to be frugal, I had this cheap TIG ovalised mtb from collections cut up for the boom and plans are to MIG tack it and take it to a pro TIG welder. The boom looks a little wierd with the extra extension tho I thought I might put a bottle mount or something on the end.

It weighs around 10Kg atm without the cranks and I it could be less with aly rims/hubs slicks, so let me know you think?

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn271/Glenspictures/100_0280Small.jpg?t=1233895648

[toolonglegs]

I like!.

[Mulger bill]

Hey clever!

Definitely gotta see the results.

Shaun

[Storm]

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn271/Glenspictures/DSC00047Small.jpg?t=1235306282

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn271/Glenspictures/DSC00048Small.jpg?t=1235307203

A little progress made, the boom is now on and a BB cup has been welded on for a freewheel with pawls removed to act as an interdrive, I want to run short cranks on it and have heard some good reviews, has anyone here use them or have an opinion of them?

[bradwoodbr]

I think short cranks work just as well as 170s.
I used 145s on an M5 Shockproof with 20inch wheels and they worked really well. They save the knees from being overpowered.
Utilising a higher cadence and one lower gear was necessary for hill climbing. This is the way I compensated for the slightly smaller amount of leverage due to the shorter cranks. It was easy for me to spin the higher cadence and once I had good leg strength, hill climbing rate was good. There was no heel strike for me either. I have size 12 feet and had no probs with tight turns.
My current bike came with 170 cranks and I intend to change them to 150s.