Introduction: Fischertechnik Bicycle

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This is a set of instructions explaining how to create a model bicycle using fischertechnik elements!

I love bicycles. I commute to work on a Burley ZydecoTandem (made in Eugene Oregon) pulling a Burley Trailor. After work I pick up my daughter (age 6) and son (age 2). It is a good feeling to ride after a day in the office. Riding a bike gives my kids a chance to interact with the world, allows me to save on gas, and reduce air pollution.

I play with different educational manipulatives for a living. (Visit www.weirdrichard.com). Over the years I have built different models using all sorts of toys. What better way to celebrate bicycles than to build a model of one!

I was inspired by a bicycle model at ftcommunity:
http://www.ftcommunity.de/details.php?image_id=10064

And this one:
http://www.ftcommunity.de/details.php?image_id=461

Note: The CAD looking images were generated by a CAD program. I recommend Michael Samek's ftdesigner. http://www.fischertechnik-in-der-schule.de/

Step 1: Gather Your Parts

You will need to gather your elements. The fischertechnik elements are available from a range of kits available from ebay, Craig's List, or fischertechnik retailers. Elements can be purchased individually from www.fischertechnik.com.

3 Angular Block 30 degrees
1 Winch Drum
3 Hub Nuts
2 Link 15
1 Link 30
1 Hinged Block Claw
1 Spring Cam
4 Building Block 15 with Bore
2 Building Block 30
1 Building Block 15
3 Flat Hub Collet
1 Building Block 15x30x5 with Groove and Pin
2 Angle Girder 15
2 Clip Axle 45
2 Axle 60
1 Clip Axle 90
2 Axle Coupling
2 Crank Shaft
2 Intertoothed Gear T30
1 Cog Wheel T 10 m=1.5 Narrow
3 Clip Adapter
50 Chain Link
3 Gear Wheel T 30
1 Angle Girder 60
2 Angle Girder 30
1 I-Strut 60
2 Single Rivet 4
3 Bearing Sleeve
6 Building Block 7.5
2 Clip 5
1 Rope Pulley 12

Step 2: Chain Stay

Create the chain stay by combining in order, a Building Block 15 with Bore, An Angle Girder 15, an Angle Girder 30 and a Building Block 7.5, and a second Building Block 15 with Bore. (The second Building Block 15 with Bore will act as the bottom bracket).

Step 3: Seat and Seat Tube

On the second Building Block 15 with Bore, add an Angle Girder 30, and Angle Girder 15. Create a seat by inserting an Angular Block 30 Degrees into a Building Block 15x30x5 with Groove and Pin, and add the seat to the seat tube.

Step 4: Down Tube

Create the down tube by adding an Angular Block 30 Degrees to the second Building Block 15 with Bore. Fix a Building Block 7.5 to the Angular Block, add a Angle Girder 60 and a Building Block 15.

Step 5: Connect Seat and Down Tubes

Connect the seat tube and the down tube with an I-Strut 60 and two single Rivet 4s. Note that the strut should be attached to the Angle Girder 30 and the Building Block 15.

Step 6: Head Tube

Create the head tube by inserting a Spring Cam into the front face of the Building Block 15, and adding a Building Block 7.5. Fix an Angular Block 30 degrees to the block. Insert a Bearing Sleeve into a Hinged Block Claw, and add the assembly to the Angular Block.

Step 7: Rear Wheel Assembly

Create the rear wheel assembly by fixing a Gear Wheel 30 onto the end of a Clip Axle 45 with a Flat Hub Collet and a Hub Nut. Slide a Intertoothed Gear T30 onto the Gear Wheel. Insert the assembly into the first Building Block 15 with Bore on the model, and fix it in place with a Cog Wheel T10.

Note: The Intertoothed Gear T30 fits tightly on the Gear Wheel, but you can yank it off, given enough force. You can replace the wheels by using Large Pulleys with O-Rings.

Step 8: Bottom Bracket and Cranks

Fix a Gear Wheel T30 near the center of a Clip Axle 45 with a Flat Hub Collet and a Hub Nut. Insert the assembly into the second Building Block 15 with Bore. Fix the gear in place by adding Cranks to each axle end. Add Bearing Sleeves on each crank for a smooth pedal action.

Note: The Cranks are oriented 180 degrees from each other.

Step 9: Chain

Connect the Gear Wheel T30 to the Cog Wheel T10 with about 50 chain links.

Step 10: Front Fork Assembly

Create the front fork assembly by combining three Building Block 7.5s with a Link 30. Add a Building Block 30 to the bottom of the end Building Block 7.5s. Slide and center a Winch Drum on top of the Building Block 7.5s. Insert a Clip Axle 60 into the Winch Drum. Slide a Clip 5 on the axle just above the Winch Drum.

Step 11: Front Wheel Assembly

Create the front wheel assembly by fixing a Gear Wheel 30 near the center of a Clip Axle 60 with a Flat Hub Collet and a Hub Nut. Slide a Intertoothed Gear T30 onto the Gear Wheel. Add a Building Block 15 with Bore on each side of the gear assembly, and fix the axle in place with two Axle Couplings.

Step 12: Add Front Fork/Wheel Assembly

Slide the Clip Axle 60 of the front fork/wheel assembly into the Bearing Sleeve/Hinged Block Claw. Slip on a Rope Pulley and then fix the axle in place with a Clip 5.

Step 13: Handle Bars

Create Handle Bars by adding a Clip Adapter on the end of the Clip Axle 60 and centering a Clip Axle 90. Add a Clip Adapter and a Link 15 to each end of the Clip Axle 90 to act as handle grips.

Your model should look like this:

Step 14: Have Fun!

Feel free to alter the model. To add shocks, I swapped out the Building Block 30s for two Springs!

Video: