Rolinga

Complexity: Simple. 

Tools needed: Wood-saw, hacksaw, hand-drill, drill bit for wood, drill bit for metal, spade bit or hole-saw, adjustable wrench, chain tool.

Purchased or salvaged components: Bottom-bracket tube, crankset/bearings, cranks/pedals, chain, tires/tubes or rubber tread, metal tube or bolt for pivot-pin, bike seat (or make), fasteners (bolts, screws or nails).

Materials: 2 sizes of dimension lumber (two-by-four and one-by-six)

For whom is the Rolinga designed? This medium-sized utility bicycle is designed for adults who commute to school or work, and for those frequently running errands, who need enough cargo capacity to carry work supplies, a small toolbox or a few groceries. 

Who should not get the Rolinga? It would be difficult for a small person to carry the Rolinga up a flight of stairs.

Whom does it fit? Seat and handlebar positions are highly adjustable; it best fits petite and large adults from 5’4” (160 cm) to 6’4” (195 cm). Full ground-reach/crank-forward (feet flat on the ground when stopped and seated) saddle positioning is adjustable for riders taller than 5’6”. A dedicated rider of 5’2” (156cm) can remove the rear rack’s forward extension to permit ground-reach seating; this reversible customization subtracts some of the torsional rigidity of the frame, which large and heavy riders may find objectionable.

What is its cargo capacity? The Rolinga will carry two large 22” wide panniers alongside the rear rack. One or two small children or an infant seat can be carried on top of the rear rack, if provided with a cushion and stabilizer/handhold. A pair of medium-size panniers can be carried on either side of the front wheel. The seat-post can be pivoted forward, or removed entirely, leaving an open 52” long cargo rail for those persons who wish to pile as much cargo as possible on the bike and then push it. The optional front Rhino Rack requires some extra work to fabricate, but creates 16” of valuable cargo space above the front wheel, where the rack does not move with steering motions and is therefore easy to balance, as well as its load being directly observable – making it a good place to carry small pets.

What is its outstanding capability? The Rolinga is a good, sturdy every-day general-purpose bike for most adults. With its 26” wheels and medium or fat (not skinny) tires, it will handle almost all road and trail conditions.

What options will the Rolinga accommodate? The cargo deck can accept almost any bolt-on fasteners or proprietary quick-release attachment rails for infant seats. A front basket can be attached to the handlebar or a heavier-capacity ‘Rhino Rack’ can be installed. Will accommodate almost any after-market electric assist kit – hub motor or mid-drive.

What are the Rolinga’s limitations? For heavy riders 3” tires may be needed for rough terrain, as they provide significant pneumatic suspension. It will not fit all car bike-racks.

What components will the Rolinga accept? 26” wheels with 2” to 3” tires, or 24” wheels with 4” tires. This bike can accept either wire-spoked wheels, wooden-spoked wheels or plank wheels. The wooden Simple wheel can have its rim built not to hold a pneumatic tire (if pneumatic tires are not available or affordable) but rather to be covered by recycled car or truck tire rubber; this is less-smooth-riding in rough conditions but is absolutely a flat-proof ‘tire’. You can outfit your Rolinga as a single-speed with coaster brake, as a fixed-gear, as a 1X multi-gear, or with a 3 x 8 (or 2 x 5, 2 x 6, 3 x 8, etc.) front-and-rear derailleur transmission.  (If you are okay with a single low gear, you might consider the identically-sized and even-more-completely-owner-buildable Merle model.) The Rolinga can accept an internal-gear rear hub on a wire-spoked wheel. It will fit a two-legged kickstand. 

How big is the Rolinga? Overall length 78” (198 cm). Weight varies a great deal with choice of wood species, wheelset type, and amount of cargo boxing; the Rolinga may weigh between 35 and 45 pounds (16 kg to 21 kg). It takes up little floor space (approximately 20” x 36”) when standing on its rear end, a position which also gives good access for adjusting or removing the rear wheel, rear brake or derailleur.