Zouave Bicycles.

[Nelson]

Ok....so ive designed a full suspension bike....and can be modified to have 5-10 inches of travel...depending on certain lengths and such. It would be a really really sweet bike and has a linkage design that ive never seen used before....3 bar linkage. It very very sexy looking and would be very strong but not overley heavy. As a small buisness venture i was wondering how much it would cost to make one of these bikes.... theres 1 easton RAD tube, 6 feet of custom aluminum, and box stays? (pip? ronald5555?) I havent designed a drop out system yet, but anyone is willing to give me input.

I do have pictures of the frame, but id rather not show then right now for capyright and patents. how do i get a design patented? (again pip)

thanks for the help,

NRM

[Nelson]

damn.

[trail worker]

well,i'll tell you what i do know.
a few year's back,i designed a product to accept 24 inch wheels with v brakes on regular frames.
keep in mind,this was before disc brakes where widespread,and alot of people could not yet afford them(hayes and avid introduced cheapo mechanicals wich sort of fubar'd my idea)
i did a half assed copyright/patent dealio by doing this:
taking a print out of the design,
sealing in an envelope with the date,and my name,
and mailing it back to myself....the mailing date will *sort of* hold up in court.
i believe to get an official patent is quite pricey...

as for the dropouts,i think a few companies make generic dropouts,but more for hardtails.the easiest to do would be to use a system similiar to banshee's~horizontal dropouts with an adjustable derialier plate.of course,you could not use his exact design.

[speed metal]

You would have to contact the place that would cutomize your tubing and get a quote from them.

Nova in the US sells Easton tubing so you have to figure in exchange, shipping and customs too.

Don't forget all the bits like cable stops, heat treating and post weld machining and alignment.