I just got a new bike (Giant XTC® NRS 3) and would like to model the bike in Pro/ENGINEER and create other models (kinematics, etc.) as well. Does anyone know were bike components (or reasonable estimations of them) are available? I can work with STEP or IGES files in Pro/E if native files are not available. My first little project is to make a bracket for my daughter's trailer. I want to attach it to the bosses for the rear disk brake caliper attachment, but don't even know the distance center-to-center.

Also, does anybody have damper (shock) data (Force vs. Velocity) at different pressures on the following components:
  Fork: RockShox Judy XC, 3" travel
  Rear damper: RockShox Sid XC, 3.75" rear travel
Actually, now that I think about it, does anyone know what these things look like on the inside? I used to work at an automotive damper company, so I am not completely out of my league here!

I was not able to find very much from a search on Google.com. Any help would be appreciated.

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew

Hey MLoew,

man am i glad i found you... i'm looking for the same thing. i am a welding/structural engineer, who designs bicycles. I am working on a design right now and have a few components modelled, though need many more. I wrote a letter to shimano, asking them for models of their product line... its been a month, and nothing... don't think i'm gonna be hearing from them.

anyway, i have been using Pro/E and Pro/Mech for 6 years, have worked for PTC and would be interested in setting up some sort of online virtual part-swap. does anybody have any ideas? (a good method for swapping files).

How about a Yahoo or Hotmail group? Or, just post to the IHPVA website?

Ron

Shimano Will Not give you any more information than you will find on their European Website (PDF Exploded Diagrams)

I have designed and built Carbon Fiber Mountain Bikes and the oly way i found was to buy the products dismantle them measure them and draw them - often the best way to get a good understaning of the mechanics.

Gaz

Recently I modeled a motorcycle frame in SolidWorks...it was a lot of work.  The basic tools I used were 12" and 9" calipers, a digital protractor, a 5' level, a couple of large carpenter’s squares, and a simple mounting fixture.  From there, just set the bike straight and level and start from the ground up (Hub axle centers first).  In this case measure 5 times model once.  Also, make sure you capture design intent with the parametric capabilities of the software (height and distance between the brake caliper boss' should be easy to update in the part and assembly files).

As for other bike components, GazT is on the money.  However, instead of buying the components you might be able to talk a bike shop buddy into lending them to you, while you model them.  I modeled motocross triple clamps and several other parts using this practice.  Good luck!

Dmech

What was the bike frame that you modelled? What did you use to model it?

guys

we design bikes for a few folks
and have a few shocks cranks frame s tubes
modelled in solidworks our primary package wouldnt be a prob to convert to pro though.

however one thing i will tell you from experience at gt and mountain cycle is that asking for cad data from the manufacturer if you just joe bloggs off the street will get you no where they just will not let itgo
the uk situation is slightly worse the makers and suppliers of bits and bobs seem to think its some kind of closely guarded secret
best way to  do it is buy beg steal or borrow the parts
and you will end up with a tidy supply of parts in the corner of the office.

www.genii.ltd.uk

Scoobystu,

Sorry it took so long to post a response.  Haven't been back to this thread untill now.  Anyhow, I modeled a custom Harley motorcycle frame, which ended up on the cover of Hot Bike magazine (becuse of the innovative design and paint job, not due to my reverse engineering/CAD modeling of it).  My client wanted to build additional frames from drawings so he could sell the frame as a kit to other custom bike builders.  

I used Solidworks 2001.  Which did a fine job sweeping the tubes, as well as puting them together in an assembly.

Cheers,

DMECH