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R2 Reproduction PrototypeR2L Safety Reproduction Prototype

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Prototypes are now running and being tested. Details Below.

Send in the form below to get on the waiting list.
No money down and you may cancel at any time.
We will contact you before we build your bike.
A down payment will be required at that time.
That is if you still want it of course...

Will The First 100 People On The List Please Order Again.
I Need You To Update Your Info. Thanks


approximate list only - it may change

R2 Repro / R2L Safety Waiting List Form
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R2REPRO / TALLBIKE / R2 METALWORKS / ROBERT NIZZA, NOR ITS / THEIR PERSONAL, OWNERS, PARTNERS, ARE RESPONSIBLE OR
LIABLE IN YOUR DECISION TO PURCHASE OR RIDE THIS BIKE. R2REPRO / TALLBIKE / R2 METALWORKS / ROBERT NIZZA, NOR ITS / THEIR
PERSONAL, OWNERS, PARTNERS, ARE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE IN YOUR ACTIONS OR OTHERS WHO CHOOSE TO RIDE THIS BIKE.

I have a US Bank Account with Bank Of America. You can mail a Personal Check to my account or you can also wire or direct deposit funds into it. For Credit Card Payments I use a KAGI Merchant account. KAGI Payment Page. They charge me a ~6% fee so I must charge you... KAGI Fees Page. US Customs & Shipping will have their own fees as well.

Steve Stevens Report.

Steve Stevens is the proud owner of R2-001, our first bike shipped to the USA. Steve Stevens is a World Wide Renowned Rudge Expert.

Here is my initial report ... The bike is lovely! I am impressed with the spokes - the butting on them was done well and the strength of the wheel is apparently really good. Also, on mounting, I found no "Tail Wag" as often happens on repro or light original bikes. It is a very positive feeling. The step is just like the original and is attached with a safety screw recessed. I always add a safety screw to my originals so the "Adjustable" steps do not adjust downward when I am on them. This is a nicer finish on the screw than I do. As for sliding into the saddle, it was very easy and the saddle comfort (as expected of a Townsend or Brooks long distance saddle) was quite excellent. Control in the saddle was quite similar to my 1885 55 inch Rudge Light Roadster. There was the same feel in the steering and the braking was positive. I will note that all riders will want to get the saddle adjustments to a position to fit their purpose and body. I like to be low to the backbone and well back. I did the adjustments to slide the saddle clip which is on the backbone down and back... and then positioned the saddle on it. Since I have a long back and short arms, this is important for control for me. I also like a higher than normal grip position. Working with the saddle as it is supplied (adjustments) allowed me to get my proper fit. In dismount, the step again was positive and there was no tail wag of the bike. I have a neighbor who rides well also give it a try. He also likes it very much. We both were impressed with the workmanship which was very apparent in every aspect of the bike ... and the amazing workmanship in the shipping crate... many welds to the frame for the tie downs.
Steve Stevens, July 14, 2009

Details about the R2 Prototype... (R2L details below)

The Bike is beautiful! We are now having many parts cast in SS and the black fork head shown in photos will be replaced by a polished SS one on future bikes. Bike has a 50" wheel in front and 17" in rear. Fork rake is 4.5 degrees. The weight is a bit high at 46 lbs. The front wheel with tire, cranks and pedals is 20 lbs and the backbone with front end and rear tire attached is 26 lbs.
The next bike will be lighter as the prototype front hub was made too thick and backbone is 3.6 mm thick walled. The weight also includes the R2 Tie Lock accessory that was turned from solid bar. I will not make this on future bikes.
When in doubt I over built. Handlebars are solid bar instead of hollow bar. It will take a lot to bend them and being solid SS they can be bend back and polished. I used 2mm steel for front forks when the original bike was 1mm or 1.5mm.
The thicker backbone is safer and should avoid any breakage for heavier users. Not sure how much the bikes in the future will weigh. That's to be worked out.
Air space under the fork head is 3/8" and air gap between tire and backbone is 3/4". Although this is considered good we want to get it down to 5/8" or even 1/2". That should allow riders to go up a wheel size. I am 5' 9-3/4" and my inseam is 31-1/2". The 50" is too small for me and a 52" or even a 54" would suit me much better. I know a lot of prospective buyers will be happy with that. Most people want the largest wheel they can ride.
The seat bracket is my design. The original one was just strapping steel bent to fit. I did not consider it safe and any seat adjustment would have resulted in damaging the powder coat. The bracket although adding some weight is a beautiful item and allows the seat to be adjusted back and forth with ease.
We had two bugs to work out with the pant guard. Because we made the seat two inches back to make the bike safer we forgot to do the same to the guard. That caused my first crash. Then we made it 2-3/4" longer but it was up too high over the tire and I caught my thigh under it which caused my second (more painful) crash. Did not think I would be the test pilot as well as the webmaster.
We will be going with butted spokes in the future not straight spokes to avoid breakage.
All in all it's a great bike and we will work the bugs out as I learn how to ride it.
It's the best High Wheel deal on the market!

Details about the R2L Safety Prototype...

Another beautiful bike! The R2L is a smaller bike. Originally they came after the High Wheel "Ordinary". It was called a "Safety" because they were safer than the bigger bikes. Less distance to fall and one could land sideways with this bike. The "Safety" brought a lot more people into the bicycle sport at that time. Our R2L uses a reproduction of the lever drive action of an 1885 American Safety made by Gormully and Jeffery but with modern Spherical Bearings in the front rod linkage for smoother running and less maintenance. The rest of the parts used are R2 Rudge Repro parts. The same high quality parts used on the R2 Repro.
Front wheel is 42" with Radial spokes but I will also make a 45" size. I can land sideways with this bike as the pedal at its lowest point is about 12 inches off the ground. The drive mechanism when in operation is amazing to watch. Rear tire is 17" and front fork rake is 6 degrees. This was too much so future bikes will have a 4.5 degree rake. This will be a great learners bike as it is close to riding a larger High Wheel yet much safer. Not however as safe as a modern bicycle. Easy to mount and jump off of. Back pedalling is not like an Ordinary. Because is uses a lever, on the upstroke the pedal is far back and has a lot of side leverage. In other words it will cause a strong side push to the front wheel. It shocked me at first. Took a few rides to get used to it. Important to say that the R2L saved me both pain and injury in learning how to ride a High Wheel Bicycle. I was able to ride the R2 much easier once I knew how to ride the R2L. To all beginners, fear will be your biggest enemy. These bikes are scary at first...

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