Well it certainly looks pretty cool and interesting, but IMO it's not a very practical frame from both a safety and building perspective.
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Originally Posted by ws6vert
Tough crowd, haha. Thank you all for ur input. I can see where the open design would have its issues if you were improperly restrained and came to a dead stop at over 40 mph. In designing it, I thought about these issues, but my intentions for any buggy I build is for trail riding and mudding. So with those intentions in mind, the open design doesnt present too many flaws, as most trail rides aren't done at break neck speeds and vision is important especially when u want to see all that mud flying at you. (please let me know if im wrong in this line of thinking). Also I can easily adjust for head clearances. There is as much as 6in. between the top of the seat and the upper bars at the moment. I plan to increase that anyway as soon as I find a good solidworks dummy to test fit these clearances.
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The issue is not stopping from speed with improper restraint, it is the fact that there is no roll cage member outside of your head. If you roll over, your head could make contact with the ground, or worse an object like a tree stump or rock. Since you plan on trail riding vs. duning, these are real concerns. Vision is not an issue with a normal style roll cage, you won't even notice the tubes there. You should leave at least 4" clearance from your helmet to the overhead roll cage members.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ws6vert
On a more serious side, what about the overall rigidity of the design or complexity of the tube bending. Do you see any flaws there? I have yet to think very hard on the rear section so im sure there is room for improvement there. The design is planned to be based around trailing arms and swept back axles if that helps.
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Strength wise the frame looks ok, triangulation is used extensively. That upper U shaped member behind the seats is worthless and will compromise the frame strength in that area, as that roll hoop is one of the most important parts of the frame. Just run the upper tube straight across. The biggest problem with manufacturing is some of those long tubes with multiple out of plane bends will be extremely difficult to make on a manual bender, but might be a good job for a CNC bender.
I attached an image of how I think you could greatly improve safety without changing your style/look too much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckorlando
I love the trails. Unless there clean trails I see you getting slayed with some limbs. My cage is constantly used as an overhead brush guard
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I agree, my cage is always keeping branches out of my face on trails.