skinnygate build/experiment

[sixstringsteve]

As a noob, I'm trying to get better at my gates, both balancing and my starts. I decided to build a stupy gate for practice. I did some research and I decided I wanted something more compact and portable than your typical stumpy gate.

My experiment is to make a narrow stumpy gate that's portable and small. I want to be able to store it compactly and take it with me places.

The plan is to use 2x4's to keep it light and cheap.



the gate:


gate and pivot arm:


my crude workworking skills:


measuring the right spot to put the pivot:

[sixstringsteve]

It's staying nice and compact.



If I were to do it again, I'd use a smaller gate hinge.

[sixstringsteve]

Some more progress. This thing was a beast to make. These are the detachable rear legs.




The stand slides into the legs








That's all for now. I'll get another set of legs built in a few days, and I'll add grip tape to it. I do forsee a problem with the pivot arm getting run over. We'll see how it works.

[joker75]

The main concern I would have is, I doubt I could travel that straight for even that short distance while trying to concentrate on my form. I would be concerned about the possibility of faling off of the side of the ramp mid thrust/pedal and ending up OTB or in some other very painful position. As long as you can stay straight, you should be fine. If not you may be in for a painful lesson.

[bnd]

I would go with a 2x6 as your platform.

b.

[sixstringsteve]

I think a 2x6 would definitely be the way to go in the future. I tested it out tonight, and it works pretty well. It's got a lot of side to side flex because of the single gate hinge, but once I learn to balance better it shouldn't be an issue. I've still got some tweaking to do, but I can at least balance while i watch TV (I just can't lean back). I plan on adding something to it to lock it into place for when I'm in the house and I just want to practice balancing.

[knuckleheadspeed]

Check out the new gate! What do you think?

[dad2six]

That's cool!
I have been thinking about building one myself. I have a welder and was thinking of making it out of one of those motorcycle loading ramps. Been looking for some ideas on just how to do it.

[sixstringsteve]

sweet. I weld too, but the cost of metal made me decide to go with wood. No doubt a metal gate would ROCK.

The only issue I see with a dirt bike ramp is that those are made of aluminum. Unless you have a welder (TIG preferred) set up for aluminum, you're not going to be able to weld it.