David Wicks and the homemade MR1 Downhill Bike
November 26th, 2009 @ 11:30 AM
A young lad from up North called David Wicks popped by the Dirt office last week with three homemade bikes. They looked pretty neat so I asked him a few questions before Dirt tester Joner took the bikes up the woods for a spin.
How did you get into mountain bikes?
Started riding downhill in 2004 with a specialized big hit then bought a RMX 2.0.
I wasn’t keen on how the RMX rode. I decided to design my own frame due to the fact that i couldn’t afford to buy a new bike if i wasn’t keen on the one i owned. 4 months down the line the MR1 (mountain racer 1) was born.
Although I designed and machined the bike in my own time I am being helped with the family engineering business Wicks Engineering. The business providing the materials, machines, heat treatment process etc.
David Wicks with the MR1
Is there a history of design in your family?
My dad designed road racing bikes back in the 80’s. He built an 80cc grand prix bike which won the British Championship and finished 17th in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. He also designed a 250cc and a 125cc. The 250cc being raced at the Isle of manTT and the Irish road races.
MR1
What bikes were you influenced by?
The orange 222 was the bike that got me into downhill, the simplicity of it is perfect for racing. I’m also influenced massively with road racing motorcycles. Two wheels, engine, frame, brakes designed for one thing, to go fast. It’s what racing is about.
How many prototypes have you made?
There are three downhill prototypes and the first allmountain prototype is now ready for its first test.
So do you use a posh computer and CAD?
I’d love to use CAD but no I don’t. Everything is done with pencil and paper. I also use models to see if a certain design will work or not. Its basic but it works.
No CAD here, just pencil and paper.
How many hours do you spend designing?
I wouldn’t count it in hours i would count the time in months. With so much to take into consideration when designing bikes all the drawings need to be checked, checked and double checked. The design time can take 6 months plus. Once it’s built as a prototype there are still changes to make. You never stop designing.
Did you do the welding yourself?
The welding isn’t done in house we have it done by a firm called fabritech. Due to the bikes being specialist built bikes we have a close working relationship with our welders.
What’s the future?
I’m not interested in being the guy who once built a bike. I want the bikes to either go mainstream or turn some heads and get me noticed. Maybe open some doors!
If you like what you see then give David Wicks a buzz.
Tags: David Wicks, homemade
24 Responses to “David Wicks and the homemade MR1 Downhill Bike”
November 26th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Love the look of these David, good luck!!
November 26th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
that dh bike looks shweeet…
good luck matey, i’d buy one just cos their built in england and look ace.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Cheers guys, appreciate your comments. I’ve started on the 4th downhill frame so watch the space.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Keep up the good work lovely! xxx
November 26th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
These look sweet, someone should give this guy a break and get some bought!
November 26th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Looking good but is the floating brake rod touching and being bent by the swingarm?
November 26th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Exelent, I love seeing stuff like this, wish you all the best, the bikes look really nice, the MR1 makes me think of the new dhr but without the DW link ( rear tire mud clearence where shock is mounted could be an issue ) but thats what proto. is for i guess. stick at it.
November 26th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
ooh i’m inspired now. using a few homemade parts but never gone the whole hog an done a full bike……
November 26th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
met this guy at hamsterley forrest one weekend,a while ago, loves to chat about the bikes but aint boring about. the bikes are really well put together when i saw them.
November 26th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Nice, good work.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Now then guys, cheers for the comments. Neil are you the guy who had a ride? The floating brake rod is pre bent to miss the swinging arm, its all been thought of! Ye the mud clearance in on the narrow side to say the least but its been taken care of.
November 26th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Is that Fabritech in Pudsey? I know Dean, he welds up our hydraulic tanks! small world.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
to continue the theme…. f*cking good on you mate. It’s so refreshing to see things like this, and even better still, rocking the old school with pencil and paper. best of luck, go for gold and keep it real!
November 26th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
If he didn’t like the RMX why keep a similar CS design that will likely flex? Love the front but the cs kills the bike for me. Especialy with no cad/fea. Though I’m going nerdish here.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:35 am
the standover height looks well low!. great looking bike!
November 28th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Nice work mate, good to see the designs in working order. Keep up the nice work and live your dreams.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:01 am
a question do you still love Wooo-Man coz they be sexy ?????
November 28th, 2009 at 6:09 am
I also had a little ride around on the White one down at FoD & it felt nice. I’m interested to see how the Endurance turns out.
November 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Low COG, with a clean functional aesthetic. Nice one
Is that a pull-activated floating break I see?! I’ve not seen one before, but I always wondered why this isn’t widely adopted as it makes so much sense – strength & weight-wise. If your pull-activated floating break is a first, get a patent on the concept quick!
Two questions:
Why is an idler wheel needed the top of the chain-stay, is this just to prevent chain-slap?
What weight do these frames come to?
November 29th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Hi mate, the frame is 10lb and this full full bike is 41lb. The idler helps prevent chain-slap. The endurance is being tested at the moment and may be doing the mega if it all goes to plan!
November 29th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Thanks for the quick reply. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is pretty light frame. I hope Dirt promptly give it a full review if you confirm it’s going to market.
I’ve just noticed that Zumbi’s DH Team frame has a pull-activated floating break, so no patenting! (But it’s not as nice a frame as the MR1!)
Good luck with the bikes and I hope to see them and you on the trails soon.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Cheers Ollie, I appreciate the support. The plan is to get these on the market but there are certain things needed in place before hand! Thanks
December 5th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Beautiful bikes, love the MR1 wish I could ride one how is the pedal feedback?
cheers
Johnny
December 5th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Hi Johnny, cheers for the comments. The bike rides pretty sweet, pedal feed back is’nt noticable. The plan is to hopefully have it on sale for early next year providing devalopment goes well. check out the website, http://www.wicksperformancebikes.com. More info coming soon.
Cheers
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