Freak for All: A weird bike gathering in Detroit

 

This church pew converted into a cycle (a HPP / human powered pew?)  is powered and steered by the riders on the ends. To turn left, for instance, the rider on the right continues pedaling, while the rider on the left slows or stops pedaling. (Mike E. photo)

By Mike Eliasohn and Charles Brown

Mike E.: To some people, a bicycle is an appliance – something to ride for pleasure or to get to some place, and for some,  their only means of transportation, other than walking or the bus.

But others find pleasure in the bicycle itself. Maybe it's a collectible, perhaps a 1950s cruiser  or a banana seat bike like they rode as a kid.

But at the first "Freak for All" on Saturday, July 5, in Detroit, the pleasure was in seeing the various pedal-powered creations – many and perhaps most built by their owners – and in riding them.  That is, freak bikers were encouraged to bring their bikes for members of the public to ride. 

And ride them they did. Within the courtyard at Lincoln Street Art Park, despite the temperature being in the 90s, there was a constant circling of all kinds of pedal-powered vehicles, and smiles aplenty.

The event was organized by Detroit Freakbike Experience (www.freak.bike), which organizes rides and other events in the Motor City for the freak bike community.  It took place in the remains of an auto manufacturing complex, dating to 1910, originally for the Warren Motor Car Co., then by the Lincoln Motor Co., before it was purchased by Henry Ford.

The test ride area looked like it once was a factory floor, with the overhead beams once supporting a roof.  The temperature was in the 90s, but the walls provided some shade. Adjacent to the courtyard was an indoor area, where some bikes were parked, apparently for display, and food and beverages were sold.

The organizers informed me they are planning a second "Freak for All" in 2026, with no date set yet.  When a date is set, it obviously will be announced on the website and on Instagram @detroitfreakbike

Here's Charles on / in what is called a dicycle, steered by differential braking, according to Charles.

Charles B.:  My friend Mike Eliasohn said he was coming to see the ‘FreakBike’ show in downtown Detroit.  I said I’d meet him there, and he suggested I bring a couple of recumbents.  

Now I develop recumbents because they are faster, safer, and more comfortable than regular bicycles. 

Lots of builders at the meet seem to have gone in the opposite direction.  I saw three bicycles rigged so that turning the handlebars in one direction turned the front wheel the opposite way.  The only possible reason someone would do this is to make the bike more challenging to ride.

There were several bikes where the front end wasn’t rigidly connected to the back.  Tall bikes were popular, with the riding position several feet higher than normal.   Construction quality ranged from atrocious to labors of love.

My bikes sit largely neglected. (To the left of Charles' two homebuilt recumbents is most of what could be a rat rod BMX bike, plus parts, that Mike E. was offering for free.  No takers.) (Charles B. photo)

A "conventional" tall bike. But with the seat tubes of the two frames in line, the rider sits very far back. If jerking back on the handlebars, or going up even a slight hill, unless the rider quickly leans forward, he could fall over backwards – or sideways. (Mike E. photo)

A tandem tall bike. I didn't see the two riders climb on and start moving; it would have been interesting.  (Mike E. photo)

There are  tall bikes and skyscraper tall bikes.  There obviously were not for the public to try to ride. They were not ridden during the 90 minutes I was at the Freak for All, which ran from 3 - 9 p.m. I (Mike E.) feft about 4:30.  (Charles B. photo)

At first glance, this looks like an old and cheap 10-speed, It was, but look closer. Now it's front-wheel-drive with the rear wheel doing the steering and the rider facing what was the rear of the bike.  A tie rod links the relocated handlebars to what was the front wheel. (Mike E. photo)

I think this is classified as a burrito bike – long and low.  It obviously defies all the rules about steering geometry (trail, rake, etc.), but presumably is still rideable, at least by the builder. 

Here's the bike parked behind the burrito bike – obviously intended for pedaling over farm fields, or maybe it's supposed to float.  The one person I (Mike E.) saw attempt to ride it was unsuccessful.  (Charles B. photo)

A prone bike, though presumably not designed for speed.  (Charles B. photo)

A really FAT tire bike, built by Ronnie "Danger" Whitt of Fowlerville.  He has his own Facebook page, Scrapyard Productions, which is mostly devoted to his weird motor vehicles.

This appears to be a professionally-built stretch cruiser.

Add a covering at the top and you have a tricycle that provides its own shade.  (Mike E. photo)

A pedal-powered monster.  Its legs are attached to the wheels, so move up and down. (Mike E. photo)

To see what these bikes, and others, look like when being pedaled, lots of videos can be seen on YouTube and other places.  TYPE "DETROIT FREAK FOR ALL" AND YOU SHOULD FIND THEM.