After seeing some miniature mountain bike models online, I wanted to create a custom scaled mountain bike model as a gift for a friend. The designs I had seen online had functional suspension, which I wanted to integrate into my model as well.

I researched existing mountain bike scale models, and found a free set of STLs for a generic mountain bike that had some suspension components. However, it wasn't the same model of bike, and I couldn't find any other open source models, so I'd have to create my own.

Searching online for the exact bike model, I found the appropriate reference images and modeled the bike accordingly. I borrowed some design elements from the existing generic model I found online, and custom modeled the remaining frame and shock components. Initially, I wanted to scale the model to use filament as axles for consistency and ease of assembly, but the pen springs I bought to go in the suspension were too large. So I scaled up the rest of the model, and test printed the fork and shock components several times, adjusting the scale and tolerances until they functioned properly.

After dialing in the tolerances and scale, I then printed the rest of the parts and organized and packaged them into a kit.

This process taught me the difficulty of transition from design and theory to actuality, as I had to iterate a few times on the suspension components from my initial idea. I learned a few new shortcuts in blender, more settings for slicing and 3D printing models, and feel equipped to repeat the project with other subjects.