The Science Behind Bicycles
The Bicycle is the most environmentally-friendly and efficient machine humans have ever created. Bicycles are tools that help you convert the chemical energy in your body into kinetic energy and fine tools they are at doing their job. 90% of the energy you put onto the pedals are converted into kinetic energy. A motorcar’s engine only converts 25% of the energy supplied to it. Bicycles are only a fraction of your own weight yet can increase the efficiency of your movement by up to 4 times!
The best thing is, riding a bike is completely free. There’s no need to spend on diesel, charging the batteries, you dont even have to pay for parking.
Starting With The Frame
So in simple terms, how do bicycles work? Through the application of simple physics principles, starting with the distribution of weight by the frame of the bicycle. Bicycle frames have to be strong enough to withstand weight of up to 150kg while light enough to ensure speed and enery efficiency. That’s also the reason why 90% of bicycle frames are triangular, it helps to evenly distribute your weight onto both wheels.
The Amazing Wheels
The functioning of the wheel is extremely simple. The wheels revolve around an axle that’s fixed to the main body of the bicycle. Adult bicycles (26 inch) typically have large wheels than most cars. The speed of the bicycle is usually proportionate to the size of the wheels.
Have you ever wondered what is the purpose of the spokes of the bicycle wheel? The main function of the spokes is to provide rigidity to the wheels. Each wheel has to support have your weight and that weight is split among the spokes in the wheel. Most bicycles have thin spokes to keep the bicycle light and fast. The Spokes also reduces air resistance while cycling.
The rubber tyres that covers the wheels also effects the riding experience greatly. The tyres are usually filled with compressed air which helps cushion bumps during the rider, providing a smoother riding experience. The cushioning effect also reduces noise due to friction with the ground.
When selecting a bike, you might have to make a decision between a bike with wider tyres or one with thinner tyres. Mountain bikes typically comes with thicker and wider tyres. As a result, they have a better grip on the road at the expense of being slower due to higher air resistance and larger weight. The racing bikes usually have very narrow and thin tyres. They are designed for maximum speed through sacrificing grip which makes them harder to control.
The Complex Gears
Bicycle gears can be extremely complex, expecially gears of professional bikes. They are one of the most important part of the bicycle and has a huge impact on the speed and ease of riding. Gears are basically tiny wheels with teeth that helps to multiply speed. Linked by a chain, they are connected to the crank and aligned by derailleur.
If you have played with gears as a kid or learnt about simple machines in primary school you might remember that the combining of different-sized gears can multiply speed and increase efficiency. This means that the wheels of the bike produces a greater movement than the circular movement of your feet when you pedal. This in turn multiplies speed.
The whole section of the back wheel that we call “gears” actually consists of various components working together, namely the chain, chainrings, derailleurs and gear shifters that controls the derailleurs.
The gears, derailleurs wheels, structure all affects the speed and comfort when riding the bike. Bicycles have become more and more advanced with professional gears and aerodynamic designs.