18 ms·

Bicycle Technology (1973) [pdf]

60 points by BeniBoy 8y ago

avhon1 8y ago
Closely related (and even briefly shown in the video) to the description of a computer as a bicycle for the mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxWlvJ35yk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxWlvJ35yk
- SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
  I don't really care for that metaphor, while it does make sense at a base level, I feel like it doesn't quite fit. A bicycle is (once constructed) entirely man powered - it only goes as well as we are able to power it. The computer is more of a car for our minds - they run on electricity/gas, take minor low effort inputs from us, and transform them into massively larger outputs not due to simple mechanical laws, but because of a secondary source of impetus. There isn't that 1:1 input/output that a bike has.
  - mrob 8y ago
    Not only that, but a bicycle is something that feels like part of your own body when you're using it. If you think too hard about the positions of everything you'll probably ride worse. A computer on the other hand is something that requires careful thought to get the most out of it. The real bicycle for the mind is pencil and paper.
    - adamc 8y ago
      That's a good analogy. Pencil (or pen) and paper go at human speed, like a bicycle, and have no artificial constraints (glyphs available for writing, for example). I still use notebooks for some things. You can draw in a notebook (and yes, I know you can draw on a computer, but in many ways it is more involved). The link between thought and recording is much tighter than on a computer. It would be interesting to look at how our tools shape and limit our thinking.
  - tokai 8y ago
    Also the interfaces for a bicycle have been functionally the same for over a hundred years. While they have changed with technology, a rider from 1900 could without issues ride a modern bike. I know a guy that uses a +70 year old bike daily, and it does the job he needs it for as good as any other bike. As a layperson it's possible to understand every mechanical part of your bike, and even fix them yourself with some effort. To me bikes and computers are as different as they come.
    - SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
      > As a layperson it's possible to understand every mechanical part of your bike, and even fix them yourself with some effort. That's part of the real joy for me - "hmm... something is making a noise" and then you can tinker until the noise goes away. There's learning feedback still available on a bike.
fergie 8y ago
Hub gears still seem like witchcraft.
- dvh 8y ago
  No. That is reserved for sewing machine.
- denimnerd 8y ago
  rohloff has a 14 speed hub
  - songshu 8y ago
    I’ve been wanting a Rohloff build for years but feel I don’t have a trip planned to justify it. One day...
  - Steltek 8y ago
    Which costs as much as a whole new regular bike... Still an awesome bit of kit.
  - 13of40 8y ago
    I've seen those on Amazon, but it seems like they just sell the hub and brake disc. Are you supposed to DIY the rest of the wheel or is the average bike shop able to build it for you?
    - Xylakant 8y ago
      Any average bike shop should be able to build a wheel from a hub, but you'll certainly also need the controller bits that allow you to actually switch the gear. Some OEM kits don't have those parts. You should probably also ask your favorite bike shop if they feel comfortable doing maintenance work on this piece (or ask yourself if you do). I'd keep in mind that the rohloff speed hub is an amazing piece of technology, so it comes with a hefty price sticker. I'd question it's really worth it for the average bicycle person when a shimano alfine 11 gear hub costs barely a quarter.
    - 8y ago
forapurpose 8y ago
Does anyone know the source for this? I found a Scientific American article and an Amazon listing for an out-of-print book published by Scientific American (perhaps just a copy of the article). https://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa/1973/03-01/#article-bicycle-technology https://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa/1973/03-01/#a... https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-technology-S-S-Wilson/dp/B00071F638 https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-technology-S-S-Wilson/dp/B000... EDIT: The URL includes 'Scientific American March 1973', which matches my first link. EDIT2: So I think that must be the source.
- mikestew 8y ago
  I don't know what you're looking for. Your own research has brought you to a page from which you can purchase a digital copy of the whole magazine for $8. What do you want, a printed copy?
forapurpose 8y ago
The bicycle was, arguably, a bit too late. Imagine how cities would be constructed today if bicycles (with modern functionality and affordability) had predated cars by 50 years. Imagine people trading in their horses for bicycles, for much easier care, less pollution, much smaller and flexible (it seems to me) alternatives. Imagine the variety of bikes people would come up with, lacking alternatives: Personal transport, of course, but also cargo, long-haul, rough terrain, tandem/triple/etc when more power is needed, rickshaws, etc.; with bikes already being the established 'first mover', would we use cars for as many purposes as we do today? Imagine how cities would be constructed, providing for bikes first, with the car fitting in later - from roads to locations of retail and transit. For some things you still may have needed horses, such as pulling heavy loads. Also, I wonder if the terrain and roads would have suited bicycles (cobblestones and muddy roads probably aren't so great to ride on) and, if not, if people would have invested in the infrastructure; beware the modern myopic perspective about cities - back then almost everyone lived in rural areas. Finally, in some less economically developed parts of the world bicycles did become immensely popular before cars, IIRC; I wonder how these issues played out there.
- Xylakant 8y ago
  > Imagine the variety of bikes people would come up with, lacking alternatives: Personal transport, of course, but also cargo, long-haul, rough terrain, tandem/triple/etc when more power is needed, rickshaws, etc.; with bikes already being the established 'first mover', This did happen: Bicycles used to be the primary mode of transport for many many people even in Europe. It certainly was in China and other parts of Asia. Long John Style Cargo bikes - the type that Bullit for example builds - were conceived in the early 1920ies. Butchers/Barkes Bicycles were common until the 1950ies in Europe. Cars were a luxury back then, common people used bicycles, walked or used public transport. I think that electric assistance is what will drive a renaissance of cycling as a mode of transport if infrastructure can be provided that makes cycling in cities safe and enjoyable. It allows sufficiently high speeds to achieve reasonable transport times even on medium distances for most people.
- mikestew 8y ago
  Imagine people trading in their horses for bicycles, for much easier care, less pollution, much smaller and flexible (it seems to me) alternatives. You've just copy-and-pasted Columbia's ad text from the late 1800s. The problem was not that bicycles were too late, but that bicycles were out of reach for the common working man for quite a while. Multi-speed, shaft-drive bicycles with pneumatic tires were available in the 1890s. They were also priced like Teslas. Source: have been a member of the U. S. counterpart to the Veterans Bicycle Club (where this article came from) since I was a kid.
forapurpose 8y ago
> The thin-walled tube of circular cross section is a most efficient structural member; it can resist tension or compression, bending, torsion, or the combination of stresses that are exerted on the frame of a vehicle. Although for bending in a particular plane an I-section joist may be more efficient, if bending load can be applied in any plane, then the thin tube is to be preferred. It is for this reason that tubes are used as a strut or compression member in which failure could occur by elastic instability, or bowing. For torsion there is no better section, hence the tube is the typical main transmission shaft of an automobile. The stem of the bamboo plant is an excellent example of the properties of a hollow tube ... I notice that many current bikes have flattened, non-tubular frame components. Why? Style? New materials? I would assume, knowing little about it, that the tube shape would generally retain its advantages regardless of the material. But perhaps the new material doesn't form tubes well?
- analog31 8y ago
  I think the answer is aluminum. Note that I'm not an engineer, just a physicist. As I understand it, aluminum has different mechanical properties such as strength to weight ratio, and how it behaves when flexed. So it may require a different design approach to produce a strong but light frame. At the same time, it's easy to hydroform aluminum (blow it out into a mold using high pressure fluid), so you can in fact design a wider variety of shapes at a tolerable cost. And if you're going to engineer the shapes of the tubes, then why not make it look cool too. I own one aluminum bike, relatively low end and not super lightweight... but it does look cool. ;-)
- Someone 8y ago
  Aerodynamics an/or looking aerodynamic and/or distinguishing a brand by showing of what you can build.
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

60 points by BeniBoy 8y ago

Closely related (and even briefly shown in the video) to the description of a computer as a bicycle for the mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxWlvJ35yk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxWlvJ35yk

SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
I don't really care for that metaphor, while it does make sense at a base level, I feel like it doesn't quite fit. A bicycle is (once constructed) entirely man powered - it only goes as well as we are able to power it. The computer is more of a car for our minds - they run on electricity/gas, take minor low effort inputs from us, and transform them into massively larger outputs not due to simple mechanical laws, but because of a secondary source of impetus. There isn't that 1:1 input/output that a bike has.
- mrob 8y ago
  Not only that, but a bicycle is something that feels like part of your own body when you're using it. If you think too hard about the positions of everything you'll probably ride worse. A computer on the other hand is something that requires careful thought to get the most out of it. The real bicycle for the mind is pencil and paper.
  - adamc 8y ago
    That's a good analogy. Pencil (or pen) and paper go at human speed, like a bicycle, and have no artificial constraints (glyphs available for writing, for example). I still use notebooks for some things. You can draw in a notebook (and yes, I know you can draw on a computer, but in many ways it is more involved). The link between thought and recording is much tighter than on a computer. It would be interesting to look at how our tools shape and limit our thinking.
- tokai 8y ago
  Also the interfaces for a bicycle have been functionally the same for over a hundred years. While they have changed with technology, a rider from 1900 could without issues ride a modern bike. I know a guy that uses a +70 year old bike daily, and it does the job he needs it for as good as any other bike. As a layperson it's possible to understand every mechanical part of your bike, and even fix them yourself with some effort. To me bikes and computers are as different as they come.
  - SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
    > As a layperson it's possible to understand every mechanical part of your bike, and even fix them yourself with some effort. That's part of the real joy for me - "hmm... something is making a noise" and then you can tinker until the noise goes away. There's learning feedback still available on a bike.

fergie 8y ago

Hub gears still seem like witchcraft.

dvh 8y ago
No. That is reserved for sewing machine.
denimnerd 8y ago
rohloff has a 14 speed hub
- songshu 8y ago
  I’ve been wanting a Rohloff build for years but feel I don’t have a trip planned to justify it. One day...
- Steltek 8y ago
  Which costs as much as a whole new regular bike... Still an awesome bit of kit.
- 13of40 8y ago
  I've seen those on Amazon, but it seems like they just sell the hub and brake disc. Are you supposed to DIY the rest of the wheel or is the average bike shop able to build it for you?
  - Xylakant 8y ago
    Any average bike shop should be able to build a wheel from a hub, but you'll certainly also need the controller bits that allow you to actually switch the gear. Some OEM kits don't have those parts. You should probably also ask your favorite bike shop if they feel comfortable doing maintenance work on this piece (or ask yourself if you do). I'd keep in mind that the rohloff speed hub is an amazing piece of technology, so it comes with a hefty price sticker. I'd question it's really worth it for the average bicycle person when a shimano alfine 11 gear hub costs barely a quarter.
  - 8y ago

forapurpose 8y ago

Does anyone know the source for this? I found a Scientific American article and an Amazon listing for an out-of-print book published by Scientific American (perhaps just a copy of the article). https://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa/1973/03-01/#article-bicycle-technology https://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa/1973/03-01/#a... https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-technology-S-S-Wilson/dp/B00071F638 https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-technology-S-S-Wilson/dp/B000... EDIT: The URL includes 'Scientific American March 1973', which matches my first link. EDIT2: So I think that must be the source.

mikestew 8y ago
I don't know what you're looking for. Your own research has brought you to a page from which you can purchase a digital copy of the whole magazine for $8. What do you want, a printed copy?

forapurpose 8y ago

The bicycle was, arguably, a bit too late. Imagine how cities would be constructed today if bicycles (with modern functionality and affordability) had predated cars by 50 years. Imagine people trading in their horses for bicycles, for much easier care, less pollution, much smaller and flexible (it seems to me) alternatives. Imagine the variety of bikes people would come up with, lacking alternatives: Personal transport, of course, but also cargo, long-haul, rough terrain, tandem/triple/etc when more power is needed, rickshaws, etc.; with bikes already being the established 'first mover', would we use cars for as many purposes as we do today? Imagine how cities would be constructed, providing for bikes first, with the car fitting in later - from roads to locations of retail and transit. For some things you still may have needed horses, such as pulling heavy loads. Also, I wonder if the terrain and roads would have suited bicycles (cobblestones and muddy roads probably aren't so great to ride on) and, if not, if people would have invested in the infrastructure; beware the modern myopic perspective about cities - back then almost everyone lived in rural areas. Finally, in some less economically developed parts of the world bicycles did become immensely popular before cars, IIRC; I wonder how these issues played out there.

Xylakant 8y ago
> Imagine the variety of bikes people would come up with, lacking alternatives: Personal transport, of course, but also cargo, long-haul, rough terrain, tandem/triple/etc when more power is needed, rickshaws, etc.; with bikes already being the established 'first mover', This did happen: Bicycles used to be the primary mode of transport for many many people even in Europe. It certainly was in China and other parts of Asia. Long John Style Cargo bikes - the type that Bullit for example builds - were conceived in the early 1920ies. Butchers/Barkes Bicycles were common until the 1950ies in Europe. Cars were a luxury back then, common people used bicycles, walked or used public transport. I think that electric assistance is what will drive a renaissance of cycling as a mode of transport if infrastructure can be provided that makes cycling in cities safe and enjoyable. It allows sufficiently high speeds to achieve reasonable transport times even on medium distances for most people.
mikestew 8y ago
Imagine people trading in their horses for bicycles, for much easier care, less pollution, much smaller and flexible (it seems to me) alternatives. You've just copy-and-pasted Columbia's ad text from the late 1800s. The problem was not that bicycles were too late, but that bicycles were out of reach for the common working man for quite a while. Multi-speed, shaft-drive bicycles with pneumatic tires were available in the 1890s. They were also priced like Teslas. Source: have been a member of the U. S. counterpart to the Veterans Bicycle Club (where this article came from) since I was a kid.

forapurpose 8y ago

> The thin-walled tube of circular cross section is a most efficient structural member; it can resist tension or compression, bending, torsion, or the combination of stresses that are exerted on the frame of a vehicle. Although for bending in a particular plane an I-section joist may be more efficient, if bending load can be applied in any plane, then the thin tube is to be preferred. It is for this reason that tubes are used as a strut or compression member in which failure could occur by elastic instability, or bowing. For torsion there is no better section, hence the tube is the typical main transmission shaft of an automobile. The stem of the bamboo plant is an excellent example of the properties of a hollow tube ... I notice that many current bikes have flattened, non-tubular frame components. Why? Style? New materials? I would assume, knowing little about it, that the tube shape would generally retain its advantages regardless of the material. But perhaps the new material doesn't form tubes well?

analog31 8y ago
I think the answer is aluminum. Note that I'm not an engineer, just a physicist. As I understand it, aluminum has different mechanical properties such as strength to weight ratio, and how it behaves when flexed. So it may require a different design approach to produce a strong but light frame. At the same time, it's easy to hydroform aluminum (blow it out into a mold using high pressure fluid), so you can in fact design a wider variety of shapes at a tolerable cost. And if you're going to engineer the shapes of the tubes, then why not make it look cool too. I own one aluminum bike, relatively low end and not super lightweight... but it does look cool. ;-)
Someone 8y ago
Aerodynamics an/or looking aerodynamic and/or distinguishing a brand by showing of what you can build.

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]