Biclycle – a Life Saver?
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010A bicycle is a human supercharged vehicle that has a frame tied with two wheels and that is
driven by a pedal. presented during the 19th centuries bicycles are known to outdo the
total number of motor vehicles by a ratio of 2 to 1. Bicycles being the main method of transport in many corners of the earth, the bicycle is also majorly used for other recreational activities and for the purpose of fitness and even in the case of law enforcement actions such as petrolling an area.
Bicycles and Its Story
Since the inception of the chain-driven model in around 1885, the key design and the shape of a
typical bicycle has remained relatively unchanged. Nevertheless, the usage of modern material and design methods
such as computer-aided design has improved the many aspects of the bicycle. These methods have greatly aided the spawn of
specified bicycles for particular purposes such as racing, utility and law enforcement uses. Additionally, the concept of the bicycle has up to a great extent extended its contribution for the development of automobiles by introducing concepts such as ball bearings, pneumatic tires and spoke tensioned wheels.
What to Look for In a Bicycle
Dynamics
of the bicycle is something that should be mentioned to first. Bicycle needs its centre of gravity in order to be in its space. So it accomplishes this by moving forward
using the steering which offers some balance to the rider. Additionally, in order to navigate successfully the body of the rider must balance out the dynamics,
especially at turns. Counter-steering is a task that is used in this regard.
Through both biological and mechanical view points, the bicycle is an highly
competent machine. When
comparing the energy an individual must spend to travel a given distance, the bicycle is stated to be the most efficiently
operating self powered method of transportation. Nearly, 99% of the energy is transferred to the wheels of the bicycle when a
rider exerts energy into the pedals. Nevertheless when gears mechanisms are used this figure may drop by 10-15%.A rider using a bicycle
feels air drag or the resistive force that is exerted by air. At higher speeds, significantly greater power outputs are needed to overcome the air drag. When a rider is sitting in an upright position, the
body of the rider accounts for nearly 75% of the full drag experienced by the bicycle and rider combined. Nonetheless, the exerted drag can be significantly
reduced by placing the rider in a supine or a prone position and by covering the bicycle with fairing that is aerodynamic.
The main
features of a bicycle are frame, steering mechanisms, seating, drivetrain, suspension, wheels and brakes. Some
bicycles use optional mechanisms to get advantage for the dynamics of the bicycle. Using gears a rider can produce a higher power output with a relatively low
power input and thus, crescendo the efficiency of the bicycle.