What is a bicycle? Learn more than 200 years of bicycle development

Bicycles are known to be a popular means of transportation and exercise for everyone. To become the complete bike version they are today, they have gone through a history of development with many improvements. In the article below, Tnhelearning.edu.vn will introduce you to the concept of what a bicycle is? The development history of bicycles is more than 200 years!

What is a bicycle? What types are included?

What is a bicycle?

Bicycle is a single means of transportation, powered by human power or fitted with a power-assisted motor. Bicycles consist of a front wheel and a rear wheel, attached to each other through a frame system and spaced a moderate distance apart.

The bike has a simple structure and is easy to use. The vehicle moves by the pedal force of the person acting on the pedal and keeps its balance during operation thanks to the law of conservation of moment of inertia.

What types of bicycles are there?

Bicycles are designed with many different models. Each vehicle will have its own characteristics to move conveniently on each type of terrain. Normally, vehicles will be classified into 2 large groups:

– Common bicycle group: Including street bike models (City Bike) with similar designs to traditional bicycles. People can use it to exercise, go to school or work on flat and less rough roads.

– Sport bike group:

• Road Bike: Has a small wheel tire to reduce friction with the road surface. The driver can run at high speed on flat terrain.

• Touring Bike: These models often have long frames and can withstand large loads. You can use it for hiking on flat or less rough roads.

• Mountain Bike: Bicycles have a large frame design, tires with many spikes to help the rider move safely on steep mountain roads, with obstacles.

Bicycle construction and working principle

Bicycle construction

Since its invention in 1817, the structure of the bicycle has been increasingly improved and diversified. However, they still have some common features and structures as follows:

– Drive system includes: pedals, thighs, discs, chains and cassettes.

• The pedal is composed of a main shaft, a thigh and a foot pedal. The main shaft is mounted under the saddle shaft.
• Bicycle thighs and discs are made of durable, sturdy stainless steel.
• A chain, also known as a chain, consists of many rollers connected by a bicycle chain lock (masterlink).
• The tire part consists of 2 parts: the rim and the cassette.

– Motion system includes: front and rear wheels. Wheels consist of axles, hubs, spokes, rims, tubes and tires.

• The shaft, hub and spokes are made of steel.
• Wheel rims made of aluminum alloy or steel, the average diameter is 650mm.
• Tubes and tires are made from synthetic rubber, helping the car move smoothly on steep mountain terrain.

– Control system includes: handlebar, car brake.

The handlebar is designed in the middle of the neck shaft, with two handles to help people keep balance and control the car left and right at will.

Vehicle brakes include brake lever (1) and brake line (2) and brake pads (3). When moving, the driver who wants to stop the car can squeeze the handbrake, at that time the brake pads on both sides will press against the wheel rim, in order to slow down and stop the vehicle from moving.

– The transportation system includes: saddle, cart, three-station stand (cargo pass unit).

The saddle is designed on the chassis, usually covered with a mattress to help users feel comfortable when driving. The three throttle is installed at the back of the saddle, located on the rear wheel axle of the vehicle. The shopping cart will be mounted on the front of the vehicle above the front wheel.

Some models of racing bikes, Fixed Gear bikes and mountain bikes will not be equipped with a basket and three throttles. Users must retrofit if they want to use it.

Working principle of bicycle

– Motion: When the rider’s force is applied to the bicycle pedals and thighs, the pedal rotates, pulling the center shaft, disc, cassette and rear wheel to rotate, causing the bike to start moving.

– Change direction of movement: The operator’s hand will act on the car’s neck and handlebars. Whichever direction the crankshaft rotates, the front wheel will move in that direction.

– Stop the bike: When you want the bike to stand still, you just need to squeeze the bike brake. When you squeeze the brake, the brake pads on either side will press against the rim, helping you slow down and stop the car.

Learn about the history of bicycles over 200 years

1817 – Birth of the bicycle

In 1817, a German baron, Baron Karl von Drais, invented the first bicycle, the Draisienne or Drais’s bike. In the summer of 1817, he showed the basic model of the bicycle to people at Mannheim and in Paris in 1818.

The car works by the driver sitting with his legs wide open on the wooden frame, then using his feet to push the car forward. The driver adjusts the direction of travel by controlling the handle and the front wheel to the right or left.

The 1860s – The Great Transformation of Bicycles

In 1849, German mechanic Heinrich Fischer invented the bicycle thigh. They are located on the front wheel, so the front wheel is larger than the rear wheel to increase the distance traveled more per lap. In 1865, two brothers, Ernest Michaux and Pierre Michaux, created foot pedal surface, making it easy for the rider to pedal.

In 1868, Britain’s first bicycle factory produced bicycles under the Coventry Model brand. In 1869, a Frenchman named Eugène Meyer added spokes to the wheel. He was also granted a patent for this invention.

Once complete, the Vélocipède is the French name for the bicycle made of iron and wood. However, in 1869 the name changed to the penny-farthing bicycle or steel bicycle, as the inventors turned to the manufacture of bicycles with tubular steel frames, wheels, spokes and rubber tires. snake.

1870s – High-wheeled bicycle was born

In 1879, Lawson (English) invented the bicycle chain – the part to drive the rear wheel. This entails new improvements to the frame, thighs, discs, handlebars and forks. Make the bike more and more perfect.

The 1880s and 1890s – The Golden Age of Bicycles

In 1885, JK Starley built two bicycle wheels of approximately equal diameter and a frame made of steel tubes. In 1887, John Boyd Dunlop, a Scottish inventor, because the front wheel was easy to shock when moving, he improved the wheel using a rubber tube.

In 1890, inventors Roberton (England) and Édouard Michelin (France) made an improvement when the bicycle wheel unit could be easily disassembled and installed.

20th century to present – Bicycles are improved, modern bicycles are born

Bicycles continued to be improved in 1920, due to their heavy weight making it difficult to move. The inventors have improved it into a car with a hollow gut system, the material is changed to a more durable alloy, making it easier for the driver to control.

In the middle of the 20th century, many other parts on bicycles continued to be built and perfected. Typically in 1973, mountain bikes began to be built in California. Since the beginning of the 21st century, bicycles have been greatly improved with the development of technology. By 2021, a series of bicycles with famous brands will be born to meet the needs of users.

Hopefully the above article will help you understand more about what a bicycle is and the history of bicycle development. If you know more information about other races, please leave a comment below!