history of bicycle design and manufacturing

8/11/2019 History of Bicycle Design and Manufacturing

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THE HISTORY OF

BICYCLE DESIGN ANDMANUFACTURING

KYLE McCORMICK


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The modern

bicycle has

evolved into

a work of art,design, and

engineering

imbued with

the energy andpassion of its

designer and

intended to elicit

an emotionalresponse and

attachment from

its rider.


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What may be

recognized as the first

two wheeled bicycles

were created around1840in Scotland

by a blacksmith,

and evolved into the

Velocipedeor theboneshaker as it was

commonly referred to

due to its harsh ride.


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With the invention of the wire spoke wheel in

1869, the drawbacks of earlier wooden, then steel

wheels such as extreme weight, harsh ride, and

imperfections were able to be overcome.

The Penny

Farthing


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Crashing and falling from such a height becamea common occurrence, necessitating the safety

bicycle around1885 This became the first modern

bicycle as we know it; two smaller wheels closer to

the ground, chain driven, and steerable by the front

wheel.


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The invention of the

pneumatic, or air-

filled, tire invented by

J.B. Dunlop in1888optimized the wire-

spoke wheel and

further enhanced

both ride qualityand handling and is

still used to this day

though it has evolved

slightly.

J.B.Dunlop


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The last pinnacle of

the modern bike,

the derailleur andgear shifting, were

developed between

1900-1910and

allowed ridersto traverse hills

previously unridable

and maximize

efficiency whileriding and racing.


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These innovations ushered in the

pinnacle of bicycle popularity at

the time as the1890s-1910ssawunrivaled demand and the rise of over

300bicycle factories in America.

Schwinn Bicycle

Factory in Chicago


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According to Baum

Cycles Steels

inherent stiffness lets

you build with small,graceful tubing.

Its inherent tensile

strength allows for

tubing to be buttedalmost paper-thin.

Its these material

attributes, combined

with steels naturalfatigue resistance

that produces a frame

that feels famously

alive beneath you.

Frame Material:

STEEL


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Titanium rivals carbon fiber in terms of weight, but is much

more durable long term. Titanium was, and is still, limited by

the cost of materials, as a titanium tubeset will still cost 3-4times as much as an equivalent steel one.

Development of high

tech materials and

processes has allowed

the greatest change in

bicycle design sincethe 1890s.

Frame

Material:

TITANIUM


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Carbon fiber became an accepted frame material after Greg

Lemond win his first Tour de France on a carbon fiber bike

in 1986. It allows tube shapes to optimize both stiffness and

aerodynamics of frames, and allows lighter weight frames withstiffer characteristics because of this.

Frame Material:

CARBON FIBER


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The recent advent of 3D printed

components and even frames in

sections unlock even more possibilities

in custom frame manufacturing in

materials other than steel and titanium.

Frame

Material:

3D Printed Ti


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Going forward I believe

we will see more and

more application of

carbon fiber, titaniumand other exotic

materials in the design

of both bike frames

and components.

High quality customsteel frames however,

will continue to be

in demand as riders

continue to desire bikes

fit exactly to them and tomeet their riding needs.

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