Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019)
by asdff on Monday December 07, 2020 @05:13PM
(#25338393)
I can imagine making a really crude bike out of wood. make the frame and wheels out of wood, make the crank and rear hub like a miniature ships wheel with pegs sticking out, then jam those pegs into rope to make your chain. Heck, skip that and peddle the drive wheel directly like a big wheel tricycle or a penny farthing. No need for brakes when you have no gearing or freewheel hub: you just slow down your peddling just like a fixed gear bike today.
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Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019)
by rleigh on Monday December 07, 2020 @05:57PM
(#25338891)
That would break down in short order. Wood isn't suitable. The crankshaft and axles would snap from stress if they didn't wear from fricton and vibration. The frame would be subject to horrible vibration and shocks; it would quickly be shaken apart. Bicycles are a product of advanced metallurgy and precision machining, particularly for bearings and races. We didn't develop them until that technology was established.