Frame and Form

Since Karl Drais invention of the velocipede in 1817 and bike has spread throughout the world in a thousand and one variants. We present you thie sexy model by the Berlin-based designerBrandt Menke Zumbragel: the woodway bicycle.

It started as a university project to develop the wood as building material, and ended with the production of this remarkable wooden structure on wheels.

woodway bike: Detail handlebar

This is an example of how engineering and design can converge achieving outstanding results. The attention to detail and the combined use of the materials give this bike formal and structural harmony.

woodway bicycle. detail pods

The end result is a fully functional bike with a very light frame (2,3 kg). Arndt caresses the woodwork and the design of the metallic parts in a unique way, we love the rear pod detail! Below you can enjoy images anddetails of materials and the manufacturing of of different parts.

If you were wondering about the structure hidden in all bicycles? Now some structural analysis of a diamond frame bicycle:

trellis diagram

Looking at the picture of a bicycle as a set of bars that work predominantly in tension or compression to transmit the rider's weight to the wheels, we can admit a primary scheme as illustrated above these lines. here it is simplified the theoretical weight in the position of the pedals and you get a Warren classical lattice structure.Note that it was not until we obtained the technical mastery of the lattice plane (1848) has occurred invention of this type of bike (1890).

lattice on wheels

If we substitute the fixed-wheel supports static scheme does not change the structure, but perhaps we should note that this optimal arrangement of lattice does not allow rotation of the front wheel thereby loses maneuverability.

bike

To permit turning the front wheel, optimum to be sacrificed resistance of the three triangles releasing striker. As an immediate consequence should realize a ‘underrun’ or rigid connection between the fork and the top tube of the frame to ensure balanced planar system. Having followed this analysis that the thought of a bicycle Puma sports brand designed a couple of years ago, This sport bike has a special folding, cable has a lower tube as substitution bias that perfectly exemplifies the work to pull this item to while serving as anti-theft device to be easily removable and used as string to tie the bike in an urban environment.

puma bike

Do not forget the rueda de radios, that as John reminded me, is one of the structures more resilient and efficient in the world. The structural concept behind the design of the spoked wheel can be widely used in structures such as wells,covered, towers, etc. The system of prestressed wheel spokes of a bicycle deserves a separate article, therefore refer the reader to the near future.

Following are the promised pictures of ‘making off’ Woodway bicycle:

woodway bicycle. composite profile detail

woodway bicycle. Wood profiles

woodway bicycle. materials

woodway bicycle. struts

woodway bicycle. bile production

If you're still hungry for knowledge about the world of physics around the bike, actually there is much more!

Do not miss the Meta-Information:

¿As influenced by the geometry of the bike in balance? That curve on the front forks is the key! [Eng]

Did you know that science has not discovered the physical basis of the dynamic balance of the bike or motorcycle?
Here is an article Physics Today on an experiment to discover the truth through the ingenuity of different bikes unridable (bicycles ‘inconducibles’) [Eng]

Photo-credit:

woodway bicycle: Brandt Menke Zumbragel

structural design cycle: Open Learn UK

Puma Bike: Puma Urban Mobility