Bicycle Engineering and Technology

233 Pages·2020·14.93 MB·English

by  Andrew Livesey

Bicycle Engineering
and Technology
Bicycle Engineering and Technology is a primer and technical introduc-
tion for anyone interested in bicycles, bicycling and the bicycle industry.
With insight into how bicycles are made and operated, the book covers
the engineering materials used for their manufacture and the technicalities
of riding. It also discusses ways in which the enthusiast may wish to get
involved in the business of working with these fantastic machines, which
are now being aided with electrical power.
The bicycle is a signifcant factor in transportation around the world
and is playing an increasingly crucial role in transport policy as we col-
lectively become more environmentally conscious. To celebrate the impor-
tance of the bicycle on the world stage, a brief history is included along
with a detailed timeline showing the development of the bicycle with major
world events.
Previous knowledge of engineering or technology is not required to enjoy
this text, as all technical terms are explained and a full glossary and lists of
abbreviations are included. Whether you are a bicycling enthusiast, racer,
student or bicycle professional, you will surely want to read it and keep it
on your shelf as a handy reference.
Andrew Livesey MA CEng is a lecturer in Engineering at Ashford Col-
lege University Centre in Kent, England, when he is not riding his bicycle
or building something in his garage. He is a member of London Clarion
CC and Thanet RC, mixing social riding with charity events and club
competitions—he describes himself as an all-round clubman. He also enjoys
very fast motorcycles and high-performance cars. He has previously pub-
lished with Routledge Basic Motorsport Engineering (2011), Advanced
Motorsport Engineering (2012), The Repair of Vehicle Bodies, 7th Edition
(2018) and Practical Motorsport Engineering (2018).

Bicycle Engineering
and Technology
Andrew Livesey
First published 2021
By Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business.
© 2021 Andrew Livesey
The right of Andrew Livesay to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with Sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Livesey, Andrew., author.
Title: Bicycle engineering and technology / Andrew Livesey.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2021. | Includes
index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020031641 (print) | LCCN 2020031642 (ebook) | ISBN
9780367419172 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367419165 (paperback) | ISBN
9780367816841 (ebook) | ISBN 9781000259261 (epub) | ISBN
9781000259124 (mobi) | ISBN 9781000258981 (adobe pdf)
Subjects: LCSH: Bicycles--Design and construction. | Bicycles--History.
Classification: LCC TL410 .L58 2021 (print) | LCC TL410 (ebook) | DDC
629.227/2--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020031641
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020031642
ISBN: 978-0-367-41917-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-41916-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-81684-1 (ebk)
Typeset in Sabon
by KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd.
Visit the eResources: www.routledge.com/9780367419172
Dedication
This book is dedicated to all those cyclists who
have helped me on my life-time long cycling journey,
and the clubs to which they belong. The clubs, old
and new, in no particular order, include:
Burnley Clarion CC, Clayton Velo, London Clarion CC,
North Lancashire Road Club, Thanet Road Club, V C Meudon.
Special individual thanks to: Edward Gilder, Ian Clarke,
Alex Southern, Tony Hadland, Mike Burrows, James Burrows
and Jay de Villiers and perhaps most importantly to the
late Adam Hill for the creation of Hill Special Cycles, he
is known as the father of the lightweight cycle industry
and his creations the Rolls Royces on two wheels.
v
vi Dedication
The author on his Hill Special, Thanet Road Club
Hill Climb Championships 2019, Kent.
Additional information on Health and Safety Risk
Assessments, Data Sheets, Apprentice Standards and
gear ratio calculations can be found on the associated
website: www.routledge.com/9780367419172
Contents
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Abbreviations and symbols xvii
1 Brief history of bicycles and bicycling: Hobby Horse to
balance bike—a brief history of bicycles and bicycling 1
Needs and wants 3
Early bicycles 3
Mike Burrows 12
Cycling clubs 18
Timeline 23
2 Holding it together—the frame 27
Diamond frame 29
Cross frame 30
Alternative frames 30
Frame materials 33
Frame sizing and frame ftting 35
Classic frame builders 38
Simple guide to frame design 43
3 Road holding—wheels and tyres 45
Requirements 45
Numbers 46
Radius of gyration and momentum 46
Rim and tyre types 48
Infators 49
vii
viii Contents
Tyre pressures 50
Rolling resistance 50
Noise 51
Puncture resistance and puncture factor 52
Treads 52
Friction 52
Rims 53
Spokes 54
Hubs 54
4 Making it go—gears and drive 57
Mechanics of gears 57
Gear ratios 58
Chainset 60
Bottom brackets 60
Crank length 61
Blocks or cassettes 62
Cable systems 63
Electronic systems 64
Watt meter 65
Pedal and cleat systems 66
Fixed gear 66
Chains 67
Magic link 67
Tractive effort 68
Calculations 68
5 Stopping—brakes and braking 69
Momentum 69
Kinetic energy 70
Friction 71
Mechnical advantage 72
Pascal’s law 73
Hydraulic advantage 73
Cable versus hydraulic 74
6 Let’s get comfortable—saddles and handle bars 75
Human power 75
Biomechanics and ergonomics 77
Contents ix
Standover height 77
Saddle position 78
Handle bars and stem 79
Commuting 82
Endurance riding 83
Cranks 83
How to adjust your position 83
7 Electrical power 85
Rules and regulations 85
Electric bicycle construction 87
8 Add-ons and kit 93
Lighting 93
Computers 94
Accesssories 95
Clothing 96
Bottles/bidons 97
Shoes/cleats 97
Luggage 97
9 Materials for bicycles 99
Manufacture of steel for bicycles 100
Classifcations of steel 102
Alloying metals used with steel in bicycle frames 104
Work hardening and fatigue failure 105
Properties of materials 106
Reynolds tubing 107
Columbus tubing 109
10 Soldering, brazing and welding 111
Comparison of fusion and non-fusion joining processes 111
Soft and hard solders 113
Aluminium brazing 117
Health, safety and the environment 120
Safety measures 122
General equipment safety 123
Gas shielded arc welding (MIG, MAG and TIG) 124