Tag: Frames

The bicycle was introduced in the 19th century in Europe by German Inventor Karl von Drais. He is credited with developing the first bicycle. He introduced it to the people in Paris in 1818. It is supposed to originate from the human-powered vehicle called Draisines. Drais invented a walking machine that would help him get around the royal gardens faster. It was known by many names, including the “velocipede,” “dandy horse,” “hobby-horse,” “draisine” and “running machine. It had no pedals and its frame was a wooden beam. It had two same-size in-line wheels with the front one steerable and mounted in a frame which was straddled. In 1839, Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a Scottish blacksmith, allegedly completed construction of a pedal driven…

Bicycle frames are hollow thanks to the genius of design, the intelligence of science and the power of engineering. The iconic ‘double diamond’ frame shape hasn’t really changed in over 125 years. However, the components and materials used to manufacture frames have altered over time. A key principle, however, is that a frame should retain as much of its original shape under load (frame stiffness) when you turn the pedals, corner, or brake. Different materials of frame design achieve this to differing degrees. Other design principles are the frame’s ability to withstand crashes, and the frame’s resistance to repeated strain over time (frame fatigue). Designers, of course, also consider how the frame materials affect the comfort of your ride.  What…