What tools are used to make a modern day bicycle?
Hey guys, I just need to know what tools (manual or power tools) manufacturers use to make bikes.
The question I am trying to answer is: Explain how changing technology has influenced the evolution of the bicycle till the present day.
I was first going to compare tools used in the 1800s to tools used today when making bikes. Any ideas??
Thanks guys
I think you are right to look at tools, but don’t forget the advancements in materials over the last 100 years.
Re Tools, if we look at a basic road bike, the frame is cut and jig welded. This ensures that accuracy is maintained, the frame is structurally safe and that all parts are interchangeable between the same bike. This would probably have changed very little since welding is an ‘old’ process anyway.The advancement here would be the use of a production line environment to speed up production and to ensure that the job was done right everytime.
The manufactuiring methods for items such as levers, pedals, sprockets etc has changed little. These are either die cast (molten metal injected into a steel die (mould) and allowed to cool) or forged (the shape is made by hitting a blank with a reverse die (think of pressing coins). These process are quote old too, so wont have changed that much.
I guess the biggest changes though are around the materials used.
The advancement of lightweight aluminium alloys and composite structures (carbon fibre) means that the entire designs of bikes can change (think Chris Hoy’s lightweight racing bikes). Due to the frame being the main stressed member of any bike, this is always going to remain, but the shape can change due to the extra forces that these materials can take without deforming.
The tyre materials can be ‘tuned’ for specific purposes – if we look at old bikes, the tyres were there to absorb bumps mainly and provide some friction. Now these materials can be made softer for more grip, harder for more life or mixed to provide dual compound tyres with soft grippy edges for cornering and harder longer lasting centres for extended use. This has allowed speed to go up, which is also helped by the light weight.
Finally, I guess the use of automated manufacture means that reliability increases, costs come down and design progresses quickly.
Not a definative answer, but hopefully food for thought
Park Tools mult tools, shop tools, bicycle tools – Interbike 2010
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