Machines

[xoxoxoBruce]

The basic bicycle is a pretty simple design, but it took a long time and lots of dead ends to get there. I have a feeling clothing had a lot to do with it.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I have a feeling clothing had a lot to do with it.

Innovations were necessary because the human output too much torque. That large front wheel converted high torque - low speed into low torque high speed. With gears and chains, then smaller wheels could accomplish the same conversion. And provide the many different torque - speed ratios that a bike needs for changing terrains.

But again, it all about that simple concept taught in school science - the product of torque and speed. So that a much less than 1 horsepower engine (the human) could adapt to changing loads.