Subject: Re: faster bikes Posted by: Robert on December 12, 2001 at 05:06:04: In Reply to: faster bikes posted by greg on December 10, 2001 at 22:55:02:

Message: >i am curious about finding a bicycle that has larger gears > or a more extensive chain system that can cause a bicycle to >be accelerated quickly and maintain a high speed with little further effort. >could this be achieved with larger gear blades, or a different arrangement of gears..??? >something that can go 50 km's/hour or something. >i want a motorized results from this vehicle but using only muscles and sweat. >im not all that educated on the physics of bicycles, but try to send me in the right direction. >thanx Like Jim said, the best way to go faster is to train and build up your strength and skills. What you ask cannot be done. You cannot lower the amount of energy it takes to move an object at a constant speed. Different gears affect the INPUT power, not the output (speed). For example you can ride a certain speed in a 42-19 gear selection and a 52-11 gear selection. But in order to go that speed, the 42-19 needs 1/2 as much force at the pedals as the 52-11 needs, but it needs 1/2 the power twice as often. So the total ammount of power needed at the pedals is the same. To try and simpliy, a power factor of .5 (42-19) 100 times a minute or a power factor of 1 (52-11) 50 times a minute. Total power needed is 50 units a minute with both gear selections.