From:	Mon goose <landsquid@*******.COM>
Subject:	Re: Bicycles(was Re: Boats and Stuff)
Date:	Tue, 2 Dec 1997 00:54:08 PST

>> but the a basic bike might have performance like:
>
>I gave that elsewhere, at least some suggestions...
>
>> Accel= Strength of rider
>
>Proves how awake I was when I did that post too....I didn't really
considerthe Strength of the rider...the only problem I have is that I
just can't see a Troll biking faster than a human, let alone an elf.
>

Elves RUN faster,and are thinner and taller, but just as stong. They'd
make ideal cyclists. Trolls, no. Thats why I included the ridder's
running multiplier in my top speed formula- leg length helps on a bike,
too. Bigger crank diamater= more power per "stroke", just like an
engine. A dwarf would have to turn his cranks very fast.

>> Top speed= quickness x running multiplier x 2, 3, or 4

>I actually thought of the "Gear", but I admittedly didn't look at gears
as the same way as a true 'cyclist' might.
>

As long as the bike has an aproprite selection of gears, tire design,
aerodynamics, and general quality will determine the riders top speed.

>These make some sense...interesting thing to note is you really
couldn't "Rig" a bike from the Design POV (not customizing, designing
from the ground up). Or if you did, you'd have to modify the way the
bicyclist him/herself functioned. Encephalon for the Wired Reflexes/VCR
Switches????
>

Rigging requires sensors, which consume power, which would add weight.
Counter produtive. A "smart" bike, made from smart materials, might be
nice, but again, what's the powersource- bateries are heavy. Although,
a smart bike of peizo-electics would genrete power from frame
flex...HMM, a capacitive stucture... maybe. Good for securtiy a la
"Virtual Light" and possible collapsing or adaptive designs. Seeing as
the rider will outmass the bike by at least 5 to 1, rigging the bike is
silly- the riders motion determines handling to a great extent. Plus,
the rider needs to be physically active- a rigger can't. Thats why I
suggested combat pool for all vehicle tests on bicycles. A rigged
bicycle would be a small motorcycle with a flesh power plant. Maybe a
skillwire type device, or strap on electrodes, could make the drivers
leg muscles twitch in sequence- electrodes are used like that today for
physical therapy. The rigger / pedler would control the program
controling his body's movement- sounds unlikely, except maybe for use by
such persons as the irreversably paralized.

"frame option- recumbiant bicycle"
a bicycle with a bucket seat, where the rider's feet are out front, at
the same level as his ass. Good aerodynamics, tricky balance.
speed + 20%
Handling +1 / +2
Not compatable with off road suspension
cost x2 (for bike as a whole)



Mongoose / Technological progress is like an ax in the hands
of a psychotic - Einstein

get sucked into -The Vortex- Chicago's shadowland BBS
http://www.concentric.net/~evamarie/srmain.htm


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