Skip navigation

Student Activity - Bike Bits

INTRODUCTION

All bikes have certain features in common, however not all bikes are exactly the same. You can easily see this by looking at the differences between a BMX and a mountain bike, for example. Bikes are designed so that they can be used for different purposes. An Olympic racing bike has very special features that you wouldn't see on an everyday street bike.

Have you ever stopped to think about the special features of each bike, and what the parts of a bike are made of? When a bike is constructed, many decisions have to be made about what materials to use, as various metals are selected for certain purposes.

At least 10 different metals are used in the construction of a bike! New materials, such as carbon fibre and plastics that act like metals, are also used.


Bradley Mc Gee (Aust) wins bronze - Olympic Games Atlanta 1996 (Allsport)

INVESTIGATION

In this activity you will compare the parts and designs of various bikes and then look at what materials have been used to make them.

 

WHAT YOU NEED

A selection of bikes brought into the classroom such as a BMX, a street bike and a mountain bike.

WHAT TO DO

  1. Form six groups. Each group will choose and look at one of the following parts on each of the bikes - the pedals, chain, seat, frame, brakes/gears, wheels/tyres.
  2. Compare the part on each of the three bikes and decide whether the part is made of metal.
    • is it shiny?
    • does it jingle or ring when hit?
    • does it heat up in strong sunlight?
    • is it prone to rust?
    • is it strong?
  3. Record your observations in two tables like the ones below. Each group completes their own bike part table, then the class can complete the table - Am I Metal?

Bike Part: Pedals

 

STREET BIKE

BMX

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Similarities

(Might include size,
 weight, materials,
shape, connection to
other parts)

      

Differences

 

 

      

Am I Metal?

PART

SHINY

JINGLES

HEATS

RUSTS

STRONG

Pedals

        

Chain

          

Seat

          

Frame

          

Brakes/Gears

          

Wheels/Tyres

          
  1. What features do all three bikes have in common?
  2. Think about the main differences between the bikes. Why do you think these particular features are different? (Hint: what are the uses for the bikes?)
  3. Which of the bikes' parts contain metals?
  4. Which one of the five characteristics of metals -
    1. is particularly useful in making a bike?
    2. can be a problem?