The purpose of this design tool is to enable experimentation with different types of materials and tube cross sections and so determine their effect on various parameters of a final product, the bicycle frame.

The bicycle frame is a common occurance and yet it is unsual in that it is the integral part of a vehicle that supports passengers weighing as much as ten times its own weight. This compares to a car which may weigh 1000 Kg and can carry four adults plus luggage totalling only 500Kg, half of its own weight!

Once the bicycle is used in competition then cost constraints are mainly ignored and every effort is made to achieve a low weight, stiff frame with adequate strength and lifetime. For events like the Tour de France very sophisticated frame designs and high tech materials are used to maximise any competitive advantage.

The development of new materials even leads to ethical considerations as their implementation in sport can infer considerable advantage on the user.

No consideration has been given to different types of frames like monocoques or beam frames even though these are better design choices for carbon fibre composite structures. However the international governing body for cycling, the UCI, have new rules concerning the shape of bicycle frames restricting them to certain dimensions. Tools found here will help to design the frame as a whole, but the effect of different materials is mainly restricted to the way individual tubes behave. It is possible, of course to have different parts of the frame made of different materials, particularly if adhesive joints are used, but most frames are made of one material, although carbon fibre forks are increasingly popular.

Instructions for use.

Feel free to explore the site and try out the different tools available. Explore how the choice of materials and the design of the tube can have profound effects on things like cost and weight of a frame. Remember a frame has to be strong enough to be used reliably. Some of the options above are currently inactive. As the system develops then these will be implemented. The latest version of the system can be found here.

If you have Cosmoplayer installed then you can interact with a three dimensional model of the bike above. By clicking on the red dot then you can put wheels and accessories on the frame, clicking on the chainset will cause the wheels to rotate and clicking on the handlebars will cause the front wheel to turn. Clicking on the blue ball will remove the accessories.

This tool is provided purely for educational use, as an example of computer-aided design. The NPL and IoP take no responsibility for any other use of this tool.