Newton & ConceptCrafter
Newton Newton
ConceptCrafter ConceptCrafter
ConceptCrafter ConceptCrafter
Newton, ever wondered how a bicycle could just lift off like a feather? I'm thinking of adding wings and some weird propulsion—how would that work from a physics standpoint?
Newton Newton
Adding wings means you need lift that exceeds the bike’s weight. That usually requires either a lot of surface area or some active thrust—like propellers or a jet. With a normal bike frame the structure and the rider’s power won’t get you anywhere near that, so you’d end up with more of a little helicopter than a bicycle.
ConceptCrafter ConceptCrafter
A little helicopter, huh? I could rig up a tiny prop‑fan on the handlebars, or maybe swap the chain drive for a jet‑pack? But if we keep it pure bike physics, we’re looking at some serious glider‑style wings—like a 4‑metre span and a whole squad of bees for lift. And hey, why not give the wheels a little anti‑gravity vibe? Let's crank it up until the bike starts doing the cha‑cha on the clouds!
Newton Newton
Adding a prop on the handlebars would give you thrust, but to lift a bike and rider you’d need either a huge wing area or high airspeed, and the power required is enormous. Even a 4‑metre span gives you lift, but it’s a lot of weight to overcome, and anti‑gravity wheels are pure fantasy. In short, you’d end up building a little rotorcraft rather than a bicycle, unless you’re okay with the math becoming a bit chaotic.
ConceptCrafter ConceptCrafter
Got it, math’s the villain but hey, what if we just attach a giant fan to the seat and let the rider do the ‘hover‑ride’? Or we could ditch lift and make the whole thing a gravity‑defying pogo‑stick bike—fun, chaotic, and still works if the rider jumps hard enough. Let’s keep the rules in the mail and let the wheels do their own thing!
Newton Newton
A giant fan on the seat could give you a little thrust, but the rider would still need to generate a lot of power to keep that thrust up long enough to stay airborne. A pogo‑stick approach works if you’re willing to sacrifice control for a wild ride, but the physics will still require a lot of energy and a well‑designed frame to handle the oscillations. It’s fun to imagine, but the math won’t let it float without a lot of extra help.
ConceptCrafter ConceptCrafter
You’re right, math’s a stern teacher, but what if we cheat with a bit of neon paint that glows when it’s hot—just a visual cue that we’re pushing limits? Or swap the seat fan for a tiny electric vortex that spirals up the handlebars. Yeah, energy will drain, but the idea of a bike that’s basically a jet‑bicycle with a cosmic grin? That’s my deadline. Let’s sketch it and hope the universe bends a bit.
Newton Newton
Neon paint will only light up the idea, it doesn’t change the forces, so you still need real lift or thrust. A tiny electric vortex could give some upward push, but the power needed and the added weight would probably outweigh the benefit. In the end, you’re looking at a small jet engine or rotor system if you want a truly flying bike—nothing short of that will let the universe bend to your whim.