Homemade rocket bike with picture (658 hits)
Category: Science & EnvironmentalRating: 1.26 on 22 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Alex <alex.cerier.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2007-04-05 21:48:27 EDT
Every college student needs some type of project to avoid the massive mounds of homework.
I decided that the best way to waste time and participate in an extreme sport was to add rockets to my bicycle.
There are six tubes with one rocket per tube that are set off by an electric voltage. The rockets are type Estes
E9-6, which is the largest rocket that can be bought by a minor. I chose these rockets because they provide
good bang for the buck at only $12.00 for three of them, which means that every launch costs $24.00.
The thing about these rockets is that they are designed for models. After nine seconds, a charge blasts
through the top of the rocket. On a model, this would push the parachute out of the body of the rocket.
On my bike, this would set my ass on fire. I cut a large hole in each pipe and added a metal blast shield
between the set and the pipes. That metal used to be my roommates' white board.
Being the geek that I am, I produced ten pages of calculations regarding potential speed boost that the
rockets could provide. It turns out that at an initial velocity of 15 MPH, I would get boosted up to 25 MPH
over three seconds. Very modest indeed! Some people think this is a pathetic speed difference, but everyone
present would admit that the noise and awesomeness levels are very high.
The black box on top of the pipes is an electric "safety". The ignition controls are on the front of the bike.
User Reviews
Submitted by Plus2 (user info) at 2007-04-27 16:35:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
thank you Adamdidit2u, that was some nice analysis
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2007-04-27 12:46:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
heh
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-04-25 21:58:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2007-04-25 21:18:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'd suggest you take some time to recalculate some of your variables. For starters, assuming a Vo of 15mph is a bit on the high side, you'll have to be pedaling pretty hard on a higher set of gears to to attain that speed. (2-7 or 8, or 3-6+, and thats also assuming level ground, you could use a hill but I think you'd be able to better appreciate the speed gain on a really level surface.)
Secondly, 25mph on a bike is pretty fast, probably about as fast as you can get a non-road bike up to on a fair downhill gradient. If you're a rookie on the bike you are so totally gonna get yourself some roadrash.
Third, I don't think your taking into account the amount of drag that your body has. True there is very little rolling friction, but most bikes like the one in the picture have you in a position that more or less equates to a sail. I think that this will definitely be a factor in your attainable speed.
Lastly, Bob is going to be right about your blast sheild. When those things pop they toss out a puff of superheated gas, and your shield will protect your ass from the initial blast, it also appears that it will just be diverted around. Consider that as the air flows over your body it creates a zone of negative pressure around the area of the heat shield, and pulls air from that general direction (think about how when you drive down the highway at 65 in a pickup the air blows in complete reverse through the rear slider.) Something like ceramic wool will actually dissapate heat as well as baffle fast moving gasses.
Just my two cents.
POST SOME FUCKING PICTURES OF IT.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU WRECK.
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-04-25 20:27:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wile-E-Coyote was the first to pimp his ride with rockets. Good on you for making that dream a reality.
Submitted by hot_pocket (user info) at 2007-04-25 19:58:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
howd that go? post pictures
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-04-06 13:18:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I used to mount bottle rockets on the front of my bike and fire them off, the effect was much like an A-6 Skyraider
Submitted by Plus2 (user info) at 2007-04-06 12:50:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2007-04-06 09:31:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You need better heat shielding, perhaps use some ceramic-wool, like they use inside ovens. It would be lighter.
Figure that one of those boosters propels a 1 pound rocket, now to get the same effect you would need 200 of them to propel you the same way on your bike, negating frictional and aerodynamic losses in that assumption.
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Right, but since friction is almost zero between my rubber tires and the cement, and
I already have momentum, the rockets are able to provide noticeable thrust.
If I was starting from rest, I would need 49 rockets!
Submitted by Hookhand (user info) at 2007-04-06 12:42:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:33:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll keep an eye out for the "Flaming Ass Bicyclist Strikes Wall - Last Words are 'Hold My Sippy Cup and Watch This'" youtube vid, Einstoned.
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My sentiments exactly, although for the same reason I choose to +2
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2007-04-06 09:31:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You need better heat shielding, perhaps use some ceramic-wool, like they use inside ovens. It would be lighter.
Figure that one of those boosters propels a 1 pound rocket, now to get the same effect you would need 200 of them to propel you the same way on your bike, negating frictional and aerodynamic losses in that assumption.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-04-06 09:08:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by creep_firebombing (user info) at 2007-04-06 08:36:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:33:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll keep an eye out for the "Flaming Ass Bicyclist Strikes Wall - Last Words are 'Hold My Sippy Cup and Watch This'" youtube vid, Einstoned.
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The post was "meh", but +2 for being the reason that review came into existance.
Submitted by creep_firebombing (user info) at 2007-04-06 08:36:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:33:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll keep an eye out for the "Flaming Ass Bicyclist Strikes Wall - Last Words are 'Hold My Sippy Cup and Watch This'" youtube vid, Einstoned.
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The post was "meh", but +2 for being the reason that review came into existance.
Submitted by rorrim (user info) at 2007-04-06 06:23:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
There must be more efficient ways for suicide.
"Take me to the moon.."
Submitted by czwij (user info) at 2007-04-06 04:31:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
way cool.
i have something to do for easter weekend.
a friend of mine is pyrotechnics tech at a local film studio = bigger rockets!
Submitted by strwbryfanatic (user info) at 2007-04-06 02:52:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by particle_man58 (user info) at 2007-04-06 01:02:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Cool concept, but you should make one with bigger rocckets and include more pictures.
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2007-04-05 23:42:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Should've included pictures of it happening.
Could've been worst though.
Here's a +2 to get you started.
Submitted by gravitas (user info) at 2007-04-05 23:22:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
for the filename
Submitted by Plus2 (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:46:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:33:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll keep an eye out for the "Flaming Ass Bicyclist Strikes Wall - Last Words are 'Hold My Sippy Cup and Watch This'" youtube vid, Einstoned.
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HAHA! There is a youtube video of an office worker adding rockets to his Razor scooter. It shot out from under his feet and went straight up for a good distance.
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:33:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll keep an eye out for the "Flaming Ass Bicyclist Strikes Wall - Last Words are 'Hold My Sippy Cup and Watch This'" youtube vid, Einstoned.
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:27:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
interesting=ish
Submitted by Wildman (user info) at 2007-04-05 22:16:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll wait.