James Kirk
Engineering Lesson Plan
Types of Bicycles
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Grade level: 6-8
Overview
The students are learning about the origin
of bicycles, how they work, how they have
changed over the years and the many
different types that exist.
Objectives
The students will learn:
● To be able to identify the different
types of bicycles
● To be able to identify the different
components of the bicycles that
makes each one different.
● To be able to compare the different
types of bicycles
Standards
● MS. 4 Describe technology as it is
applied in the context of
communication, construction,
design, manufacturing,
transportation, and related
technologies.
● MS. 16 Select the appropriate
devices and systems to meet
personal and societal needs.
● MS. 19 Determine the impact of
technological actions on
individuals, society, and the
environment.
Materials
The instructor will need:
● Any type of multiple speed bicycle,
Microsoft PowerPoint and a
projector or overhead slides and
an overhead projector.
Procedure
1. The students should already be
able to identify a bicycle.
a. The students should be able to
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James Kirk
Engineering Lesson Plan
identify the purpose of a bicycle.
b. The students should be able to
identify the basic components of a
bicycle.
2. Bring out the multispeed bike. If
the bike is a road bike, jump to the
road bike portion of the
presentation. If the bike is a
mountain bike, jump to the
mountain bike portion of the
presentation.
3. With Microsoft PowerPoint or the
over head slides, show a list of all
the bikes and the example picture
that will be included in the
presentation (including the
multispeed bike that was covered)
a. Road Bike
b. Mountain Bike
c. Motocross Bike (BMX)
d. Beach Cruiser/ Pathway Bike
4. Go over the specific components
of the Mountain Bike.
a. Explain the purpose of the
bicycle and what it was made to
do.
b. Using a projected picture, point
out the specific components of the
bike and explain why they are
there.
i. Ridged light weight frame
ii. Wide spread handle bars
iii. Front suspension
iv. Disk brakes
v. Thick knobby tires
vi. Multiple gears (set low)
vii. Raised seat height
vii. Rear suspension (if
shown)
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James Kirk
Engineering Lesson Plan
5. Go over the specific components
of the Road Bike.
a. Explain the purpose of the
bicycle and what it was made to
do.
b. Using a projected picture, point
out the specific components of the
bike and explain why they are
there.
i. Light weight frame
ii. No suspension
iii. V-brakes
iv. Skinny tires
v. Multiple gears (set high)
vi. Raised seat height
vii. Dropped handle bars
6. Go over the specific components
of the Motocross Bike (BMX).
a. Explain the purpose of the
bicycle and what it was made to
do.
b. Using a projected picture, point
out the specific components of the
bike and explain why they are
there.
i. Undersized, heavy weight
frame
ii. No suspension
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James Kirk
Engineering Lesson Plan
iii. Single rear V-brake
iv. Normal set reinforced
handle bars
v. Small 20” wheels with
thick tires
vi. Single gear
vii. Low seat height
viii. Pegs
7. Go over the specific components
of the Beach Cruiser/Pathway
Bike.
a. Explain the purpose of the
bicycle and what it was made to
do.
b. Using a projected picture, point
out the specific components of the
bike and explain why they are
there.
i. Strong, heavy frame
ii. No suspension
iii. Coaster brake
iv. Large thick tires
v. High comfortable seat
height
vi. High set handle bars
vii. Single gear (set low)
viii. Wheel fenders
ix. Thick padded seat
Evaluation
1. Upon finishing the presentation the
students will be split up into
different groups depending on the
size of the class
2. Each group will be given two
pictures of two different bikes and
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James Kirk
Engineering Lesson Plan
will be asked to identify the bikes
and list the differences.
3. The students will have to do the
same activity individually on an
exam at the end of the chapter.
Work Cited
Mountain Bike:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/singletrack_trail/fuel_ex/fuel_ex_9/#
Road Bike:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/sport/madone_3_series/madone_3_1_h2_co
mpact/#
Motocross Bike:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bmx+bike&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=zPj3PjfPVurpM:&imgrefurl=http://www.brazenheads.com/what-is-a-good-cheap-bmx-bikeor-a-good-bmx-site-that-sells-cheap/#
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James Kirk
Engineering Lesson Plan
Beach Cruiser/Pathway Bike:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/cruiser/mens_cruiser/classic/#
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