Watch the Design Squad teams go head to head as they build high-speed gravity bikes for Gravity Sports International champion Tom Whalen.
- 1) The Challenge (4:55)
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Bonus Footage
Inside the Green Team
Inside the Purple Team
- 1) The Challenge (4:55)
- 2) Brainstorm (2:44)
- 3) Design & Build (6:14)
- 4) Final Build (6:25)
- 5) Test Run (2:44)
- 6) The Race (4:31)
- 1) Gravity Man! (0:22)
- 2) Green Bike Test Run (0:35)
- 3) Purple Bike Test Run (0:38)
- How do you build a gravity bike? It's a stripped-down BMX bike with no pedals, no chain, and no gears. These bikes use gravity to race down hills.
- First, Green Team decides who should ride the bike, so they can make sure the bike fits the rider. Gravity and air drag determine that a heavier rider can make the bike go faster as the races progresses. A coin toss selects Nick to ride the bike.
- They want to create their own frame from scratch by welding metal tubing. That way they can design it exactly how they want instead of working around an existing frame. Before they start, they need to have their exact measurements, so they trace the design in real size on a big piece of paper.
- Deysi welds the pieces that will connect the back wheels, and they assemble the rest of the frame. Then they discuss whether Nick needs a real seat or just something to kneel on. The client is impressed that they built the bike from scratch.
- In the final race, Nick pulls ahead and has a good lead. Things are looking good until he gets to the last curve, takes the turn too wide, and wipes out into the hay bales. He's okay, but frustrated. Both teams have great bikes, but the Green Team gets a bad break on this one because of the crash.
- How do you build a gravity bike? It's a stripped-down BMX bike with no pedals, no chain, and no gears. These bikes use gravity to race down hills.
- Purple Team easily decides that Dewey will be the rider. They start looking through the specs right away. They notice the wheels have to be a certain size, and they rush to the shop to grab all those tires before the other team.
- They know a fast bike should be long, and low to the ground. They decide to mix and match pieces of the frames from the bikes they already have. That will save them time and still let them customize the bike.
- Kim welds the front piece onto the frame, and it starts to take shape. Then they work on a seat made of sheet metal, foam, and duct tape. Once the bike is assembled, they add 30 pounds of weights onto the bike to increase the speed.
- In the final race, Dewey gets a good start but then falls behind. When Nick crashes his bike on the last curve, Dewey is able to sail by to the finish line. Both teams had great bikes, but the Purple Team got a lucky break this time.
This team builds robots to compete in the FIRST Robotics competition. Watch this.
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