Question

Explain the need for spokes in bicycle wheels.

Answer 1

Hint: In order to explain the need of spokes in the bicycle wheels, we have to first define what the spokes are, what is their importance in the bicycle wheels and what causes the spokes to be implanted on wheels circularly around the bicycle’s hub.

Complete answer:
Spokes are the connecting rods between the bicycle hub and the bicycle rim. Their main purpose is to transfer the bicycle loads between the hub and the rim, which are caused by the weight of the rider and the bike.A spoke is long, thin rods weaved together between the wheel hub and rim. The hub is at the wheel’s center and has an axle and bearing for rotation. The rim is the circular frame. Spokes tie these two bike parts together.

Since, when we connect the rim of the wheel to the axle through spoke, whole mass of wheel gets distributed uniformly on the rim of the wheel which in result increases the moment of inertia as moment of inertia depends upon mass as $I = m{r^2}$ of the wheel and larger the moment of inertia of the wheel, more smoothly the motion of wheel became because, torque due to moment of inertia is related as $\tau = I\alpha $ so, $I \propto \dfrac{1}{\alpha }$ where $\alpha $ is the angular acceleration of the wheel and as larger the moment of inertia of the wheel lesser the angular acceleration change of wheel which in turns reduce the friction and hence motion of wheel became smooth.
Spokes make wheels cheap, very lightweight and strong.

A large fraction of the force is used to counter the angled wind instead of moving the bike, not to mention the possibility of the bicycle being swept and blown around.
So, Bicycles have spokes because they are a cheap and perfect way to make light, strong wheels that are not sensitive to crosswinds. Spokes support wheel structure and play an important role in the bike's durability, flexibility and shock resistance.

Note: It should be noted that tension between the hub and rim is applied evenly in all directions, making the assembly strong and also flexible and resistant to shock. The uniformly applied tension is what supports our weight on the wheels. Spokes transfers the power from our legs to the rim to make the bicycle go.