A clown bicycle or clown bike is a

bicycle A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered transport, human-powered or motorized bicycle, motor-assisted, bicycle pedal, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two bicycle wheel, wheels attached to a ...

designed for comedic visual effect or stunt riding, typically by

circus clown Circus clowns are a sub-genre of Clown, clowns. They typically perform at circus, circuses and are meant to amuse, entertain and make guests laugh. Traditional types There are traditionally three basic types of clowns that appear in the circus: ...

s. It is sometimes called a circus bike.

Types of clown bicycles

BMX bicycle A BMX bike is a bicycle used for cycle sport, specifically racing or stunt riding. BMX stands for ''bicycle motocross''. Construction Though originally denoting a bicycle intended for BMX racing, the term "BMX bike" is now used as a generic t ...

*Bucking bike – With one or more

eccentric Eccentricity or eccentric may refer to: * Eccentricity (behavior), odd behavior on the part of a person, as opposed to being "normal" Mathematics, science and technology Mathematics * Off- center, in geometry * Eccentricity (graph theory) of a ...

wheels, that is with significant

run-out Run-out or runout is an inaccuracy of rotating mechanical systems, specifically that the tool or shaft does not rotate exactly in line with the main axis. For example; when drilling, run-out will result in a larger hole than the drill's no ...

*Come-apart bike – Essentially a

unicycle A unicycle is a vehicle that touches the ground with only one wheel. The most common variation has a frame with a saddle, and has a pedal-driven direct-drive. A two speed hub is commercially available for faster unicycling. Unicycling is prac ...

, plus a set of handlebars attached to

forks In cutlery or kitchenware, a fork (from 'pitchfork') is a Eating utensil, utensil, now usually made of metal, whose long handle terminates in a head that branches into several narrow and often slightly curved tine (structural), tines with whic ...

and a wheel *High wire cycle – A bicycle pedaled along a thin wire *

Small wheel bicycle A small-wheel bicycle, sometimes called a mini velo or mini-velo, is an adult bicycle with a reasonable sized frame and relatively small wheels, usually of ETRTO 406 mm (20") or less nominal diameter, which is smaller than the common 622&nb ...

Tall bike A tall bike is an unusually tall bicycle often constructed by hobbyists from spare parts. Typically, two conventional bicycle frames are connected by welding, brazing, or other means, one atop the other. The drive train is reconfigured to connect ...

– Often called an upside down bike, constructed so that the pedals, seat and handlebars are all higher than normal *Tiny bicycle Some clown bikes are also fixed gear, with no

freewheeling Freewheel mechanism In mechanical or automotive engineering, a freewheel or overrunning clutch is a device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft. An ov ...

, so that they may be pedaled either forward or backwards. Some are built very small but are otherwise relatively normal. Pedaling an extremely small bicycle is very difficult and usually much slower than walking, so there is little practical advantage to having a bicycle that will fit in one's purse or pocket.

References

External links

The Clown House
a house in northeast Portland, Oregon, that is home to many clown bikes. {{Clowns Circus equipment Clowning Cycle types Art vehicles Modified vehicles

Types of clown bicycles

See also

References

External links