大象传媒

A pedal car is designed to go as quickly as possible without exhausting its human driver. As the race runs its course, we look at the key features of a winning car. The lightweight spoked wheels are attached to the axles in different ways. The rear wheels are fixed to rotating axles so the chain drive can be transmitted to the road. The front wheels are attached to a fixed axle and are free to rotate on bearings because they aren't being driven. The brakes grip the inside of the wheel hub, operated by a flexible cable worked by the driver. The steering uses linked rods which allow the front wheels to stay parallel when they are turned. Gears allow the driver to make the car go faster while pedalling at the same speed. A lightweight, aerodynamic body is important too.