Bicycle Infantry

[swaghauler]

My question is how much weight can a decent mountain bike hold before having issues with welds, bending of tires or what not I have seen some large people on mountain bikes (not sure quality of bike) that the wheels are no longer round, and just using me as an example when I was in fighting shape I was between 230lbs and 250lbs and then add in the combat gear my vest in 2003 weighed in at about 75lbs, add ten more for rifle, pistol and helmet and we are looking at 315lbs to 335lbs (and I was not the largest by far in my unit, kind of on the smaller side of average). I know very little about bikes, but back to my question how well will the bikes hold up to that weight when going down trails and hitting bumps and such I can see them working much better in WWII time when one the average person was lighter and the combat load was much lighter, but I am also willing to say I may be missing a major factor that I know nothing about.

I have some real experience here. Before I started riding dirt bikes, I rode BMX competitively (imagine ME enthralled by a machine, hard to believe isn't it ). I continued to ride mountain bikes regularly until I jumped into a big rig full time. I used mountain bikes to "rehab" from my leg injuries. I still have my 2000 Kona ManoMano and ride a 2015 Pivot Mach 6 today. Here's a little background on bikes in 2000.

Types of Bikes:

Cruisers: These bikes are what most non-riders think of when you say bicycle. These bikes are upright in Geometry with lightly built frames and wheels. Their tires aren't as narrow as Road Bikes but also not as wide as Mountain Bikes. The average tire pressure is 50lbs. The Cruiser is designed to be ridden on the road and can be MISERABLE riding offroad (a lot of time standing on the pedals to absorb bumps). They can be fitted with seat packs (small stowage under the seat), handlebar packs (in front and under the handlebars), D-Frame stowage (a pack inside the frame between the seat and handlebars) IF the frame is a D-Frame (many are "step-throughs" with a collapsed top tube). They can also fit saddle bags on racks that cover the wheels (they are "touring bikes" by design). The ride is UPRIGHT which can compromise handling in climbs. There are roughly three quality levels with overlap in price and capability occurring...

-"Basic Versions" ($100) often have Skid Brakes (where you pedal backwards to stop), a Single Speed drivetrain, and are mostly Rigid (no suspension front or back). They could support around 150kg to 200kg. The weights of these bikes will exceed 15kg.
-"Intermediate Versions" ($300 to $500) often have hand brakes (like motorcycles), a 3 or 5-speed drivetrain, and a Rigid rear end with a suspension front fork (this configuration is known as a "Hardtail"). These versions will support 200kg to 300kg and suspension models will NOT allow the use of either front saddlebags or handlebar bags (they interfere with the suspension fork). They will weight around 12kg to 15kg.
-"High-Performance Versions" will have 7-speed to 10-speed drivetrains, disc brakes, a suspension Seatpost and an AIR-RIDE fully tunable Fork. They will support more than 300kg and will weight around 10kg. They can top $1000 in cost.

The RECUMBENT Cruiser: This special type of Cruiser shows up at the turn of the Century and comes in all three price points. The Recumbent has the rider in a full RECLINING position as they ride. Some recumbents are two-wheeled while a select few are Trikes (with two wheels in front and a $2K price tag). They are more "aerodynamic" and thus faster than normal Cruisers on flat ground but very poor climbers.

The Trike Cruiser: These three-wheeled Cruisers are like the famous "Big Wheel." They have two wheels in back and one up front. They are poor climbers but are VERY stable and are often used to pull small carts. These are a STAPLE form of transport in Asia. Rickshaws are the ultimate expression of the Trike in my mind.

The BMX and Jump Bikes: These bikes are almost always D-Framed (for strength) "Hardtails" with oversized tubes and an upright Geometry. Their wheels are usually "Mag Wheels" for maximum resistance to deformation/bending (known euphemistically as "tacoing a rim") as these bikes are built for JUMPING. Their tires are WIDE like Mountain Bike tires but they run Skid Brakes as standard. They have NO kickstand and all bars are covered in "crash pads" (which really do not save your nuts). Peddals are large platforms. The basic models (starting at about $150) run into the 16kg range while the high-end models (around $1,000) will be around 10kg. All of these models can support around 350kg.

Road Bikes: These bikes are most associated with racing like the Tour De France and come in three basic price points (like Cruisers and Mountain Bikes) and are optimized for HIGH-SPEED ROAD performance. They are long in wheelbase (to aid in climbing) and the rider is forced into an "aerodynamic tuck" by their geometry. They are ALWAYS rigid (to prevent suspensions from absorbing pedaling inputs) and their VERY THIN wheels (26") were evolving into 700mm rims (because larger rims will carry momentum into climbs). Those rims would be inflated to 100PSI or more (to reduce rolling resistance) and have the equivalent of racing slicks on them. Brakes are Linear-Pull (two drag arms against the tire rubber) front and back and drive trains start at 24 speeds and move up to 27-speed versions. The Road Bike is specced for light weight and suffers in both load and durability accordingly. They are a NIGHTMARE to ride offroad but can achieve speeds in excess 40mph on level ground with a high-end bike and a good rider. Most of these bikes will support 100kg to 150kg without bending a rim. The three differing price points will vary in two areas, drivetrain quality and weight. These are some of the lightest bikes available.
-"Base Models" will have 3 sprockets on the cranks and 8 gears on the rear hub for 24 speeds. They will weight about 12kg to 14kg and have platform pedals. Those pedals will often be equipped with toe straps to allow a pedaling motion on the upstroke as well. The drivetrain will be a basic one like Shimano LX Deore. A base model will run around $500.
-"intermediate Models" will have 3 sprockets on the cranks and 9 gears on the rear hub for 27 speeds. They will weight between 10kg and 12kg and use "Clips" (Clipless Pedals) to gain power. Clips are a special pedal that "clips" to a special "cleat" installed in a special riding shoe. Clips allow power on all points of the pedal stroke and enable you to jump the wheels (because your feet are LITERALLY Clipped to the pedals). The drive train is of a superior type like the Shimano XT and these bikes are around $1000 in 2000 ($5k today).
-"High-End Models" will just be getting 30-speed drivetrains (3 X 10) but most will be precision 27-Speed drivetrains. These bikes will be 10kg OR LESS (14lbs is NOT uncommon) and run the highest specced parts (Shimano XTR). Some versions will be made in Scandium or Titanium. They will be $2000+ (for Aluminum).

Road Bikes can use all of the cargo types that rigid Cruisers can use. Road Bikes with forward and rear saddle bags touring on the highway are a common sight before the Twilight War.

Mountain Bikes: These are broken into three main and one subtype and come in both Full Suspension (fore and aft) and Hardtail (fork only) versions in the XC and Trail Bikes. The Four* types are Cross Country (XC), Trail Bikes, Downhill Bikes (DH) and Free Ride Bikes (a heavy-duty version of downhill bikes). Most cheap Mountain Bikes will use the same Linear-Pull brakes that road bikes use but higher end bikes will use Disc Brakes (either mechanical or hydraulic). Mountain bikes also come in three "price points" just like the other major classes.

-"XC Bikes" are the mountain bike "cousins" of the road bikes above. They are optimized for weight (giving their riders the nickname "weight weenies") and have the same Geometry as road bikes (to optimize climbing). Hardtails still dominate (because suspensions will "bob" with hard pedal inputs) and the suspension is around 3". Basic models will have 24-speed drivetrains while high-end versions will sport 27-speed drivetrains, clips, and titanium/scandium frames. Linear Pull Brakes are more common due to their lighter weight. Tire sizes are 26" (universal in Mountain Bikes) and 2" wide tires are usually the limit. Basic bikes ($500) will support around 150kg while high-end bikes ($2000+) can support 400kg or more and will use tuneable air forks. Weight will range from 12kg down to 10kg. The sub-20-pound mountain bike DOES NOT EXIST in 2000 (it's 2005 before carbon fiber makes this possible).
-"Trail Bikes" form the largest segment of mountain bikes. They feature a more upright stance/Geometry for jumping hazards and dual suspension with climbing lockouts (to prevent "bob"). Both the "Dually" and the "Hardtail" will use 2" tires with a weight in the 20lbs PSI range (for traction) and the average suspension travel is 4". 50% of Trail Bikes are still Hardtails as suspensions are still developing (high-end models will have air suspension and lockouts for climbing). Weights carried are comparable to XC bikes as are costs. One place where Trail Bikes vary from XC bikes in 2000 is that the MAJORITY of Trail Bikes will have Disc Brakes with lower end models having mechanical discs and high-end bikes having hydraulic disc brakes.
-"Downhill Bikes" these bikes are optimized for racing downhill. In 2000, they have dual disc brakes, dual suspension with 8" of travel, and heavy-duty frames for jumping heights of up to 20 feet. Tires will be 3" wide and air pressure will be 25lbs. Low-end bikes will weight 20kg+ and high-end bikes will go around 15kg and they will support 500kg easily. NOBODY rides a DH Bike uphill. Prices range from $1,000 to $4,000.
-"Freeride Bikes" these bikes are developments of DH bikes for stunt riding. They are 23kg and ONLY come as high-end custom builds (you DON'T buy a Freeride bike at WALMART). $5,000+ is not uncommon.

Notes on Bikes:

Carrying a load on a bike is tricky. It must be properly balanced or it will affect your handling. If you look at riding hydration packs like the Camelback Mule (my favorite), they are situated lower on the rider's back to keep the load to the rider's center of gravity. Weapons will also affect a Rider's ability to control the bike. I require that ALL RIDERS (bike and horse) wearing a weapon that is SLUNG must use a weapon who's Bulk is less than their STATURE (I still use this even in V2.2). I would say Bulk 5 is as large as a bike rider can go without the weapon hitting the bike frame or the Rider's leg.

The typical rider will be faster than a marching soldier. The typical soldier can manage around 6km per hour over terrain while a typical mountain biker could average 15km over terrain of the same type.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Some really useful info in your post Swaghauler. It's at times like this we need a thumbs up (or other "like" option) button!

[Olefin]

Some really useful info in your post Swaghauler. It's at times like this we need a thumbs up (or other "like" option) button!

Completely agree with the need for the thumbs up button. Would make a great article for the fan magazine or to add to a new module release.

[Raellus]

I see bikes as being useful in safer areas, but stupidly dangerous when contact with the enemy is likely.
A cyclist is moving too fast to keep proper awareness of their surrounds along a fairly restricted and obvious route. The risk of rolling into an ambush with devastating results is extreme as can be seen in the links unkated posted.

Agreed. However, I think that bicycle infantry really come into their own as a mobile reserve/reaction force (in the context of T2K). Say a patrol or outpost comes under attack. Bicycle infantry can respond much faster that foot-bound infantry. They would operate like dragoons, riding to the battle area, but dismounting- out of effective small arms range of the enemy- to fight on foot. That's where BI can really shine.

[Olefin]

Agreed. However, I think that bicycle infantry really come into there own as a mobile reserve/reaction force (in the context of T2K). Say a patrol or outpost comes under attack. Bicycle infantry can respond much faster that foot-bound infantry. They would operate like dragoons, riding to the battle area, but dismounting- out of effective small arms range of the enemy- to fight on foot. That's where BI can really shine.

Exactly!

[Legbreaker]

Yes, as a method of moving reserve forces around they'd be pretty good, but dangerous at the front itself. Not as fast as vehicles (obviously) but certainly quicker and less fatiguing that marching.

My thoughts are that any bikes made from around mid 97 onwards are likely to be of the cruiser type. Simple, all round machines that can work on most terrain, although not optimised for any.
Prewar machines would still be in use of course when and where available.

[lordroel]

The Japanese also had bike infantry as well - from what I remember they used them in Malaya and other areas and they were used extensively in China.

The Netherlands also had bike infantry during World War II, can see them being used again during the Twilight War.

[Olefin]

I agree with you there Roel - again used as dragoons - i.e. you get to where you have to fight with the bicycles and then fight on foot - or you use them to patrol in relatively safe areas to conserve your alcohol fuel for vehicles that can go into harms way in the areas that arent safe at all

[swaghauler]

Movement in Twilight V2.2

One thing this Thread highlights for me is the very general way Twilight2000 handles movement. I use movement as a plot device in my campaigns so I tie it to the Character's physical Characteristic scores.

A Character can march a number of Kilometers per HOUR (X4 for period movement) equal to THE AVERAGE (rounding down) of that Character's STR, CON and AGL (ie STR+CON+AGL/3). So a perfectly average Character can move 5km per hour (20km per period).

A Riding Animal (4 legged) can move THE AVERAGE of their STR, CON, and AGL (I assign these to horses, mules, camels etc...) BUT a rider can push his mount (with a skill roll AND a risk of injuring the mount) to move up to THE TOTAL of STR, CON, and AGL. So an average animal being pushed COULD average 15km per HOUR (60km per 4 hour Period).

A Character can ride a bike a total number of Kilometers equal to the TOTAL of STR, CON, and AGL per HOUR (X4 per Period). Thus a perfectly average Character could do 15km per hour (60km per Period).

This gets really fun when you have elderly civilians and young children (who have scores of 1 or 2) whom you are trying to evacuate in the face of an advancing enemy force.

[Legbreaker]

5 kph is pretty slow really - patrol speed which is slow enough to allow proper awareness of your surroundings.
Faster than that is quite possible (I've done around 10 kph fully loaded), but awareness drops dramatically and fatigue becomes much more of an issue. You REALLY don't want to be doing that sort of speed for more than a couple of hours.
Slower and you tend to get bored (again with a drop in awareness) EXCEPT in close terrain such as urban or jungle. In REALLY close terrain (can't see more than a two or three dozen metres at best) you might be lucky to do 5 km in a whole day though!
And then you add in the effect of hills, swamps and other obstacles....

[Trooper]

Finnish Jaeger infantry used bicycles to increase their marching speed during Continuation war. In early stages of continuation war, it was found that bicycle infantry could easily keep pace with Vickers and T-26 tanks that army used in first months of war.

Yes you could drive to ambush with your bicycle, but even then man driving a bike wasnt easy target, after all bicycle marching speed (10-12 km/h) is good running speed and if youre not very close to target, its likely that you miss. You dont drive thru ambush with bicycle, you should immediately dismount and open fire . After that it was normal infantry action move, shoot and communicate.

In home front security units used bicycles to hunt parachute or long range patrol desantniki. There was not simply enough fuel, trucks or even horses for home guard units. Idea was simple, usually local security platoon tried to make educated guess in which direction desantniki unit tried to escape. After that security unit raced ahead desantniki unit. Usually only observation post could be established in open areas like rivers, fields or meadows. Idea was to ambush enemy patrol on open ground and usually other platoons and squads joined in combat after their heard sound of gunfire.

Today Finnish Defence Forces units are of course motorized. Only small tip of spear is mechanized and if you are not member of tank crew or panzer grenadier, you will do a lot of marching. Every member of armed forces should able to do 100 km a day bicycle march, even in air force or navy. Troops on bicycle wear their helmet, flak vest and combat vest. Backpack is on carrier and mortar crews have to even haul their mortars and ammo with them! Yes you can transport 81 mm tube if you use leather straps and attach it to bikes top tube.

Its nice to see all those shiny trucks and APC:s when you return to your barracks while trying not to faint due exhaustion. Finnish officers firmly believe a motto oethe more you sweat and suffer in training - the less you bleed in battle.

[WallShadow]

<SNIP>
Say a patrol or outpost comes under attack. Bicycle infantry can respond much faster that foot-bound infantry. They would operate like dragoons, riding to the battle area, but dismounting- out of effective small arms range of the enemy- to fight on foot. That's where BI can really shine.

And no "every 4th man is a horse-holder" nonsense.

[swaghauler]

5 kph is pretty slow really - patrol speed which is slow enough to allow proper awareness of your surroundings.
Faster than that is quite possible (I've done around 10 kph fully loaded), but awareness drops dramatically and fatigue becomes much more of an issue. You REALLY don't want to be doing that sort of speed for more than a couple of hours.
Slower and you tend to get bored (again with a drop in awareness) EXCEPT in close terrain such as urban or jungle. In REALLY close terrain (can't see more than a two or three dozen metres at best) you might be lucky to do 5 km in a whole day though!
And then you add in the effect of hills, swamps and other obstacles....

Yes, it is. It is a standard movement rate (which also matches the game's base rates) that will allow you to arrive in a proper fighting condition. The players COULD move much faster (up to double the listed speed) if they succeed at a task;

To Move Faster Than Base Rate:

Roll under [the Average of STR & CON] + AGL on 1D20. The Difficulty is modified by the terrain (as well as distance traveled).

I also allow Drivers to either stretch their fuel OR "make time" by performing a Driving check.

If they are "Driving for Time," a successful roll under the needed number will reduce the time it takes to travel a given distance by 1% +2% per number rolled UNDER the required Target Number for the task. Outstanding Success (rolling 10 under) will reduce Time Required by 20% (or more at the GM's discretion).

if they are "Hypermiling" (driving for economy or range), they get 1% + 2% per point rolled under the required Target Number for the task. Outstanding Success (rolling 10 under the Target Number) will net an increase in Mileage of 20% or a reduction in Fuel Used of 20%.

Example: Joe is trying to conserve Fuel and needs to roll a 13 or Less on his Skill Check. He rolls a 9 scoring 4 points (13 - 9) on his Success. This translates into Joe saving 9% of the Fuel the vehicle would normally consume.

So that's a look at movement in my Twilight2000. Your Twilight may vary (of course).

Swag.

[swaghauler]

Finnish Jaeger infantry used bicycles to increase their marching speed during Continuation war. In early stages of continuation war, it was found that bicycle infantry could easily keep pace with Vickers and T-26 tanks that army used in first months of war.

Yes you could drive to ambush with your bicycle, but even then man driving a bike wasnt easy target, after all bicycle marching speed (10-12 km/h) is good running speed and if youre not very close to target, its likely that you miss. You dont drive thru ambush with bicycle, you should immediately dismount and open fire . After that it was normal infantry action move, shoot and communicate.

In home front security units used bicycles to hunt parachute or long range patrol desantniki. There was not simply enough fuel, trucks or even horses for home guard units. Idea was simple, usually local security platoon tried to make educated guess in which direction desantniki unit tried to escape. After that security unit raced ahead desantniki unit. Usually only observation post could be established in open areas like rivers, fields or meadows. Idea was to ambush enemy patrol on open ground and usually other platoons and squads joined in combat after their heard sound of gunfire.

Today Finnish Defence Forces units are of course motorized. Only small tip of spear is mechanized and if you are not member of tank crew or panzer grenadier, you will do a lot of marching. Every member of armed forces should able to do 100 km a day bicycle march, even in air force or navy. Troops on bicycle wear their helmet, flak vest and combat vest. Backpack is on carrier and mortar crews have to even haul their mortars and ammo with them! Yes you can transport 81 mm tube if you use leather straps and attach it to bikes top tube.

Its nice to see all those shiny trucks and APC:s when you return to your barracks while trying not to faint due exhaustion. Finnish officers firmly believe a motto oethe more you sweat and suffer in training - the less you bleed in battle.

Are these the same guys who can SKI the enemy into the ground during the winter months I know the Scandinavian countries are unmatched for Arctic and Mountain troops, I trained with those guys.

[Raellus]

We've all known about the NVA's use of bicycles to move supplies down the Ho Chi Minh trail, but I was unaware that the ARVN was looking at "battle bikes" to move troops around.

http://warisboring.com/south-vietnamese-troops-almost-fought-from-battle-bicycles/