Trek Single Speed

Campus Companion: A Story of Adaptation and Engineering

My introduction to practical engineering began with a humble used bicycle during my freshman year at UCSD. The single-speed bike, stripped down to its essentials, became my daily companion for navigating the sprawling campus. What started as a simple means of transportation evolved into an unexpected engineering laboratory.

As time passed, the bike revealed its quirks and challenges. Most notably, the chain began to stretch from regular use, a common issue exacerbated by the bike's minimalist single-speed design. Rather than viewing this as a setback, I saw an opportunity to apply my budding engineering skills.

The solution I developed - a custom chain tensioner using aluminum sheet metal and a copper bushing - not only solved the immediate problem but improved the overall performance of the drivetrain. This project transformed my relationship with the bike from mere user to engineer-owner, deepening my understanding of mechanical systems through hands-on experience.

Throughout my time at UCSD, this bicycle served as more than just transportation; it became a testament to the practical value of engineering principles and the satisfaction of developing elegant solutions to real-world problems. The experience taught me that engineering opportunities can be found in the most ordinary circumstances, waiting for those willing to observe, analyze, and innovate.