# 53 bicycles: A lateral thinking puzzle **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 9, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868 "2017-07-09T19:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/81 "2017-07-12T03:05:15Z")
Are you making a [Rodafonio](https://youtu.be/WTq8Vx0esgo)? ([And if not, why not!](https://youtu.be/3g7ZWVJrqws?t=1m16s)) ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/82 "2017-07-12T03:11:50Z")
Are you making a face? (wheels = eyes, handlebar = mustache, chain = mouth) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/83 "2017-07-12T03:18:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Does “bicycle” in this context refer to the two-wheeled vehicle one can sit astride, propel via pedals, and so convey oneself from one location to another? > > I figure I ought to confirm that, because this is getting kind of confusing. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/84 "2017-07-12T03:19:33Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Do these parts come on a roll? No, not a Kaiser roll, like tape? If not, do they make a sound? No roll No sound ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/85 "2017-07-12T03:20:44Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Are you creating a machine that will cause you to excel at Mafia? \*\*Vote No \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/86 "2017-07-12T03:22:01Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Is what you are making an art project? Gettin’ warm in here. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/87 "2017-07-12T03:22:07Z")
Is at least one of the bicycle parts made of plastic? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/88 "2017-07-12T03:23:43Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Are you making a face? (wheels = eyes, handlebar = mustache, chain = mouth) No. > [@Muffin](#): > > Are you making a [Rodafonio](https://youtu.be/WTq8Vx0esgo)? ([And if not, why not!](https://youtu.be/3g7ZWVJrqws?t=1m16s)) No. Wish I had one tho. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/89 "2017-07-12T03:24:49Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Is at least one of the bicycle parts made of plastic? No. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/90 "2017-07-12T03:26:40Z")
Hint: There is a very simple common answer as to what is going on with the things on the table. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/91 "2017-07-12T04:08:20Z")
Are you crafting some kind of tool out of bike parts? Is the chain one of your parts? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/92 "2017-07-12T04:34:01Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Are you crafting some kind of tool out of bike parts? > > Is the chain one of your parts? No. I can barely hammer a nail straight much less craft any kind of tool. Getting cooler. Your second question is one of those not exactly answers better given as a No. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/93 "2017-07-12T12:45:43Z")
You and your sweetie were at a biker-lite costume party last night. The bicycle parts on the table beside the couch are what you and your sweetie were wearing prior to stripping your gears and putting Eco-safe veggie based UltraLube bicycle chain oil to a better use. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/94 "2017-07-12T13:35:55Z")
Are you making a massive wind chime or weathervane? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/95 "2017-07-12T14:25:03Z")
Or the bicycle parts are arranged so as to become the coffee table? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/96 "2017-07-12T14:35:11Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > You and your sweetie were at a biker-lite costume party last night. The bicycle parts on the table beside the couch are what you and your sweetie were wearing prior to stripping your gears and putting Eco-safe veggie based UltraLube bicycle chain oil to a better use. > [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Are you making a massive wind chime or weathervane? > [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Or the bicycle parts are arranged so as to become the coffee table? All no. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/97 "2017-07-12T14:40:06Z")
I think I know the answer to why those parts are there: Because you put them there. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/98 "2017-07-12T14:41:40Z")
Are these parts from a full-sized real bicycle that a person would ride? And you said that you are using the parts “as intended”, does that mean that they serve the same function as they do when they are part of a bicycle? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/99 "2017-07-12T15:35:21Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Are these parts from a full-sized real bicycle that a person would ride? > > And you said that you are using the parts “as intended”, does that mean that they serve the same function as they do when they are part of a bicycle? No to question #1. The second question is also difficult to answer. The parts are being used exactly as they were are intended to be used. ##### My wife, who likes this riddle, notes accurately that this is the second time this year we have had bicycle parts on this same table for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/100 "2017-07-12T15:38:19Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I think I know the answer to why those parts are there: > > Because you put them there. My wife AND I put them there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=6)