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Search Google Images for "bicycle". Almost all bicycle product shots are staged the same way: side view, going left-to-right. It makes sense to me that given th

Search Google Images for "bicycle". Almost all bicycle product shots are staged the same way: side view, going left-to-right. It makes sense to me that given that skew in the training data, the model grounds itself in the bicycle.

daemonologist 14d ago
and furthermore, this is because the drivetrain is ~always on the right side of the bike - if you want to inspect or admire a bicycle you look at the right side, as you might look under the hood of a car. (Why the drivetrain is on the right, I don't know. But most bike parts follow open standards so it's quite entrenched.)
- georgemcbay 14d ago
  > and furthermore, this is because the drivetrain is ~always on the right side of the bike While I'm sure this factors into things for advertisements for bike components, there is also just a general preference that westerners have for left-to-right motion. Not just in bike ads, but all ads with (or suggesting) movement. And also not just ads, but movies where directors believe left-to-right motion is associated with progression and right-to-left motion is regressive.
  - allendoerfer 14d ago
    Research has shown that people like to walk counterclockwise (right to left) through supermarkets, which is why they are arranged like this for maximum profit.
    - HarHarVeryFunny 13d ago
      Interesting that such a preference exists, and makes sense that supermarkets would therefore be arranged to support this, although as far as I can see this is only to extent of entrance doors typically being "off center" and starting you off to the right. The organization of the store - where the various produce/bakery/deli/frozen-food etc aisles/sections are located seems random from store to store. It would be interesting to know how people behave if the entrance is to the left vs right. Would they change the direction they walked though the store, or would they just lose customers due to this "awkward" layout?
- kibae 14d ago
  Since most languages read from left to right, rightward movement tends to read as forward progression. So when showing a bicycle in side profile, having it face right feels more naturally like it’s moving forward.
- labcomputer 14d ago
  I can’t tell you why it’s always on the right, but it’s always on the same side because of network effects. Bicycle frames are not fully symmetric left-right because you need things like a mount point for the derailleur hanger, and optionally affordances to keep the chain off the stays when the wheel is removed. Those things have to be on the same side as the chain. Bikes designed for disc brakes additionally need a mount point for the brake caliper on the opposite side from the chain. Additionally, rear wheels are not symmetric: the spokes on the chain side connect to the hub closer to the plane of the rim. That is, they are more perpendicular to the wheel’s rotational axis than spokes on the opposite side (which is why you should always mount a single pannier on the chain side). This asymmetry is to provide space for the gears. So once the industry decided to put the chain on the ride, you can’t very well make a group set designed for a left chain if you want it to work on the vast majority of frames.
  - pablobaz 13d ago
    Left sided drive trains are tried every so often in track cycling with supposed aerodynamic advantages for travelling around the track. See: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/japan-unveils-new-olympic-track-bike-with-left-sided-drivetrain https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/japan-unveils-new-olympic...
threetonesun 14d ago
Product shots yes, people riding them its more like 50/50. Also if you search for a specific bicycle race you'll find more going right to left.

daemonologist 14d ago

and furthermore, this is because the drivetrain is ~always on the right side of the bike - if you want to inspect or admire a bicycle you look at the right side, as you might look under the hood of a car. (Why the drivetrain is on the right, I don't know. But most bike parts follow open standards so it's quite entrenched.)

georgemcbay 14d ago
> and furthermore, this is because the drivetrain is ~always on the right side of the bike While I'm sure this factors into things for advertisements for bike components, there is also just a general preference that westerners have for left-to-right motion. Not just in bike ads, but all ads with (or suggesting) movement. And also not just ads, but movies where directors believe left-to-right motion is associated with progression and right-to-left motion is regressive.
- allendoerfer 14d ago
  Research has shown that people like to walk counterclockwise (right to left) through supermarkets, which is why they are arranged like this for maximum profit.
  - HarHarVeryFunny 13d ago
    Interesting that such a preference exists, and makes sense that supermarkets would therefore be arranged to support this, although as far as I can see this is only to extent of entrance doors typically being "off center" and starting you off to the right. The organization of the store - where the various produce/bakery/deli/frozen-food etc aisles/sections are located seems random from store to store. It would be interesting to know how people behave if the entrance is to the left vs right. Would they change the direction they walked though the store, or would they just lose customers due to this "awkward" layout?
kibae 14d ago
Since most languages read from left to right, rightward movement tends to read as forward progression. So when showing a bicycle in side profile, having it face right feels more naturally like it’s moving forward.
labcomputer 14d ago
I can’t tell you why it’s always on the right, but it’s always on the same side because of network effects. Bicycle frames are not fully symmetric left-right because you need things like a mount point for the derailleur hanger, and optionally affordances to keep the chain off the stays when the wheel is removed. Those things have to be on the same side as the chain. Bikes designed for disc brakes additionally need a mount point for the brake caliper on the opposite side from the chain. Additionally, rear wheels are not symmetric: the spokes on the chain side connect to the hub closer to the plane of the rim. That is, they are more perpendicular to the wheel’s rotational axis than spokes on the opposite side (which is why you should always mount a single pannier on the chain side). This asymmetry is to provide space for the gears. So once the industry decided to put the chain on the ride, you can’t very well make a group set designed for a left chain if you want it to work on the vast majority of frames.
- pablobaz 13d ago
  Left sided drive trains are tried every so often in track cycling with supposed aerodynamic advantages for travelling around the track. See: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/japan-unveils-new-olympic-track-bike-with-left-sided-drivetrain https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/japan-unveils-new-olympic...

threetonesun 14d ago

Product shots yes, people riding them its more like 50/50. Also if you search for a specific bicycle race you'll find more going right to left.