How is a bicycle built?
Let's be honest, a bicycle isn't an overly complicated device. We all have a good idea of where the handlebars, saddle, and fenders fit and what their function is. However, when a conversation with a customer about ordering a new bike gets down to choosing a hub, headset, or cassette, things usually get complicated. Therefore, below we've discussed individual bicycle parts in detail to help you think about a new bike or even modify an existing one. So, how is a bicycle constructed?
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Basic elements of bicycle construction
Frame
The foundation of every bicycle, to which all other parts are attached, is the frame . The most common materials used in its construction are steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. More rarely, expensive magnesium and titanium frames are found.
Steel
Our favorite steel frames are reasonably priced, dampen vibrations well, and, above all, look good. Unfortunately, they're not without their drawbacks. Cheaper materials (Hi-ten, or High-tensile steel) are heavy and relatively weak, while also offering limited corrosion resistance. Better alloys (Cro-Mo, an alloy with added chromium and molybdenum) are, of course, more expensive, but primarily offer lower weight (although this primarily depends on the construction (butting) of the tubes themselves).
Aluminum
The most popular aluminum frames today are characterized by high stiffness, which, however, translates into discomfort when riding over bumps on a bicycle without suspension. This also makes aluminum frames susceptible to material fatigue. Their undoubted advantage, however, is usually their relatively low weight. A modern solution is carbon fiber frames. This material combines the best qualities of steel and aluminum.
Carbon
Carbon frames are corrosion-resistant, yet above all stiff, vibration-damping, and lightweight. For many cyclists, their high price is a barrier. If this type of frame becomes damaged, repair is often impossible or uneconomical.
Wheels
Grip and additional cushioning are provided by tires that cover an air-filled inner tube. Tire size and type depend on the bike's intended use: narrower, larger-diameter tires are designed for road bikes. Smaller tires are used for mountain bikes. The tread is also important, significantly improving traction on unpaved roads. There are also studded tires designed primarily for ice. The most important element of the wheel is the rim. Rim size is expressed in inches, corresponding to its diameter. For road bikes, it will be 28 inches, for city trekking bikes, 26 or 28 inches, and for mountain bikes, most often 27.5 or 29 inches. The weight of the rim largely determines the dynamics of a bicycle. The hub is responsible for the rotation of the wheels – the more perfectly it is made, the more efficiently the wheels rotate due to less resistance. The hub is connected to the rim via spokes.
Derailleurs
The front derailleur is the mechanism responsible for moving the chain between the sprockets on the crankset. The rear derailleur performs the same function for the cassette. Derailleurs are typically located outside the wheel, but there are also models hidden within the hub. Controls are small levers connected to the derailleurs by cables, allowing you to change gears. They are located on the handlebars.
Crank
The crankset is one of the components responsible for a bicycle's drivetrain. It consists of sprockets, on which the chain runs, and arms, to which the pedals are attached. The crankset is rotated thanks to bearings, which house an axle called the bottom bracket. Sprockets are also located on the rear wheel, forming a cassette. The size of the cassette chainrings determines the bicycle's speed. The bicycle is powered by a chain suspended simultaneously from both the crankset and the cassette. Chain links tend to deform over time, causing the chain to lengthen and potentially damage the sprockets. Therefore, it's important to replace them regularly.
Brakes
Front and rear brakes are responsible for stopping and slowing the bike. Recreational bikes typically use rim brakes, which clamp onto the rim. Brakes are controlled by a lever connected to the mechanism by a cable. Regardless of the bike's design, brakes are its most important safety feature, aside from fixed-gear bikes.
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Saddle
The comfort of your bike ride depends on the number of kilometers you cover. Road bikes, especially those used by professionals and those taking longer rides, are equipped with narrow and long saddles, which expose relatively little of the leather to abrasion during intense riding. For shorter urban rides, a comfortable, soft, wide saddle filled with foam is better. The saddle is connected to the frame by a seat post located in the seat tube, where its height is adjusted using clamps.
Steering wheel
The bike is steered using straight or slightly curved handlebars. Grips (handles) are located at each end for a more comfortable grip. The handlebar bracket connects the handlebar to the steerer tube, which ends in a fork, between which the front wheel is placed.
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