Introduction
The purpose of this article is to provide a basic introduction to the components that make up a bicycle. The article has been split up into multiple systems that make up an entire bike to keep things clear and easy to digest. These include: the frame, the steering and braking, the drivetrain, the wheels, and the saddle area.
The Frame
Head Tube: Houses the components needed for steering (fork, headset, etc.).
Top Tube: Connects the head tube and the down tube.
Down Tube: Connects the heat tube to the bottom bracket shell.
Seat Tube: Houses the seat post.
Seat Stays: Connects the seat tube to the rear dropouts.
Chain Stays: Connects the bottom bracket shell to the rear dropouts.
Bottom Bracket Shell: Houses the bottom bracket to allow for pedaling.
The Steering and Braking System
Handlebars: Enables the rider to steer the bike.
Stem: Connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the fork.
Fork: Holds the front wheel, the steerer tube of the fork passes through the head tube and connects to the handlebars; this allows for the front wheel to rotate with the handlebars.
Integrated Shifter/Brake Lever: Road bikes typically combine the shifter and brake levers into one component. The brake levers allow the rider to apply the brakes.
Front and Rear Rim Brakes: Reduces the speed of the bicycle to a gradual stop by clamping the brake pads onto the bike rims.
The Drivetrain
Integrated Shifter/Brake Lever: Road bikes typically combine the shifter and brake levers into one component. The shifters allow the rider to adjust their drivetrain gear ratios.
Chain: Utilizes the power provided by the crank arm to drive the wheels of the bicycle.
Chain Rings: Is a set of one or more sprockets attached to the crankarm.
Cassette: Also called the cogset, is a set of multiple sprockets attached to the hub of the rear wheel.
Front Derailleur: Shifts the chain to a different sprocket on the chainrings.
Rear Derailleur: Shifts the chain to a different sprocket on the cassette.
Crank Arm: Drives the bike chain by converting the pedaling motion from the rider into a rotational motion.
The Wheels
Spokes: Rods connecting the hub and rim to transfer loads caused by the weight of the rider and the bike.
Rims: Outer edge of the wheel holding the tire.
Tires: Surrounds the rims to provide traction over the surface the wheel travels.
Rear Dropouts: Attaches the rear wheel by hooking onto the rear axle of the bike.
Fork Dropouts: Attaches the front wheel by hooking onto the front axle of the bike. The fork dropouts are welded to the fork.
The Saddle Area
Saddle: Often referred to as the seat, allows the user to sit on the bike.
Seat Rails: Attached underneath the saddle, connects the saddle to the seat post.
Seat Post: Inserted into the seat tube to support the saddle of the bike.
Seat Clamp: Locks the seat post into position to prevent it from rotating or sinking into the seat tube.
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