| A bicycle or just cycle is a human-powered | | | | has the top tube, head tube, seat tube and down |
| vehicle driven by pedals. It has two wheels which | | | | tube. Head tube is the part containing the headset |
| are attached to a metal or in some cases hard | | | | of bearing to allow smooth steering, the top tube |
| plastic frame, one at the front and the other at | | | | connects to the seat, and the down tube |
| the back. History of a bicycle The bicycle was | | | | connects the head tube and bottom bracket. The |
| first introduced in Europe in the 19th century. | | | | rear triangle has the seat tube, seat stays and |
| Presently their number is exceeding one billion | | | | paired chain stays. Drivetrain - it consists of the |
| throughout the world. They are used as a principal | | | | pedals, which rotates the crank arms, which in |
| mode of transportation in some areas of the | | | | turn are attached to a sprocket or chainrings |
| world, especially Netherlands and China. They have | | | | which drives the chain and makes the rear wheel |
| also developed as a very popular form of | | | | rotate. Seating and Steering - steering is made |
| entertainment and recreation. Other fields of | | | | possible using the handlebars which turns the front |
| human activities that they have been adopted are | | | | wheel. For seating there are saddles on the top of |
| adult fitness, children`s toys, police and military | | | | the frame. The seating can be designed for |
| applications, cycle sports and courier services. | | | | comfort or to make cycling smoother and faster. |
| Thus over the period of time the humble bicycle | | | | Brakes - the brakes used in modern bicycles are |
| has assumed quite a few roles! The basic | | | | either rim brakes that uses pads to compress the |
| configuration and shape of a common bicycle has | | | | wheel from 2 sides and stopping it, internal hub |
| been altered very slightly since the first model | | | | brakes that has the pads inside the hubs or disc |
| driven by chains was developed back in 1885. | | | | brakes. Braking in bicycles is hand-operated by |
| However, some subtle details have been made | | | | pressing the brake levers installed on the |
| better with the growing use of computer and | | | | handlebars on either side. Suspension - it is the |
| improvement in material technology. Using modern | | | | system incorporated to make the cycling |
| technologies have made it possible to produce | | | | experience smoother. Accessories - parts like |
| specialized designs for different kinds and uses of | | | | mudguards to avoid spray from puddles, chain |
| cycling. Parts and Construction of a Typical Bicycle | | | | guards to save clothes from oils, kick stands to |
| Wheels - it is the most important part of any | | | | keep the bicycle upright while parked have |
| vehicle. The initial wheels used a wooden hub with | | | | become permanent features of a bicycle. Other |
| a steel axle, spokes made of wood and an iron | | | | accessories like front baskets, rear racks, space |
| tire which is fitted on the outside. The wheels | | | | for head lamp, a pump, helmets, tool kit etc are |
| used today have a metal hub, metallic wire | | | | also available as per ordered. The use and |
| spokes, a metal rim to hold the spokes and a | | | | development of bicycles have affected mankind in |
| pneumatic rubber tire on the outside. Another | | | | a bigger way than it seems. It has affected |
| important part of the wheel are the bearings | | | | history in both industrial and cultural realms. In the |
| which allows free movement of the hub on the | | | | initial years, bicycles and its construction were |
| axle. Frame - most of the bicycles used today | | | | dependent on the technology that existed; more |
| has the diamond frame. It`s made up of two | | | | recently, its technology in turn has given forth |
| triangles, the front and the rear. The front triangle | | | | ideas in different areas. |