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