| People who are new to the cycling world are often | | | | - Triathalon (or aero) handlebars stretch out in front of |
| surprised by all the different bike parts that go into | | | | the bike over the wheel and allow the rider to rest on |
| building one basic bike. With all the variety out there, | | | | his/her forearms while riding. |
| working on a bike can quickly become a daunting task. | | | | Handlebar tape: This is wrapped around the ends of |
| To help eliminate some confusion, we've created this | | | | road bike handlebars to provide cushioning and grip. It is |
| bike parts glossary. Here you'll find basic explanations | | | | often leather or cork and comes in a variety of colors, |
| for all the components you need to build a bike that is | | | | textures and thicknesses. |
| rideable. | | | | Headset: Headsets help keep the fork secured to the |
| The bike parts below are listed in alphabetical order. | | | | frame, and they provide the ball bearings for smooth |
| Bottom bracket: A bottom bracket sits between the | | | | steering. When used with regular, non-quill stems, they |
| cranks and contains the bearing cartridges that allow | | | | can also cap off the steering tube. |
| the crankset to spin. | | | | Hubs: At the center of every bicycle wheel is a hub. It |
| Brake cables/hoses: These connect the brake levers | | | | connects to the spokes and contains the bearings that |
| to the brakes themselves. Cables are used to control | | | | make it possible for the wheel to turn. It is the hub that |
| mechanical brakes. Hoses are used with hydraulic disc | | | | secures the wheel to the frame or fork. Rear hubs |
| brakes. | | | | are equipped to hold the cassette. Front hubs are |
| Brake levers: These are the pieces you squeeze to | | | | usually simpler and narrower. Some hubs are designed |
| engage the brakes. Mountain bike brake levers are | | | | to facilitate disc brakes. |
| clamped horizontally to the handlebar. Road levers are | | | | Pedals: These small platforms allow you to propel the |
| clamped vertically. Some brake levers (more | | | | bike with your feet. They are attached to the crank |
| commonly road brake levers) are integrated with the | | | | arms. Basic pedals are flat platforms. Pedals for more |
| shifter. | | | | advanced riders have toe clips or cleats designed |
| Brakes: When you need to stop your bike, the brakes | | | | specifically for bike shoes. |
| apply friction to the wheels, slowing you down. There | | | | Rims: The main piece of a wheel, the rim holds the tire |
| are several types of brakes: | | | | and tube, and connects to the spokes. There are a |
| - Disc brakes consist of a metal disc that is attached | | | | few different kinds of rims: |
| to the wheel's hub. A caliper attached to the bike's | | | | - Clincher: These are the most common rims. The |
| frame or fork squeezes the disc between two brake | | | | upper edge of a clincher rim has a lip that grabs on to |
| pads to stop the wheel. Disc brakes can be controlled | | | | the tire to create a seal when inflated. |
| mechanically or hydraulically. | | | | - Sew-up or tubular: Some rims have the tire glued or |
| - V-brakes squeeze the rim to stop the wheel. They | | | | sewed to the rim, so the tire and rim become basically |
| attach to the fork or frame in a vertical position and | | | | one piece. |
| provide great leverage for easy stopping. | | | | - Disc: Rims without a machined braking surface are |
| - Cantilever brakes put pressure on the rim as well. | | | | called disc rims and are designed to use with disc |
| They connect to the bike in a more horizontal position. | | | | brakes attached to the hub. |
| - Road brakes are like V-brakes and cantilever brakes, | | | | Saddle: In more common terms, this is the bike seat. |
| but both brake pads are connected over the wheel, | | | | Seat clamp: This clamp keeps the seatpost from |
| where the assembly attaches to the bike. | | | | sliding around inside the seat tube. Most seat clamps |
| Cassette: Essentially, the cassette is a group of | | | | today are quick-release, meaning you don't need a |
| stacked cogs. It attaches to the rear wheel and grabs | | | | wrench or any kind of tool to loosen and tighten the |
| the chain so the wheel turns with the chain's | | | | clamp. |
| movement. | | | | Seatpost: Saddles connect to seatposts, which are |
| Chain: The chain connects the crankset and chainring | | | | inserted inside the frame's seat tube. A seatpost |
| to the rear cassette, so when you pedal, the bike | | | | allows you to adjust the height of the saddle. |
| actually moves. When the chain is moved up a level or | | | | Shifter cables: These metal cables connect the shifters |
| down a level on the cassette and chainring assembly | | | | on the handlebar to the derailleurs. When the shifter is |
| (switching gears), you get more or less resistance in | | | | moved, the cable moves with it and adjusts the |
| pedaling. In order to work properly, the chain should be | | | | derailleur, which moves the chain and changes gears. |
| compatible with the chainring, cassette and size of | | | | Shifters: The levers you move to change gears. |
| frame. | | | | These are clamped on to the handlebars. Some are |
| Chainrings: These are the larger rings connected to the | | | | integrated with the brake levers. |
| crankset. They have teeth around the perimeter for | | | | Skewers: These are basically the axels of bike |
| grabbing the chain and holes (usually five) in the middle | | | | wheels. A skewer fits through the hub and clamps the |
| to connect to the spider. The diameter of the invisible | | | | wheel to the frame or fork. Today's skewers are |
| circle these middle holes adhere to is called the "bolt | | | | usually quick-release, so no tools are necessary to |
| circle diameter." | | | | loosen the clamp and remove the wheel. |
| Crankset: Pedals are attached to crank arms, and a | | | | Spider: The spider is the piece that connects the crank |
| pair of crank arms makes up a crankset. Often, | | | | arm to the chainring. |
| cranksets are sold with the spider and chainring. | | | | Spindle: The spindle is the metal piece that slides |
| "Integrated cranksets" are those that have the spindle | | | | through the bottom bracket to connect the crankset. |
| attached. | | | | Spokes: These are the (usually) thin metal rods that |
| Derailleurs: These control the lateral movement of the | | | | connect the wheel's hub to the rim. |
| chain. A front derailleur moves the chain on the front | | | | Stem: Connects the steering tube (on top of the fork) |
| chainring, while the rear derailleur moves it on the rear | | | | to the handlebar. A regular bike stem clamps onto the |
| cassette. Some derailleurs clamp on to the frame of | | | | steering tube. A quill stem is inserted into the steerer |
| the bike. Others are brazed on. | | | | tube. Both clamp around the middle of the handlebar. |
| Fork: The fork assembly consists of the steerer tube, | | | | Tires: There are several different types of bike tires: |
| which is inserted through the head tube of the frame, | | | | - Road bike tires are thinner and have less tread than |
| and two posts, which hold the front wheel. | | | | mountain bike tires. They are typically 700cm in |
| Frame: The bike frame is the tubing (usually metal or | | | | diameter and are designed for riding on asphalt and |
| carbon) to which every other bike part is attached. | | | | cement. |
| They come in a variety of sizes and designs. Taller | | | | - Mountain bike tires are wider and feature aggressive |
| people require a larger frame than shorter people. | | | | tread. They are usually 26 inches in diameter, and |
| Grips: Usually rubber, grips are sleeves that slide over | | | | some are 29 inches. They are designed for riding on |
| the ends of mountain bike and cruiser handlebars. | | | | rugged mountain trails. |
| They provide your hands with cushioning and greater | | | | - Hybrid/commuter tires usually fit a 26-inch rim but |
| control. | | | | don't feature the aggressive tread that a regular |
| Handlebar: The tube you use to control the front | | | | mountain bike tire would. They are designed to adapt |
| wheel. | | | | your mountain bike for the road. |
| - Mountain bike handlebars stretch perpendicularly | | | | Tubes: Bicycle tubes come in different sizes to match |
| across the front wheel--basically one straight bar. The | | | | different tires. One important part of a bike tube is its |
| clamp diameters (where the stem clamps on to the | | | | valve stem, where you connect a pump to inflate the |
| handlebar) on mountain handlebars are either 25.4mm | | | | tube. Some have a Presta valve, and some have a |
| or 31.8mm (referred to as "oversized"). | | | | Schrader. Presta is smaller than Schrader, and your rim |
| - The tube of a road handlebar curves out | | | | will have a hole designed for one or the other, so |
| perpendicularly to the front and drops down and under | | | | make sure your tube has a valve stem that matches |
| to allow for a more aerodynamic and aggressive riding | | | | the rim. |
| stance. The clamp diameters on road handlebars are | | | | I suggest Bike Wagon for Bike Parts. |
| usually 26.0mm or 31.8mm. | | | | |