A bicycle is a fascinating machine with many parts - so many, in fact, that many people never learn their names, and when something goes wrong, they just point to a place on the bike. But whether you're new to bikes or not, everyone knows that pointing isn't always the most effective way to communicate. You might find yourself walking out of a bike shop with something you didn't really want. Have you ever asked for a new "wheel" when all you really needed was a new tire? There is a lot of technical jargon in the bike world. Just knowing the names of the basic parts can help clear the air and even increase your confidence while riding your bike.
- Pedal - This is the part that the cyclist puts his feet on. The pedal is attached to the crank, which is the part that the cyclist turns to spin the chain, which in turn provides power to the bicycle.
- Front derailleur - A mechanism for changing the front gears by lifting the chain from one sprocket to another; allows the cyclist to adapt to road conditions.
- Chain (or drive chain) - A set of metal links meshing with gears on the sprocket and sprocket to transmit pedaling motion to the rear wheel.
- Chain stay - The tube connecting the pedal and crank mechanism to the rear wheel hub.
- Rear derailleur - A mechanism for changing the rear gears by lifting the chain from one cog to another; allows the cyclist to adapt to road conditions.
- Rear brake - A mechanism activated by a brake cable, containing a caliper and return springs; it presses a pair of brake pads against the sidewalls to stop the bike.
- Seat - A small triangular saddle attached to the bike frame.
- Spoke - A thin metal spindle connecting the hub to the rim.
- Tire - A construction of cotton and steel fibers coated with rubber, mounted on a rim forming a shell for the soul.
- Fringe - The metal ring forming the circumference of the wheel and on which the tire is mounted.
- Hub - The central part of the wheel from which the spokes emanate. Inside the hub are ball bearings allowing it to rotate around its axis.
- Fork - Two tubes connected to the head tube and attached to each end of the front wheel hub.
- Front brake - A mechanism activated by a brake cable, containing a caliper and return springs; forcing a pair of brake pads against the sidewalls to slow the front wheel.
- Handlebars - Device made up of two handles connected by a tube, for steering the bicycle.
- Brake cable - Sheathed steel cable transmitting the pressure exerted on the brake lever to the brake.
- Shifter - Lever for changing gears via a cable moving the derailleur.
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