| The bicycle, bike or cycle is a human-powered vehicle | | | | energy of the rider to the fullest. Women`s bicycles |
| that is driven by foot pedals. It has a basic frame | | | | generally have a step-through frame. This defines |
| with two wheels attached to it, one after the other. | | | | that the top tube is absent as it allows the rider |
| Almost 1.4 billion people in the world use this vehicle, | | | | (usually a woman) to mount and dismount in a |
| and is obviously one of the most popular and | | | | dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress. |
| cost-effective vehicles in use today. Not only is it an | | | | Drivetrain - The pedals which rotate the arms of the |
| important and popular means of transport, but also | | | | mechanical crank and chain rings and the brackets, all |
| an effective recreational tool. It has several uses | | | | are elements of the drivetrain. They are used for |
| such as police and military applications, courier | | | | gears and other related functions in the bicycle. |
| services and cycling sports as well as adult fitness | | | | Handlebars - The handlebars are one of the most |
| equipment. | | | | important parts of a bicycle. Upright handlebars are |
| Introduced in the 19th century in Europe, bicycle has | | | | used in normal bicycles while dropped handlebars are |
| a host of innovators and inventors credited to its | | | | used in racing and mountaineering bicycles. The latter |
| name. The bicycle is supposed to originate from the | | | | are used because they give aerodynamic steering |
| human-powered vehicle called Draisines. This was | | | | and speed to the biker. |
| introduced to the people in Paris in 1818 by German | | | | Saddles - The saddles are varying depending on the |
| Baron Karl von Drais. Kirkpatrick MacMillan made an | | | | journey and preference of the rider. Cushioned ones |
| upgrade to this vehicle by adding a mechanical crank | | | | are usually used for short journeys while narrower |
| drive that as used to drive the vehicle. Thus, the | | | | ones are meant to give more space for leg swings. |
| modern `bicycle` came into being. | | | | Brakes - Modern bicycle brakes are usually rim brakes |
| The French inventors Pierre Michaux and Pierre | | | | that use friction pads to de-intensify speed. There |
| Lallement designed a high-seated and big | | | | are also internal hub brakes that have friction pads |
| front-wheeled bicycle (ordinary bicycle, as it was | | | | within the hubs that halt a speeding bicycle. Disc |
| formally called) that wasn`t much preferred as of its | | | | brakes are used on mountain, racing etc bicycles that |
| bad weight distribution. The dwarf ordinary bicycle | | | | need braking to be immediate and accurate. |
| mended these faults but the front oversized wheel | | | | Suspension - A bicycle has suspension to guard itself |
| remained a problem to be solved. J.K. Starley`s 1885 | | | | from the hard roads and also provide comfort to the |
| Rover was the first modern bicycle in its true sense | | | | rider who has to face the rough road. |
| with even wheels and a proper seat. | | | | Wheels - Wheels are necessary for a bicycle to run |
| The modern bicycle has many parts. They may be | | | | and reach its destination. Sizes, shapes and powerful |
| jotted down as follows. | | | | wheels vary as per the rider`s needs and choice. |
| Frame - Every bicycle today has a `diamond` frame, | | | | Cities such as Lyon, Barcelona and Paris have used |
| where the front triangle consists of the head tube, | | | | bicycling schemes to good effect. The journey of the |
| top tube, down tube and seat tube. The rear triangle | | | | bicycle with the human race has been long and |
| consists of the seat tube and chain stays as well as | | | | important, and will continue to lengthen as long as the |
| seat stays. The basic of bicycle frames is to have | | | | human race still exists! |
| high strength yet low weight so as to optimize the | | | | |