The Bicycle
A Healthier and Environmentally Friendly Alternative to the Gas Engine
A bicycle is a transportation device that is human powered and has two wheels. There are five
main components that make up a bicycle: the frame, front set, brakes, chain system, and wheels.
As all of you know global climate
change and obesity are upon us.
Over half of the country struggles
with their weight and the climate is
becoming more and more
unpredictable every day. Solutions
to these problems, such as weight
loss pills and electric cars, have
been thought of as solutions, but
we have been sitting on a better
solution for over a century now, the
bicycle.
The bicycle can be used for both
transportation and leisure. More
and more people are turning to
bicycles. Not only will they save you
money on gas and the repair prices
associated with a car, but you will
burn thousands of calories traveling
on your bike rather than passively
sitting in your car. Bicycles are
cheap and have low environmental
impact, no wonder there are over a
billion worldwide.
The Frame:
The frame is the largest and most central part of the
bicycle, the backbone that holds the entire machine together. It is
made out of several aluminum bars that are welded together. A
lightweight or a sturdier frame can be purchased depending on the
intended use of the bicycle. There are several different styles of
frames including: the diamond, step-through, and cantilever, the
You may want a
sturdy or
lightweight frame
depending on your
intended use. A
lightweight is used
for racing or a
heavier frame for
off-road riding.
last being the most popular. As seen in Diagram 1. The frame
consists of five parts: the top tube, seat tube, down tube, seat stay
and chain stay. The seat stay is used for holding the seat in place.
The top tube connects the front set to the seat set, whereas the
down tube connects the chain system (the power system of the
bike, located on the rear wheel) to the front set.
Diagram 2. http://www.tenerife-training.net/Tenerife-News-CyclingBlog/2008/04/learning-curve/measuring-bicycle-frame-sizes-bike-fitting/
If comfort is an
issue, a memory
foam seat can be
bought for as low as
$20.
The Front Set:
The front set consists of three different parts: the front
wheel, head tube, and handle bars. The handle bars provide the
rider with the ability to turn and control the bike. A simple push or
pull will cause the front wheel to turn in the desired direction. The
handle bars are connected to the front wheel via the head tube
(The bar that connects the handle bars to the front wheel). When
beginning a change of direction it is important to begin slowly and
Always make sure
before riding that
your front set is
well lubricated you
want to be able to
turn when you need
to!
maintain balance otherwise a crash is inevitable.
The Chain System:
The chain system is takes the energy provided by the rider
pushing on the pedals and transfers that energy to make the rider
go forward. The rider places his or her feet on the pedals causing
the crank attached to turn the gears. This forces the drive chain to
rotate the back wheel. To change gears, the rider turns a knob on
the steering wheel, which causes the chain to go onto a smaller or
larger gear depending on what the rider wants. Changing gears can
make a rider go faster or make traveling up a hill easier depending
on the situation.
A simple twist of
the wrist will cause
you to change
gears. Low gears
are used for
challenging hills and
high gears for
speed.
The Wheels:
The wheels contain three parts: a hub, spokes, metal rim,
and a rubber tire. Most of your weight is supported by the wheels.
Bike wheels use spokes wheels instead of metal wheels like cars
have. The reason behind this is because bikes do not have to
support that much weight and have to remain lightweight
themselves. The reason a tire is rubber is because the rubber
inflicts friction on the road, providing grip and helping the bike
stay upright. A wider tire will provide you with more friction,
therefore more stability. However, with the added stability you are
increasing wind resistance, which will lead you to lower maximum
If you’re looking to
go fast on well
paved roads, opt for
the thin tires, as
you won’t need the
extra friction. If you
plan on taking your
riding through the
woods, make sure
to purchase thick
tires.
speeds.
Bicycles provide several upsides and only a small downside. They are able to cause injury. Make
sure to always wear a helmet while riding. Riding your bike for three hours or over 20 kilometers a week
can cut your risk of heart disease in half. If you pay attention to the distance you travel in your car, most
of the trips you make are less than 5 miles. These trips could all be easily made on bicycles! Parking your
car can always provide an annoying issue when traveling. All you need to park your bike is a lock and a
tree. You can fit over double digits of bikes in a parking space that can only fit one car. With all these
benefits, how can you resist buying one today?