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A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and is made of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle. This is known as the diamond frame. The main triangle consists of the head tube, top tube, down tube and seat tube. The rear triangle consists of the seat tube, and paired chain stays and seat stays. The head tube contains the headset, the interface with the fork. The top tube connects the head tube to the seat tube at the top, and the down tube connects the head tube to the bottom bracket shell. The rear triangle connects to the rear dropouts, where the rear wheel is attached. It consists of the seat tube and paired chain stays and seat stays. The chain stays run parallel to the chain, connecting the bottom bracket to the rear dropouts. The seat stays connect the top of the seat tube (often at or near the same point as the top tube) to the rear dropouts. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1100x733, 142 KB) Summary Lemond Zurich 2000 repainted by pro paint shop. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1100x733, 142 KB) Summary Lemond Zurich 2000 repainted by pro paint shop. ...
bicycle fork A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows one to steer. ...
An aluminum racing bicycle made by Raleigh and built using Shimano components. ...
For other uses, see Bicycle (disambiguation). ...
“Wheelset†redirects here. ...
Bicycle parts include: See also Groupset Categories: Bicycle parts | Cycling | Sporting goods ...
An upright bicycle is a bicycle on which the rider sits astride the saddle and stands on the pedals; this is the type most commonly seen. ...
The safety bicycle is a type of bicycle that became very popular beginning in the late 1880s. ...
A triangle. ...
Parts of a threadless headset before installation. ...
bicycle fork A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows one to steer. ...
A square-taper cartridge bottom bracket. ...
A horizontal dropout on a steel frame road bicycle converted to a single-speed. ...
Roller chain and sprocket A bicycle chain is a chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle thus propelling it. ...
Frame tubes
The diamond frame consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle. The main triangle consists of the head tube, top tube, down tube and seat tube. The rear triangle consists of the seat tube, and paired chain stays and seat stays. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1803x1584, 452 KB) Summary A bicycle, annotated. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1803x1584, 452 KB) Summary A bicycle, annotated. ...
Head tube -
The head tube contains the headset, the interface with the fork. In an integrated threadless headset, the bearings interface directly with the metal surface on the inside of the head tube In vehicle frames, more commonly of a bicycle or motorcycle, the outer tube within which the steer tube pivots. ...
Top tube The top tube (popularly referred to as the crossbar) connects the top of the head tube to the top of the seat tube. In a traditional-geometry racing bicycle frame, the top tube is horizontal. In a compact-geometry frame, the top tube is sloped downward toward the seat tube. In a mountain bike frame, the top tube is almost always sloped downward toward the seat tube. See Road and triathlon bicycles for more information on geometries. An aluminum racing bicycle made by Raleigh and built using Shimano components. ...
A cross country mountain bike race A hardtail mountain bike A mountain bike or mountain bicycle (abbreviated MTB or ATB (All Terrain Bicycle)) is a bicycle designed for mountain biking, either on dirt trails or other unpaved environments. ...
Steel frame and carbon fiber fork of 2000 LeMond Zurich racing bicycle A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted. ...
Control cables are routed along mounts on the top tube, or sometimes inside the top tube. Most commonly, this includes the cable for the rear brake, but some mountain bikes and hybrid bicycles also route the front and rear derailleur cables along the top tube. A hybrid bicycle is a compromise between a road bicycle and a mountain bicycle. ...
The space between the top tube and the rider's groin while straddling the bike and standing on the ground is called clearance. The total height from the ground to this point is called the height lever.
Down tube The down tube connects the head tube to the bottom bracket shell. On racing bicycles and some mountain and hybrid bikes, the derailleur cables run along the down tube, or inside the down tube. On older racing bicycles, the shift levers were mounted on the down tube. On newer ones, they are integrated with the brake levers on the handlebars. A twist-style seven-speed indexed shifter made by SRAM A bicycle shifter or gear control or gear levers is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. ...
Bottle cage mounts are also on the down tube, usually on the top side, sometimes also on the bottom side. In addition to bottle cages, small air pumps may be fitted to these mounts as well as your bollocks A bottle cage is a bicycle accessory used to affix a water bottle to the bike. ...
Seat tube The seat tube contains the seatpost of the bike, which connects to the saddle. The saddle height is adjustable by changing how far the seatpost is inserted into the seat tube. On some bikes, this is achieved using a quick release lever. The seatpost must be inserted at least a certain length; this is marked with a minimum insertion mark. The seatpost (silver) connects the saddle to the frame (red) A bicycle seatpost or seatpin is an adjustable tube that extends upwards from the bicycle frame to the saddle. ...
A quick release skewer is a cam operated lever system used with a hollow axle for securing the wheels on a bicycle. ...
The seat tube also may have braze-ons for mounting a bottle cage or front derailleur. A bottle cage is a bicycle accessory used to affix a water bottle to the bike. ...
Mountain bicycle with Derailleur gears 9x multiple sprockets of a Derailleur gear Derailleur gears are a gear system commonly used on bicycles, consisting of a chain, multiple sprockets and a mechanism to move the chain from one sprocket to another. ...
Chain stays The chain stays run parallel to the chain, connecting the bottom bracket shell to the rear dropouts. When the rear derailleur cable is routed partially along the down tube, it is also routed along the chain stay. Occasionally (principally on frames made in the late 1990s) mountings for disc brakes will be attached to the chain stays. There may be a small brace that connect the chain stays in front of the rear wheel and behind the bottom bracket shell. A horizontal dropout on a steel frame road bicycle converted to a single-speed. ...
Chain stays can be straight or tapered tubes. Sometimes, on higher-end bikes, they are sculpted to allow clearance for the rear wheel and crank arms.
Seat stays
 Example of a dual-stay seat stay system The seat stays connect the top of the seat tube (often at or near the same point as the top tube) to the rear dropouts. When the rear derailleur cable is routed partially along the top tube, it is also routed along the seat stay. One combination aluminum/carbon fiber racing frame design uses carbon fiber for the seat stays and aluminum for all other tubes. This takes advantage of the better vibration absorption of carbon fiber compared to aluminum. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (570x812, 176 KB)Cyfacs double-stay seat stay, designed to add comfort in the ride of the bicycle. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (570x812, 176 KB)Cyfacs double-stay seat stay, designed to add comfort in the ride of the bicycle. ...
A single seat stay or mono stay refers to seat stays which merge onto one section before joining the front triangle of the bicycle, thus meeting at a single point. A dual seat stay refers to seat stays which meet the front triangle of the bicycle at two separate points, usually side-by-side.
There may be a bridge or brace that connects the stays above the rear wheel and below the connection with the seat tube. Besides additional bracing, this provides a mounting point for rear brakes, fenders, and racks. The seat stays themselves may also provide a mounting point for rear rim or disc brakes. Usually, no rear mount is provided on a fixed gear or track frame.
Bottom bracket shell The bottom bracket shell is a short and wide tube, relative to the other tubes in the frame, that runs side to side and holds the bottom bracket. It is usually threaded, often left-hand threaded on the right (drive) side of the bike to prevent loosening by fretting induced precession, and right-hand threaded on the left (non-drive) side. It will be over-sized, unthreaded, and possibly split in the case of an eccentric bottom bracket. The chain stays, seat tube, and down tube all connect to the bottom bracket shell. For other uses, see Precession (disambiguation). ...
Example of using eccentric on steam engine In mechanical engineering, an eccentric is a wheel that rotates on an axle that is displaced from the focus of the circle described by the wheel; in other words, a mechanical motion that can operate either as a cam or a crank, depending...
Frame geometry The length of the tubes, and the angles at which they are attached define a frame geometry. In comparing different frame geometries, designers often compare the seat tube angle, head tube angle, (virtual) top tube length, and seat tube length. To complete the specification of a bicycle for use, the rider adjusts the relative positions of the saddle, pedals and handlebars: - saddle height, the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the point of reference on top of the middle of the saddle.
- reach, the distance from the saddle to the handlebar.
- drop, the vertical distance between the reference at the top of the saddle to the handlebar.
- setback, the horizontal distance between the front of the saddle and the center of the bottom bracket.
The geometry of the frame depends on the intended use. For instance, a road bicycle will place the handlebars in a lower and further position relative to the saddle giving a more crouched riding position; whereas a utility bicycle emphasizes comfort and has higher handlebars resulting in an upright riding position. A road bicycle is a bicycle designed for use on roads, as opposed to rough terrain. ...
a Dutch utility bicycle A utility bicycle is one which is designed for a practical purpose, as opposed to sport bicycles which are designed for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles and mountain bicycles. ...
Frame geometry also affects handling characteristics. For more information, see the Bicycle and motorcycle geometry and the Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics articles. Bike wheelbase, head angle, fork offset, and trail Bicycle and motorcycle geometry is the collection of key measurements (lengths and angles) that define a particular bike configuration. ...
A simplified mathematical model of bike and rider demonstrating the dynamic of a right turn Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics is the science of the motion of bicycles and motorcycles, in entirety or in parts, due to the forces acting on them during balancing, steering, braking, and suspension. ...
Frame size
 Commonly used measurements Frame size was traditionally measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. Typical "medium" sizes are 21 or 23 inches (approximately 53 or 58 cm) for a European men's racing bicycle or 18.5 inches (about 46 cm) for a men's mountain bicycle. The wider range of frame geometries that are now made have given rise to different ways of measuring frame size; see the discussion by Sheldon Brown. Touring frames tend to be longer, while racing frames are more compact. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
A mountain bike in the forest Freeriding on a Hardtail freeride bicycle A full suspension Mountain Bike A rider during a Cross Country race A mountain bike, mountain bicycle or ATB (All Terrain Bicycle) is a bicycle designed for riding off-road, either on dirt trails or other unpaved environments...
Sheldon Brown and Igor Sheldon Brown (born July 14, 1944) is an American bicycle mechanic and technical authority. ...
Road and triathlon bicycles A road racing bicycle is designed for efficient power transfer at minimum weight and drag. Broadly speaking, the road bicycle geometry is categorized as either a traditional geometry with a horizontal top tube, or a compact geometry with a sloping top tube.
Traditional geometry road frames are often associated with more comfort and greater stability, and tend to have a longer wheelbase which contribute to these two aspects. Compact geometry road frames have a lower center of gravity and tend to have a shorter wheelbase and smaller rear triangle, which give the bike quicker handling. Compact geometry also allows the top of the head tube to be above the top of the seat tube, increasing standover clearance, and lowering the center of gravity. Opinion is divided on the riding merits of the compact frame, but several manufacturers claim that a reduced range of sizes can fit most riders, and that it is easier to build a frame without a perfectly level top tube.
Road bicycles for racing tend to have a steeper seat tube angle, measured from the horizontal plane. This positions the rider aerodynamically and arguably in a stronger stroking position. The trade-off is comfort. Touring and comfort bicycles tend to have more slack seat tube angle traditionally. This positions the rider more on his sit bones and takes weight off of the wrists, arms, neck and, for men, improves circulation to the urinary and reproductive areas. With slacker angle, designers lengthen the chainstay so that the center of gravity (that would otherwise be farther to the back over the wheel) is more ideally repositioned over the middle of the bike frame. The longer wheelbase contributes to effective shock absorption. In modern mass manufactured touring and comfort bikes, the seat tube angle is negligibly slacker, perhaps because of the need to otherwise reset welding jigs in automated processes and thus increase manufacturing costs, and thus do not provide the comfort of traditionally made or custom made frames which do have noticeably slacker seat tube angles.
Road racing bicycles are governed by UCI regulations, which state among other things that the frame must consist of two triangles. Hence the designs that lack a seat tube or top tube are not allowed in UCI-sanctioned road races. An aluminum racing bicycle made by Raleigh and built using Shimano components. ...
Entrance of UCI headquarter at Aigle (Switzerland) Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is a professional cycling union that oversees cycling events in the international community. ...
 A cyclist riding a time-trial bicycle with aerodynamic wheels and aero bars Triathlon or time trial specific frames rotate the rider forward around the axis of the bottom bracket of the bicycle as compared to the standard road bicycle frame. The reason for this is to put the rider in an even lower, more aerodynamic position. While handling and stability is reduced, these bicycles are designed to be ridden in environments with less group riding aspects. These frames tend to have steep seat tube angles and low head tubes, and shorter wheelbase for the correct reach from the saddle to the handlebar. Image File history File links A cyclist in an individual time trial. ...
Image File history File links A cyclist in an individual time trial. ...
The three components of triathlon: Swimming, Cycling, Running A triathlon is an athletic event consisting of swimming, cycling and running over various distances. ...
In many racing sports an athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. ...
Track frames have much in common with road and time trial frames, but come with rear facing fork ends[1] that allow one to adjust the position of the rear wheel horizontally to set the proper chain tension. Also the seat tube angle is steeper than road racing bikes, making a track frame a more nervous bike to ride. A track bicycle A track bicycle is a type of fixed-gear bicycle specially designed for track cycling in a velodrome. ...
Mountain bicycles For ride comfort and better handling, shock absorbers are often used; there are a number of variants, including full suspension models, which provide shock absorption for the front and rear wheels; and front suspension only models (hardtails) which deal only with shocks arising from the front wheel. The development of sophisticated suspension systems in the 1990s quickly resulted in many modifications to the classic diamond frame. Gasfilled Shock absorber. ...
Recent mountain bicycles with rear suspension systems have a pivoting rear triangle to actuate the rear shock absorber. There is much manufacturer variation in the frame design of full-suspension mountain bicycles, and different designs for different riding purposes. The front suspension components of a Ford Model T. Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. ...
Variations There are other variations on the basic diamond frame design. Historically, women's bicycle frames had a top tube that connected in the middle of the seat tube instead of the top, resulting in a lower standover height. This was to allow the rider to dismount while wearing a skirt or dress. This is also known as a step-through frame. Another style that accomplishes similar results is the mixte. A skirt is a traditionally feminine tube- or cone-shaped garment which is worn from the waist and covers the legs. ...
Look up dress in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
A step-through frame (aka low-step frame) is a type of bicycle geometry with a very low crossbar, typically just above the pedals, or no crossbar at all. ...
A mixte frame bicycle replaces the top tube of the traditional safety bicycle with a pair of smaller tubes running from the top of the head tube all the way back to the rear axle, connecting at the seat tube on the way. ...
The cycle types article describes additional variations.
It is also possible to add couplers either during manufacturing or as a retrofit so that the frame can be disassembled into smaller pieces to facilitate packing and travel. A BTC in the down tube of a touring bicycle An S and S Couplingâ„¢ also known as a Bicycle Torque Couplingâ„¢ or BTCâ„¢ is a coupling which enables bicycle frames to be separated into smaller pieces, usually to facilitate packing and transporting. ...
Frame materials Historically, the tubes of the frame have been made of steel. While steel is still used, newer frames can also be made from aluminum alloys, titanium, carbon fiber, and even bamboo. Occasionally, diamond frames have been formed from sections other than tubes. These include I-beams and monocoque. Materials that have been used in these frames include wood (solid or laminate), magnesium (cast I-beams), and thermoplastic. Several properties of a material help decide whether it is an appropriate in the construction of bicycle frame: For other uses, see Bamboo (disambiguation). ...
I-beams are beams with an I- or H-shaped cross-section. ...
Monocoque (French for single shell) is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the structure. ...
For other uses, see Wood (disambiguation). ...
Laminate flooring Laminated core transformer A laminate is a material constructed by uniting two or more layers of material together. ...
General Name, symbol, number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, period, block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white solid at room temp Standard atomic weight 24. ...
This article is about the manufacturing process. ...
For other uses, see Plastic (disambiguation). ...
- Density (or specific gravity) is a measure of how light or heavy the material per unit volume.
- Stiffness (or elastic modulus) can in theory affect the ride comfort and power transmission efficiency. In practice, because even a very flexible frame is much more stiff than the tires and saddle, ride comfort is in the end more a factor of saddle choice, frame geometry, tire choice, and bicycle fit. Lateral stiffness is far more difficult to achieve because of the narrow profile of a frame, and too much flexibility can affect power transmission, primarily through tire scrub on the road due to rear triangle distortion, brakes rubbing on the rims and the chain rubbing on gear mechanisms. In extreme cases gears can change themselves when the rider applies high torque out of the saddle.
- Yield strength determines how much force is needed to permanently deform the material (for crash-worthiness).
- Elongation determines how much deformity the material allows before cracking (for crash-worthiness).
- Fatigue limit and Endurance limit determines the durability of the frame when subjected to cyclical stress from pedaling or ride bumps.
Tube engineering and frame geometry can overcome much of the perceived shortcomings of these particular materials. For other uses, see Density (disambiguation). ...
Relative density (also known as specific gravity) is a measure of the density of a material. ...
Stiffness is the resistance of an elastic body to deflection or deformation by an applied force. ...
An elastic modulus, or modulus of elasticity, is the mathematical description of an object or substances tendency to be deformed when a force is applied to it. ...
Tensile strength isthe measures the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks. ...
In the uniaxial tensile test commonly carried out to determine some properties of engineering materials, a small testpiece is stretched from an initial, undeformed length to a current, deformed length . ...
In materials science, fatigue is the progressive, localised, and permanent structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic or fluctuating strains at nominal stresses that have maximum values less than (often much less than) the static yield strength of the material. ...
Steel Steel frames are often built using various types of steel alloys including chromoly. They are strong, easy to work, and relatively inexpensive, but more dense (heavier) than many other structural materials. Steel tubing in traditional standard diameters is often less rigid than oversized tubing in other materials; this flex allows for some shock absorption giving the rider a slightly less jarring ride compared to other more rigid tubings such as oversized aluminum. For other uses, see Steel (disambiguation). ...
Chromoly is an abbreviation for chromium-molybdenum steel (sometimes spelled cro-mo). Chromoly is a range of low alloy steels used, for example, to produce tubing for bicycle frames and race-car roll cages. ...
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A classic type of construction for both road bicycles and mountain bicycles uses standard cylindrical steel tubes which are connected with lugs. Lugs are fittings made of thicker pieces of steel. The tubes are fitted into the lugs, which encircle the end of the tube, and are then brazed to the lug. Historically, the lower temperatures associated with brazing (silver brazing in particular) had less of a negative impact on the tubing strength than high temperature welding, allowing relatively light tube to be used without loss of strength. Recent advances in metallurgy ("air hardening") have created tubing that is not adversely affected, or whose properties are even improved by high temperature welding temperatures, which has allowed both TIG & MIG welding to sideline lugged construction in all but a few high end bicycles. More expensive lugged frame bicycles have lugs which are filed by hand into fancy shapes - both for weight savings and as a sign of craftsmanship. Unlike MIG or TIG welded frames, a lugged frame can be more easily repaired in the field due to its simple construction. Also, since steel tubing can rust, the lugged frame allows a fast tube replacement with virtually no physical damage to the neighboring tubes. This seat lug joins the seat tube, top tube, and seat stays of a steel touring bicycle frame. ...
This article is about the metal joining process. ...
Georg Agricola, author of De re metallica, an important early book on metal extraction Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their compounds, which are called alloys. ...
Tig may refer to: TIG Welding, a metal welding process. ...
Gas metal arc welding Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), sometimes referred to by its subtypes metal inert gas (MIG) welding or metal active gas (MAG) welding, is a semi-automatic or automatic arc welding process in which a continuous and consumable wire electrode and a shielding gas are fed through...
A more economical method of bicycle frame construction uses cylindrical steel tubing connected by TIG welding, which does not require lugs to hold the tubes together. Instead, frame tubes are precisely aligned into a jig and fixed in place until the welding is complete. Fillet brazing is another method of joining frame tubes without lugs. It is more labor intensive, and consequently is less likely to be used for production frames. As with TIG welding frame tubes are precisely mitred and then a fillet of brass is melted onto the joint. Some custom frame builders and their customers prefer a fillet braze frame for aesthetic (smooth curved appearance) reasons. Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. ...
Example of a non-filleted pole (left) and a filleted pole (right) It is common to find a fillet where two parts are welded together In mechanical engineering, a fillet (pronounced ) is a concave easing of an interior corner of a part design. ...
Among steel frames, using butted tubing reduces weight and increases cost. Butting means that the wall thickness of the tubing changes from thick at the ends (for strength) to thinner in the middle (for lighter weight).
Cheaper steel bicycle frames are made of mild steel, such as might be used to manufacture automobiles or other common items. However, higher-quality bicycle frames are made of high strength steel alloys (generally chromium-molybdenum, or "chromoly" steel alloys) which can be made into lightweight tubing with very thin wall gauges. One of the most successful older steels was Reynolds "531", a manganese-molybdenum alloy steel. Reynolds and Columbus are two of the most famous manufacturers of bicycle tubing. A few medium-quality bicycles used these steel alloys for only some of the frame tubes. An example was the Schwinn Le tour (at least certain models), which used chromoly steel for the top and bottom tubes but used lower-quality steel for the rest of the frame. REDIRECT [[ Insert text]]EWWWWWWWWWWWWW YO General Name, symbol, number chromium, Cr, 24 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 6, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 51. ...
General Name, Symbol, Number molybdenum, Mo, 42 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 6, 5, d Appearance gray metallic Standard atomic weight 95. ...
Reynolds Cycle Technology is a manufacturer of tubing for bicycle frames and other bicycle components based in Birmingham, England established in 1898. ...
Reynolds 531 is a brand name of high grade steel bicycle tubing. ...
General Name, symbol, number manganese, Mn, 25 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 7, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 54. ...
The Schwinn Bicycle Company was founded in Chicago in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn, and grew to become the dominant manufacturer of American bicycles through most of the 20th century. ...
A high-quality steel frame is lighter than a regular steel frame. This lightness makes it easier to ride uphill, and to accelerate on the flat. Also many riders feel thin-walled lightweight steel frames have a "liveliness" or "springiness" quality to their ride.
If the tubing label has been lost, a high-quality (chromoly or manganese) steel frame can be recognized by tapping it sharply with a flick of the fingernail. A high-quality frame will produce a bell-like ring where a regular-quality steel frame will produce a dull thunk. They can be also recognized by their weight (around 2.5 kg for frame and forks) and the type of lugs and dropouts used.
Aluminum alloys Aluminum alloys have lower density and lower strength compared with steel alloys (both are reduced by approximately 2/3). Aluminum can, however, be used to build a frame that is lighter than steel. Also, in contrast to some steel and titanium alloys, which have unlimited fatigue endurance, aluminum has such a limit; even the smallest repeated stresses will eventually cause failure if repeated enough times. However, alloying, good mechanical design, and good construction practices help to extend the fatigue life of aluminum bicycle frames to acceptable lengths. Aluminium alloys or aluminum alloys are alloys of aluminium, often with copper, zinc, manganese, silicon, or magnesium. ...
 Shaped aluminum downtube with keyhole cross-section. It is connected to a dual chainstay made from carbon fiber. The aluminum parts were TIG-welded, and the carbon fiber parts are glued onto the aluminum sections. The most popular type of construction today uses aluminum alloy tubes that are connected together by Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. Welded aluminum bicycle frames started to appear in the marketplace only after this type of welding became economical in the 1970s. Comparing equal tube sizes, aluminum is less stiff than steel, but it is also lighter. In order to raise aluminum’s stiffness, the tubing diameter is increased beyond that of steel and thus known as oversized tubing. The greater diameter generally results in a frame that is significantly stiffer than steel. While many riders claim that steel frames give a smoother ride than aluminum because aluminum frames are designed to be stiffer, that claim is of questionable validity: the bicycle frame itself is extremely stiff vertically because it is made of triangles, the sides of which do not change in length under stress.[2] On the other hand, lateral and twisting (torsional) stiffness improves acceleration and handling in some circumstances. Image File history File links Shaped aluminum downtube with keyhole cross-section on a road bicycle, with carbon fiber chainstays. ...
Image File history File links Shaped aluminum downtube with keyhole cross-section on a road bicycle, with carbon fiber chainstays. ...
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) is commonly known as Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG), however since some process variations utilize active (other than inert) shielding gases, the correct technical term is GTAW. In this process a non-consumable tungsten electrode is used and the electric arc occurs between this electrode...
The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ...
Aluminum frames are generally recognized as having a lower weight than steel, although this is not always the case. An inexpensive aluminum frame may be heavier than an expensive steel frame. Butted aluminum tubes—where the wall thickness of the middle sections are made to be thinner than the end sections—are used by some manufacturers for weight savings. Other innovations include the shaping of the cross-section of the tubes, such as in an oval or teardrop shapes, for optimizing stiffness and compliance in different directions as well as reducing wind resistance.
Titanium Titanium is perhaps the most exotic and expensive metal commonly used for bicycle frame tubes. It combines many desirable characteristics, including a high strength to weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. Reasonable stiffness (roughly half that of steel) allow for many titanium frames to be constructed with "standard" tube sizes comparable to a traditional steel frame, although larger diameter tubing is becoming more common for more stiffness. As many titanium frames can be much more expensive than similar steel alloy frames, cost can put them out of reach for many cyclists. Many common titanium alloys and even specific tubes were originally developed for the aerospace industry. General Name, symbol, number titanium, Ti, 22 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 4, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 47. ...
Titanium alloys are metallic materials which contain a mixture of titanium and other chemical elements. ...
Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that concerns aircraft, spacecraft, and related topics. ...
Titanium frame tubes are almost always joined by Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG), although vacuum brazing has been used on early frames. It is more difficult to machine than steel or aluminum, which sometimes limits its uses and also raises the effort (and cost) associated with this type of construction. This article is about the metal joining process. ...
Carbon fiber Carbon fiber, a composite material, is an increasingly popular non-metallic material commonly used for bicycle frames.[3][4][5][6] Although expensive, it is light-weight, corrosion-resistant and strong, and can be formed into almost any shape desired. The result is a frame that can be fine-tuned for specific strength where it is needed (to withstand pedaling forces), while allowing flexibility in other frame sections (for comfort). Custom carbon fiber bicycle frames may even be designed with individual tubes that are strong in one direction (such as laterally), while compliant in another direction (such as vertically). The ability to design an individual composite tube with properties that vary by orientation cannot be accomplished with any metal frame construction commonly in production. Carbon fiber composite is a strong, light and very expensive material. ...
A cloth of woven carbon fiber filaments, a common element in composite materials Composite materials (or composites for short) are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. ...
The specific strength is a material strength divided by its density. ...
Some carbon fiber frames use cylindrical tubes that are joined with adhesives and lugs, in a method somewhat analogous to a lugged steel frame. Another type of carbon fiber frames are manufactured in a single piece, called monocoque construction. While these composite materials provide light weight as well as high strength, they have much lower impact resistance and consequently are prone to damage if crashed or mishandled. It has also been suggested that these materials are vulnerable to fatigue failure, a process which occurs with use over a long period of time.
Many racing bicycles built for individual time trial races and triathlons employ composite construction because the frame can be shaped with an aerodynamic profile not possible with cylindrical tubes, or would be excessively heavy in other materials. While this type of frame may in fact be heavier than others, its aerodynamic efficiency may help the cyclist to attain a higher speed and consequently outweigh other considerations in such events. An Individual Time Trial (ITT) is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock (in French: contre la montre - literally against the watch). There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials (TTT). ...
The three components of triathlon: Swimming, Cycling, Running A triathlon is an athletic event consisting of swimming, cycling and running over various distances. ...
Aerodynamics is a branch of fluid dynamics concerned with the study of gas flows, first analysed by George Cayley in the 1800s. ...
Other materials besides carbon fiber, such as metalic boron, can be added to the matrix to enhance stiffness further.[7] For other uses, see Boron (disambiguation). ...
Thermoplastic Thermoplastics, according to a study from 2001 done by the Advanced Technology Project (ATP), is a new material that is still within testing.[1] It was originally developed by "Ford Motor Company Scientific Research Laboratory" and "General Electric Research and Development" within a joint venture. The ATP pioneered the use of cyclic thermoplastics in automotive components. Such parts are used in Ford's Aston Martin model automobile. Intellectual proprietary rights were sold to Cyclics Corporation which is using the process to produce such items as recyclable bicycle frames. For other uses, see Plastic (disambiguation). ...
“Ford†redirects here. ...
“GE†redirects here. ...
The phrase research and development (also R and D or, more often, R&D), according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, refers to creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use...
A joint venture (often abbreviated JV) is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together. ...
Car redirects here. ...
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury performance cars, whose headquarters are at Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. ...
// Use of the term The concept of property or ownership has no single or universally accepted definition. ...
Magnesium A handful of bicycle frames are made from magnesium, which has around 64% the density of aluminum. Some early frames were die cast in one piece and composed of I shaped I-beams rather than tubes. However, modern magnesium frames are constructed conventionally using tubes.[8] Casting is a process by which a material is introduced into a mold while it is liquid, allowed to solidify in the shape inside the mold, and then removed producing a fabricated object, part, or casing. ...
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Shape. ...
 Bicycle frame made of bamboo (1896) Reportedly, a major problem with these frames is corrosion caused by the chemical reactivity of magnesium. Unless care is taken during assembly of the bicycle, there is likely to be galvanic corrosion at points where steel or aluminum components attach to the frame.[9] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 141 KB) Summary An American bike from 1896. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 141 KB) Summary An American bike from 1896. ...
The Galvanic cell, named after Luigi Galvani, consists of two metals connected by an electrolyte which forms a salt bridge between the metals. ...
Bamboo Several bicycle frames have been made of bamboo tubes connected with steel or carbon fiber lugs. Aesthetic appeal has often been as much of a motivator as ride characteristics.[10][11][12]
Wood Several bicycle frames have been made of wood, either solid or laminate. Although one survived 265 grueling kilometers of the Paris-Roubaix race, aesthetic appeal has often been as much of a motivator as ride characteristics.[13] Wood is used to fashion bicycles in East Africa.[14]
Combinations A recent innovation is the construction of frames out of tubes of different materials. This is intended to provide the desired stiffness, compliance, or damping in different areas better than can be accomplished with a single material. The combined materials are usually carbon fiber and a metal, either steel, aluminum, or titanium. One implementation of this approach includes a metal down tube and chain stays with carbon top tube, seat tube, and seat stays.[15] Another is a metal main triangle and chain stays with just carbon seat stays.[16]
Braze-ons -
Main article: Braze-on A variety of small features, bottle cage mounting holes, shifter bosses, cable stops, pump pegs, etc., are described as braze-ons because they were originally, and sometimes still are, brazed on. A twist-style seven-speed indexed shifter made by SRAM A bicycle shifter or gear control or gear levers is a component used to control the gearing mechanisms and select the desired gear ratio. ...
Invented by Frank Bowden, a bowden cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force or energy by the movement of an inner cable (most commonly of steel or stainless steel) relative to a hollow outer cable housing. ...
Bicycle Floor Pump Foot operated bike pump Frame mounted bike pump A bicycle pump is a type of positive-displacement pump specifically designed for inflating balls (basket,soccer). ...
Suspension -
Many bicycles, especially mountain bikes, have a suspension built into their frame. A full suspension Mountain Bike // Bicycle suspension refers to the system or systems used to suspend the rider and all or part of the bicycle in order to protect them from the roughness of the terrain over which they travel. ...
References Sheldon Brown and Igor Sheldon Brown (born July 14, 1944) is an American bicycle mechanic and technical authority. ...
2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Sheldon Brown and Igor Sheldon Brown (born July 14, 1944) is an American bicycle mechanic and technical authority. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 69th day of the year (70th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
See also For other uses, see Bicycle (disambiguation). ...
Roller chain and sprocket A bicycle chain is a chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle thus propelling it. ...
bicycle fork A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows one to steer. ...
A full suspension Mountain Bike // Bicycle suspension refers to the system or systems used to suspend the rider and all or part of the bicycle in order to protect them from the roughness of the terrain over which they travel. ...
A mixte frame bicycle replaces the top tube of the traditional safety bicycle with a pair of smaller tubes running from the top of the head tube all the way back to the rear axle, connecting at the seat tube on the way. ...
A step-through frame (aka low-step frame) is a type of bicycle geometry with a very low crossbar, typically just above the pedals, or no crossbar at all. ...
External links Smoke billows at the exploratorium The Exploratorium is a public science museum located in the Marina District at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. ...
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