A chainwheel, commonly referred to as a sprocket, is a metal wheel with teeth surrounding the entire outside of the wheel. These teeth are designed to link up with a chain that will pass over it, most commonly found on bikes or other similar devices. Chainwheel pitch refers to the amount of space between each roller on a bike chain.
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If you're looking to increase the speed of your bike, consider upgrading the wheels. Aside from adjusting your position on the bike, wheels can increase the bike's aerodynamic properties. To achieve the most aerodynamic ride, r...
Aligning a bicycle wheel also is called truing a wheel. The crisscross pattern of the spokes allows you to align the rim so it is equidistant from the hub at all points. Tightening the spokes to uniform tension maintains the wh...
Typically, more expensive bodyboards are less likely to become waterlogged. The better boards are extruded from dense polypropylene foam that's water-resistant. Foam used on cheaper boards acts like a sponge when it's chipped, ...
Front wheel hop on a bicycle is due to a rider's technique or a bad component. Expert BMX riders can hop a bike on the front wheel by fully applying the brake and lifting the handlebars in rapid succession. Negotiating bumpy te...
Clicking sounds coming from bicycle wheels indicate something is out of adjustment or needs maintenance. Spokes and wheel bearings are potential noisemakers. Clicking or chattering at the rear wheel when you pedal suggests the ...
A balanced wheel gives you the most comfortable ride possible, prevents spoke damage and increases the life of your bicycle's wheels. Though the truing process seems complicated to inexperienced bicycle mechanics, having the co...
Truing a bicycle wheel is simply straightening the wheel. If a spoke is broken or bumped out of place while riding, the wheel will rub against your brake pads, causing it to wear quickly and unevenly. Over time, this will also ...
Building your own bicycle wheel is a satisfying experience that will help you get the most from your bike's performance through customized rims, spokes and hubs. One of the most complicated parts of the assembly process is trui...
It is possible to adjust the tension of each of your bicycle wheel spokes by turning the nipple at the base of each spoke. When you do this, you change how the tension is distributed across the entire wheel. By tightening the s...
Wheel cranks are replaced when they get damaged or when fitting your bike with new cranks. The cranks attach to spindles at each side of the bottom bracket. Square tapered cranks found on many bikes require a crank arm puller t...
Truing consists of tuning the spokes to align the wheel in the bicycle frame. A bent wheel should be straightened and trued by a wheel builder who has the expertise and tools needed to return the wheel to rideable condition. Ty...
Learning to ride a two-wheel bicycle as an adult could be difficult. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Balance Procedures Manual reports that balance degenerates as you age. MayoClinic.com states your coordinatio...
If you are overweight, cycling might be recommended to help you lose weight. If you weigh more than 300 lb., consider a hybrid or mountain bike. These have larger tires and thicker wheels that can hold up longer under pressure....
Traditional bicycle wheels are made from aluminum or similar metals. However, some cyclists prefer carbon composite bicycle wheels. Each type of wheel has its benefits and drawbacks. Depending on your cycling needs, composite w...
Three-wheeled bicycles, more commonly referred to as trikes, come in a range of designs. Some resemble traditional two-wheeled bikes with frame modifications to accommodate a wider axle and additional rear wheel. Others are rec...
Wheels can greatly affect the performance of your bicycle because of their weight and design. If you do most of your cycling on hard, flat surfaces, specially designed seven-spoke wheels may improve your performance. The main a...
Bicycle wheels are an important part of biking. They are the frames for the tires, which is the only part of the bicycle that is in contact with the road. How a bicycle maneuvers, rides and performs depends in part on the type ...
Competitive cyclists may go as far as shaving their legs and wearing single piece skin suits to improve their aerodynamic advantage, but the average rider can make significant gains by changing their wheels.
Fixed gears do not allow the rider to coast with their feet on the pedals. The pedals continue to turn as long as the wheels are turning, similar to a child's tricycle. Typically, the term "fixed-gear wheels" refers to the sing...
As of 2011, one of the more popular trends in bicycling styles is to that of single speed track bikes, with fixed gear rear wheels. This purist form of cycling is popular among bicycle messengers and city riders.
Bicycle wheels consist of four principle structural elements: a tire mounted on a rim, connected by spokes to a ball-bearing hub. The spokes are made of steel and laced in a deceptively complex pattern. Their butted ends seat i...
Over the next several years, he participated in a variety of major cycling events. During the 1927 Gran Premio della Vittoria race in the Italian Dolomite mountains, Campagnolo jumped off his bicycle to change gears. After quic...
Hand-made bicycle wheels and machine-built wheels have their pros and cons.
Just as with your car, regular maintenance is key in ensuring that your bicycle has a long life. A properly functioning bicycle is also necessary to ensure your own safety. It is by paying attention to certain small details, su...
The measurement for bicycle wheels can be a bit confusing, because a wheel has several components and manufacturers differ in the measurements they sue. What one company calls a 26-inch wheel may only be 25 3/4 inches. To fully...
Bicycle wheels come in multiple sizes. The standard wheel size of most adult bicycles is either 24 or 26 inches. Tricycles are often the first bikes for children, but a large variety of bicycle sizes exists between tricycles an...
Cone flats thread onto the axles and press bearing cones against the bearings. Adjusting bearing cone preload prolongs the life of the bearings. With proper preload, light drag should be noticed when spinning the wheels. Whee...
Pulling the wheel bearings allows you to inspect and clean the bearing races. Inspections can avert damage and limit the cost of replacements or repairs. The method used to grease wheel bearings varies a bit with the front and ...
In the 1980s, manufacturers began to market 32-spoke wheels as more technologically sophisticated, though these wheels were often weaker. The 24-spoke wheels are a continuation of this trend toward lower spoke counts. However, ...
A trainer allows you to concentrate on your training without worrying about road distractions, such as pedestrians, cars and road hazards. Avoiding inclement weather is another advantage of a stationary trainer; you can even re...
The wheel size of a bicycle is the diameter of the rim plus the width of the tire. According to the website Bicycle Designer.com, this concept confuses some people. Bike designs vary widely among manufacturers, but wheel size i...
The company produces a line of midrange, moderately priced bicycles for the retail market, as of December 2010. As part of maintenance on a Columbia bike, you may need to remove the wheels, which can be done quickly.
Bicycle wheels support your weight by placing a high amount of tension on the spokes that connect the rim to the wheel hub. Riding your bike regularly, over rough terrain or having an accident can cause the spokes to become ten...
A bend rim, the part of the wheel that holds the tire, is a safety hazard that can cause an accident and damage your bike further. Bike repair advisor BikeWebSite.com says that a rim with a serious bend may cause spokes to poke...
Changing the size of your wheels will allow you to adjust the height of your bicycle. Replacing your 26-inch wheels with a pair of 20-inch wheels will drastically lower your riding stance. The cycling experts at REI state that ...
The evolution of the tire has played an integral part in the development of the bicycle. Like bicycles themselves, bicycle tires have been modified over the years to make them more efficient and durable. Modern bicycle tires h...
According to Standford educated mechanical engineer and bicycle designer Eric Topp, "building spoked bicycle wheels is a lot of fun and immensely satisfying." However, before you can begin the building process, you must have th...
To ride any type of bike safely, the wheels must be aligned and spin straight. The spokes on your bike wheels play a big role in keeping your wheels aligned properly. When the tension on all of the spokes in a wheel is even and...
According to bicycle maintenance expert Sheldon Brown, the need for building customized bicycle wheels has been reduced as the amount of inexpensive quality wheels has risen. But, he notes that "learning to build wheels is an i...
A tube steel frame can be fitted with a neck arm that sleeves onto the bike seat post. A laminated hardwood cart might have extension arms that resemble a rickshaw and attach to the rear wheel mount on a bicycle. The other opti...
Depending on the type of terrain you travel across and the style of riding you prefer, the back wheel of your bicycle may experience considerable stress when you ride. Jumps and ditches may bend the spokes, or stray rocks and p...
Bicycles often come unassembled when purchased. Quite often the front wheel is not attached to the bicycle to save space during shipping. Buying a bicycle directly from a local bicycle shop can solve this issue. You can assembl...
A rear wheel typically attaches to a bike frame via a quick-release mechanism. This consists of a skewer rod with a threaded cap at one end and a quick-release lever at the other, notes Alex Ramon of BicycleTutor.com. Springs a...
With lower models of bikes, you almost always purchase the bike frame, wheels and all other parts as a complete set. But more expensive bike models sometimes give you the opportunity to mix and match equipment, depending on the...
Removing and replacing a rear wheel on a bicycle can be more challenging than the front wheel because of the gear cogs and the derailleur. It is necessary to remove the rear wheel when making repairs to the tire or inner tube. ...
Increasing the wheel strength on your bicycle may be necessary if you weigh more than 170 lbs or often ride in rough terrain. While durable wheels can be bought from a bicycle shop, building your own wheels can save you money a...
Wheel damage is an unavoidable reality for any regular cyclist. Natural wear and accidents can cause the rim, hub and spokes of a wheel to be worn out and weaken the structural integrity of your bicycle. Rebuilding a wheel can ...
A bicycle wheel has an outer rim, suspended by spokes that lace into the hub at the center of the wheel. The rubber tire seats into the rim, and depending on the kind of tire, may have an inner tube. The skewer is the piece tha...
Your bike's wheels are the only thing connecting your body and bike frame to the ground below you. That's a lot riding on your tires and the rims that house them, and it makes it all the more important you have the right tires ...
Building your own bicycle wheels can be a rewarding experience. Some key components that may need repair include the spokes, rims and the hub. Some common problems that may occur are fatigued spokes, bent rims, stiff axles or l...
Whether you are a daily bike rider, weekend rider, or your kids have bikes, problems with bicycle wheels happen to everyone. Bent rims occur when the wheel is out of true because the bike hit a pothole, crashed or suffered any ...
Crashed bicycle wheels are a common occurrence for cyclists. They can be easily caused by a range of minor collisions and bumps. A crashed bicycle wheel can limit a bike's performance as the wheel is unable to spin in the prope...
Several things can cause a bicycle wheel not to turn. The brakes may be locked up, the spindle nuts are overtightened or the axle bearings are rusted. Troubleshooting the cause is a matter of checking things in a certain progre...
Despite being relatively durable, bicycle wheels can easily become damaged as a result of riding over uneven surfaces and general use. Bicycle wheels suffer most commonly from minor bends that can greatly reduce their performan...
Over time, all bike rims require minor maintenance to straighten a slightly warped, "out-of-true" rim. "Truing" a wheel requires adjusting the spokes to evenly distribute spoke tension. Tightening or looseni...
Bent bicycle tires can be a very big problem for riders. Depending on the bend or blip on the rim, your bike can develop bald spots that make the handling of the bike more difficult. When a bicycle wheel is bent, it is no longe...
As a part of regular maintenance on your bicycle, worn wheel bearings will occasionally need replacing. Wheel bearings sit within curved tracks in the wheel hub, called races. Metal cones, which thread onto the axle, hold the b...
Clean and shiny aluminum bicycle wheels enhance the overall appearance of your bike. Unfortunately, they can get dirty easily from riding through dirty conditions and wet roads. You can do a lot to restore the look of aluminum ...
Proper maintenance can also eliminate breakdowns that can take time and money to fix. One area needing particular focus is the wheels. Few parts of the bike suffer as much wear and tear as the wheels when rolling over terrain. T
Getting an accurate measurement for a bicycle tire can be confusing. Tires are measures from the ground to the top of the tread as opposed to the measurement of the rim alone. Therefore, the diameter of a bicycle tire depends o...
A three-wheel bicycle, also called a tricycle, provides balance and takes away the likelihood of suffering major injuries by falling off your bike. An added benefit is that you can sit comfortably while pedaling a three-wheel b...
You don't need special ventilation that takes extra time to set up or protective gloves that inhibit your motor skills. If your aluminum rims have steel spokes, wire brushes or steel wool can take the rust right off. Clean your...
The skewer is the axle on bicycles with quick-release wheels. As your bicycle gets older, your skewers may become worn or damaged and need replacing, or you might want to upgrade to a better set of skewers. Installing new bicyc...
Unbalanced bicycle wheels are a common occurrence for many cyclists. Wheels easily become unbalanced for a host of reasons, for example riding over rough terrain, bumps and falls. However, riders needn’t rush straight...
There will be notable differences in the wheels you use for performing tricks, urban commuting and off-road recreational riding. In order to get the most out of your bicycle, your choice of wheel type will be as important as an...
Bicycle wheel bearings are located inside the wheel hub. Though they are easily accessed on front wheels, you may need to remove the sprockets to access a rear wheel hub. If you've ever changed the bearings on a cup-and-cone st...
When it comes to cycling, bigger isn't always better. While smaller wheels on an adult bike might look odd, they come with a number of advantages, especially for smaller riders. But even tall cyclists can benefit from wheels wi...
Sometimes referred to collectively as a cassette or freewheel, sprockets are the gears attached to the rear wheel of a multispeed bicycle. They utilize a ratcheting mechanism that permits them to spin freely when you are coasti...
Aligning the wheel of a bicycle, also known as truing the wheel, is a common process carried out to straighten a wheel that has become bent. Wheels that have been severely bent likely will need professional repair or total repl...
Fixing a warped bicycle wheel can seem like a daunting task for many cyclists. However, with a small time commitment and a little concentration, fixing a warped bicycle wheel can be a simple task which can be carried out at as ...
However, paying an expensive professional to true your wheel is not necessarily needed. Bicycle wheels can often be trued at home in very little time.
A bent bicycle wheel can often make cycling more strenuous with the wheel rim constantly rubbing against the brake pads and causing friction on every turn. A bent wheel can also weaken a bike significantly, substantially increa...
Since bicycles were invented, cyclists have been looking for many ways to improve their speed. One of the biggest ways to change your bike is to change the wheels. There are various benefits and consequences of using low spoke ...
There is a specific formula, however, to building a bicycle wheel that, if followed carefully will allow you to put a wheel together properly. Different wheels have different numbers of spokes and different formulas for fitting...
Impacts, hard turns and vibration can eventually cause a bicycle wheel to go out of true. To adjust the wheel properly, it is best to use a truing stand and dishing tool. The truing stand acts as a guide to identify places alon...
Modern bicycles have changed little in their basic form from over a century ago. However, technological changes have made certain bicycle components easier to use. For instance, in the past, wheels were held on using a treaded ...
When truing the wheel of a bicycle, it is important that the rim of the wheel be centered to the hub. A simple device, called a wheel dishing gauge, measures the alignment of the rim to the hub. The gauge consists of a flat, cu...
Anyone who rides a bike on a regular basis is bound to end up with a bent rim at one time or other. This can be caused by a multitude of reasons, such as hitting a rock, riding in a pothole or experiencing simple wear and tear...
A "clincher" is the most common type of rim used on bicycle wheels. Clincher bicycle rims are similar to automobile rims in terms of how the tire adheres by means of a ridge on the inside of the rim that "clinches" a bead runni...
Most bicycle wheels are held in place by a quick-release mechanism. When closed, this mechanism grabs the rear frame of the bicycle. When opened, it releases it, eliminating the need for a cumbersome nut and thread to hold the ...
A spoke may occasionally break on the wheel of your bicycle while riding. Spokes usually break at either the nipple, where the spoke connects to the rim, or the flange, which holds the spoke in place on the wheel hub. A broken ...
The sprockets on the rear wheel assembly of a bicycle will eventually begin to wear and need to be replaced. There are two types of sprockets: the freewheel and the cassette cluster. Freewheel removal requires a notched freewhe...
After repairing a flat tire, truing a wheel or buying a brand new wheel you will need to put the wheel back on your bike. Replacing the rear wheel of your bike requires a little more effort than replacing the front wheel. Most ...
Most bikes in 2010 are equipped with quick release skewers, making wheel removal convenient and easy. Older bikes will require a wrench in order to remove the wheel, but the remaining steps will be the same. Due to the drive tr...
Imagine gaining speed down a hill on your bicycle just to realize that your front wheel was put on incorrectly. The fear and panic that come next can be avoided with a little knowledge about the correct way of replacing a fron...
Riding a bicycle can be incredibly rewarding, both in terms of health and enjoyment. A bicycle's structure is directly related to its capability for speed, efficiency and safety. The wheels of a bicycle are particularly critica...
Installing training wheels on a bicycle can be completed in about 15 minutes and will allow your youngster to start learning how to ride a bicycle in no time. Many children's bicycles come packaged with training wheels, but it ...
