Mallory Mobley
ENC 1210
Professor Dick
3/23/17
Word Count: 602
The Bicycle
Since the earliest of days, the bicycle has been an important component to making a person’s life simpler. What started out as a wooden contraption with 2, 3, or even 4 wheels has now turned into a sleek metal structure that is used for cruising around the beach or racing in an event. Bicycles have been around for hundreds of years and are very important for traveling and competing. A bicycle is a human powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. Its major parts include a pedal, handlebars, and tires. To understand how to ride a bike, you first need to understand how the parts of the bicycle operate.
The Bicycle’s Pedal
The bicycle pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the bicycle. It provides the connection between the cyclist's foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket chain and propel the bicycle’s wheels.
The Bicycle’s Handlebars
The next part you need to learn about is the bicycle handlebars. These handlebars are used for steering and can also support a portion of the rider’s weight, depending on their riding position. Handlebars are attached to the bikes “stem” which allows the rider to choose which direction the bike travels in. There are several types of handlebars which include flat bars, riser bars, bullhorns, drop bars, aero bars, cruiser bars, and butterfly bars. These handlebars have different structures, so the best way to figure out which one is best for you is to research the variety of options available.
The Bicycle’s Tires
The final major part that you need to understand is the tires on the bicycle. The wheel on a bicycle tire provides an important source of suspension, balancing, and turning. The tire is also used for generate enough power to travel long distances and braking when needed. When finding the right bicycle, make sure you pay close attention to the type and quality of tires. The different types of tires include foldable bike tires, tubeless tires, studded bike tires, and puncture-resistant tires. The type of tires on your bicycle will depend on what you are using the bicycle for.
Overview
Overall, the bicycle is important to people because they provide a way to travel to new distances and allow people to compete with their friends in races. It is also a great way for college students to commute back and forth between college and their apartment. What started as a machine for leisure activity has now turned into a device that can be used for transportation, exploring new places, and participating in events. With new technology advancements, the future of bikes is upon us. We may see bikes being operated with phones, tablets, or computers. There also may be new bikes that travel at high speeds with a lightweight frame that makes it easier to carry or maneuver. Who knows, there could even been a bicycle in the works that will be solar powered. Look at Figure 1 below to see if you can find the major parts of a bicycle. By understanding the major parts of the bicycle and how they function, you too will be riding a bicycle like a professional in no time.
Figure 1
Works Cited
Custodia, Terence. "The Ultimate Guide to Bike Handlebars." City Bicycle Co. N.p., 21 Aug. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
Payne, Seamus. "Future Bikes: 10 Bold, Brilliant Bicycle Concepts." TheCoolist. N.p., 31 July 2013. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
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