Bike Parts - All That Is Important

Although at first glance a bicycle may seem like a fairly simple mechanism, you will be surprised to learn that even the simplest bicycle has about 300 parts. More complex bicycles can have around 1000 parts. Everything you need to know about bicycle parts can be found in this comprehensive article.

Overview of Bicycle Parts

The main bicycle parts are the bicycle frame, wheels, shock absorbers (forks), gear shifting systems, brakes, and pedals. Detailed knowledge about each of these essential parts will help ensure smoother bicycle maintenance and care.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Bicycle Frames

The bicycle frame is the most important part that ensures riding comfort. When choosing the right bicycle frame, consider these three factors:

• Purpose of the bicycle: think about where you will primarily ride the bike. Do you plan to ride in the mountains, on roads, or on gravel? Or perhaps you plan to participate in a triathlon? Your riding goal and the type of terrain determine which bike frame is worth choosing – mountain (MTB), road, gravel, or triathlon.
• Height and weight: these measurements will help you choose the most suitable frame size and geometry. It is also very important to know not only your height but also your inner leg length – the distance from the groin to the heel. In the Velonova online store, each bike frame has its own size chart, so after choosing a frame you like, we recommend following them.
• Frame type: an aspect that directly affects the weight, strength, shock absorption properties, and durability of the bike. The most popular bike frame materials are aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, and titanium. These materials differ significantly in price, so we recommend choosing the frame material based on your budget.

Bicycle Wheels, Tubes, and Tires

Bicycle wheels not only ensure a smooth ride but also have a significant impact on the bike's performance and handling. Wheel sizes range from smaller ones (used in children's bikes) to standard 26, 27.5, or 29 inches, which are popular in mountain and road bikes. Larger wheels provide higher speed and easier obstacle clearance, while smaller ones offer greater maneuverability.

Tires and tubes are essential for ensuring good traction, shock absorption, and resistance to impacts and other obstacles. When choosing tires, consider the riding conditions and the type of surface you will be riding on most often. Among various manufacturers, Continental and Maxxis tires stand out for their quality and suitability for many surfaces.

Bicycle Chains

The bicycle chain is an integral part of the mechanism, transmitting power from the pedals to the wheels. It works together with two other important elements – the cassette and the derailleur – so proper chain maintenance and adjustment is crucial for efficient riding. The choice of chain depends on the type of bike and the number of gears. We recommend regularly checking the condition and wear of the chain, as an untimely replaced chain can cause more serious and costly failures. Regular cleaning and lubrication of the chain is also important, as it ensures its longevity.

Bicycle Cassettes

The bicycle cassette is a set of gears that allows the cyclist to change gears and adapt to various riding conditions. Cassettes vary in the number of gears, size, and strength, so they should be chosen according to the type of bike and riding needs. A high-quality cassette will ensure smooth, quiet, and pleasant gear shifting as well as durability.

Bicycle Brakes

Brakes are a crucial element for the cyclist's safety and bike control. There are several types of brakes on the market, with the most popular being hydraulic disc, mechanical disc, and rim (V-Brake) brakes.

Disc brakes ensure effective braking in various weather conditions and are popular in mountain bikes, while rim brakes are more commonly found in city or road bikes due to their simplicity and light weight.

As with most bike parts, consider the type of bike and the surface you ride on most often when choosing brakes.

Bicycle Shock Absorbers

Bicycle shock absorbers are essential for mountain (MTB) bikes and other bike types if you ride on uneven surfaces. The main purpose of shock absorbers is to reduce shocks and vibrations, improve control, and ensure comfort.

Shock absorbers are divided into front and rear – depending on your needs, you can choose between a Hardtail bike (a bike with only front shock absorbers) and a Full-Suspension bike (a bike with both front and rear shock absorbers). High-quality shock absorbers have adjustment options and can be adapted to various riding conditions and styles.

Bicycle Pedals

Bicycle pedals are divided into simple, suitable for beginners and casual riders, and clipless, which attach to the shoe and ensure better foot and pedal interaction.

Clipless pedals are mostly used by professional or advanced cyclists – we do not recommend this type of pedal for beginners, as riding with them without proper skills can be quite dangerous. To use clipless pedals, you will also need special cycling shoes.

Major Bicycle Parts Manufacturers

Bicycle parts can be purchased from various manufacturers, each with different specializations and technological differences. Among the most well-known manufacturers are:

Shimano bicycle parts: a Japanese brand and one of the most popular and well-known bicycle component manufacturers in the world. The manufacturer's specialization includes derailleurs, brakes, pedals, and other bicycle transmission parts. Shimano parts are best known for their reliability, durability, and innovations.

Specialized: an American brand and one of the leading bicycle and component manufacturers in the world. The manufacturer is renowned for its high-quality mountain, road, and city bikes, as well as bike parts and accessories. Specialized's strength lies in innovation and technological leadership, especially in the fields of bike frames and suspension. Both professional athletes and amateurs prioritize Specialized products for their high performance, comfort, and stylish designs.

BMC Switzerland: a Swiss brand known for its high-quality mountain, road, and triathlon bikes. Their bikes are highly valued for their high quality, unique designs, and innovative solutions. BMC stands out particularly for the quality of its carbon fiber frames, which are light, strong, and absorb vibrations well. They are also pioneers in creating integrated bicycle systems – for example, the manufacturer offers bikes with integrated cable systems – these solutions give bikes an aesthetic appearance and exceptional aerodynamic properties.

Each of these manufacturers has its unique advantages and specializations, allowing cyclists to find the most suitable choice according to their needs, riding style, and budget. Shimano is an ideal choice for those looking for reliable and innovative transmission systems, Specialized for high-quality bikes and components, and BMC Switzerland for high-end bikes and parts with unique design and technology.

Bicycle Parts Online

Buying bicycle parts online is the most convenient and fastest way to purchase bike components. In the VELONOVA online store, you will find detailed product descriptions, technical specifications, important manufacturer information, and user reviews.

In the online bike store you can also use convenient filtering functions that will allow you to quickly find the necessary bike parts by category, manufacturer, price, or other important criteria. Take care of your bike easily!