Information on Bicycle Wheels

The most vital components of a bicycle are its two properly functioning wheels, one in front and another in back. Wheels enable a bicyclist to ride forward at high velocities. Understanding the anatomy and function of bicycle wheels is an important first step for a beginner bicyclist, and maintenance becomes easier as a result.

  1. Tires

    • The outermost edge of the wheel that makes contact with the ground when riding is the tire. Usually black, hard rubber, bicycle tires come in a variety of sizes and styles. Those with thick, deep treads are commonly used with mountain bikes and kids bikes. Larger, but skinnier, tires with very small treads are used for road bikes.

    Tubes

    • Below the tire is an essential part of a properly functioning bicycle wheel called the tube. The tube is actually what fills up with air, not the tire. The size of the tube must fit the tire it is placed beneath. It is not visible when riding, with the exception of its air valve.

    Rims

    • The tube and tire are held in place by a metal rim. This is the sturdiest and heaviest part of a wheel, and may be made of steel or aluminum alloy. A single hole is available in the inside of the rim so that the tube's air valve may poke through, allowing bicyclists easy access if they need to add more air.

    Spokes

    • Connecting the inner edge of the rim to the center hub of the wheel are multiple spokes. There may be anywhere from 28 to 48 spokes on a wheel, depending on the style. Spokes occasionally need to be trued, an adjustment process that reassures all of the spokes are perfectly straight and strong. The function of spokes is to support weight on the wheel by adding strength to the rim.

    Front and Back

    • The only difference between the front and back wheels is that the bike chain connects to a cog on the hub of the back wheel. A front wheel is simply bolted to the fork of the bike, and does not spin forward as the result of the turning chain. When pedaling, it is only the back wheel which spins, the momentum causing the front wheel to move along in unison.