Cycling is one the most popular pastimes in the UK, and in the world overall there are almost twice as many bikes as there are cars. The bicycle was invented in the 19th century and its design has not changed much since. It was created to replace the horse as a means of transport as something was required which could be ridden at speed but would not require feeding and would not get tired.The general design of a bicycle is very simple and basically includes two wheels, a frame and a seat with a steering wheel to turn the front wheel. Without too much training it is possible to build a bike yourself, you can even buy packs of parts from major cycle centres that are designed so you can build them easily at home.Wheels and TyresObviously one of the most important parts of a bike is the wheels and tyres. The tyres can range from being very thin slick tyres for racing, all the way to big fat chunky tyres with big grips which are suitable for off road cycling. Most wheels are stainless steel with spokes but there was a period when big plastic discs were very popular.Frame and PedalsThe frame is the part of the bike to which you attach almost everything else. The frame can be made again from stainless steel though more advanced materials are used for professional racing bikes. The frame holds the back wheel, along with the gears and pedals, holds the seat and connects the bars which hold the front wheels. Most modern hybrid bike frames also incorporate suspension systems into the design which allows the whole thing to flex. The pedals are attached to the bike via the cranks and they come in a variety of styles from BMX Pedals to pedals that connect directly to purpose built cycling shoes.BrakesThe brakes are connected to the frame and front forks and sit just shy of the wheel rim. You can also get disc brake systems like those used in cars which offer a more advanced braking system and tend to be more reliable.GearsWhile the original bikes had just one gear which was a single gear connected to the pedal and another attached to the back wheel. Modern bikes can have around 24 gears and use a systems which slips the chain that connects the gears between each ratio and is operated via a level on the handle bars.While there are many more parts to a bicycle, these are probably the most important. If you think you could manage to put a bike together, you will need to make sure you at least have these before getting started.
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