Bicycles

What is the main thing to consider when selecting a bicycle?

How you will be using the bicycle.

What are characteristics of commuter bikes?

In addition to comfort bikes they also have a bell or horn; fenders; durable wheels and tires; lights and panniers.

How are BMX jumping bicycles different than regular BMX bikes?

In addition to what the BMX has, they also have heavy duty frames and axels; and 48 spoke wheels.

What is the advantage to having 21-100 gears on the recumbent bicycles?

It allows the rider to sit in a reclining position with the feet forward.

Why is the advantage to an aluminum frame?

It is lighter than steel frames.

Which style of handbrakes is least common?

Drum brakes

Why should one not touch the hub of the wheel after using drum brakes?

Drum brakes generate a lot of heat.

A low gear combination of the smaller ring in the front and the larger ring in the bakes it hard or easy to pedal?

Easy

What types of brakes do children's bikes have?

Either coaster or handbrakes.

Today's bicycles are based on a design introduced by what country in what year?

England in 1885

What is the middle ring for?

Flat stretches

What additional safety gear do BMX jumpers need?

Full face helmet; shin pads; gloves; elbow and knee pads; wrist guards.

A high gear combination of the larger ring in the front and the smaller ring in the back makes it hard or easy to pedal?

Hard

What is the benefit when the handlebars are bent and the rider leans lower while riding?

It keeps the air from slowing the bike down.

What is the advantage to a wheel having more spokes?

It make the wheels strong.

How does a caliper brake work?

It moves both sides of the caliper inward to the rim in one motion.

When don't caliper brakes work well?

When they get wet.

What is the big ring for?

Descents

Name two safety gear items that you should wear when riding your bicycle.

1) If you are just learning or stunt riding, you need knee and elbow pads and wrist guards; 2) good shoes that protect your feet; 3) a properly fitted bicycle helmet; 4) safety gear.

Name two ways to remain safe when riding your bike.

1) Make sure the bicycle fits you and isn't something you will grow into; 2) follow the rules of the road such as stopping at stop signs; 3) pay attention to those around you.

How many chain rings do bicycles come with?

2 or 3

How many chain rings do road bikes have and what do they mean?

2, signifying low and high

If your front chain wheel has three rings and your rear cassette has eight rings, how many gears do you have?

24

How many chain rings do mountain biking and touring have and what doe they mean?

3, signifying low, medium, and high

Which is harder to turn, a ratio of 40:8 or 30:15?

40:8

What type of riding or terrains are comfort bikes and commuter bikes ideal for?

Comfortable recreational trails or commuting.

Road/distance bicycles are popular for what type of use?

Commuting and exercising.

How do hydraulic disc brakes work?

A plunger pushes fluid into the caliper where pads push on the rotor and stop the bike.

Reflectors help make you more visible to others. What color of reflector is on the front and rear?

A white reflector is on the front and a red reflector is on the rear.

How fast should you pedal?

At about 90 revolutions per minute both while climbing and descending.

How many gears do all bicycles have today?

At least one

Who are coaster brakes recommended for?

Beginners or trick riders

What type of handbrakes are there?

Caliper brakes, cantilever brakes, hydraulic disc brakes, drum brakes

Is a V brake or a Shimano brake a cantilever or a caliper?

Cantilever

What types of brakes are there?

Coaster brakes and handbrakes

How do you know if the bicycle helmet is fitted properly?

It should sit on the top of your head and the pads should hold it in place, when the strap is in place you should be able to put two fingers between the chin strap and your chin.

Does a larger or smaller ration indicate that the pedal requires more force to turn?

Larger

Cantilever brakes require more or less hand force to stop the bicycle than a caliper brake?

Less

Lightweight, expensive bikes usually weigh how much?

Less than 18 pounds

Name three accessories that a bicyclist may need or enjoy.

Light, basket, bell, water bottle, or any other item that meets their needs and that they can afford.

What is the small ring for?

Low gear for climbs

Will more or less gears make the ride easier?

More

What type of riding or terrains are mountain bikes designed for?

Off road riding, and they work great on paved and rocky trails too.

What type of riding or terrain are tandem bikes designed for?

On or off road as well as recumbent riding.

What is an indication that handlebars are adjusted correctly?

One does not have to stretch too far to put your hands on the handlebars, your elbows should be slightly bent, and your should be comfortable.

Bicycles are a study in what?

Physical science and physics

People with back and neck problems like what type of bike?

Recumbent bicycles

What type of riding or terrains are road/distance bicycles designed for?

Roads and smooth trails.

When should you shift into an easier gear?

Shift before you need it, before climbing instead of during one. You should use the same pedal force/cadence to climb as you do to descend.

What are characteristics of children's bikes?

Smaller wheels less than 20 inches and one speed.

Why are the handlbars upright and straight on a mountain bike?

So the rider can sit upright.

When there are a lot of gears, are they all different or can some be similar?

Some feel similar even in different combination of front and rear.

Road/distance bicycles are built for what?

Speed with narrow smooth high-pressure tries for a highly efficient ride, they can have many speeds.

What types of handlebars do children's bikes have?

Straight or bent.

What type of riding or terrains are BMX or BMX jumping bicycles designed for?

Stunt riding, general purpose and dirt riding.

What is the main distinguishing feature of a boy's bike compared to a girl's bike?

The boy's bike has a metal bar connecting the handlebars to the saddle which the girl's bike usually does not have.

What do you use when you need to stop?

The brakes

What part of the bicycle helps transfer the energy from you to make the bike go forward?

The chain and the chain rings

What do you make go round and round when your feet are on the pedals?

The crank

What two characteristics does a bigger wheel provide?

The faster you can go, the harder it is to turn the wheel, covers further distance, the higher up you will sit

When looking at gearing ratios, which number reflects which cog?

The first number in the ratio reflects the front teeth and the second number in the ratio reflects the rear teeth.

What is the front wheel connected to?

The fork

What is the main part of the bike and describe it?

The frame is the main part. It is triangular and very sturdy.

What do you use to steer the bicycle?

The handlebars

Which shift lever controls the front and rear derailleurs?

The left shift lever controls the front derailleur and the right shift lever controls the rear derailleur.

How does one calculate the bicycle gear ratios?

The ratio is the number of teeth in the front divided by the number of teeth in the rear cog that is engaged.

Which shift lever is used the most?

The right shift lever

What is the outermost part of the wheel where the tire is?

The rim

What is another name for the seat of the bike?

The saddle

What two characteristics does a smaller wheel provide?

The slower you go, making it easer to push the pedal with one revolution of your leg, covers shorter distance, the closer to the ground you are, you are more stable

What keeps the wheel round?

The spokes

What are the advantages of hydraulic disc brakes?

The system is closed to water, dirt, and debris. There is a good feel at the lever and gripping power at the wheel.

What are characteristics of trail bicycles or light duty mountain bikes?

The tires for kids are 20-24 inches and for adults are 26 inches; they have 21-24 gears; the handlbars are upright.

What part of the tube do you attach a pump to put air in the tire?

The valve stem

How can you tell if a bike has handbrakes?

There are grips on the handlebars that engage the brakes.

What is the purpose of gears?

They allow you to pedal with the same amount of effort whether you are riding uphill, downhill, or on the flat surface.

What are characteristics of tandem bikes?

They are built for two; wheels have higher spoke counts, sturdier rims, higher pressure tires, and a stronger freewheel.

What are characteristics of recumbent bicycles?

They have 20-24 inch wheels and 21-100 gears; seats like lounge chairs; they sit low to the ground; 2-4 wheels.

What are characteristics of comfort bikes?

They have 26 inch wheels and 7-24 gears; they are similar to mountain/trail bikes but are shorter from the seat to the handlbars (wheelbase) with more upright riding; they have shock absorbing seat posts, handlbars, and forks; they have wider, softer saddles and wide pedals.

What are the characteristics of BMX bikes?

They have a stronger, lightweight frame for racing; the tires are usually 20-inch and knobby; they are one-speed with a short wheel; they have a single handbrake for the rear wheel; they have a light weight guard, kickstand, and front and back wheel pegs.

Name 2 characteristics of mountain bikes.

They have big, knobby tires; the handlebars are upright and straight; they usually have a 26 inch tire; they usually have 21-27 speeds; and some have shock absorbing suspensions, lockout, and disc brakes.

What characteristics do free style or trick bicycles have?

They have handlebars that can spin around; the frame has pegs for the rider to stand on while performing tricks; they have handbrakes for each wheel; the tires are 20" and have 48 spokes; the tires are smooth; they have only one speed.

What are the disadvantages of hydraulic disc brakes?

They must be inspected on a regular basis. Air bubbles in the system can cause the brakes to fail.

What do brakes do?

They stop or slow the wheels.

What are characteristics of road/distance bicycles?

They typically have a 27-inch tire; the handlebars are bent and the rider leans lower while riding; they often have aluminum frames.

How do drum brakes work?

They work by applying friction from a pad in an enclosed drum. The drum is a part of the wheel.

How do coaster brakes work?

They work by pedaling backward.

Give one example of lightweight expensive metal that more expensive bikes are usually made from.

Titanium, super strength steel, frames made with carbon fibers

What is the purpose of the big, knobby tires on mountain bikes?

To give you good traction so you don't slip.

Why would the frames vary on mountain bikes?

To match the size of the rider.

What is the purpose of shock absorbing seat posts?

To provide more riding comfort.

What type of riding or terrains are trail bicycles or light duty mountain bikes good for?

Trails and roads, but their frames are not strong enough for mountain biking.

True or False. A Cantilever brake has two separate arms, one on each side of the rim.

True

What else besides the front derailleur does the left shift lever control?

Which chain ring your chain is on

With caliper brakes, what would happen if you pulled the front brake without the back brake?

You would have a head over heels crash.