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Mountain Bike Parts
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Published: September 29, 2006
The parts a mountain bike consists of are very important and can affect performance greatly. Different riders want different things from their bikes, so parts can differ a lot. Cutting down on weight is always important, especially when riding cross country. Most riders try to equip their bikes with components that will give them optimal performance but stay on the light side.
A beginner may want to start with cheaper parts and upgrade as they repair the bike and progress into mountain biking. There are many important parts of a mountain bike. Listed below are the main components and how they function in relation to the bike.
Frame- This is the body of the mountain bike to which all other components are attached. Different frame types can determine what type of riding the bike will be used for and how well it will perform.
Pedals, Crank, Ring and Chainset- These are some of the most important parts of the mountain bike as the rider is almost always pedaling. The pedals, which the feet rest on, are pushed forwards toward the front of the bike. They are attached to the arm of the crank, which is a circular cog with jagged teeth that is connected to the ring by the chain. The ring is a second set of circular teeth connected to the back wheel of the bike. The combination of these parts allows for the transfer of force into the pedals, through the chain to the wheel. These parts are required, of course, for anyone who wants to get their bike actually moving.
Tires- Tires can vary on a mountain bike, but are mostly fatter or thicker in order to give the rider extra traction. Having more traction gives better control over the bike, which is important on natural trails.
Post and Seat- The post connects the frame to the seat. The seat, also known as a saddle, is what the rider sits on during the ride; however a rider may not always be seated while biking.
Handlebars, Grips and Stem- The handlebars are connected to the front of the frame and rotate the front tire. The stem clamps them in the center, connecting them to the frame. Handlebars are usually formed in the shape of a T, held onto with both hands in front of the rider and meant for steering the bike. Grips are rubber pieces attached to the handlebars where the rider's hands will rest. They are meant to give a firmer, more comfortable grip.
Headset- Housing a system of bearings, this part is what allows the rotation of the handlebars and the front wheel.
Shifter- These are small mechanisms that are connected to the bike on the handlebars, right next to the grips. They are used to shift gears on the bike.
Rear Derailleur- This is a component connected to the shifter, attached at the rear wheel of a mountain bike. It is what shifts the chain between gears.
Suspension Forks- Meant to absorb shock, these allow the tires to move up and down while still connected to the ground. Suspension forks vary depending on the mountain bike type, but are important in making the ride more comfortable and manageable.
Mountain bike parts can vary, depending on what the bike is meant to do, so it is important to know what kind of riding the bike will be used for when considering parts.
Nice, Karim. How Mountain Bikes Work. 2006. HowStuffWorks, Inc. 27 September 2006. http://travel.howstuffworks.com/mountain-bike.htm< br />
Tisue, Kevin. Mountain Biking. About, Inc. 2006. The New York Times Company. 27 September 2006. http://mountainbike.about.com/od/mountainbikegloss ary/index_a.htm
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Frame- This is the body of the mountain bike to which all other components are attached. Different frame types can determine what type of riding the bike will be used for and how well it will perform.
Pedals, Crank, Ring and Chainset- These are some of the most important parts of the mountain bike as the rider is almost always pedaling. The pedals, which the feet rest on, are pushed forwards toward the front of the bike. They are attached to the arm of the crank, which is a circular cog with jagged teeth that is connected to the ring by the chain. The ring is a second set of circular teeth connected to the back wheel of the bike. The combination of these parts allows for the transfer of force into the pedals, through the chain to the wheel. These parts are required, of course, for anyone who wants to get their bike actually moving.
Tires- Tires can vary on a mountain bike, but are mostly fatter or thicker in order to give the rider extra traction. Having more traction gives better control over the bike, which is important on natural trails.
Post and Seat- The post connects the frame to the seat. The seat, also known as a saddle, is what the rider sits on during the ride; however a rider may not always be seated while biking.
Handlebars, Grips and Stem- The handlebars are connected to the front of the frame and rotate the front tire. The stem clamps them in the center, connecting them to the frame. Handlebars are usually formed in the shape of a T, held onto with both hands in front of the rider and meant for steering the bike. Grips are rubber pieces attached to the handlebars where the rider's hands will rest. They are meant to give a firmer, more comfortable grip.
Headset- Housing a system of bearings, this part is what allows the rotation of the handlebars and the front wheel.
Shifter- These are small mechanisms that are connected to the bike on the handlebars, right next to the grips. They are used to shift gears on the bike.
Rear Derailleur- This is a component connected to the shifter, attached at the rear wheel of a mountain bike. It is what shifts the chain between gears.
Suspension Forks- Meant to absorb shock, these allow the tires to move up and down while still connected to the ground. Suspension forks vary depending on the mountain bike type, but are important in making the ride more comfortable and manageable.
Mountain bike parts can vary, depending on what the bike is meant to do, so it is important to know what kind of riding the bike will be used for when considering parts.
Nice, Karim. How Mountain Bikes Work. 2006. HowStuffWorks, Inc. 27 September 2006. http://travel.howstuffworks.com/mountain-bike.htm< br />
Tisue, Kevin. Mountain Biking. About, Inc. 2006. The New York Times Company. 27 September 2006. http://mountainbike.about.com/od/mountainbikegloss ary/index_a.htm
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