Bicycle and wheel size: what you need to know when choosing

The wheel pair in the design of the bicycle is of great importance, since during the operation it is the wheels that get all the load. They keep the weight of the vehicle and bicyclist, cope with the roughness of the road, taking all the blows on yourself. Carrying out all these functions, the wheels with their light weight should be strong enough for such loads.

How the wheel is arranged

The main characteristic of a bicycle wheel is its diameter, or the size of the wheel, on which the permeability, speed and compactness of the vehicle depend. The wheel of a bicycle is not such a simple system, as it may seem at first glance. Wheel construction consists of several elements: tires, rim, bushings and spokes. It is the rim that determines the size of the wheel. The tire protects the rim from damage while driving through irregularities. The spokes in this design connect the rim to the bushing, which has a pair of bearings and is attached to the bicycle frame. The rear wheel hub can be supplemented with a brake and a shift system.

Types of bikes

There are several models of bicycles: their main differences are the dimensions of bicycle wheels and frame structures.

1. A mountain bike can be used on any road, however the main purpose of this model is riding on uneven terrain. It is not designed for speed. Basically, the size of a bicycle wheel of this type ranges from 20 to 26 inches. The mountain bike tire will be slightly wider than usual and with a deep tread pattern, and the frames can be of different design.
2. Sports, or a highway bike designed for good roads. This is a high-speed bicycle with a narrow tire with little or no pattern. Such models do not have shock absorbers, so it will not be possible to ride them on impassability.
3. A road bike is ideal for daily trips on city roads. The frame design can be male or female, and the wheel size of such a bicycle is 28 inches. Usually it is equipped with protective shields from hitting the leg in the chain, wings, trunk, basket, headlight, signal and reflectors.
4. Children's bicycle should be matched for the child's age. So, a three-year-old baby will be approached by a tricycle. For the older child, the choice will be much broader, a teenager can choose a large bicycle, the main thing is that the frame corresponds to the growth of the child. In general, the size of the wheel of a children's bicycle varies from 12 to 24 inches.

How to choose the size of a bicycle

The main mistake of choice is the wrong frame size. The bicycle frame, as well as the wheels, is measured in inches. Manufacturers produce different sizes of one model of a bicycle, however often in shops only one size from all growth is presented.

Also, the height of the frame is also important. The correct height is the one when the bicycle is between the legs, and the distance from the trunk to the frame is 7-10 cm. Otherwise, if the vehicle jumps abruptly, it can be injured.