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A road bicycle, part by part

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Top tube

Joins the seat tube to the head tube along the top of the frame. With the stem, its length sets how far forward you reach.

System
Frame
Joins
Seat tube to head tube

Down tube

The largest tube, from the head tube to the bottom bracket. It carries most of the pedalling and steering loads, which is why it is usually the widest.

System
Frame
Joins
Head tube to bottom bracket

Seat tube

Runs from the bottom bracket up to the seatpost clamp, and holds the seatpost.

System
Frame
Joins
Bottom bracket to seat clamp

Head tube

The short tube at the front that holds the headset bearings, so the fork can turn inside it.

System
Frame
Holds
Headset bearings

Seat stays

A pair of thin tubes from the top of the seat tube to the rear axle. With the chainstays they make the rear triangle.

System
Frame
Joins
Seat tube to rear dropouts
Seen here
The near one of a pair

Chainstays

A pair of tubes from the bottom bracket back to the rear axle. Their length is one of the main things that decides how a bike handles.

System
Frame
Joins
Bottom bracket to rear dropouts
Length drawn
410 mm

Fork

Holds the front wheel and turns with the handlebar. The forward curve of the blades, the rake, helps decide how steady the steering feels.

System
Steering
Holds
Front wheel
Turns in
Head tube

Stem

Clamps the handlebar to the fork's steerer tube. Changing its length or angle is the usual way to adjust how stretched out a rider is.

System
Steering
Joins
Steerer tube to handlebar

Handlebar

A drop handlebar: the tops for cruising, the hoods for most riding, and the drops for speed or descending.

System
Steering
Shape
Drop bar

Front tyre

The only part of the bike touching the road at the front, so its width and pressure shape comfort, grip and rolling speed.

System
Wheels
Size drawn
700c

Rear tyre

Carries most of the rider's weight and all of the drive, so it usually wears faster than the front.

System
Wheels
Size drawn
700c

Front hub

The centre of the front wheel: an axle and bearings that the spokes pull on.

System
Wheels
Holds
Spokes and axle

Rear hub

The centre of the rear wheel. Its freehub lets the wheel turn while the pedals stay still, which is why you can coast.

System
Wheels
Holds
Cassette and axle

Chainring

The toothed ring turned by the cranks. A larger ring gives a harder, faster gear.

System
Drivetrain
Turned by
Cranks

Crank arm

The lever between pedal and chainring. Its length changes leverage and how high the knee rises.

System
Drivetrain
Length drawn
172.5 mm

Pedal

Where the foot pushes. Road bikes usually use clipless pedals, which lock to a cleat on the shoe.

System
Drivetrain
Joins
Shoe to crank

Chain

Carries the drive from the chainring to the cassette. It stretches with wear, and a worn chain wears the teeth it runs on.

System
Drivetrain
Runs
Chainring to cassette

Cassette

The stack of sprockets on the rear hub. A larger sprocket gives an easier gear for climbing.

System
Drivetrain
Sits on
Rear hub

Rear derailleur

Moves the chain across the cassette to change gear, and keeps it tight with a sprung cage.

System
Drivetrain
Shifts
Across the cassette

Front derailleur

Pushes the chain between chainrings on a bike that has more than one.

System
Drivetrain
Shifts
Between chainrings

Front brake

A rim caliper. The front brake does most of the stopping, because weight shifts forward as the bike slows.

System
Brakes
Type drawn
Rim caliper

Rear brake

A rim caliper on the seat stays. Easier to lock than the front, so it is used more gently.

System
Brakes
Type drawn
Rim caliper

Brake and shift lever

The hood a rider's hands rest on. Pulling the lever brakes, and swinging it sideways changes gear.

System
Brakes
Controls
Brake and gears

Saddle

Carries part of the rider's weight. Its height and fore-aft position are the first things set in a bike fit.

System
Saddle
Sits on
Seatpost

Seatpost

Slides in the seat tube to set saddle height, and is clamped at the top of the frame.

System
Saddle
Sits in
Seat tube
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