Guide to Bicycle Technology

Part I - Overview

Section 1: The Bicycle and its Development

• The First Bicycle
• The Crank-Driven Bicycle
• The Indirectly Driven Bicycle
• Pneumatic Tires and Other Novelties
• The Modern Bicycle
• Renaissance of Bicycle Technology
• Special Bikes
• The Scientific Bicycle
• Bicycle Quality

Section 2: The Modern Bicycle

• The Parts of the Bicycle
• Component Groups
• Bicycle Types
• Bicycle Sizing

Section 3: Common Parts and Procedures

• Screw Threaded Connections
• Locking Threaded Connections
• Sizing and Leverage of Tools
• Ball Bearings
• Bearing Maintenance
• Adjustable Bearing Maintenance
• Cartridge Bearings
• Wedge Connections
• Bowden Cables
• Cable Care
• Quick-Releases
• Working on the Bike
• Selecting Tools

Section 4: Materials and Construction

• Weight and Materials Selection
• Mass and Weight
• Other Material Properties
• Choice of Materials
• Steel and its Alloys
• Tubing Types
• Increasing Material Strength
• Butted and Reinforced Tubes
• Maximizing Rigidity
• Aluminum Alloys
• Titanium and its Alloys
• Magnesium
• Plastics and Composites
• Dimensions and Construction
• Joining Methods
• Brazing
• Welding
• Bonding and Other Processes
• Finishing Processes
• Increasing Surface Hardness

Part II — The Bicycle Up Close

Section 5: The Bicycle Frame

• Frame Construction
• Frame Design
• Frame Sizing
• Frame Geometry
• Frame Angles
• Frame Materials
• Frame Joints
• Frame Details
• Lugs and Bottom Bracket
• Drop-Outs
• Other Frame Parts
• Frame Finish
• Maintenance and Repairs
• Frame Inspection
• Frame Alignment
• Drop-Out Alignment

Section 6: The Steering System

• The Steering Principle
• Natural and Forced Curves
• Steering Geometry
• The Headset
• Headset Maintenance
• Adjusting Headset
• Headset Overhauling
• The Front Fork
• Fork Maintenance
• Handlebars and Stem
• Handlebar Dimensions and Types
• Handlebar Maintenance
• Adjusting Handlebar Position
• Handlebar Angle Adjustment
• Replacing Handlebar Bend
• Replacing Stem
• Installing Handlebar Tape
• Replacing Handgrips or Sleeves

Section 7: Bicycle Seat and Seatpost

• The Seat
• The Seat-post
• Binder Bolt
• Seat Adjustment
• Replacing Seat-post and Seat
• Leather Seat Maintenance

Section 8: Bicycle Wheels

• The Hub
• Wheel Removal and Installation
• Hub Maintenance
• Adjusting Hub Bearings
• Overhauling Hub Bearings
• The Tires
• Rolling Resistance
• Tire Pressure
• Tire Sizing
• Tire Tread
• Tube and Valve
• Tire and Tube Maintenance
• Puncture Repair
• The Rim
• The Spokes
• Spoking Patterns
• Spoked Wheel Maintenance
• Replacing Spoke
• Wheel Truing
• Wheel Symmetry
• Wheel Spoking
• Disk Wheels

Section 9: Bicycle Drivetrain

• The Crankset
• Bottom Bracket Bearings and Spindle
• Bottom Bracket Maintenance
• Adjusting BSA Bottom Bracket .
• Overhauling BSA Bottom Bracket
• Adjusting Thompson Bottom Bracket
• Overhauling Thompson Bottom Bracket
• Adjusting One-Piece Bottom Bracket
• Overhauling One-Piece Bottom Bracket
• Lateral Adjustment of Cartridge Bottom
• The Cranks
• Crank Maintenance
• Tightening Cotterless Crank
• Replacing Cotterless Crank
• Tightening Cottered Crank
• Replacing Cottered Crank
• The Chainrings
• Chainring Maintenance
• Straightening Chainring
• The Chain
• Chain Line
• Chain Maintenance
• Chain Lubrication
• Replacing Chain
• Chain ‘Jumps’
• The Pedals
• Pedal Maintenance
• Replacing Pedal Bracket
• Adjusting Pedal Bearings
• Overhauling Pedal
• Freewheel with Sprockets
• Maintenance of Freewheel with Sprockets
• Replacing Freewheel Block
• Replacing Individual Sprockets
• Lubrication of Freewheel Mechanism
• Adjusting Freewheel Bearing
• Replacing Single Freewheel Sprocket
• Replacing Fixed Sprocket

Section 10: Derailleur Gearing

• Gearing Theory
• Gear Designation
• The Gear Progression
• The Rear Derailleur
• The Front Derailleur
• Derailleur Controls
• Index Derailleurs
• Derailleur Maintenance
• Adjusting Derailleur Travel
• Adjusting Index Derailleur
• Shifter Maintenance

Section 11: Hub Gearing

• The Epicyclic Gear Principle
• Hub Gear Progression
• Hub Gear Controls
• Hub Gear Maintenance
• Adjusting Sturmey-Archer 3-Speed
• Adjusting Fichtel and Sachs 3-Speed
• Adjusting Shimano 3-Speed
• Five-Speed Hubs
• Adjusting Sturmey-Archer 5-Speed
• Adjusting Fichtel and Sachs 5-Speed
• Replacing Shifter or Cable
• Adjusting Hub Bearings

Section 12: Rim Brakes

• Braking Theory
• Brake Design and Construction
• Rim Brake Types
• The Side-pull Brake
• The Center-pull Brake
• The Cantilever Brake
• The Cam-Operated Brake
• The U-Brake
• The Pivot-Link Brake
• The Roller-Lever Brake
• The Hydraulic Brake
• The Spindle Brake
• Brake Controls
• Brake Shoes
• Brake Maintenance
• Adjusting Brake Shoes
• Brake Test
• Brake Check
• Adjusting Brake .
• Centering Rim Brake

Section 13: Hub Brakes

• The Coaster Brake
• Coaster Brake Maintenance
• Adjusting Hub Bearings
• The Drum Brake
• Fading
• Drum Brake Maintenance
• Adjusting Drum Brake
• Adjusting Hub Bearings
• Overhauling Drum Brake
• Other Hub Brakes
• Separate Drum Brake
• The Disk Brake
• The Band Brake
• The Contraction-Expansion Brake
• The Roller Brake

Section 14: Accessories

• Lighting Systems
• Generator Lighting
• Bulb, Headlight and Rear Light
• Generator Lighting Defects
• Reflectors
• Battery Lighting
• Batteries
• Luggage Racks
• Fenders
• Chain Guard
• Kick Stand
• Child Seat
• Bicycle Computer
• Pump
• Lock
• Other Accessories

Part III - Special Bicycles

Section 15 : Bicycles for the Short and the Tall

• The Frame
• The Steering System
• The Seat
• The Wheels
• Drivetrain and Gearing
• The Brakes
• Accessories

Section 16: The Tandem

• Tandem Frames
• Tandem Frame Geometry
• Tandem Steering
• Tandem Seats
• Tandem Wheels
• Rims and Spokes
• The Tandem Drivetrain.
• Tandem Gearing
• Tandem Brakes
• Tandem Maintenance

Section 17: Unconventional Bicycle Designs

• Seating and Riding Position
• Suspension
• Drivetrain Alternatives
• Long Cranks and Other Tricks
• Automatic and Infinitely Variable Gears
• Alternate Frame Designs and Materials
• Folding and Parting Bicycles
• Home Testing

Section 18: The Bicycle of the Future

• Human Powered Vehicles
• The Cycling Power Equation
• Comfort and Suspension
• Cycling Under Cover

The First Bicycle