| The Bike Frame | | | | geometry, tube lengths, frame angles, etc. The reason |
| There are a lot of things to factor in for a successful | | | | these items are seldom listed or discussed is because |
| bike ride, whether it's something you do every day or | | | | when it comes right down to it, when you get your |
| only once. The bike has many different parts to it, but | | | | bike frame, you're going to have to be the one looking |
| your bike frame is the most important part. Although | | | | at it for a long time so you better like the color and |
| the geometry of the bike frame may get changed by | | | | design. |
| the frame manufacturers when they want a different | | | | Basic Geometry of the Bike Frame |
| look, there are still some measurements that can't be | | | | The basic geometry of the bike frame consists of the |
| changed or messed with. If you're new to cycling, | | | | size of the chain stays, the distance between the |
| you're not really going to care all that much about | | | | bottom bracket axle and the back wheel axle, and the |
| fancy frames. However, if you're an old pro at cycling | | | | distance between the front wheel and the bottom |
| and have been doing it for years, you may have an | | | | bracket. These areas are the same for all bikes and |
| interest in the different styles of frames. Just recently I | | | | are the basics of how they're made and cannot be |
| was contacted by a reader asking why bicycle articles | | | | changed or the handling of the bike will be affected. |
| never go into detail about frames. So, I thought I'd | | | | Another Important Dimension |
| spend a little time discussing frames. | | | | The seat tube length is designed to fit the rider and |
| The Difference in Frames | | | | can be adjusted by using a long seat pin to adjust the |
| There are more differences to bike frames than just | | | | height of the saddle. The angle of the seat will be |
| the color. Although most of us make a selection based | | | | dependent on the frame size or, at least this is the |
| on color, there are many other variations that can be | | | | case with factory made frames. The smaller the bike |
| found in bicycle frames. For instance, the Orbea Orca | | | | frame, the steeper the seat tube will angle. This may |
| frame and the Trek Madone frame have many | | | | need to be adjusted for taller or shorter riders, |
| differences between them. Some of the differences | | | | however. The more relaxed the angle is, the more |
| we tend to forget about are the overall frame | | | | comfortable of a rider there is going to be. |