Part I: Getting Started in VS .NET

Paint QR Code JIS X 0510 in VS .NET Part I: Getting Started

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Identifying the different parts of a bike Understanding the role bearings play in reducing friction Uncovering the importance of threads and how to protect them Discovering how cables control the bike Exploring how gears work and the supporting role of the derailleurs Finding out about quick-release hubs Identifying other bike parts

n this chapter, we lay the foundation for all the bike repair and maintenance procedures that follow in this book If you understand this chapter, not only will you be able to impress your buddies and the local bike-shop staff with your newly gleaned knowledge, but you ll have greater insight into the inner workings of a bike, which is invaluable when you sit down, tool in hand, and begin to work on it If you really want to become self-sufficient in bike repair and maintenance, it s not enough to know how to perform certain procedures You need to have an understanding of the inner workings of a bike Think of it this way: Cardiologists haven t just studied the heart they ve learned how the entire body works After all, the body is a complex set of interacting systems To operate on the heart, a doctor has to understand interactions between the heart and the circulatory, nervous, and other systems

Now, we re not saying that a bike is remotely comparable to a body in terms of complexity, but it does contain its own systems If you understand how gears work, how bearings reduce friction, and how cables transfer power to breaks and derailleurs, you won t just be a certifiable bike geek you ll have greater insight into how to maintain and repair your bike properly If you have to change a cable, you ll have more confidence performing the job if you understand how that cable interacts with the shifters, brake levers, derailleurs and brakes than if you see it in isolation Awareness of how your bike functions may also serve you well when you re broken down on the side of the road and trying to diagnose a problem or improvise a solution Although the bike is a mystery to many people, much of its technology and mechanics were engineered in the last century Unlike your iPod, which will probably be outdated in six months, your trusty bike can last years and years and still perform as well as newer models If you take care of your bike, you should be able to have many, many years together But as with any relationship, it takes hard work and effort Take the time to learn a little bit about how your bike works, and you ll be rewarded with many years of enjoyable time together

Figure 2-1 identifies the different parts of a road bike, and Figure 2-2 illustrates many of the same parts and a few differences on a mountain bike Not all bikes are the same, and some parts vary from bike to bike road bikes are different from racing bikes, which are different from touring bikes and mountain bikes A road bike has thin tires, light weight, and is built for smooth, pavement riding Somewhat similar in appearance to a road bike is a racing bike; racing bikes are designed with expensive, lightweight materials and with a premium on aerodynamics (for example, with handlebars that are positioned lower than they are on a road bike) A mountain bike is easy to spot with its thick knobby tires, suspension, and heavy disk brakes to support riding on trails and rough terrain A touring bike looks very similar to a road bike but usually has a wider wheelbase, a greater range of gears, and racks to carry pannier bags These two diagrams give you the basics on two of the most popular types of bikes, road and mountain bikes; for information specific to your specific bike, check out the manual that came with it