2008 August | Oxide Bike

Bike Stem

Posted on 31st August 2008 by admin in bicycle - Tags: bicycle, bike, bike stem length, bike stem measurement, bike stem sizes, bike stems, bike stems for sale, bikes, cycling, stem

Bike Stem

Road bike valve stem type?

My new Trek 1000 has a type of valve stem different from the "standard" (car type) stem on my mountain bike. Do I need an adaptor to fit it to a pump or do I need a whole new pump? Also, have you seen a tire gauge that fits this stem type?

It is called a "presta" valve. Remember that because you'll need to know it when you buy new tubes.

Buy an adapter at the store for $1 that will allow you to use your existing pump. I usually carry it in my underseat pack, just in case.

To fill, you need to remove the black dust cap, then unscrew the little knob at the top of the stem. Then screw on the adapter and inflate like you would a normal tire. When you're finished, don't forget to screw the little valve back down.

Many new tire pumps will fit both types of valves so if you get sick of the adapter you can buy a new pump. I've been very happy with my Hurricane team pump.

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The Insides Of Your Mountain Bike

The most essential part of going mountain biking is purchasing a mountain bike. This bike has many different parts, however, that you will learn more about below:

1. Bottom Bracket - This bracket helps to secure the body of the bike and the crankset together.

2. Brake Cable - This cable is the connection between the brake mechanism and the brake lever.

3. Brake Lever - This lever is located on the handlebars and it is used to enable the braking mechanism. The left lever is to activate the front brake and the right lever is to activate the rear brake.

4. Chain - This part consists of a set of circular links that help to transfer your power from the chain to the cogs to make the bike move.

5. Chain Ring - The chain ring is the rings with teeth that help to secure the crank to the chain.

6. Crank - This is the lever that goes from the pedal to the bottom bracket. It helps to transfer your power to the chain rings.

7. Derailleur - This is the mechanism that moves the chain from cog to cog.

8. Down Tube - This frame section goes from the bottom bracket to the stem.

9. Front Shock - The front fork's shock absorber.

10. Handlebar - This is the horizontal bar that has handgrips on each end. It is secured to the stem to help you guide where the bike is going.

11. Headset - This is the mechanism on the frame's front that helps to connect the stem and handlebars to the front fork.

12. Hub - This is the wheel's center part where the spokes are attached.

13. Idler Pulley - This keeps the chain tight by adding spring tension to the rear derailleur's bottom pulley.

14. Nipple - This holds the rim to the end of the spoke via a threaded receptacle.

15. Pedal - This is the part that you use to pedal on and it is attached to the crank.

16. Rear Shock - On bikes with dual suspension, this is rear tire's shock absorber.

17. Rim - This is the metallic ring that secures the inside spokes to the outside tire.

18. Saddle - The seat that you sit on.

19. Seat Post - Supports the saddle/seat.

20. Skewer - This is the metallic rod that attaches the wheel to the frame dropouts by going through the hub.

21. Spindle - This is what the crank arms are attached to via a free rotating axle and it is also a component of the bottom bracket.

22. Spokes - These are the thicker wires that secure the wheel hub to the rim of the wheel.

23. Stem - This piece secures the steering tube to the handlebar.

24. Wheel Hub - This is located at the wheel's center and it is where the spokes are attached.

About the Author

Alastair Hamilton is the editor of many articles on bicycle parts published at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . Find more publications about
mountain bike reviews
at his website.

Bicycle Maintenance & Repairs : How to Install a Threadless Stem for Your Bike