Drop knowledge: Everything you need to know about your bike's drops
4 minute read
In this article, you can read everything you need to make the right choice when purchasing drop. Even if you hear the word "drop" for the first time, by the end of the article you will already be an expert on the topic covering the components of drops, types of drops, their size, differences in the number of spokes, and types of hubs.
History and significance
What is it drop? - Createdof the about 5000 years before the new era and means a mechanical rotating element, which is in the shape of a disc and rotates around an axis. This invention has undergone changes over time but it is something, which will always be used.
The hub and its components
It is made up of 3 different elements, namely tire, hub and spokes. The hub plays a key role in the strength and behavior of a bicycle.
Types of rails used for manufacturing drops
Manufacturing materials
- Aluminum – it is the most common among bicycles due to its low weight, its good durability and easy manufacturing, which also allows for maintenance of low price.
- Steel – found in older and more budget-friendly wheels. This is no longer used materandal due to its higher weight and difficult processing.
- Carbon – this is a relatively new a composite material consisting of carbon fibers and resins. Advantages of carbon are that it has the lowest possible weight and has very serious strength. The technology for manufacturing carbon parts allows the creation of more-complex and irregular shapes. On the other hand, this type of drops have and one minus, and this is their price.
Size of drops
In mountain biking, there are 3 sizes: 26", 27.5", and 29". As the size increases, the following parameters improve: the wheel has more-larger step (area on which it rests on the ground), passes much more-easily over bumps and it results in higher inertia. A person's height does not matter when andassembly of the size of rim, a when the correct frame size is chosen, the larger drops will only bring their advantages.
For road bikes, the standardthe for size of rim is 28” and there the difference comes in the tire width.
Number of spokes
The main thing when choosing the number of spokes is that with their increase, the strength is greater, but tthe axle also increases.
Types drops according to the braking mechanism
There are 2 types drops according to this parameter. Some are made for caliper brakes (Rim Brakes) and have the tire profile, which serves for 'grip' on the brake. In this type drops, the tires wear out and therefore are kconsumer. The other type of braking system is disc brakes, which are equipped with a rotor and there friction occurs with the brake when stopping. The advantage of disc brakes is that when they have greater braking force and do not change their efficiency under any weather conditions.
Types of profiles
Profiles of drops are 4 and range between 88mm (inhigh) and 35mm (low). The high profile of rim aims to make the wheel tand more aerodynamic, but it is more affected by wind. The low profile is intended for more-strong wind.
Shandreason
Trend, which is observed among bicycles is that over time increasingly-wide tires. In road cycling, the current standard for the width of a tire is 19mm, compared to before when 14mm were used. For mountain bikes, 35, 40mm are now used. The reason for the enlargement in size greater strength and the possibility of using a wider tire, which leads to more-good feel of the bicycle.
Types of tiresdepending on the tire
- Tubular – Used with an inner tube, which is foredgefor the outer tire and is glued to the rim by a professional. This type of tire allows the use of at extremely high pressure and is intended for racers.
- Clincher – This type of tire is intended for sports enthusiasts and is used with an inner and outer tire. It is equipped with an edge, which holds the outer tire in place.
- Tubeless – There is again this edge where the outer tire is placed, but this more special profile allows rim to be ridden without an inner tube. Before putting on the tire, you must apply tape (Rim Tape), which serves to seal the holes at the spokes. Then you fill the tireta with liquid "boza". The advantages of this type of tires are that they do not puncture from thorns, there ist better rolling and this is the best choice for a tire.
Types of hubs
- Two types of attachment for the frame – Quick release (with lever) and through axle
- Two types of attachment for disc brakes – withwith 6 bolts or Center Lock, where the disc is attached with only one nut.
- Two types according to the gear system – Freewheel, where the cassette is mounted on a spline of the hub, which is also found in most bicycles. In recent years, more specific "1-speed" gear systems have emerged x“, which allow a greater range of gear ratios. At SRAM they are called “X Drive”, and at Shimano - “Micro Spline”.
At pfixed gear cycling is used 'Fixed Gear', which means, that the hub has no freewheel and the pedals always move when the tire rotates.
After reading this article and learning this theory already you can call yourself an exwithexpert on drop knowledge. You can apply this knowledge and you upgrade his/her/its bike with some of our high-quality drops. If there is any question, which does not we have covered in our article, do not hesitate to visit one of our stores, where our expert is waiting to help you.
To the stores: https://dragzone.bg/shops
The entire video on the topic for drop knowledge in YouTube watch here:
