Bicycle Components & Systems Course

Lesson 1 • Frame Materials and Construction

Compares steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber by weight, stiffness, and repairability. Informs component selection and maintenance decisions.

Lesson 2 • Bicycle History and Design Evolution

Traces the mechanical evolution from early velocipedes to modern multi-material frames. Provides context for why current component standards exist.

Lesson 3 • Frame Geometry and Terminology

Defines head angle, seat angle, wheelbase, and stack/reach. These measurements directly influence fit, handling, and component compatibility.

Lesson 4 • Component Categories Overview

Maps the drivetrain, braking, steering, and contact-point systems. Students categorize any component by system before deeper study begins.

Lesson 1 • Pedals and Cleat Systems

Compares platform, toe-clip, and clipless pedal designs alongside cleat float and release angles. Connects pedal choice to rider biomechanics and discipline.

Lesson 2 • Front and Rear Derailleurs

Explains cage geometry, total capacity, and actuation ratios for mechanical derailleurs. Prepares students to select and align derailleurs for any drivetrain configuration.

Lesson 3 • Cranksets and Bottom Brackets

Examines crank arm length, chainring bolt circles, and bottom bracket interface types. Connects crankset selection to rider fit and power output.

Lesson 4 • Chains: Design, Sizing, and Wear

Details chain width standards for 1x through 12-speed systems and explains stretch measurement. Links chain condition directly to cassette and chainring longevity.

Lesson 1 • Gear Ratio Calculation and Selection

Applies gear-inch and development formulas to evaluate drivetrain range for specific terrain. Students specify optimal chainring and cassette combinations for any use case.

Lesson 2 • Electronic Shifting Architecture

Compares wired and wireless electronic groupsets by battery, motor, and communication protocol. Students understand firmware updates, synchronization, and fault diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Cables, Housing, and Routing

Details cable construction, housing compression, and full vs. partial housing routing. Proper routing minimizes friction and ensures precise, consistent shifting.

Lesson 4 • Mechanical Derailleur Indexing

Teaches the sequence for setting limit screws, cable tension, and B-gap for accurate indexing. Students achieve clean shifts across all gears on a complete drivetrain.

Lesson 1 • Mechanical Disc Brake Setup

Details single-piston and twin-piston mechanical calipers, cable pull requirements, and rotor centering. Bridges knowledge from rim brakes to disc-specific adjustment.

Lesson 2 • Brake Safety Standards and Inspection

Applies industry safety thresholds for pad thickness, rotor wear limits, and cable condition. Students perform pre-ride safety checks and document findings.

Lesson 3 • Rim Brake Designs and Mechanics

Covers dual-pivot, cantilever, and linear-pull designs with mechanical advantage calculations. Connects brake geometry to stopping power and lever feel.

Lesson 4 • Hydraulic Disc Brake Systems

Explains master cylinder, caliper piston, and fluid dynamics in closed hydraulic circuits. Students bleed systems and diagnose spongy lever feel or fluid contamination.

Lesson 1 • Wheel Construction and Anatomy

Identifies hub flanges, spoke holes, rim bed, and nipple seats as structural elements. Understanding load paths prepares students for spoke tension and truing work.

Lesson 2 • Spoke Patterns and Tensioning

Compares radial, 2-cross, and 3-cross lacing patterns by strength and aerodynamics. Students calculate spoke length and achieve even tension across a complete wheel.

Lesson 3 • Tire Types and Construction

Compares clincher, tubular, and tubeless tire construction by casing, bead, and tread design. Students select tires based on terrain, load, and rolling resistance data.

Lesson 4 • Tire Pressure, Rolling Resistance, and Grip

Applies pressure-to-rider-weight guidelines and explains the contact patch trade-off. Students optimize pressure for surface conditions and rider weight.

Lesson 1 • Bar Tape, Grips, and Accessories

Covers bar tape wrapping technique, grip lock-on installation, and accessory mounting systems. Proper installation prevents slippage and protects bar surfaces.

Lesson 2 • Fork Design and Geometry

Explains rake, trail, and offset as determinants of steering stability and responsiveness. Students predict handling changes from fork swaps or geometry adjustments.

Lesson 3 • Headset Standards and Installation

Covers threaded, threadless, integrated, and zero-stack headset designs with press-fit tolerances. Correct installation prevents bearing preload errors and premature wear.

Lesson 4 • Handlebar Types and Ergonomics

Compares drop, flat, riser, and aero bar profiles by width, flare, and drop dimensions. Bar selection directly affects rider posture, control, and comfort.

Lesson 1 • Saddle Height and Fore-Aft Adjustment

Applies heel-to-pedal, LeMond, and inseam-multiplier methods to set saddle height. Fore-aft position is set using plumb-line knee-over-pedal-spindle technique.

Lesson 2 • Saddle Anatomy and Selection

Examines shell flex, padding density, rail material, and width measurement by sit-bone span. Students match saddle geometry to rider anatomy and discipline demands.

Lesson 3 • Seatpost Types and Clamp Systems

Compares round, aero, and dropper seatposts by offset, setback, and clamp interface. Students install posts to correct insertion depth and torque specifications.

Lesson 4 • Dropper Seatpost Mechanics

Details internal and external routing, air-spring cartridge, and lever actuation for dropper posts. Students service and bleed dropper systems to restore full travel.

Lesson 1 • Suspension Fundamentals and Kinematics

Defines travel, sag, spring rate, and damping as the four core suspension variables. Students calculate sag percentage and explain its effect on handling balance.

Lesson 2 • Damper Tuning and Adjustment

Explains high-speed and low-speed compression and rebound circuits with click-count adjustment. Students tune dampers for trail feel, bottom-out resistance, and pedaling efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Rear Shock Types and Frame Compatibility

Identifies eye-to-eye length, stroke, and mounting hardware for coil and air rear shocks. Students verify shock compatibility with frame specifications before installation.

Lesson 4 • Suspension Fork Service

Covers lower-leg oil change, foam ring replacement, and air-spring service intervals. Students perform a complete lower-leg service and document oil volume and viscosity.