Bicycle carriage and its characteristics

The bicycle carriage is a part that is an important part of the whole mechanism, supporting its work. The main purpose of this spare part is participation in the process of rotation of connecting rods and pedals. The carriage assembly, in fact, is a bearing, its structure ensures the transfer of torque to the wheels without significant losses.

One of the features of this detail is its location. Since the bicycle carriage is attached at the very bottom of the frame behind the front wheel, moisture and dirt constantly get on it. Therefore it is very important that the bearings of this part are protected from such unfavorable factors.

The carriage of a bicycle can have a different structure, depending on which all these details are divided into open and closed. Closed species are called cartridges, or capsules. The first type of the carriage unit is a shaft that is scrolled in the bearings, and they, in turn, are located in special cups and are not protected well enough. Such a part is mounted in a part of the frame, which is called a carriage. The carriage of the bicycle should be fully sized, and only the correct installation will eliminate distortions and ensure the normal life of the part.

In the cartridges, the bearings will be protected from the environment by a rigid body, it also prevents rust. This capsule is easier to mount into the frame, simply screwing it. Specialists who know everything about bicycles are advised to choose only chrome ones among the carriages. Also, during installation, they must be carefully lubricated, which will not allow "merging" with the frame. However, the open carriage of the bicycle makes it easy to extract excess dust and dirt, but the closed part can not be cleaned easily. Therefore, if dirt gets into the cartridge, it will most likely quickly fail.

Examining the structure of different bicycles, you can find different types of connection of the carriage unit and connecting rods. On the most simple and unreliable models of this vehicle there is no such connection at all. When the carriage and connecting rods are one detail, this indicates its fragility. The second type of connection can be called screwing with a key. If you use it, you need to make sure that the key is twisted as tightly as possible, otherwise the carriage of the bike will not perform its basic function well. Sufficiently rigid and qualitative connection is the landing of the connecting rods on the shafts, which have the form of a truncated cone with a square at the base. In this case, the maximum pressure is assumed by the shaft itself, and not by the key, so the carriage of the bicycle will not loosen during operation. But the most durable and high-quality is considered splined connection, it is the most rigid and allows you to install in the carriage unit hollow shafts to reduce the overall weight.

When choosing or installing this part on a bicycle, it is necessary to pay attention to the width of the frame in its carriage section. Of great importance is also the length of the shaft - a parameter called chain line.