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The Complete Handbook of Bicycle Drivetrain Parts
A practical field reference for selecting, installing, maintaining, and profiting from every component in the bicycle drivetrain
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Bicycle Drivetrain Parts
When you ride a bicycle, you are the engine. But the engine's power is worthless if it cannot be reliably delivered to the rear wheel. That delivery system is the drivetrain. It is the collection of components that translate the pedaling force from your legs into rotational force at the wheel, and then convert that rotation into forward motion. This chapter is about what the drivetrain actually is, how each part contributes to the whole, and why the entire system matters more than any single component.
It is tempting to think about the drivetrain as a simple chain and two gears, but that is a simplification that leads to poor decisions. A modern drivetrain is a coordinated network of shifting mechanisms, tensioners, and precisely spaced cogs. It is a system where a change in one part has a cascading effect on the performance and longevity of every other part. For a professional mechanic, ignoring this systemic nature leads to missed diagnoses. For a hobbyist, it leads to frustration and wasted money on parts that don't solve the original problem. For a business owner, it leads to unsold inventory that is based on a misunderstanding of how components interact.
To understand the system, we must look at its individual parts and their specific jobs. The primary components are the chain, the crankset (including the chainrings), the cassette or freewheel (the cogs on the rear wheel), the front derailleur, the rear derailleur, and the shifters. While