Since their introduction to Europe in the 19th century, bicycles have become a phenomenon. Millions and millions of people own one and use them to travel the world over. It follows, then, that bicycles and bicycle manufacturing have become big business, always improving and developing. Many things have changed, but many have changed. In order to look at bicycles and their manufacturing, let us first take a look at how bicycles have developed over history.
A brief history of bicycles
In 1817-1818, German Baron Karl von Drais introduced the world to the “Dandy Horse,” a wooden vehicle which was the first to use two wheels in tandem. By the 1860s, the velocipede had been invented; this is the prototypical early bike, with an enlarged front wheel. The name was carried to England and changed into the more well-known “penny-farthing.” The “safety bicycle,” the first recognizable modern-looking bicycle, developed soon after. By this point, the pneumatic tire, gears and freewheel had all been developed.
And there we have it, the beginnings of the modern bicycle.
But what makes a good bicycle?
As we’ve seen, there’s a big difference between a Dandy Horse and a modern bicycle. But just what are these differences? A good bicycle will have a number of modern parts: the pneumatic tire, gears and freewheel from earlier, yes, but modern vehicles have become a whole lot more complicated. Take the suspension fork, for instance.
A bicycle’s suspension fork has a number of different parts that are standard. Of course, variations can be made, but there are some basic components that can be found in all suspension forks. They are:
A crown, a steerer tube, a spring, legs, damping and an axle. Most of these are fairly self-explanatory. But more advanced suspension forks include other parts, too: an external compression adjuster, an air valve, stanchions, an arch, lowers, dropouts, a through axle and external rebound adjustments; additionally, top caps, a boot, brake posts and a disc brake mount.
So really, the way to tell if you’ve found a good bicycle parts manufacturer is to see if they can provide you your suspension fork that has these components. These are often mass-produced in factories, but the producers strive for the highest production standards. The materials are of high grade, the products are inspected and are tested for reliability.
And amongst the best Chinese manufacturers of Chinese bike forks is FXT Metal Products Co. Ltd.
First, you can buy in bulk – perfect for bike manufacturers. There is a second bonus that goes hand-in-hand with this, that they offer a number of different payment possibilities for even more flexibility.
Additionally, custom orders are available. Generic bike forks are good, but if you’re trying to produce a product that stands out, you’ll often need a custom-made fork.
bicycle forks are important. They provide an invaluable function for the common bicycle, which is a hugely popular industry. Investing in good front forks can only be investing in your business’s success.
