Technical entry
MTB Geometry
MTB geometry is the collection of frame, fork, and wheel dimensions that determines how a mountain bike fits, steers, […]
Read entryVelopedia Topics
Concepts
Core terms and principles used to understand bicycle geometry, suspension behavior, setup, performance, and service.
38 technical entries
Technical entry
Instant Center
The instant center is the point about which a suspension member is momentarily rotating at a specific position in […]
Read entryTechnical entry
Front-Center
Front-center describes the distance from the center of a bicycle’s bottom bracket to the front-wheel axle. It is a […]
Read entryTechnical entry
Suspension Sag Adjustment
Suspension sag is the amount a bicycle’s fork or rear shock compresses under the rider’s weight in a normal […]
Read entryTechnical entry
Q-Factor
Q-factor is the lateral distance between the outside faces of a bicycle’s crank arms at the pedal mounting points. […]
Read entryTechnical entry
BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter)
BCD, or Bolt Circle Diameter, describes the diameter of the circle passing through the centers of a chainring’s mounting […]
Read entryTechnical entry
3x Drivetrains
A 3× drivetrain uses three front chainrings with a multi-sprocket cassette or freewheel. It can provide very low climbing […]
Read entryTechnical entry
2x Drivetrains
A 2× drivetrain uses two front chainrings with a multi-sprocket rear cassette. The front derailleur makes large changes between […]
Read entryTechnical entry
Stack
Stack is the vertical distance from the center of a bicycle’s bottom bracket to the top-center of the head […]
Read entryTechnical entry
Reach
Reach is the horizontal distance from the center of a bicycle’s bottom bracket to the center of the top […]
Read entryTechnical entry
1x Drivetrains
A 1× drivetrain uses one front chainring and a multi-sprocket rear cassette. Eliminating the front derailleur simplifies shifting and […]
Read entryTechnical entry
Leverage Ratio
Leverage ratio describes the relationship between rear-wheel movement and shock compression on a full-suspension bicycle. It is normally expressed […]
Read entryTechnical entries are one part of bicycle knowledge for the life of the bike. Discover bicycles in the Archive, use the Encyclopedia to understand them, then carry useful context into Bike Reports or My Garage.