Whether you’re a professional cyclist or the average rider, the bicycle is an amazing piece of engineering. Its basic form hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years. Sure, some models come equipped with ‘wind-cheating’ technology, and a race bike might use stainless steel chainstays or specialized tyre treads, but the basic bicycle remains the same.

Cycling is an extremely popular sport and mode of transportation all over the world. In fact, there are over two billion bikes in existence today. Most of them are freewheel, single-speed workhorses built to carry out everyday tasks like food delivery or rides to school and work. The popularity of cycling and biking varies by region, and it is often closely tied to the availability of bike lanes and infrastructure as well as cultural attitudes towards exercise, fitness, and environmental sustainability.

The history of the bicycle can be traced to the 1860s, with the first velocipede de pedal invented by Karl von Drais. His clunky wooden prototype had no chain, brakes or pedals; riders propelled the machine by pushing off from the ground with their feet. Over the following decades, innovations like pneumatic tires and chain drive helped make bicycles lighter and more efficient. But it was the introduction of a bicycle frame that truly revolutionized cycling in the late 1800s. The bicycle frame allowed for the addition of pedals, which made the velocipede easier to ride and gave it more momentum.

Modern bicycles are constructed from a variety of materials, including aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. While these materials have helped manufacturers make bicycles lighter and faster than ever, the frame is still central to a good riding experience. The geometry of the frame (how it slants forward, and how high or low the handlebars are) helps determine how comfortable and fast a rider will feel. The material and build quality of the frame also sets the stage for how well other parts of the bike will function.

For example, aluminum is a lightweight metal that can be shaped to optimize aerodynamics and speed (a bike with aggressive geometry will slant forward more than a more traditional design). Alloys are another common building material, and they’re a great way to add strength without increasing the weight of a frame. Alloys are usually composed of multiple different metals that are combined to take advantage of the best characteristics of each. For example, aluminum is very lightweight, while steel is incredibly strong and durable.

Bicycles are a fun and inexpensive way to get around, and they can be used for almost any type of trip. Taking a road trip on your bike can be a fun and adventurous way to explore new places, or you could even ride across the country! But if you’re short on time or energy, consider a weekend road trip closer to home. You might be surprised at how many adventures you can have within a couple hours’ drive of your house.