ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bicycle fork

Okay kiddo, have you ever looked at a bicycle from the front? You know how there are two metal sticks that hold the wheel in place? Those sticks are called the fork.

The fork is like the arms of the bicycle that hold the front wheel. It's made up of a long metal tube or two, called the legs, and it has a metal piece on top called the crown that connects the legs together.

The fork is really important because it helps keep the bicycle stable and it helps you steer the bike. When you turn the handlebars, the fork turns too, and that's what makes the bike go left or right.

There are different types of forks, some are made for racing bikes and are lightweight, while others are made for mountain bikes which need to be strong enough to handle rough terrain.

So next time you look at a bicycle, remember to say "Hi" to the fork!