Framhjulet

Framhjulet, meaning “the front wheel” in several Scandinavian languages, refers to the wheel located at the front end of a wheeled vehicle. The term is used in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, and appears in both everyday language and technical contexts.

In bicycles, the framhjulet is the wheel that is steered by the handlebars. In motorcycles and cars, it denotes the front wheel, which commonly participates in steering, braking, and, depending on the drivetrain, propulsion.

The framhjulet plays a key role in steering when a vehicle uses front-wheel steering. The wheel turns about a vertical axis to direct the vehicle’s path. In front-wheel-drive cars, the framhjulet is also driven, transmitting engine torque to the road and integrating steering and propulsion in a single assembly. Vehicles with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive may have a non-powered front wheel that still steers, or a driven front wheel in some configurations.

The wheel assembly consists of components such as the rim, tyre, hub, and, on bicycles, spokes, mounted on an axle and connected to suspension in many designs. Maintenance includes regular tire pressure checks, tread wear inspection, wheel alignment (toe, camber, and caster angles), balancing, and ensuring proper hub lubrication and brake compatibility.

Historically, front-wheel steering has been developed across bicycle and automotive designs to improve handling and stability. Today, the framhjulet remains a standard term for the front wheel in Scandinavian languages and a fundamental element of vehicle dynamics.