Wheel consists of hub (with bearings and axle), rim and spokes that keep it all together. Wheel stands on its spokes.A spoke is one of some number of rods radiating from the center of a wheel (the hub where the axle connects), connecting the hub with the round traction surface.
Figure: Spoke wheel
As shown in the picture above: when a rider sits, the load will be transferred over the fork to the wheel axle.
Wheel axle will start loading the rim, through spokes with which they are connected. When the axle starts pushing down, and the rim is on the ground, rider only way the axle can go down is if it somehow manages to completely unload the spokes in the lower part of the wheel.
Spokes are easily bent, and the only way they provide some sort of leverage is when they resist pulling force – the one that tries to elongate them. So it is important to have the wheel trued and spokes tightened to appropriate torque.
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