The dropout on a bike is the part of the frame where the rear wheel's axle is fitted onto the frame. It is a slot in the rear end of the frame that allows for the rear wheel to be installed and removed by sliding it out of the metal channel. Some bikes have replaceable or interchangeable dropouts for different types of riding but these are usually found on high end models. There are a few different types of dropouts (horizontal, vertical, and angled) which all refer to the direction the dropout channel is pointing.