\n<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re out riding with other cyclists or even watching an event on TV, you might sometimes hear one or two cycling terms you\u2019re not familiar with.<\/p>\n
It can be frustrating when people talk to us in phrases we don\u2019t understand, but fear not, after reading this blog, you\u2019ll be the one reciting random cycling terms and other lingo next time you\u2019re out on your bike.<\/p>\n
Cycling is a fascinating sport, and there\u2019s a wide range of equally fascinating cycling terms out there too. From \u2018brain bucket\u2019 to \u2018turkey\u2019, we\u2019ve gone through the alphabet (with the exception of a few letters) and picked out 73 of the perhaps lesser-known terms below.<\/p>\n
How many of these do you already know?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
An adjective used to describe any piece of cycling equipment that gives you as little wind resistance as possible. For example, the design of most bike frames, helmets, and wheels helps you glide through the wind; hence, they\u2019re aerodynamic. Whilst aerodynamic equipment is not essential for the average cyclist, it can provide a huge advantage in elite races.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
An attack in cycling is a sudden attempt to break away from another rider or group of riders you\u2019re alongside by quickly accelerating. Cyclists can use a variety of attacking strategies, depending on the type of race they\u2019re in.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
An autobus, also known as a ‘gruppetto’ in Italian, is a group of cyclists who ride together in the mountain stages of a race. The group\u2019s sole purpose is to make the time cut that will allow them to ride again the following day. These cyclists ride for the benefit of their team rather than to win the race.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bead is the wire around the inside of your bike\u2019s tyres that holds the tyre onto the rim. High-performance, expensive bikes with lightweight tyres usually contain beads made of Kevlar<\/a><\/span>, whereas cheaper bikes will often have beads made of steel.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n A block is an important part of competitive cycling. When cyclists make a block, they sit at the front of a group or peloton and ride at a slower tempo. Blocking is used to control the chasing pack\u2019s speed, and a cyclist will often use this tactic to enable one of their teammates to break away.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is when your body goes into \u2018oxygen debt\u2019 and runs out of energy during a bike ride. Blowing up occurs when you\u2019ve reached an unsustainable anaerobic state and can\u2019t keep up the pace you\u2019ve been riding at. Therefore, you need to either slow down or temporarily stop riding to restore your energy levels.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A simple idiom used to refer to a cycling helmet.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A breakaway is the result of an attack. This is when one cyclist (or a group of cyclists) escapes from the chasing pack and creates a gap for themselves.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Cadence is the rate at which a cyclist pedals. Cadence is usually calculated in revolutions per minute (RPM) and measures a cyclist\u2019s efficiency and fitness levels. <\/p>\n For context, Lance Armstrong rode at an average cadence of around 110 RPM, while amateur cyclists usually achieve somewhere in the region of 60 RPM.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This is one of many cycling terms to pay homage to pop culture. The cassette is the set of sprockets (the small mechanical wheels that rotate and engage with the chain links) on your bike\u2019s rear wheel. Think of the sprockets rotating like the teeth of a tape reel do on a cassette when it\u2019s playing. That\u2019s one easy way to help you remember this term.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n While we\u2019re on the subject of teeth, chain suck occurs when your bike\u2019s chain fails to detach itself from the teeth of the chainring. Chain suck is typically caused by grease, grit, worn-out chainrings, or wet and muddy conditions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the soft cushioning that sits in the crotch section of your bike shorts. It\u2019s designed to wick away moisture, support your sit bones, and prevent chafing, among other things.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a handy tip:<\/strong> don\u2019t wear this with underwear, as this can lead to blisters, chafing, or saddle sores.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A group of riders who are trying to catch the race or stage leader in front of them.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The clue is in the name. When cycling outdoors, a climb is an ascent up a hill or mountain. When cycling indoors, you can increase your bike\u2019s incline to simulate a climb.<\/p>\n There are generally five types of outdoor climb:<\/p>\n \u2022 Category 4:<\/strong> 250 to 500 feet in elevation gain \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The clincher is the most common type of tyre in cycling. Its most notable features include:<\/p>\n \u2022 a U-shaped rim These tyres \u2018clinch\u2019 to the rim with a bead made of hard rubber\u2014hence the name.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A derailleur is a mechanism that moves the chain on your bike from one sprocket to another as you pedal. Racing bikes have both a front and rear derailleur. Incorrect derailleur adjustment can lead to accidents and injury, so it\u2019s important that yours are adjusted properly.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Disc brakes are a braking mechanism which sit at the centre of your wheel. Disc brakes work by squeezing a brake pad against a small rotor attached to the wheel hub. They generate a serious amount of stopping power and are also reliable in wet weather.<\/p>\n However, they\u2019re often quite heavy, adding weight to your bike and can be expensive to replace.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Meaning \u2018servant\u2019 in French, a domestique is a cyclist whose role is to support and work for their teammates. They will never win the Tour de France or other such major competitions, but they play a vital role in helping their teammates do so.<\/p>\n A domestique usually carries out roles such as neutralising attacks that threaten their teammates, allowing their teammates to draft (see below) behind them to conserve energy, and retrieving food and water for their team.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Drafting is when a cyclist rides closely behind another rider to expend less energy than if they were riding against the wind. Drafting is also known as sitting in or wheel-sucking.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The drivetrain, also called the power train, is the mechanical system of components that converts pedalling power into forward movement. These components include the cassette, chain, pedals, derailleurs, and sprocket. Think of the drivetrain as your bike\u2019s engine.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The lower part of a down-turned handlebar is typically found on a road bike. They are the parts of the handlebar that curve outward, which cyclists use to give themselves a more secure hold and fight wind resistance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A diagonal, staggered paceline of riders in a single-line formation. Each rider is positioned to the side of the rider ahead of them. Cyclists will ride in an echelon to save energy and achieve maximum efficiency when riding in a strong crosswind.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An endo can mean two things. It can refer to:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A sprint towards the finish line from a large group of the main riders (or peloton) in a road race. This is quite a spectacle to witness first-hand.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Your bike \u2018fishtails\u2019 when the rear wheel locks up, causing your bike to skid or slide sideways. This happens when you apply the rear brakes too hard while riding on loose terrain.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An informal term used to describe a fixed-gear bike. Fixed-gear bikes don\u2019t have a freewheel mechanism. So, the golden rule when riding a fixie is to not stop pedalling.<\/p>\n If you do, the force and momentum in your wheels are enough to throw you over the handlebars.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a half-decent French speaker, you\u2019ll know what at least one of these words means. Yes, this term refers to something red.<\/p>\n The flamme rouge is the red flag suspended over the road 1km from the finish line of a race to inform the riders that they\u2019re approaching the end.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The fork is the part of a bike that holds the front wheel in place. A fork is turned via the handlebars whenever you steer your bike and is made up of a steerer tube, crown, fork legs, and dropout.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A derisive or derogatory term used by \u2018serious\u2019 cyclists towards people they deem not to conform to cycling norms.<\/p>\n In essence, a \u2018Fred\u2019 is someone who doesn\u2019t look like a conventional cyclist. They either:<\/p>\n Whichever way you look at it, a Fred stands out for all the wrong reasons. Female cyclists who fit into one of these categories are often called a \u2018Doris\u2019.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The overall standings or timing splits in a multi-stage race. Therefore, the winner of a General Classification, or GC, is the overall winner of the race. In the Tour de France, the GC winner is awarded a yellow jersey; in the Giro d\u2019Italia, they\u2019re awarded a pink one.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The lowest gear ratio on a bike, with the smallest chainring in the front and the largest in the back. You would use the Granny Gear when cycling up a very steep hill to avoid overexerting yourself. So, just like an actual Granny, this gear ratio will keep you on the straight and narrow.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The bearing system that connects the fork to the head tube (see below). The headset allows the fork to rotate within the head tube, which is essential for allowing you to steer properly. A road bike typically contains one of two types of headset: threaded or threadless.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The part of a bike\u2019s tubular frame that holds the headset in place. The front fork steerer tube is mounted within the head tube.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A hybrid bike<\/a> has mountain bike gears and controls but road bike-size wheels. In a nutshell, you get the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An individual time trial is a race that\u2019s ridden alone. Riders are sent out at intervals to cover a specified distance on their own against the clock. Whichever rider covers the distance in the least amount of time wins the race.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ve probably heard of this cycling term before, but if you\u2019re unfamiliar with intervals, these are short, hard efforts followed by a short period of easier riding to aid recovery. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A period of hard, high-speed cycling, which can last for as long as you like. It\u2019s completely unstructured and spontaneous. You might see a jam in a group ride if the pack decides to chase down another rider.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Jockey wheels are two small plastic wheels located in the rear derailleur.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The start of a sprint. When a cyclist \u2018jumps across\u2019, they\u2019ll quickly and aggressively accelerate their bike to gain a significant advantage over their opponents.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The final attack in a sprint. When cyclists kick, they accelerate quickly with a series of pedal strokes in a last-ditch attempt to pass the riders ahead of them.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The title given to the best climber in a road race. If a cyclist wins this title, they\u2019re awarded a distinctive polka dot jersey, or \u2018maillot \u00e0 pois\u2019, as it\u2019s otherwise known.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We now turn our attention from the King of the Mountain to the pauper in racing terms.<\/p>\n The \u2018lanterne rouge\u2019 is the title given to a cyclist who finishes last a race. This title is derived from the French term \u2018red lantern\u2019, which refers to the lantern that used to hang on the caboose of railway carriages to indicate to conductors that the couplings hadn\u2019t become disconnected.<\/p>\n Believe it or not, though, winning the \u2018lanterne rouge\u2019 can still be a decent payday!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n LBS is an abbreviation for local bike shop. Your LBS is a small, independent retailer, which sells bikes that the manufacturer has often assembled before arrival. When you buy from an LBS, you know you\u2019re getting a safe, good-quality bike that has been examined by a professional mechanic.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A tactic used by individual cyclists and teams that involves setting up their teammate for a sprint. When a cyclist or group of cyclists perform a leadout, they\u2019ll line up and set the pace. This strategy allows their teammate (the designated sprinter) to draft behind them and get a head start for an attack or sprint towards the finish line. There\u2019s a real art to the leadout, and positioning and timing are everything.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The pink jersey worn by the leader of the Giro d\u2019Italia (Tour of Italy) \u2013 the world\u2019s second most prominent cycling race behind the Tour de France.<\/p>\n This famous jersey is pink because the paper on which La Gazzetta dello Sport \u2013 the newspaper that founded Giro d\u2019Italia \u2013 is printed is pink.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This refers to the scenario whereby a mechanic in a support car appears to be making adjustments to a rider\u2019s bike, but the reality is far different.<\/p>\n What\u2019s actually happening is that the rider is holding onto the car as it speeds up, so the mechanic\u2019s support car is giving that rider a push to help them get back into the peloton. Such is the popularity of the term that there\u2019s even a book called Magic Spanner<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A term used in both the UK and the US to signify a 100-kilometre, or 62-mile bike ride (62.1371 miles to be exact).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Motorpace is a training technique that involves a cyclist drafting (or riding behind) a car or motorcycle. This technique aims to protect the rider from the wind blowing in their face and help them ride at higher speeds.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Another widely used cycling term that you may already be familiar with is mudguards. These are designed to stop mud and water from deflecting from the wheels onto your bike\u2019s body as you pedal.<\/p>\n Mudguards, known in the US as \u2018fenders\u2019, are a very useful piece of winter cycling kit.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Used to describe a cyclist who is under the age of 25 and within the first two years of their professional contract.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Used to describe a rider not being able to keep pace with the main group of riders or peloton (see below). If you\u2019re \u2018off the back\u2019, you\u2019re falling behind.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A group of riders travelling closely together at high speed. Each rider will take their turn to be at the front before pulling off to the side and drifting to the back of the group. This strategy ensures that each rider saves energy.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re part of a paceline, you should stay about a foot from the rider in front of you. An echelon (as mentioned earlier) is a form of paceline.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Peloton is one of the most popular cycling terms around.<\/p>\n French for \u2018little ball\u2019, the peloton is the main (or largest) group of riders in a road race. This group is also commonly referred to as the field, bunch, or pack. The rationale behind a peloton is very simple, though. Staying close to other riders enables each cyclist to conserve much-needed energy for climbs, attacks, and sprints later on in the race.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A presta is a thin metal valve often found on road and higher-end mountain bikes. It contains a small lock nut at the top that needs to be unscrewed to add to or release air from the valve. A Presta valve is one of two types of valves you\u2019ll typically find on bikes, the other being a Schrader valve, which we\u2019ll cover below.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Pronounced \u2018preem\u2019, primes are intermediate sprints within a road or cross-country race, often with a prize at the end. Depending on the race, this prize could be money, merchandise or points. As such, primes are aimed at encouraging more competitive riding.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To \u2018take a pull\u2019 is to ride at the front of a paceline or peloton. It\u2019s a strategy that\u2019s sure to test your power and endurance, so you need to ensure you\u2019re in peak condition if you want to \u2018pull\u2019 this off.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The horizontal width between your feet when they\u2019re positioned on your bike\u2019s pedals. A cyclist\u2019s ideal Q-Factor is determined by their physiology\u2014taller or broader riders will want a bigger Q-Factor, while smaller riders usually want a smaller one to match.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The same as the King of the Mountain (see above). The only difference is that this one applies to female cyclists.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A device that holds the wheel on your bike. It also allows you to manually adjust saddle height or remove your bike\u2019s wheels without needing to use tools.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Another cycling term with French origins, a randon\u00e9e is a long-distance, cross-country event where riders navigate a prescribed course while passing through intermediate checkpoints. A randon\u00e9e typically lasts two to three days, with cyclists riding to specific time limits.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A road rash can be a cut, scratch, or graze caused by a fall or crash while cycling.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An indoor training device made up of three rolling cylinders. You place both bike wheels on these cylinders and pedal and steer, just like you would if you were riding outdoors.<\/p>\n Rollers can be tricky to use for beginners, but once you get into the swing of things, they\u2019re a sturdy piece of kit than can help improve your balance, skill, and core stability.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It seems we have a lot to thank the French for when it comes to cycling terms. A rouleur (or roller, to give this term its English meaning) is a cyclist who specialises in riding on both flat and rolling terrain\u2014a great all-rounder, in other words.<\/p>\n They\u2019re powerful, well-organised, and can fulfil a variety of important roles, like setting a high pace in the peloton. George Hincapie, Tom Boonen, and Johnny Hoogerland are all good examples of rouleurs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A very common cycling term which is short for Revolutions Per Minute, i.e., the number of pedal strokes you complete for every minute you ride. If you want to calculate your RPM without needing to use an app or computer, set a timer for one minute and count the number of times your right foot reaches the bottom of your pedal stroke.<\/p>\n See \u2018Cadence\u2019 above for more background on RPM.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The SAG wagon is the ultimate saviour if a cyclist is up against it in a race. SAG stands for \u2018support and gear\u2019, which gives you a clue as to the service a SAG wagon provides.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a support vehicle\u2014be it a car, truck, or van\u2014from which a team follows its riders, providing them with mechanical assistance, food, water, and emergency help if required.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We covered Presta valves above and explained how Schrader valves are a direct rival. \u00a0<\/p>\n This term is French for \u2018healer\u2019 and is the cycling equivalent of a trainer. The soigneur (pronounced \u2018swan-yea\u2019) is a non-riding member of a team who supports the riders by providing transportation, supplies, food and services such as massages.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A Japanese multinational manufacturer of cycling components and a global powerhouse. The company\u2019s sales make up an estimated 70 \u2013 80% of the global bicycle component market by value. SPD is short for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics, a style of clipless bike pedals from the manufacturer.<\/p>\n SPDs are most commonly used for mountain biking but are also compatible with road bike shoes. There are multiple advantages of SPDs: they allow for short bursts of power, improve foot stability, and are also ideal for steep climbs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The thin metal rods that connect the centre of the wheel (or the wheel hub) to the rim. Spokes come in various sizes and are typically made of steel.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Also known as a \u2018gooseneck\u2019 or \u2018tiller\u2019, the stem is the part of a bike that attaches the handlebars to the steerer tube. Stems are split into two types, \u2018threadless\u2019 and \u2018quill\u2019, and they come in a variety of lengths, typically between 80 and 140mm for road bikes. However, the most common length is between 100 and 110mm.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A lightweight, supple, racing-specific tyre. This tyre\u2019s tube is sewn inside the casing, which is why it\u2019s also known as a \u2018sew-up\u2019. It only fits tubular-specific rims and has to be specially glued to them using an adhesive.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A slang term for an unskilled or inexperienced cyclist.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The French word for bike.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Now that you know your Presta valves from your Schrader valves, you can consider yourself a knowledgeable, dedicated, and serious cyclist, and start dropping these cycling terms into conversation when you\u2019re out and about.<\/p>\n If you cycle regularly, you may want to consider protecting yourself and your gear with specialist cycling insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cycling insurance through Cycleplan can protect your bike against damage, theft, and loss, both in and out of the home. You can also get up to \u00a350,000 worth of legal expenses cover and up to \u00a31,000 worth of cover for your bike accessories.<\/p>\nBlock<\/h3>\n
Blowing up<\/h3>\n
Brain bucket<\/h3>\n
Breakaway<\/h3>\n
C<\/h2>\n
Cadence<\/h3>\n
Cassette<\/h3>\n
Chain suck<\/h3>\n
Chamois (pronounced sham-wah)<\/em><\/h3>\n
Chasers<\/h3>\n
Climb<\/h3>\n
\u2022 Category 3:<\/strong> 500 to 1,500 feet in elevation gain
\u2022 Category 2:<\/strong> 1,500 to 3,000 feet in elevation gain
\u2022 Category 1:<\/strong> 3,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation gain
\u2022 Hors Cat\u00e9gorie (HC) or Above\/Beyond Category:<\/strong> 5,000+ feet in elevation gain<\/p>\nClincher<\/h3>\n
\u2022 an inner tube which holds the air pumped into the tyre
\u2022 a bead that holds the tyre in place on the rim<\/p>\nD<\/h2>\n
Derailleur<\/h3>\n
Disc brakes<\/h3>\n
Domestique<\/h3>\n
Drafting<\/h3>\n
Drivetrain<\/h3>\n
Drops<\/h3>\n
E<\/h2>\n
Echelon<\/h3>\n
Endo<\/h3>\n
\n
F<\/h2>\n
Field sprint<\/h3>\n
Fishtail<\/h3>\n
Fixie<\/h3>\n
Flamme rouge<\/h3>\n
Fork<\/h3>\n
Fred<\/h3>\n
\n
G<\/h2>\n
General Classification<\/h3>\n
Granny Gear<\/h3>\n
H<\/h2>\n
Headset<\/h3>\n
Head tube<\/h3>\n
Hybrid<\/h3>\n
I<\/h2>\n
Individual Time Trial<\/h3>\n
Intervals<\/h3>\n
Intervals are a structured training method that can work wonders for your speed, power, and endurance.<\/p>\nJ<\/h2>\n
Jam<\/h3>\n
Jockey wheels<\/h3>\n
Jump<\/h3>\n
K<\/h2>\n
Kick<\/h3>\n
King of the Mountain<\/h3>\n
L<\/h2>\n
Lanterne rouge<\/h3>\n
LBS<\/h3>\n
Leadout<\/h3>\n
M<\/h2>\n
Maglia rosa<\/h3>\n
Magic spanner<\/h3>\n
Metric century<\/h3>\n
Motorpace<\/h3>\n
Mudguards<\/h3>\n
N<\/h2>\n
Neo-pro<\/h3>\n
O<\/h2>\n
Off the back<\/h3>\n
P<\/h2>\n
Paceline<\/h3>\n
Peloton<\/h3>\n
Presta<\/h3>\n
Prime<\/h3>\n
Pull<\/h3>\n
Q<\/h2>\n
Q-Factor<\/h3>\n
Queen of the Mountain<\/h3>\n
Quick release<\/h3>\n
R<\/h2>\n
Randonn\u00e9e<\/h3>\n
Road rash<\/h3>\n
Roller<\/h3>\n
Rouleur<\/h3>\n
RPM<\/h3>\n
S<\/h2>\n
SAG wagon<\/h3>\n
Schrader<\/h3>\n
A Schrader valve is a type of inner tube valve similar to what you\u2019d find on car tyres. It is wider than a Presta valve, which some cyclists see as an advantage, as this allows you to get greater airflow into tubeless tyres. Opinion is very much divided among cyclists as to which is the better valve option.<\/p>\nSoigneur<\/h3>\n
SPD<\/h3>\n
Spokes<\/h3>\n
Stem<\/h3>\n
T<\/h2>\n
Tubular<\/h3>\n
Turkey<\/h3>\n
V<\/h2>\n
V\u00e9lo<\/h3>\n