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Parlez-vous bike? Habla cycling? Even if you’re a multilingual
whiz, nothing can prepare you for bicycling’s vast vocabulary. Fact is, we’re
hard-pressed to think of another sport with so much lingo. Here’s a taste to
get you started. (See our glossary for more.)
Allen Wrench
A hexagonally-shaped tool that fits into the recessed allen bolts common on
bicycles today. There are L-shaped allens and ones with screwdriver-like
handles. Common sizes and uses for bicycle maintenance include: 2 mm (brake
adjustments), 3 mm (some cleats, water bottle cage bolts), 4 mm (cage bolts,
cleats, brake shoes), 5 mm (seatpost binder bolts, chainring bolts, derailleur
and brake anchor bolts), 6 mm (stem bolts), 7 mm (crank bolts) and 8 mm (crank
bolts).
Attack
To pedal rapidly away from a group of riders to gain an advantage.
Bonk
Slang for running out of energy due to low glycogen levels usually coupled with
dehydration.
Bridge
To leave one group of riders and pedal rapidly to the next group up the road.
Cadence
The average rate you pedal when riding. Cadence is counted by how many revolutions
of a pedal you do in one minute. Accomplished cyclists average about 90 to 100
rpm.
Cage
Used most commonly to refer to that part of the front derailleur (shifting mechanism
near the pedals) through which the chain passes. And then there’s that thing that
holds your water bottle, also called a cage.
Century
Any 100-mile ride. Since the 1880s, it’s been considered prestigious to be able to
ride a century in a day. Today, many clubs hold century rides, which include a great
route, rest stops at regular intervals with food and drink and a bunch of great
folks to ride with. Also: metric century (100 kilometers or 62.5 miles),
half-century and—gulp—double-century.
Chain
That grimy thing toward the rear of your bike that inexplicably manages to smear
your leg with a black tattoo every time you even think of going riding. More
importantly, it connects the crank (shaft to which the pedal is attached) with
the rear wheel so the bike goes somewhere when you turn the pedals.
Clincher Tire
Tire held on rims by a mechanical fit between the edges of the tire and the edges
of the rim. It’s the common tire found today on most mountain and road bikes.
Clipless Pedals
For efficient pedaling, you must attach the feet to the pedals. Of course, you also
want to be able to get your feet down in a hurry. For a long time, everybody used
pedal add-ons called toe clips and straps, basically a bolt-on cage and strap that
formed a harness to hold the feet. These are still available. A better option,
however, is clipless pedals. Two parts make up the typical clipless system: the
pedal and the cleat. The pedal attaches to the crankarm, and the cleat attaches
to the shoe sole. Then, much like a ski binding, you simply step on the pedal to
click in and ride. To exit, you twist your heels sideways, which causes the pedal
to release the cleat. It takes a little practice to get used to clipless pedals,
but when they’ve mastered them, most riders feel clipless are easier to ride with
and safer than clips and straps.
Draft
To follow another cyclist closely, so he is forced to break the wind. Drafting at
speeds of 15 mph and higher can save 10 to 20% of the energy required to ride
alone.
Field
A group of bike riders in a race.
Hammer
To ride hard. You can also “get hammered” by a stronger rider.
Noodle
To ride very slowly to aid recovery.
Quadricep
The large muscle group on the front of the upper leg. Cyclists rely heavily on
quads and typically have big ones.
Road Rash
Abrasions from falling off a bicycle and sliding on the road or dirt.
Roadie
Someone who prefers road riding, on a road bike, as opposed to a mountain biker.
Rollers
A device with three or four cylinders in a frame. You can balance a bicycle on
them and ride indoors to maintain fitness and work on pedal stroke.
SAG
A vehicle that patrols a ride route, offering food, mechanical assistance, etc.
No one’s quite sure what the letters stand for, if anything.
Snakebite
A type of inner tube puncture characterized by two small adjacent holes. Typically
caused by hitting a curb or rock.
Spinning
Pedaling rapidly and smoothly. Also, an indoor cycling workout available at some
gyms and aerobic centers.
Wind Trainer
An indoor trainer for cycling. The bike is mounted on a stand that holds the rear
wheel. When the bike is pedaled, the rear wheel turns a fan that provides resistance.
Other models create resistance with magnets or with a smaller fan turning in an
enclosed fluid bath.
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