Welcome to the Savvy Cycling glossary page. If you know of terms we have missed please contact us.
Term | Description |
---|---|
Aero Helmet | An aerodynamic helmet to reduce wind drag. Often used in time trials. |
Amps | A unit of electrical currents |
ATB | All terrain bicycle |
Bikeways | A bicycle lane or path |
Bosch Active Line | A Bosch created motor system that powers the bike |
Bosch Purion | An onboard computer system that is attached to the handlebars of the bike. The Purion shows the display and provides the assistance required when riding |
Bottom bracket (BB) | This is bearing assembly which allows the crank to rotate relative to the frame. There are various types of bottom brackets. |
BPM | Beats per minute. Refers to heart rate. |
Brushless Motor | Old motors had "brushes" to make physical electrical connections to the windings that produce the electro-magnetic fields which make the motor turn. These are inefficient and prone to wear! Modern "brushless" motors use positional sensors that signal when to switch winding circuits. |
Cadence | The number of pedal strokes per minute. |
Campagnolo | Italian manufacturer of components and wheelsets. |
Clipless Pedals | Pedals with a locking mechanism for cleats. There are different types of clipless pedals including Look, Shimano SPD etc. |
Compression | Compression settings allow you to adjust the sensitivity of your fork or rear shock. |
Continuous Power | The ability of the motor to output its power continuously for a certain period of time |
Crank Drive | Some electric bikes have their motor in the centre of the bike, driving the crank. They can be noisey, being attached to the hollow frame which can act as a "sound box". |
Deep Cycle | A rechargeable battery that was fully discharged |
Display | The display is attached to the handlebars of the bike and shows you useful information about your electric bike while it is being used |
Dropper Seatpost | A dropper seatpost can be adjusted in height via a remote on the handlebar. |
E-bikes | A shortened term to describe electric bikes |
Gear Range | The gear range is the difference between the highest and lowest available gears. |
Gear Ratio | The gear ratio refers to the ratio between the front chainring and rear sprocket. |
Hub Motor | When the motor is located in the front or rear hub on the electric bike |
Integrated Battery | When the battery used to power the electric bike is fully hidden (integrated) within the frame |
LiFePO4 | Lithium phosphate battery |
Motor System | The motor system is what gives an electric bike its power. Motor systems can be front-wheel, rear-wheel or mid-mount systems |
Newton Meters (NM) | The torque (or power) output of the motor |
Pedal Sensor | So the controller knows when the pedals are being turned a small sensor is used, attached to the crank. This sends a signal to the controller which starts the motor |
Pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle) | A Pedelec is a bicycle with electric pedal assistance up to speeds of 25 km/h |
Powerpack | Powerpack can be another term for battery when talking about electric bikes |
Power Density | Power capacity of a battery in relation to it’s weight |
Rebound Damping | The rebound damping allows you to adjust the speed at which your fork or shock extend after being compressed. |
Sag | Also known as “negative travel,” the sag is the amount a fork or rear shock compresses under your body weight whilst sitting still on the bike. |
Semi-Integrated Battery | When the battery used to power the electric bike is partly hidden (integrated) within the frame |
Support Levels | A term used to describe the difference power assistance levels provided by the electric bike system |
Tandem | A bicycle for 2 riders. |
Throttle | A twist grip on the right side of the handle bar that provides instant power to the motor - great for setting off into traffic |
Top Tube | The part of the frame that attaches the head tube to the seat tube |
Torque | Torque is measured in Newton meters (Nm) and describes the rotational power of the motor |
TransX | TransX are an electric bike motor system manufacturer that provide the motor, display, and components for bikes |
Travel | Travel is the amount your fork or rear suspension can compress and extend. |
Volts | The standard unit used to measure how strong an electrical current is that is sent around an electrical system |
Walk Function | Provides you assistance when pushing your bike up to 6mph |
Watt Hours (WH) | The watt-hours signify the capacity of the battery that comes with the bike. The watt-hours of the battery are calculated by Volts x Amps |
Watt | The law limits the nominal power of an eMTB motor to 250 W. |