New to cycling or confused by bike terminology? This cycling glossary explains common cycling terms, bike parts, and cycling jargon used by riders, mechanics, and enthusiasts. From beginner basics like cadence and gears to advanced terms used in road cycling and e-biking, this guide helps you understand the language of cycling so you can ride with confidence.

Welcome to the Savvy Cycling glossary page. If you know of terms we have missed please contact us.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

  • Aerodynamics: How air flows around the rider and bike to reduce drag and improve speed.
  • Aero Bars: Handlebars that allow a low, aerodynamic riding position.
  • Aero Bike: A bike designed to minimize wind resistance for road or triathlon cycling.
  • Aero Helmet: An aerodynamic helmet to reduce wind drag. Often used in time trials. For riders looking to reduce their aerodynamic drag in individual time trials.
  • Alloy Frame: Lightweight bike frame made from aluminium alloy.
  • Assist Level (E-Bike): The level of motor assistance provided when pedaling an electric bike.
  • ATB: “All terrain bicycle”. A bike with a strong frame and fat tyres originally designed for riding in mountainous regions.”

B

  • Bottom Bracket: The component connecting the crankset to the frame, allowing the cranks to rotate.
  • Bonk: A sudden loss of energy caused by depleted glycogen during a ride.
  • Bosch Active Line: A Bosch created motor system that powers the bike. The Active Line is the small and lightest drive and ideal choice for cyclists who want moderate support during standard cycling trips.
  • Bosch Purion: The Bosch Purion is a computer for e-bikes with Bosch motor systems. The Purion allows you to view and change settings to your electric bike’s functions. An onboard computer system that is attached to the handlebars, The Purion shows the display and provides the assistance required when riding
  • Braze-On: Attachment points on a bike frame for accessories like bottle cages.
  • Brake Pads: Components that apply friction to wheels for stopping.
  • Braking Distance: The distance needed to stop a bike safely.
  • 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.

C

  • Cadence: Number of pedal revolutions per minute (RPM).
  • Campagnolo: Italian manufacturer of components and wheelsets. Campagnolo is an Italian manufacturer of high quality cycle components with its HQ in Vicenza, Italy.
  • Carbon Frame: Lightweight, stiff bike frame made from carbon fiber.
  • Cassette: Cluster of rear gears on a bike.
  • Chainstay: Part of the frame connecting the bottom bracket to the rear wheel.
  • Clipless Pedals: Pedals that use cleats to secure the shoe to the pedal.
  • 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”.

D

  • Derailleur: Mechanism that shifts the chain between gears.
  • Drop Bars: Curved handlebars used on road bikes for multiple hand positions.
  • Drafting: Riding behind another cyclist to reduce wind resistance.
  • Dropper Seatpost: A dropper seatpost can be adjusted in height via a remote on the handlebar. Probably the main benefit of a dropper post is improved safety whilst riding.
  • Disc Brakes: Braking system using a rotor and caliper for consistent stopping power.
  • Double Chainring: Two front chainrings for gear variety.

E

  • E-Bike (Electric Bike): Bicycle with a motor assisting pedaling.
  • Electronic Shifting: Gear shifting system controlled electronically.
  • Ergometer: Stationary bike measuring power output.
  • Expander Bolt: Component used to tighten seatposts or other parts.
  • Enduro: Mountain biking discipline focusing on downhill and technical terrain.

F

  • Fork: Component holding the front wheel and connecting to the frame.
  • Full Suspension: Bike with both front and rear suspension for off-road riding.
  • Frame Geometry: Angles and dimensions defining a bike’s ride characteristics.
  • Flat Pedals: Pedals without cleats, allowing regular shoes to be used.
  • Fender (Mudguard): Protects rider from mud and water spray.

G

  • Groupset: Combined set of drivetrain and brake components.
  • Grip Shift: Gear shifter integrated into handlebar grips.
  • Gearing Ratio: Relationship between front chainring and rear sprocket.
  • Gravel Bike: Bike designed for off-road and mixed-terrain cycling.
  • Gearing Range: Difference between the highest and lowest gear ratios.

H

  • Hybrid Bike: Combination of road and mountain bike features.
  • Head Tube: Part of the frame housing the headset and connecting fork.
  • Handlebar Stem: Connects handlebars to the fork steerer tube.
  • Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Disc brakes operated with hydraulic fluid for precise braking.
  • Hub: Central part of a wheel allowing it to rotate around the axle.
  • Hub Motor: When the motor is located in the front or rear hub on the electric bike

I

  • Internal Cable Routing: Routing of cables inside the frame for a cleaner look.
  • IsoSpeed: Technology that improves comfort by flexing seatpost or frame.
  • Interchangeable Dropout: Rear dropout allowing different wheel types.
  • Indoor Trainer: Stationary device to ride a real bike indoors.
  • Interval Training: Cycling training alternating high-intensity and recovery periods.

J

  • Jaw Clamp: Clamp used for seatpost or handlebar adjustment.
  • Jockey Wheel: Pulley in rear derailleur guiding the chain.
  • Jumping Technique: Lifting a bike over obstacles in MTB riding.
  • Jersey Pocket: Rear pocket in cycling jersey for storage.
  • Jawbolt: Bolt securing adjustable bike components.

K

  • Knee Saver: Technique or gear combination reducing knee strain.
  • Kickstand: Stand supporting a stationary bike.
  • Knobby Tires: Tires with protruding knobs for off-road grip.
  • Kinematic Chain: Movement path of the drivetrain components.
  • Kick Pedal: Pedal type used on indoor trainers.

L

  • Lugged Frame: Steel frame constructed using lugs connecting tubes.
  • Lockring: Ring securing cassette or freewheel on hub.
  • Lubricant: Oil or grease applied to chain and components.
  • Lightweight Wheels: Wheels designed for speed and climbing efficiency.
  • Lap Timer: Device to measure cycling lap time.

M

  • Mountain Bike (MTB): Bike designed for off-road cycling.
  • Mudguard: Another term for fender protecting against spray.
  • Multi-Tool: Compact tool for on-the-go bike maintenance.
  • Monocoque Frame: Frame constructed as a single molded piece.
  • Motor Assist: Electric motor helping pedaling on e-bikes.

N

  • Nose Angle: Angle of saddle nose affecting comfort.
  • Neutral Zone: Area of brake or gear lever travel with no effect.
  • Narrow-Width Handlebars: Bars for climbing or aerodynamics.
  • Nut Bolt: Standard fastening hardware on bikes.
  • Newton Meter (Nm): Unit of torque used in bike component installation.

O

  • Off-Road Bike: Bike designed for dirt, gravel, or rough trails.
  • Over-Drive Headset: Headset that increases front-end stiffness.
  • Oval Chainring: Non-round chainring improving pedaling efficiency.
  • One-by Drivetrain (1x): Bike with a single front chainring.
  • Open Mold Frame: Frame manufactured using open molding techniques.

P

  • Pedal Assist: Motor assistance on an e-bike while pedaling.
  • Power Meter: Device measuring cyclist’s output in watts.
  • Presta Valve: Narrow valve for high-pressure road bike tubes.
  • Pump: Tool for inflating tires.
  • Puncture Repair Kit: Tools for fixing flat tires.

Q

  • Quick Release: Lever allowing fast wheel removal.
  • Quarter Turn Pedals: Pedals that engage after partial rotation.
  • Quadruple Chainring: Rare setup with four front chainrings.
  • Quarter-Turn Skewers: Fast wheel attachment mechanism.
  • Quiet Drivetrain: Properly lubed system that reduces noise.

R

  • Rear Derailleur: Gear-shifting mechanism on the back wheel.
  • Rotor: Disc attached to wheel for disc brakes.
  • Road Bike: Lightweight bike for paved surfaces.
  • Roller Trainer: Device for indoor cycling with resistance rollers.
  • Race Fit: Geometry designed for aggressive riding position.

S

  • Saddle: Bicycle seat.
  • Spokes: Rods connecting wheel hub to rim.
  • Suspension Fork: Front fork with shock absorption.
  • Shimano Groupset: Popular brand of drivetrain components.
  • Single Speed Bike: Bike with only one gear ratio.

T

  • Tandem: A bicycle for 2 riders. Riding a tandem is easier than riding a solo bike plus trailer cycle. Its long wheelbase makes is very stable
  • Tubeless Tires: Tires without inner tubes.
  • Triathlon Bike: Aerodynamic bike designed for triathlons.
  • Torque Wrench: Tool to apply precise torque to bolts.
  • Track Bike: Bike designed for velodrome racing.
  • Tire Pressure: Recommended PSI for tire performance.

U–Z

  • U-Lock: Rigid lock to secure your bike.
  • Upshift / Downshift: Shifting to a higher or lower gear.
  • Urban Bike: City bike optimized for commuting.
  • Valve Extender: Extension for deep-section rims.
  • Walk Function: Provides you with assistance when pushing your bike up to 6mph. Basically, it allows riders to activate the electric pedal-assist motor while walking next to the bike.
  • Wheelbase: Distance between front and rear axles.
  • Wattage: Power output measured in watts.
  • Wet Weather Tires: Tires designed for rain conditions.
  • X-Pattern Spokes: Spoke lacing pattern improving wheel strength.
  • Yielding Brakes: Brakes designed to allow gradual stopping.
  • Zip Tie: Cable tie used for routing or securing cables.