This is a glossary of terms and jargon used in cycling, mountain biking, and cycle sport.
For parts of a bicycle, see List of bicycle parts.
0–9 27.5 Mountain bike A mountain bike with wheels that are approximately in diameter and are based on ISO 584 mm (650B) rims. 29er (bicycle)A mountain bike with wheels that are approximately in diameter and are based on ISO 622 mm (700C) rims. 3:1 ruleA UCI rule stating the depth and breadth (in cross-section) of the bicycle frame tubes cannot exceed the ratio of 3:1.
A À bloc Going à bloc means riding as hard as one possibly can, which can be risky as it leaves one in a state where recovery is needed, and therefore vulnerable to being attacked. Abandon To leave a race prior to its completion - as the rider is unable to finish (for example, because of a crash or injury). Aero bars Extension of the handlebars usually allowing the rider to rest their elbows and benefit from improved aerodynamics. Often found on Time trial bicycles. Aero racing bicycle A type of racing bike that combines the aerodynamic features of a time trial bicycle with a road racing bicycle. All terrain tire Off-road tire, or a bicycle tire designed to function well for varied terrain and uses. All-rounder A racing cyclist who excels in both climbing and time trialing, and may also be a decent sprinter. In stage races, an all-rounder is likely to place well in the general classification. All-rounders are usually Team Leaders in both stage races and classics cycle races. The term all-rounder can also mean a bicycle designed to function well for varied terrain and uses. Alleycat race A bicycle race typically organized by bicycle messengers or couriers. Alleycat races seek to replicate some of the duties that a working messenger might encounter during a typical day. The races usually consist of previously undisclosed checkpoints, which are listed on a manifest, that a racer will have to go to; once at the checkpoint, the racer will have their manifest updated. First racer to return with a completed manifest wins. Alleycats were first formalized in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1989; however, messengers have been racing against each other for much longer. Recently, with the boom in urban cycling, many non-messengers have been participating in and organizing alleycat races. Arrière du peloton From French, literally the "rear of the peloton" (main group of riders). Also called the Feu Rouge (red tail light) or Lanterne rouge Art bike A bicycle modified for creative purposes while still being ridable. Attack To quickly accelerate while riding in a pack, or in smaller numbers, with a view to creating a gap between yourself and other riders. Audax In the United Kingdom and a few other places: the same as randonneuring. In other parts of the world: a discipline related to randonneuring where everyone rides together in a group led by a captain, with a pre-defined schedule. Audax bicycle A bicycle built for randonneuring and audax rides. Functionally in-between a road racing bike and a touring bike. Usually equipped with fenders, dynamo-based lights and a small front or rear luggage rack. Autobus A group of riders in a stage race (typically non-climbers and suffering domestiques) who ride together as a group on the mountain stages with the sole intention of finishing within the stage's time limit to allow them to start the next day. Also known by the Italian term gruppetto.
B Barrage French term for a technique used by race officials to impede the progress of team cars at times when they would affect the outcome of the race, specifically when they would allow dropped riders to regain a group they were dropped from. Bar-end shifter (or "Barcon") A shift lever mounted as a bar-end plug. Used with drop bars on road bikes, and on various under- and over-seat bars on recumbent bicycles or tricycles. Baroudeur French term for adventurer. See Breakaway specialist. British Best All-Rounder (BBAR) A season-long time trial competition held in the UK. Bead Designates the part of the tire that clinches to the wheel's rim. Berm A banked turn. Beyond categorySee Hors catégorie. Bidon (French) A water bottle. Bike throwA bike throw occurs in the final moments of a bike race, usually within the last few feet. A sprint is involved, and at the end of the sprint, the rider pushes their arms forward, stretches their back out, and attempts to move their bike as far forward as possible, getting to the finish line before their competitors. BlockingRiders of one team who set a relatively slow tempo at the front of a group to control the speed, often to the advantage of one of their teammates who may be in a break. Blow upA rider who has gone into oxygen debt and loses the ability to maintain pace is said to have blown up; variations include popping, exploding and detonating. This is a more temporary condition than cracking or hitting the wall. BonkA condition of sudden fatigue and loss of energy which is caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles. Usually brought on by the lack of a proper nutritional strategy or proper fuelling. Also known as hitting the wall. BootiesFabric overshoes worn by cyclists to protect their feet from rain or cold. Bottom bracket (BB)The bearing assembly which allows the crank to rotate relative to the frame. May or may not include the spindle which connects the two arms, depending on the standard to which it was designed. BreakawayBreakaway, or break in short, is when a small group of riders or an individual have successfully opened a gap ahead of the peloton. Breakaway specialistA rider who is specialized in attacking the race from the start in order to show off their sponsor and to try their luck in winning the stage without having to fight with the whole peloton at the finish line. BrevetSee randonnée. Brevet card(randonneuring) The card or booklet used for collecting stamps that certify that you have visited the controls on a brevet ride. BrickA rider who is a slow climber but an efficient descender. BridgeWhen a lone rider or smaller group of riders closes the space between them and the rider or group in front of them. This term often refers to when riders catch up with the main pack (or peloton) of riders or those who are leading the race. Broom wagonA support vehicle following a group of cyclists in a race, tour or recreational ride that may carry equipment, food, rider luggage, or mechanics. May also pick up riders unable to continue. Also called a sag wagon. BunchSynonym of peloton. Bunch sprintThe riders arrive near the finish in massive numbers to contest the victory and attempt to draft their sprinters in a good position to claim the victory. Speeds higher than 60 km/h are to be expected.: Bunny hopTo cause one's bicycle to become airborne by lifting the front wheel and then the rear wheel into the air with such timing that both wheels are simultaneously airborne for a period. Bunny hops are performed either to navigate course features, to perform tricks or to avoid obstacles, depending on the discipline of competition.
C Cabeza de carrera From Spanish, literally "head of the race". The leading cyclist or group of cyclists, when separated from (in front of) the peloton. See Tête de la course. Cadence The rate at which a cyclist pedals (in revolutions per minute). Captain The rider on a tandem bike steering the bike. Also pilot. Caravane The team cars following behind the peloton in support of their racers. Also designates the publicity cars that precede. Cassette The rear cog cluster on a derailleur bicycle, which fits on a freehub. It consists only of cogs, with no ratcheting mechanism, as the ratcheting mechanism is in the freehub. Chain gang A group of cyclists cycling in a close knit formation akin to a road race, normally for the purposes of training. Chain slap Annoying slapping of the bike's chain against the chainstays while riding over rough terrain. Chain suck The tendency of a chain to stick to chainrings and be sucked up into the bike instead of coming off the chainring. Primarily caused by worn chainrings and rust on small chainrings, under high loads, and in dirty conditions. Chainring(s) The front part of the drivetrain where the chain engages. May be composed of one to three gears. Chainstay One of the two frame tubes that run horizontally from the bottom bracket shell back to the rear dropouts. Chase A group of one or more riders who are ahead of the peloton trying to join the race or stage leader(s). There may be none, one, or many chases at any given point in a race. Chasse patate French term for 'hunting potatoes'. When a rider is wedged between the breakaway and the peloton, pedalling furiously but making little headway to catch the group ahead, they are en chasse patate. Circle of death The stage of the 1910 Tour de France in the Pyrenees that included the cols: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Aubisque, was named the "Circle of Death". Now the hardest mountain stage in the Tour takes on this name. Classic A one-day race of great prestige. Some classics date back to the 19th century. Climber A rider who specializes in riding uphill quickly, usually due to having a high power-to-weight ratio. Clipless pedals Pedals with a locking mechanism for cleats. Clincher A type of tire that uses a bead around the edge of the tire to attach to the rim of the wheel when inflated. The inner tube is separate. Closing the door When a rider chooses to take a line (often toward the apex of a corner) with intent to block a rider behind them from successfully passing. Commissaire A race judge; in road-racing they are usually based in a car following the event. Counterattack An attack that is made when a break has been caught by chasers or the peloton. Coup de Chacal Literally "Jackal Trick",Jean Damien Lesay, Allumer la chaudière. Dico savoureux des expressions du cyclisme, Edition La Martiniere also known as "Cancellara's Trick". Surprise attack in the two last kilometers to detach from the peloton and, finally, win the race. Crack When a cyclist runs out of strength or energy, they are said to have cracked. Compare with hit the wall. Crank arm A crank. One of the two arms of a crankset. Each arm connects a pedal to the bottom bracket. Crankset The bicycle drivetrain assembly that converts the rider's reciprocating pedaling action to rotating motion. It consists of two cranks (or arms), one or more chainrings (or chainwheels), plus the stack bolts that connect them. Sometimes the bottom bracket is included. Criterium A race on a closed short distance course with multiple laps. Often a four-cornered course; often includes primes (French for "bonus" and rhymes with 'seems') which are points or prizes for intermediate laps. Course length varies from 800 meters to 5 kilometers. Cross bike Short for cyclocross bicycle. Cyclability Degree of ease of bicycle circulation. Cyclocross A form of bicycle racing that consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike past some obstacles and remount.
D Danseuse ( – to dance) Riding out of the saddle, standing up, usually in a taller gear than normal, and rocking side to side for leverage. The phrase dancing on the pedals is related. Derailleur A device used to change gears, activated by shifters. Descender A cyclist who excels at fast descents, often using them to break away from a group, or bridge a gap. Devil Colloquial name for an elimination race, an endurance track event where the last rider across the finish line is eliminated every two laps (from the phrase "the Devil takes the hindmost"). Diesel A rider who has an even energy output, without any bursts of speed, is said to be a diesel or diesel engine. Directeur sportif Team manager.