Bike Jargon: Cycling Terms Decoded 🚴‍♀️
Whether you’re new to cycling, or you’ve been riding for years, bike talk can sometimes feel like eavesdropping on another language. People throw around terms like “cassette” and “groupset” as if everyone was born knowing them. Spoiler: they weren’t! So don’t worry if you find things at times a little confusing. We have all been there!
I like to help as much as I can, so I’ve put a mini guide together to translate some of the jargon! And, the next time someone mentions a “false flat” or “bike cassette numbers,” you’ll know exactly what they mean!
1) THE BIKE ITSELF
> Frame: This is the skeleton of your bike, which everything else bolts onto.
> Fork: The part holding your front wheel. If it has suspension (bouncy bits), it’s a suspension fork.
> Groupset: The collection of parts that make your bike go and stop: this includes gears, chain, derailleurs, brakes, shifters, and crankset. The term “drive chain” is sometimes used here as a subset of the groupset but this focuses purely on parts that transmit power from the pedals to the rear wheel.
> Sprocket: The toothed cogs which your chain wraps around - essentially our gears.
> Cassette: The cluster of sprockets on your back wheel. The bigger sprocket make it easier for pedalling uphill and the smaller sprockets increase bike speed.
> Chainring: The large gear(s) attached to your crankset/pedals (the gears at the front). More teeth/big ring = harder to push, but faster once moving.
> Derailleur: The mechanical arm that moves your chain from one gear to another.
> Bike cassette numbers: Cassettes are described by two numbers which indicate the number of “teeth” on the smallest and largest sprockets (e.g. 11-32). The first number represents the number of teeth on the smallest sprocket (the one we use for speed) and the second number shows the number of teeth on the biggest sprocket (the lowers gear for climbing). The difference between these two numbers shows your gear range. A larger number on your biggest sprocket (e.g. 32 vs. 28) means you have more lower gears available which is good for climbing hills. Whereas a smaller number on the biggest sprocket makes it easier for maintaining speed on flat or downhill.
> Tubeless tyres - A tyre setup without an inner tube which uses sealant to prevent flats.
> Presta Valve - The skinny valve stem found on road and high-end mountain bikes. Requires a compatible pump.
> Schrader Valve - Generally wider and compatible with most pumps.
2) RIDING TERMS
> Cadence: How fast you’re pedalling, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). High cadence = spinning faster but lighter. A mixture of high and low cadence training is recommended in training.
> Watts: How much power is put through the pedals.
> Drafting: Riding closely behind another cyclist to reduce wind resistance - giving the person at the back a benefit!
> False: Flat: A section that looks flat but is actually a sneaky uphill.
> Switchback: A sharp turn (often uphill) that forces you to manoeuvre
carefully.
> Chain Stretch: Wear and tear on a chain over time. If not replaced, it wears down your cassette too - costing more and making changing gears a lot less smooth.
> Aero: Getting as aerodynamic as you can to reduce wind resistance and ensure you go as fast as you can.
> Bunny hop: A way to ride over obstacles where both wheels leave the ground.
FINAL THOUGHT...
Cycling jargon isn’t a secret club—it’s just shorthand for people who love bikes. The more you ride, the more these terms become second nature. And don’t be afraid to ask what something means! Every seasoned rider started with zero knowledge at some point (and probably fell over trying clipless pedals too!).
If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on Instagram too - @iron_woman_triathlon
Jen x