Terminology Flashcards
non-drive-side cup in the bottom bracket. Removed for maintenance of the bottom-bracket spindle and bearings, and it adjusts the bearings. Sometimes also applied to the top cup of the headset.
adjustable cup
a style of headset that allows the use of a fork with a threadless steering tube
AheadSet
also known as an allen wrench or hex key
allen key
another term for mountain bike
all-terrain bike (ATB)
a bolt securing a cable to a component
anchor bolt or cable anchor, cable anchor bolt, cable-fixing bolt
an American bicycle component company and parent company of Manitou
Answer Products
a brake manufacturer, a subsidiary of SRAM
Avid
a shaft around which a part turns, usually on bearings or bushings
axle
a length of a hub axle from dropout to dropout, referring to the distance from locknut face to locknut face
axle overlock dimension
a set of balls, generally made out of steel or ceramic, rolling in a track to allow a shaft to spin inside a cylindrical part
ball bearing
a short handlebar extension clamped onto the end of the handlebar and extending approximately perpendicular to it
bar end
a threaded cable stop that allows for fine adjustment of cable tension. Commonly found on rear derailleurs, shifters, brake levers, and dropper-post levers
barrel adjuster
a conical part with a bearing race around its circumference. It presses the ball bearings against the bearing race inside the bearing cup.
bearing cone
a polished, dish-shaped surface inside which ball bearings roll. The bearings roll on the outside of a bearing cone that presses them into their track inside this
bearing cup or headset cup
a track or surface on which the bearings roll. It can be inside a cup, on the outside of a cone, or inside a cartridge bearing
bearing race
a bolt clamping a seatpost in a frame, a bar end to a handlebar, a stem to a handlebar, or securing a threadless steering tube
binder bolt
to run out of fuel for the human body so that the ability to continue strenuous activity is impaired. The state of having such low blood sugar from insufficient intake of calories that the ability to perform is impaired
bonk
an assembly that allows the crank to rotate. Generally this includes bearings and an axle and on older bikes may include a fixed cup, an adjustable cup, and a lockring
bottom bracket (BB)
the vertical distance between the center of the bottom bracket and a horizontal line passing through the wheel-hub centers. Equal to the wheel radius minus the bottom bracket height.
Bottom-bracket drop
the height of the center of the bottom-bracket spindle above the ground
bottom-bracket height
a cylindrical housing at the bottom of a bicycle frame through which the bottom-bracket axle passes
bottom-bracket shell
a mechanical device that decelerates or stops the motion of the wheel through friction
brake
an arch-shaped part bolted to the ends of the brake bosses to reduce the flex of the bosses and seatstays when the cantilever or V-brakes are applied
brake booster
a fork or frame-mounted pivot for a brake arm
brake boss, or brake pivot, brake post, cantilever boss, cantilever pivot, cantilever post
a brake part fixed to the frame or fork containing moving parts attached to brake pads that stop or decelerate a wheel
brake caliper
a block of rubber or similar material used to slow the bike by creating friction on the rim, disc or other surface
brake pad or brake block
a metal pad holder that secures the brake pad to the brake arm
brake shoe
a generic term for most metal frame attachments, even those not brazed but rather welded or glued to the frame
braze-on boss
a method commonly used to construct steel bicycle frames. Involves the use of brass or silver solder to connect frame tubes and attach various items to the frame
brazing
a metal or plastic sleeve that acts as a simple bearing in pedals, suspension forks, rear shocks and shock-mounting points, suspension swingarm, derailleur pivots, and jockey wheels
bushing
a common type of frame tubing with varying wall thicknesses. Designed to accommodate high-stress points; ends of the tubes are thicker and other sections are thinner to reduce weight
butted tubing
wound or braided wire strands used to operate brakes and derailleurs
cable or inner wire
a cap on the end of a cable that keeps it from fraying
cable end cap
cable stop on a stem, headset washer, fork, or seatstay arch used to stop the brake cable housing for a cantilever or U-brake
cable hanger
a metal-reinforced exterior sheath through which a cable passes
cable housing or outer wire
a fitting on the frame, fork, or stem at which a cable-housing segment terminates
cable stop or cable boss or cable-housing stop or outer wire stop
two guiding plates through which the chain travels. Both the front and rear derailleurs have this. on the rear also holds the jockey pulleys.
cage
an Italian bicycle component company
Campagnolo
American bicycle-component company and originator of the threadless headset
Cane Creek, originally Dia-Compe USE
a cable-operated rim brake consisting of two opposing arms pivoting on frame- or fork- mounted posts. Pads mounted to each brake arm are pressed against the braking surface of the rim via cable tension from the lever
cantilever brake
ball bearings encased in a cartridge consisting of steel inner and outer rings, ball retainers, and sometimes bearing covers
cartridge bearing
a group of cogs that mounts on a freehub; also, a group of chainrings that mounts on a spiderless crankarm
cassette
a series of metal links held together by pins and used to transmit energy from the crank to the rear wheel
chain
a single unit of a bicycle chain consisting of four plates with a roller on each end and in the center
chain link
a dragging of the chain by the chainring past the release point at the bottom of the chainring. The chain can be dragged upward until it is jammed between the chainring and the chainstay
chain suck
a flat piece of steel, usually attached to two lengths of chain. This tool is used to remove the rear cogs on a freehub or freewheel
chain whip or chain wrench
an imaginary line connecting the center of the middle chainring with the middle of the cogset. Should be straight and parallel to the vertical plane passing through the center of the bicycle. Measured as the distance from the center of the seat tube to the center of the middle chainring.
Chainline
a multiple-tooth sprocket attached to the right crankarm
chainring
a tool used to secure the chainring nuts while tightening the chainring bolts
chainring-nut tool
a frame tube on a bicycle connecting the bottom-bracket shell to the rear dropout and hence to the rear hub axle
chainstay
a C-shaped or spiral ring that fits in a groove to hold two cylindrical parts together
circlip or Jesus clip, or snapring
a pedal that relies on spring-loaded clips to grip a cleat attached to the bottom of the rider’s shoe without the use of toeclips and straps
clip-in pedal or clipless pedal
a sprocket located on the drive side of the rear hub
cog
a diminishment of the speed of compression of a spring on impact by hydraulic or mechanical means
compression damping
a threaded conical nut that serves to hold a set of bearings in place and also provides a smooth surface upon which those bearings can roll. can also refer to the conical member of any cup-and-cone ball-bearing system
cone
the distance between the centerline of the bottom-bracket spindle and the centerline of the pedal axle
crank length
a lever attached at the bottom-bracket spindle and to the pedal used to transmit a rider’s energy to the chain
crankarm
a bolt attaching the crank to the bottom-bracket spindle on a cotterless drivetrain
crankarm anchor bolt
an assemble that includes a bottom bracket, two crankarms, a chainring set, and accompanying nuts and bolts
crankset
a flat, open-end wrench head with a square hole at its base to accept the drive stub of a socket wrench or torque wrench
crowfoot wrench or socket or crow’s foot
a cup-shaped bearing surface that surrounds the bearings in a bottom bracket, headset, or bug. Also, the upper part of the shaft-eyelet assembly of a rear shock (the big end of the shock)
cup
a mechanism in a suspension fork or shock that reduces the speed of the spring’s oscillation movement
damper or damping cartridge
a reduction in speed of the oscillation of a spring, as in a suspension fork or shock
damping
a gear-changing device that allows a rider to move the chain from one cog or chainring to another while the bicycle is in motion
derailleur
a metal extension of the right rear dropout through which the rear derailleur is mounted to the frame
derailleur hanger
model name of Shimano electronic-shifting components
Di2
a traditional bicycle frame shape
diamond frame
a brake that stops the bike by squeezing brake pads attached to a caliper mounted to the frame or fork against a circular disc attached to the wheel
disc brake
a difference in spoke tension on the two sides of the rear wheel
dish or wheel dish
a centering of the rim in the frame or fork by adjustment of spoke tension in a wheel
dishing or wheel dishing
a tool to check the centering of a wheel rim relative to the axle ends
dishing tool
a two-chainring drivetrain setup (as opposed to a three or triple setup)
double
a frame tube that connects the head tube and bottom-bracket shell together
down tube
a flat-ended rod used for driving out bearings and bushings
drift
the crankarms, chainrings, bottom bracket, front derailleur, chain, rear derailleur, and freewheel or cassette
drivetrain
the difference in height between two parts; a terrain discontinuity you may or may not want to ride off; something not to do with your tools
drop
slots in the fork and rear triangle where the wheel axles attach
dropouts or fork ends or fork tips
a telescoping seatpost whose length can be adjusted on the fly while riding
dropper post
a manufacturer of spokes, other bicycle components, and tools
DT, DT Swiss
a protective cap keeping dirt out of a part
dust cap
a cone-shaped, hardened-steel tool with coarse, reverse threads to remove broken bolts. A hole is drilled into the center of the bolt, and this is inserted into the hole, and then turned with a tap handle counterclockwise
easy-out
a urethane spring sometimes used in suspension forks, rear shocks, suspension seatposts, and saddles
elastomer or MCU
a system for shifting gears on a bicycle in which the power to shift comes not from the pull on a cable but from an electric signal turning a servo motor on and off
electronic shifting
a rotation of the bike and rider forward over the front wheel
endo
a bolt that when tightened pulls a wedge up inside or alongside the part into which the bold is anchored to provide outward pressure and secure said part inside a hollow surface. Found inside quill stems and some handlebar-end plugs and shifters
expander bolt
a part threaded onto an expander bolt. threaded down its center axis and is usually cylindrical in shape and truncated along an inclined plane or conical in shape and truncated parallel to its base
expander wedge or wedge
a cap for the end of cable housing
ferrule
a nonadjustable cup of the bottom bracket located on the drive side of the bottom bracket
fixed cup
largest diameter of the hub, where the spoke heads are anchored
flange
a part that attaches the front wheel to the frame
fork
a crosspiece connecting the fork legs to the steering tube
fork crown
perpendicular offset distance of the front axle from an imaginary extension of the steering-tube centerline
fork rake or offset or rake or wheel offset
the distance measured on the ground between the vertical line passing through the center of the front-hub axle (the center of the wheel contact patch) and the extension of the centerline of the head tube
fork trail or trail
a bicycle-suspension manufacturer that makes forks, rear shocks, and dropper posts. Parent company of RaceFace and Easton.
Fox
a central structure of a bicycle to which all of the parts are attached
frame
a rear hub that has a built-in freewheel mechanism to which the rear cogs are attached
freehub or cassette hub
a mechanism through which the rear cogs are attached to the rear wheel on a derailleur bicycle. locked to the hub when turned in the forward direction, but it is free to spin backward independently of the hub’s movement, thus allowing the rider to stop pedaling and coast as the bicycle is moving forward
freewheel
a traditional non indexed shifter attached to the frame or handlebar. cable tension is maintained by a combination of friction washers and bolts
friction shifter
the head tube, top tube, down tube, and seat tube of a bike frame
front triangle or main triangle
FSA
Full Speed Ahead - a manufacturer of bike components
the lowest gear, generally of a triple drive-train. in this gear, the chain is on the largest rear cog and the innermost (usually of three) front chainrings
granny gear
a twist shifter of the SRAM Corp that is integrated with the handlebar grip of a mountain bike. Shifts gears by twisting
Grip Shift
a curved tube, connected to the fork via the stem, that the rider holds in order to turn the fork and thus steer the bicycle. The brake levers and shift levers are attached to it.
handlebar
an acute angel formed by the centerline of the head tube and the horizontal
head angle
a bearing system, consisting of a number of separate cylindrical parts installed into the head tube and onto the steering tube, that secures the fork and allows it to spin and swivel in the frame
headset
the front tube of the frame through which the steering tube of the fork passes. Attached to the top tube and down tube and contains the headset.
head tube
a hexagonal wrench that fits inside a hexagonal hole in the head of a bolt
hex key or allen key or allen wrench
the central part of a wheel to which the spokes are anchored and through which the wheel axle passes
hub
a disc, drum, or coaster brake that stops the wheel with friction applied to a braking surface attached to the hub
hub brake
a type of brake that uses fluid pressure to move the brake pads against the braking surface
hydraulic brake
a French tire company
Hutchinson
a shifter that clicks into fixed positions as it moves the derailleur from gear to gear
index shifter
a valve on the compression-damping system on a front or rear shock that opens upon hard impacts and otherwise stays closed, in order to distinguish between bump forces and pedaling forces and prevent the shock from bobbing up and down during pedaling. Similar to a lockout lever, but unlike a lockout, it allows the shock to still be fully active for bump absorption while engaged.
inertia valve
on a telescoping suspension fork, a tube, usually clamped into the fork crown, except in the case of an upside-down fork, that slides in and out of the larger-diameter outer leg as the fork compresses and rebounds.
inner leg, upper tube, inner, stanchion
a headset in which the bearing seats are integrated into the head tube rather than requiring separate headset cups, and the bearings are completely concealed within the head tube
integrated headset
a circular, cog-shaped pulley attached to the rear derailleur that is used to guide, apply tension to, and laterally move the chain from rear cog to rear cog
jockey wheel or jockey pulley
an all-terrain tire used on mountain bikes
knobby tire
amount the rear axle moves vertically on a full-suspension bike with a given amount of movement of the shock shaft
leverage ratio
a pivoting steel hook on a V-brake arm that the cable-guide “noodle” hooks into
link
a notched or toothed washer that serves to hold surrounding nuts and washers in position
lock washer
a nut that serves to hold the bearing adjustment in a headset, hub, or pedal
locknut
a valve on the compression-damping system on a front or rear shock that prevents the shock from compressing. Modern shocked usually have a blowoff system that will allow the compression-damping circuit to open with a large impact to prevent the shock from being damaged on bit hits while this is engaged
lockout
a large circular locknut. on a bottom bracket, it is the outer ring that tightens the adjustable cup against the face of the bottom-bracket shell. on a rear shock, this is the threaded ring that tightens the coil spring on a coil-over shock or is used to secure the fore-aft position of the shock body on some air shocks. On a freehub, this holds the cogs on. On a CenterLock disc brake-compatible hub, this secures the rotor to the hub shell.
lockring
a style of rear derailleur pioneered by shimano in which the return spring is connected to the opposite vertices of the rear derailleur’s parallelogram linkage elements compared to the setup for a standard rear derailleur. This arrangement results in the derailleur’s moving to the low-gear position (the largest, most inboard rear cog) when the cable tension is removed, rather than to the high-gear position (the smallest, most outboard cog), as on a standard rear derailleur
low normal or rapid rise
a German brake company
Magura
an American suspension-fork and component company, subsidiary of Answer Products
Manitou
an Italian Suspension-fork and component company
Marzocchi
a piston chamber at the lever end of a hydraulic brake system
master cylinder
a detachable link that holds the chain together. Can be opened by hand without a chain tool
master link
a French wheel and bicycle-component company
Mavic
a tool for measuring the outside dimensions of an object or the inside dimensions of a hole by means of movable jaws
measuring caliper
a French tire company
Michelin
a bolt that mounts a part to a frame, fork, or component
mounting bolt, pivot bolt
a steel cylindrical cartridge with rod-shaped rollers arranged coaxially around the inside walls
needle bearing
a thin nut designed to receive the end of a spoke and seat it in the holes of a rim. a flared typ of a hydraulic caliper bleed fitting onto which a bleed hose can be attached
nipple
a curved cable-guide pipe on a V-brake arm that stops the cable housing and directs the cable to the cable anchor bolt on the opposite arm
noodle
in a telescoping suspension fork, a tube, often cast from magnesium and attached to the front-wheel axle, except in the case of an upside-down fork, that slides up and down over the smaller-diameter inner leg as the fork compresses and rebounds.
outer leg, casting, fork casting, outer, or slider
a platform the foot pushes on to propel the bicycle
pedal
an overlapping of the toe with the front wheel while pedaling
pedal overlap, toe overlap, or toeclip overlap
a highly damped low-speed compression circuit on a rear shock or suspension fork designed to reduce pedal-induced bobbing as well as keep the suspension high during braking and while riding berms and dips
pedal platform
the lateral distance between the feet while pedaling. the distance measured between the two vertical planes defined by the inboard side of each shoe at the first metatarsal as they move around the pedaling circle
pedaling stance
a V-shaped wrench with two tip-end pins. often used for tightening the adjustable cup of the bottom bracket or other lockrings
pin spanner
a pin about which a part rotates through a bearing or bushing. found on brakes, derailleurs, and rear-suspension systems
pivot
a bolt on which another part pivots
pivot bolt
a thin, metal tire valve that uses a locking nut to prevent air from escaping from the inner tube or tire
Presta valve
the distance from the outer face of one crankarm at the pedal hole to the plane formed by the outer face of the other crankarm at the pedal hole as it spins. measured normal to this plane.
Q factor
a tightening lever and shaft used to attach a wheel to the fork or rear dropouts without using axle nuts; a quick-opening lever and shaft pinching the seatpost inside the seat tube in lieu of a wrench-operated bolt; a quick cable release on a brake; a fixing mechanism that can be quickly opened and closed as on a brake cable or wheel axle; any anchor bolt that can be quickly opened and closed by a lever
quick-release
a vertical tube of a stem for a threaded headset system that inserts into the fork steering tube. It has an expander wedge and bolt inside to secure the stem to the steering tube
quill
a stem with a quill to insert inside a threaded fork steering tube
quill stem
a circular track on which bearings roll freely
race, bearing race
A Canadian bicycle-component company
Race Face
an indexing shifter manufactured by Shimano for use on mountain bikes with two separate levers operating each shift cable
Rapidfire shifter
a rear part of the bicycle frame that includes the seatstays, the chainstays, and the seat tube
rear triangle
a diminishing of speed of return of a spring by hydraulic or mechanical means
rebound damping
an outer hoop of a wheel to which the tire is attached
rim
a handlebar with a double bend on each side of the stem clamp so that the grips are higher than the stem
riser bar
an American bicycle and bicycle-component company
Ritchey
an American suspension-fork and component company, subsidiary of SRAM
RockShox
a brake system using pulleys and a cam to force the brake pads against the rim surface
roller-cam brakes
a platform made of leather and/or plastic upon which the rider sits
saddle, seat
the amount the front or rear shock compresses with the rider’s weight static on the bike. Its purpose is to preload the shock so that it forces the rear wheel down into the ground when the bike is unweighted after a bump, thus increasing tire contact and traction in rough terrain
sag or ride height
a high-pressure air valve with a spring-loaded air-release pin inside. Found on some bicycle inner tubes and tubeless tires, on air-sprung suspension forks and rear shock, and on automobile tires and tubes
Schrader valve
a bearing enclosed in a protective seal in an attempt to keep contaminants out
sealed bearing
an acute angle formed by the centerline of the seat tube and the horizontal
seat angle
an intersection of the seat tube, top tube, and seatstays
seat cluster
a frame tube into which the seatpost is inserted
seat tube
a tubular member supporting, securing, and allowing height adjustment of the saddle
seatpost
a frame tube on a bicycle connecting the seat tube or the rear shock to the rear dropout and hence to the rear hub axle
seatstay
a thin element inserted between two parts to ensure that they are the proper distance apart. can be a thin washer and can be used to space a disc-brake caliper away from the frame or fork or to space a bottom-bracket cup away from the frame’s bottom-bracket shell. can also be a thin piece of metal used to make a seatpost fit more tightly inside the seat tube. can also be small, thin discs found inside suspension forks and rear shocks to control suspension movement by permitting or hindering passage of hydraulic fluid through an orifice
shim
a Japanese bicycle-component company and maker of XTR, XT, Saint, LX, and STX component lines as well as Rapidfire, SPD, and STI
Shimano
a trail with a single furrow made for feet or two-wheeled vehicle, as opposed to a road or doubletrack, which has a track for each pair of wheels
singletrack
a long rod; a hub quick-release; a shaft passing through a stack of elastomer bumpers in a suspension fork
skewer
a piston chamber in the caliper of a hydraulic brake
slave cylinder
a brand of tire sealant consisting of chopped fibers in a liquid medium injected inside a tire or inner tube to flow to and fill small air leaks
Slime
A cylindrical tool with a square hole in one end to mount onto a socket-wrench handle and with hexagonal walls inside the opposing end to grip a bolt head or nut.
What is a socket?
A cylindrical wrench handle with a ratcheting square head extending at right angles to the handle onto which sockets or other wrench bits for turning bolts or nuts are installed.
What is a socket wrench?
A thick washer, cylindrical in shape, intended to maintain a fixed distance between two parts. Can be found between the headset and the stem and between the stem and the top cap on a threadless steering tube.
What is a spacer on a bicycle?
A wrench.
(British parlance)
What is a spanner?
A star-shaped piece of metal that connects the right crankarm to the chainrings.
What is a spider in bicycle mechanics?
One of a set of longitudinal grooves and ridges designed to interlock two mechanical parts.
What is a spline?
Metal rods that connect the hub to the rim of a wheel.
What are spokes?
An elastic contrivance that when compressed returns to its original shape by virtue of its elasticity.
What is a spring?
An initial loading of a spring so that part of its compression range is taken up prior to impact.
What is a spring preload?
A circular, multiple-toothed piece of metal that engages a chain.
What is a sprocket?
An American bicycle-component company and maker of Grip Shift, Half Pipes, and ESP (derailleurs); owner of Sachs, RockShox, Avid, and Truvativ bicycle-component companies.
What is SRAM?
The distance between the top tube of the bike and the rider’s crotch when the rider is standing over the bicycle.
What is stand-over height?
A brand of tire upgrade system named after inventor Stan Koziatek that includes a latex-based tire sealant to convert a standard tire to a tubeless tire.
What is Stan’s NoTubes?
A pronged nut that is forced down into the steering tube and anchors the headset top cap bolt to adjust a threadless headset.
What is a star nut?
A vertical tube on a fork that is attached to the fork crown, fits inside the head tube, and swivels within it by means of the headset bearings.
What is a steering tube?
A connection element between the fork steering tube and the handlebar.
What is a stem?
A bicycle frame with a steeply up-angled top tube connecting the bottom of the seat tube to the top of the head tube, intended to provide ease of stepping over the frame.
What is a step-through frame?
A short segment of cable connecting two brake arms together.
What is a straddle cable?
A movable rear end of a rear-suspension frame.
What is a swingarm?
A threaded tool made of hardened steel to cut threads, shaped like a pointed bolt shaft with lengthwise grooves.
What is a tap?
A headset whose top bearing cup and top nut above it screw onto a threaded steering tube.
What is a threaded headset?
A removable rod that forms not only the axle of a front or rear hub but also the system that secures the wheel into the fork or frame.
What is a through-axle?
A thumb-operated shift lever attached on top of the handlebar.
What is a thumb shifter?
An edge of a tire that seats down inside the rim, held fixed to established standards by strong, stretch-and tear-resistant material.
What is a tire bead?
A tool to pry a tire off the rim.
What is a tire lever?
A liquid that, when put into a tire, plugs leaks when air under pressure forces it through the leaks.
What is tire sealant?
The condition where the toes of the rider’s shoes overlap with the front wheel when turning.
What is toe overlap?
A round top part of a headset with a bolt passing through it that screws into the star nut to apply downward pressure on the stem to properly load and adjust the headset bearings on a threadless steering tube.
What is a top cap?
Upper headset cup.
What is a top cup?
A frame tube that connects the seat tube to the head tube.
What is a top tube?
A rotational analogue of force, a vector quantity whose magnitude is the length of the radius from the center of rotation out to the point at which the force is applied, multiplied by the magnitude of the force directed perpendicular to the radius.
What is torque?
A socket-wrench handle with a graduated scale and an indicator to show how much torque is being applied as a bolt is being tightened.
What is a torque wrench?
A bolt with a six-point star-shaped hole in its head.
What is a Torx bolt?
A tool with a star-shaped end that fits in the star-shaped hole in the head of a Torx bolt.
What is a Torx wrench?
Where to ride your mountain bike.
What is trail in mountain biking?
A three-chaining combination attached to a right crankarm.
What does triple refer to in biking?
A bicycle-component manufacturer, subsidiary of SRAM.
What is Truvativ?
A system of rim and tire that stays inflated without an inner tube.
What does tubeless mean?
A tubeless system that requires tire sealant to stay inflated, with specific requirements for rims and tires.
What does tubeless ready indicate?
A cable-pulling derailleur control handle surrounding the handlebar adjacent to the hand grip, twisted to shift the derailleur.
What is a twist shifter?
A mountain bike brake consisting of two arms shaped like inverted Ls affixed to posts on the frame or fork.
What is a U-brake?
A manufacturing method of nonsuspended (rigid) forks where the fork legs curve toward each other and are welded directly to the steering tube.
What is unicrown?
A suspension fork whose lower legs are the inner legs of the fork and move up and down within the upper, outer legs of the fork.
What is an upside-down fork?
A tubeless-tire system originated by Mavic, Michelin, and Hutchinson, featuring an airtight tire with a sealing flap.
What is UST?
A cable-operated cantilever rim brake consisting of two vertical brake arms pivoting on frame- or fork-mounted pivots pulled together by a horizontal cable.
What is a V-brake?
A Pedro’s tool with a Vise-Grip handle used to remove the rear cogs on a free-hub or freewheel.
What is a Vise Whip?
The horizontal distance between the two wheel axles.
What is wheelbase?
Cast-in or separate fixtures at the fork ends designed to prevent the front wheel from falling out if the hub quick-release lever or axle and nuts are loose.
What are wheel-retention devices?
A tool having jaws, a shaped insert, or a socket to grip the head of a bolt or a nut to turn it.
What is a wrench?
A part on a cantilever or U-brake attaching the brake cable to the straddle cable; also, the part of a rear-suspension swingarm attached to the main pivot.
What is a yoke?
What is an adjustable cup?
The left-side bearing cup of an adjustable bottom bracket.
What is an adjusting race?
A movable bearing surface typically mounted to a thread that is used to adjust bearing play and movement.
What is an Allen® wrench?
See hex wrench.
What is articulated housing?
Brake and derailleur index housing made of small hollow metal segments strung together over a liner.
What does ATB stand for?
All Terrain Bike, or mountain bike.
What is an axle nut?
A threaded nut that secures wheel to bike. Used with solid axle hubs.
What is bead seat diameter?
Rim diameter measured where the tire bead is seated.
What is bolt circle diameter?
Diameter of a circle defined by the chainring mounting bolts.
What is the bottom bracket?
The bearings, cups, and spindle connecting both cranks.
What is a bottom bracket shell?
The bottom of the frame that holds the bottom bracket.
What is the bottom bracket spindle?
The axle in the bottom bracket. It connects both cranks.
What is braided housing?
A cable housing made of woven wire around an inner liner.
What is a brake bridge?
Frame tubing connection between seat stays, used for mounting side pull and dual pivot brake calipers.
What is a brake cable?
Wound, multiple strand wire that connects brake lever with brake caliper.
What is a brake cable carrier?
Connection between straddle wire and main brake cable, found on cantilever brakes, U-brakes, and center pull brakes.
What is a brake caliper?
The lever arms that move brake pads to rim or rotor to apply friction needed to slow and stop the bicycle.
What is the function of a brake centering screw?
Changes spring tension between caliper arms, allowing pads to center over wheel rim.
What is brake fluid?
Either a mineral oil-based fluid or a D.O.T. brake fluid for hydraulic brake systems.
What is a brake lever?
The mechanism pulled by hand to activate brake caliper and pads.
What is a brake pad?
Synthetic rubber block fastened to caliper arm, forced against moving rim or disc to slow rim rotation.
What is a brake pad fixing bolt/nut?
Fastener system that holds brake pad to rim caliper arm.
What is brake pad toe?
An adjustment to the brake pad to reduce brake squeal, usually with leading edge striking first.
What is a brake quick-release?
Mechanism found on rim brake caliper to open brake arms allowing wide tires to pass brake pads.
What is the braking surface?
Part of the rim or rotor disc that is rubbed by brake pads.
What does British Standard Cycle (BSC) refer to?
A thread standard system used by the British and adopted by much of the world.
What is a B-screw?
Body-screw on rear derailleur that changes the distance between the derailleur body and the rear sprockets.
What is a cable?
Wound, multiple strand wire used for brake calipers and derailleurs.
What is a cable adjusting barrel?
Hollow bolt that acts as housing stop, changing housing length and cable tension.
What is a cable pinch bolt?
Bolt and washer system that flattens and holds secure the cut end of a cable.
What is a cantilever brake?
Brake system found on mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, and touring road bikes.
What is a cassette?
Sprocket and spacer assembly mounted to a freehub mechanism on the rear wheel.
What is the centerline of a bike?
Mid plane of the bike in line with wheels.
What is a chain?
A connected series of flexible links used to transfer motion of front chainrings to rear sprockets.
What is a chain rivet?
Small pin that connects two outer chain plates, usually considered a permanent part of chain.
What is a chainring?
Sprocket attached to the crank.
What is a chainring bolt?
Special bolts that secure a chainring to crank.
What is a chainring nut?
Thin-walled nut used with a chainring bolt.
What is a chainring nut wrench?
Special wrench with two pegs used to hold chainring nut.
Define chain stay.
Frame tubes connecting the rear dropouts and the bottom bracket shell.
What are cleats?
Fitting mounted to a cycling shoe that attaches the shoe to the pedal.
What is the function of a clutch in a rear derailleur?
Improves chain retention at chainring(s) by resisting movement in adverse conditions.
What are cogs?
Sprockets attached to rear hub.
What is compressionless housing?
Plastic and metal sheath that covers derailleur inner cable, allowing it to pass around corners and between moving parts of the frame.
What is another name for compressionless housing?
Also called SIS™ housing by Shimano®.
Define cone in the context of a bicycle.
A cone-shaped and curved bearing race that rides against ball bearings.
What is a cone wrench?
Thin wrench made to fit the narrow wrench flats of a hub cone.
What is a crank?
The lever arm between the pedal and the bottom bracket.
What is the purpose of a crank bolt?
Bolt that secures crank to bottom bracket spindle.
What is a crank puller?
Tool used to remove cranks by pulling them from bottom bracket spindle.
Define crankset.
Rotating mechanism, turned by feet, or in some cases by hand, which includes the chainrings, crank arms, and chainring bolts/nuts.
What is a crown in bicycle terminology?
Horizontal portion of fork, located at top of fork blades.
What is the function of a derailleur?
Mechanism used to push chain from one cog or chainring to another.
What is a derailleur cable?
The inner cable of the derailleur cable system, sometimes called the gear cable.
Define derailleur capacity.
Rated ability of a rear derailleur to take up chain slack from the gear combinations on the bike.
What is a derailleur hanger?
The fitting on a bicycle frame that holds the rear derailleur.
What does the derailleur limit screw do?
Stops derailleur travel when shifting to either extreme position.
What is a disc brake?
Caliper brake system using a disc-shaped rotor bolted to hub as the braking surface.
What are disc pads?
Metal backing plates with bonded friction material housed in a disc brake caliper.
What is a dishing tool?
A gauge used to measure the centering of the wheel rim over the hub.
What is DOT brake fluid?
Hydraulic brake fluid approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
What does the down tube connect?
Connects lower portion of the head tube to the bottom bracket shell.
Define drop bars.
Curved handlebars made with two bends, with the outermost section being lower than the top.
What is a dropout?
Part of frame and fork that accepts and holds the wheel axle.
What is a dropper seatpost?
Telescopic seatposts that can be moved up or down and locked in place.
What is a dual pivot brake?
Road type brake with two arms pivoting off separate studs mounted to a center bracket.
What is an E-plate derailleur?
A front derailleur design that permanently mounts the derailleur to a plate held by the bottom bracket.
What does ETRTO stand for?
European Tire and Rim Technical Organization.
What is a fixed cup?
The right-side cup of an adjustable bottom bracket.
Define flat bars.
A handlebar style where the handlebars bend very slightly from the center.
What is Flat Mount?
A low profile disc caliper brake mounting standard for frame and forks.
What is a foot-pound?
A measurement of torque used mainly in the U.S.
What is the role of the fork in a bicycle?
Structure connecting frame to front wheel.
What are fork blades?
Tubes connecting fork dropouts to fork crown.
What is the frame of a bike?
Supporting structure for the components, the wheels of a bike, the rider, and the cargo.
What are frame housing stops?
Fittings on the frame that hold either brake or derailleur cable housing ends.
Define freehub.
Ratcheting body bolted internally to hub of rear wheel. Holds cassette cogs. Mechanism does not detach when cogs are removed.
What is a freewheel?
Ratcheting mechanism on the rear wheel fitted with one or more cogs. Cogs and ratcheting body unthread from hub as a unit.
What is the function of a front derailleur?
Mechanism located above front chainrings that pushes the chain from one chainring to another.
What is another term for gear cable?
Derailleur cable.
What is a guide pulley (G-pulley)?
Uppermost pulley on rear derailleur. Guides chain onto rear cogs.
What is Gripshift?
Twist shifter manufactured by SRAM® Corporation.
What connects the handlebars to the cyclist’s hands?
Handlebars.
What is the head tube?
Tube connecting down tube and top tube; contains headset and steering column of fork.
What does the headset do?
Bearing assembly connecting the head tube and fork. Allows fork to rotate.
What is a hex wrench?
Metal wrench made from a six-sided rod (hex-shaped) made to fit inside bolts or other mechanical fittings.
What is a high normal derailleur?
Also known as top normal derailleur.
What is housing in bicycle mechanics?
The outer plastic and metal sheath that covers brake or derailleur cable.
What is a housing end cap (ferrule)?
Small metal or plastic cap that fits over end of housing.
Define hub.
The center of the wheel, contains bearings and an axle.
What is a hub brake?
Braking system located at the center of the wheel inside the hub.
What is a hydraulic brake?
A brake system that uses fluid to transmit force from the rider’s hand to the brake caliper.
What is a hydraulic-mechanical brake?
A brake system that combines hydraulic and mechanical systems.
What does inch-pound measure?
A measurement of torque used mostly in the United States.
What is indexing in bicycle mechanics?
Shifting system that uses ‘clicks’ or dwell to indicate each sprocket location.
What is an inner tube?
Rubber bladder inside tire that holds air.
What does ‘innermost’ refer to?
Closest point relative to the centerline of the bike.
Define interference fit.
A method of assembly where one part is slightly larger than its intended fitting.
What is a kilogram force?
A force equal to a kilogram weight or a one-kilogram mass times the acceleration of gravity.
What are limit screws?
Screws on front and rear derailleurs which stop the derailleurs from causing the chain to move too close to or too far from the bicycle center line.
What are linear pull brakes?
A rim caliper brake with two long parallel arms secured to frame stays or fork legs.
What is a locknut?
Nut used to lock a cone, threaded race, or other threaded item to keep it from moving or unthreading.
What is a low normal derailleur?
A rear derailleur design which, with no cable tension, the derailleur returns to the innermost (largest) sprocket position.
What is a low-profile headset?
A headset that uses a pressed head tube cup that allows bearings to sit inside head tube.
What is a master link?
Linkage system used to join the ends of a chain.
What is the maximum extension line?
A line on a seat post or quill stem indicating the maximum amount the item should be raised above the frame or fork steering column. Also called the ‘minimum insertion line.’
What is the maximum tooth size?
The largest rear sprocket size a rear derailleur will be able to shift onto.
What is a mechanical disc brake?
A disc brake that uses a cable system and has no hydraulic fittings.
What is mineral fluid?
A type of fluid, based on mineral oil, used in some models of hydraulic brakes. Does not interchange with DOT brake fluid.
What is a mountain bike?
Bicycle design intended for rugged, off-road use. Also called ‘ATB,’ or all terrain bike.
What does MTB stand for?
Mountain bike.
What is an Octalink®?
Registered trademark of Shimano® Inc. for a crank and spindle interface standard using 8 splines. Includes the non-interchangeable V1 and V2 systems.
What is a one-key release?
Crank system that allows removal of the crank without a crank puller.
What is a one-piece crank?
Crank that uses a single piece of metal for the arms and spindle. Also called ‘Ashtabula’ crank.
Define ‘outermost’ in the context of bicycles.
Farthest position laterally from centerline of bike.
What is a pawl?
Articulating tooth in a ratcheting system. Used commonly in freehubs and freewheels.
What does PE stand for?
Press fit.
What is a Pipe Billet spindle?
A splined bottom bracket spindle from Shimano® Inc. These cranks and spindles do not interchange with square spindles or square-holed cranks.
What is a Presta valve?
Narrow valve system used for some inner tubes.
What is a pulley wheel?
Small wheel on the rear derailleur that wraps the chain to prevent slack over a range of front and rear cog size combinations.
What is a quick-release skewer?
Metal shaft and lever with cam, fitted into hollow axle. Allows easy and quick removal of wheel.
What is a quill stem?
A type of stem that inserts and secures inside a threaded steering column, allowing a range of handlebar height adjustment.
What is a rear derailleur?
Shifting mechanism attached to the frame that moves chain from one rear sprocket to another.
What are rear sprockets?
The toothed cogs or gears on the rear wheel.
What is a repair stand?
Fixture designed to hold bike while doing repairs.
What is a retaining compound?
Liquid adhesive designed to expand and harden in press fit situations.
What is a rim?
Metal or composite hoop suspended around hub by spokes.
What is a rim caliper brake?
A brake system that applies force, producing friction, directly to the rim for slowing and stopping the bike.
What is a rim strip?
Protective strip covering holes between rim and inner tube.
What is a rotor?
Round disc plate mounted to hub for disc brake caliper.
What is a saddle?
Support for posterior of bicyclist.
What is a Schrader valve?
Inner tube valve commonly seen on many bicycle and car tires.
What is a seat post?
Connection between saddle and frame.
What is a seat tube?
Frame tube connecting top tube and bottom bracket. Seat post inserts into top of seat tube.
What is a seat stay?
Frame tube connecting rear dropout and upper portion of seat tube.
What is a setscrew?
Small screw used primarily for adjustments. Found commonly on brake levers and caliper brakes.
What is self-vulcanizing fluid?
Special fluid used on an inner tube to adhere patch.
What is a shift lever?
Control mechanism designed to pull cable and control derailleur.
What is a sidepull brake?
Caliper brake using one pivot for both arms and mounted to brake bridge above center of wheel.
What is a slip fit?
Method of assembly where one part slides without force into its fitting.
What is a Spanner?
A term for a wrench.
Define Spindle in the context of cycling.
Axle for the bottom bracket.
What is a Spider?
Arms that hold the chainrings to the crank.
What is a Splined spindle?
A tubular-shaped bottom bracket axle with ends having machined notches and recesses.
What does a Spoke connect?
Connects hub to rim.
What is a Spoke nipple?
Nut located at threaded end of spoke.
Define Sprocket.
Toothed gear or wheel used to connect with the chain.
What is a Square spindle?
A spindle design where the spindle ends are a square-shaped stud.
What does a Star nut do?
Presses into the inside of the fork steering column for headset bearing adjustment.
What is a Steering column?
Tubing that connects fork crown to stem.
What is the function of a Stem?
Connector between fork and handlebars.
What is a Straddle wire?
Brake cable connecting two rim caliper arms.
Define Swedge.
A shaping procedure that reduces the size of metal tubing.
What is a Tensiometer?
Tool used to determine the amount of tension in wire spokes.
What does Tension refer to?
Tensile force, pulling along the axis line of an object.
What is a Threadlocker?
A special adhesive designed to expand and harden in the threads of a fastener.
Fill in the blank: Thread pitch is the distance from one thread crest to the _______.
next thread crest.
What is a Threadless stem?
Stem that clamps to the outside of an unthreaded steering column.
Define Tire.
Rubber and fabric casing which encloses the inner tube.
What is a Tire bead?
Wire or fabric cable molded into the tire edge.
What is the purpose of a Tire lever?
Used to remove tire bead from rim.
What is Tire sealant?
A liquid placed in the tire or inner tube to block minor leaks.
What does Top normal derailleur mean?
A rear derailleur design where it returns to the outermost sprocket position with no cable tension.
What is a Top tube?
Frame tube connecting head tube to seat tube.
Define Torque.
Force applied around an axis.
What does True refer to in cycling?
Wheel rim spinning laterally straight and radially round.
What is a Tubeless tire?
Tire and rim system that maintains air pressure without an inner tube.
What is a Twist grip?
Shift lever fitted as part of handgrip that actuates shifting by rotation.
What does UST stand for?
Universal System Tubeless.
What is the function of a Valve core?
Mechanism in inner tube for inflating, maintaining inflation, and deflating tube.
What are V-brakes®?
A type of linear pull brake with pads that move on a parallelogram.
Define Wheel in cycling.
A composite component made of the rim, hub, and spokes.
What is a Zero stack headset?
A headset type that uses a pressed head tube cup for bearings.
What is a Zip tie?
Thin plastic locking straps used to secure most anything.
