Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about words, phrases and definitions that are specific to bicycles.
69 questions
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Is there a word for the range of "difficulty to pedal"?
On an older bike I had 21 gears with two blocks of chainrings (one at the pedals and one in the back). Currently I have 8 gears with a shimano system where the chain does not hop on different ...
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2
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Confused about wheel size 700X35 vs 622X19
I need a new front wheel for my bike. The imprint on the wheel says 622x19, which from my understanding is the diameter and the width of the rim. Looking for a new one, I found this one:
Wheel Masters ...
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What is this bottom bracket tool called?
I came across this tool on Amazon India, to remove the bottom bracket.
I don't know what this tool is called.
I've seen similar tools at motor workshops, so I'm assuming it is a common tool and not ...
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Chain / Chain wheel: D type vs sealed type
I have spent a good 30 minutes on this site but couldn't find anything pointing a clear idea.
I bought a 26 inch, Dual suspension bike. It has a chainwheel of "sealed type." I asked the ...
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1
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Is WG11 a device replacing MIPS or a theory no MIPS is needed?
If found some web talks of this, but these were so foggy and topic-jumping that I still cannot come to conclusion. What one of the two is true that Kask (helmet maker) actually wants to say:
We have ...
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Is rear derailleur hanger numbering standardised?
I broke my hanger, and had to find a replacement.
One listing I found for a "#23" looked quite different, and the seller said:
These numbers are created by the seller, different sellers may ...
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4
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Pass/route/thread a chain? (Terminology)
What is the most common term referring to when you pass the chain through the RD when installing
a chain?
"Pass the chain through the RD"
"Route the chain through the RD"
"...
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Who is actually responsible for the bicycle classification?
It is sometimes possible to hear saying about one or another type of the bicycle "this a marketing term and means nothing", recently SUV being an example. Who decides if the new proposed ...
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What is an SUV bike?
Recently, I've started to see the term "SUV bike" in different contexts. They seem to be referring to expensive e-bikes (pedelecs or s-pedelecs, either freight bikes or regular), with price ...
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Tube terminology for tandems
The names of the tubes are well established for standard single-rider diamond frames, but seemingly less so for tandems.
For tandems, there's a bit more variety in frame design, but the one I've just ...
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What is this metal cage covering the rear derailleur?
On my MTB: This cage like thing covering the rear derailleur was loose and was making a lot of noise when I was riding. I removed it temporarily and it seems fine to do so. Am I correct?
What is the ...
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How to tell if a chamois pad is molded / contoured
I'm trying to replace a worn-out pair of cycling shorts that has been discontinued, and am having a hard time recognizing a feature that seems pretty important: the shape of the chamois pad.
The ...
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Why do we say we "ride" and not "drive" bicycles?
This question has to do with the history of the English terminology used to describe using the bike. Why do we call it "riding" instead of "driving" the bicycle? And why do we &...
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What are these parts of the frame called?
Intro
I am drafting a question about a frame problem, but I'm struggling with terminology.
It seems "appropriate for stack-exchange" to start by asking about the terminology first.
Main ...
- 2,364
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How are these rack and mudguard holders named?
How are these parts holding the rack and the mudguards named in English? There are some pictures on the web featuring "parts of the bicycle" but they are not depicted there with names. This ...
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Is there a cable-stop variant for the screw-in internal routing ports?
On my frame the internal routing "ports", the things that are screwed into the frame with a small hex-head screw, have ingress/egress holes large enough for cable housing to pass through it. ...
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Where can I find a wheel of this design?
I have done some extensive googling trying to find a place to buy these wheel. Here is a picture of one of the front wheels:
And here is the description from the design which can be found here/n55.
...
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What's the generic name for this threaded/decorative "stem cap" on a Delta threadless steer tube extender
I picked up one of these Delta threadless stem risers / steer tube extenders so I could try out different handle bars heights on my gravel bike without going through a bunch of stems (since shops near ...
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1
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Seat mounting rails bent out of shape
Recently I crashed my bike, and since then, the seat has been tilted towards the left side.
I know very little about bikes and the associated terminology, but I think what happened is that the rails ...
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2
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Shimano model number abbreviations
Shimano uses abbreviations in their model numbers. For example, the Shimano Deore Hollowtech II MTB Crankset 3x10-speed has model number FC-M6000-3. Is there a table somewhere that defines all the ...
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V brake tension adjusted by bending a wire
enter image description hereI have v brakes with a stiff wire which you bend to adjust the release tension, as opposed to turning a screw. I love this system, it's such an instinctive way to adjust ...
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3
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What is "height stroke" on a tire?
I am reading a tire review at
http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews/schwalbe-lugano-2015
and it says
the Lugano had a gigantic height stroke. Most tires have this, but the ...
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How do I make sense of Bontrager Tire Models?
Looking at different tires from Trek, they have names like T2, R3, AW1, but I can't find anywhere that decodes these names and tells me the difference between one or the other.
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Terminology: coaster brakes vs free wheel?
I just read this article https://www.tikesbikes.com/pages/coaster-brake-vs-hand-brake and it confuses me. They oppose coaster brakes with free wheels. My understanding is that the opposite of ...
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3
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Is the term "24 inch gear" universal (in the context of fixies)?
Recently the group I ride with has included more fixie riders than I'm used to, and there's a phrase which was initially puzzling but makes perfect sense: the 24-inch gear. I've hidden the meaning ...
- 62.4k
3
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2
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What are these cable "unions" called
The Moulton bike can be taken apart for travel (just using it as an example, I don't have one). The cables that run from the handlebar to the rear triangle are not single continuous cables but are ...
- 1,146
2
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1
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Proper term for 2/3-bolt compatible shoes
I've just managed to find some shoes that are compatible with both 2-bolt SPDs (that I use) and 3-bolt (I'll be using a setup with Look cleats for a single velodrome session). But it was really ...
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3
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What to call bike brake levers with two gripping points?
I have a Schwinn Letour bike which has brake handles that can be gripped from two different points, but the whole brake handle is a singly body of metal, as can be seen here:
I am wondering what this ...
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Pedal kickback on an mtb, what is it?
I have been hearing a bit about pedal kickback recently, but I do not quite understand whAt it is.
What is pedal kickback and how can I use it to my advantage (if that's possible).
Thanks.
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What is low gear and what is high?
I read around the net that 1 is low and 3 is high, but it's opposite on my bike. Is this correct? I have a Sturmy-Archer src3 ll.
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What is the technical name for the push-on type of wheels that are found on some bicycle trailers?
The trailer wheels have their own axle that stays in place via a spring-loaded ball bearing.
(They are quite different from the various axles usually found on bicycles themselves; those have some ...
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Where does the name "B-Tension" come from?
Why is the "B-Tension" adjustment screw so called? Does it stand for anything, have there been A and C adjustments, or is there another reason for its name?
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Why do we sit on saddles that rest on seatposts? (and not on seats that rest on saddleposts)
Why do we call bicycle seats saddles and why is it a seatpost not a saddlepost? Asking for a friend.
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Words for "bicycle" far in etymology from "two wheels" [closed]
In my native language for "bicycle" we use word "rower", that is not self-descriptive. It comes from UK company name "Rover".
Are there some examples in other languages when the etymology for local ...
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What is the origin of BSO - and is it internationally recognized?
Who is the first person who came up with the appellation, "Bicycle Shaped Object" (BSO) referring to very inexpensive and very poorly built bicycles sold through mass-market department stores?
Bonus ...
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Terminology: Is there a technical term for the paired wheels on tricycles?
Are there standard technical terms for the location of the wheels on tricycles? I was writing up an answer to another question and was using clumsy terms such as front-wheel on a delta and rear wheel ...
- 29.5k
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1
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Name for bracket used for holding shift cables in place on down tube
I've got a '70s-era Motobécane† road bike which doesn't have any actual eyelets brazed on for guiding shift cables but instead has a strange chromed "bracket" which attaches onto the down tube ...
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What does 'tire clearance' mean?
What does 'tire clearance' mean? Can you please explain with an illustration? Does it mean the distance between the tire and the fender?
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What are "two-tone" tubular tires called? [duplicate]
What are those old "two-tone" tubular tires actually called?-- You know, the ones with the "natural-rubber" color on the sidewalls?
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Glossary - types of riders [closed]
I'd like to create a terminology index for the types or categories of riders, similar to this question. By types of riders I mean the categories that pro racers are often identified as being part of ...
2
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2
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Name for a part on stands/trainers
So I am building my own trainer/stand for my bike but I am hung up on one part. What is the official term for the part that attaches to the hex bolt on the rear wheel?
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What does 'campy' mean?
What does it mean when people say that a bike part is "campy"?
I've heard people say "campy hub" and "campy chain", for example.
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Is there a title that refers to the person who selects the athletes who will join the national team?
Is there a title that refers to the person who selects the athletes who will integrate the national team (for instance, in the Olympic Games)? In football(soccer), there is a Selector (Sélectionneur ...
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Decoding internal gear specs
I am looking at a bike which describes the gears as:
3 speed internal geared hub, 42t front and 16t rear gearing.
What does the latter spec (42t/16t) describe?
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I'm a bit confused on bike shoe terminology. Particularly regarding Look KEO Plus Pedals - what is required to use them?
I'm a bit confused on terminology.
Clipless pedals are the clip-in style pedals. Correct?
Then the cleat are the shoes you wear? Or are cleats just bottom attachments for any cycling shoe?
A used ...
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Does the term "domestique" have negative connotations?
As far as I understand, the cycling term "domestique" (referring to a supporting member of a professional cycling team) comes from the French word for "servant". According to Wikipedia, it was first ...
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What does "claiming the lane" mean?
If one is "claiming the lane" does that mean:
a) they simply ride on the street (i.e. on the left side of the lane in the US, Germany, France, ..) or
b) they are riding in the middle of the lane, ...
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I'm lost with all the names of bike parts flying around!
Ok so I've been riding bike since I was as young as I can remember. Now I'm 18 and I've been given a fixie. But I know nothing about bikes I've always just ridden them and brought them to a shop when ...
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What is the purpose of the rubber stripe between the wheel and the air chamber?
I had a flat tire and replaced the air chamber. While doing that the rubber stripe that stands between the wheel and the air chamber ripped and it's no longer a ring. It´s hard to put it correctly and ...
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What is it called when you ride a bmx like a unicycle?
I was looking around a bit on YouTube and found a video for a footjam decade... which is pretty cool, in my opinion. However, in this video at 2:44 he rides the bike like a unicycle, straddling the ...
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